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This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of success from the real IELTS general training exam.
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Dave
IELTS Essay: Success
Many would argue that those who contribute significantly to society, such as artists, teachers and scientists, are more successful than the affluent. In my opinion, although earnings can be a sign of success, one’s worldly impact should be held in higher esteem.
On the one hand, wealth allows an individual to enjoy their life to the fullest. It is common in popular culture to elevate values related to altruism, however, most honest individuals would admit that success can be equated with what one can afford. The wealthy can afford the possessions and lifestyle they desire and also have the free time and peace of mind to completely enjoy their leisure. In past centuries, such people were admired as shameless examples of personal enjoyment. Therefore, this financial freedom can be viewed as the strictest and more direct definition of success.
However, money itself does not always engender a feeling of satisfaction in the same way as more active pursuits in life. Many wealthy individuals feel that they have contributed little to society and this diminishes their enjoyment of their gains. Such dissatisfaction is less present in individuals who, as long as they are not living in destitute poverty, pursue meaningful outlets for their energies. For example, renowned scientists throughout history are often not extremely wealthy, yet they are considered great successes due to their contributions and the personal joy they derive from the full exercise of their abilities. This fact can be extended to all other professions that involve determination, creativity, and the growth of one’s influence.
In conclusion, despite the material benefits of wealth, it is clear that one’s ability to shape the world is a surer symbol of success. Every individual and society must locate a balance between these two ideals.
Analysis
1. Many would argue that those who contribute significantly to society, such as artists, teachers and scientists, are more successful than the affluent. 2. In my opinion, although earnings can be a sign of success, one’s worldly impact should be held in higher esteem.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. On the one hand, wealth allows an individual to enjoy their life to the fullest. 2. It is common in popular culture to elevate values related to altruism, however, most honest individuals would admit that success can be equated with what one can afford. 3. The wealthy can afford the possessions and lifestyle they desire and also have the free time and peace of mind to completely enjoy their leisure. 4. In past centuries, such people were admired as shameless examples of personal enjoyment. 5. Therefore, this financial freedom can be viewed as the strictest and more direct definition of success.
- Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea.
- Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
- Keep developing it fully.
- Extend with some short sentences as well.
1. However, money itself does not always engender a feeling of satisfaction in the same way as more active pursuits in life. 2. Many wealthy individuals feel that they have contributed little to society and this diminishes their enjoyment of their gains. 3. Such dissatisfaction is less present in individuals who, as long as they are not living in destitute poverty, pursue meaningful outlets for their energies. 4. For example, renowned scientists throughout history are often not extremely wealthy, yet they are considered great successes due to their contributions and the personal joy they derive from the full exercise of their abilities. 5. This fact can be extended to all other professions that involve determination, creativity, and the growth of one’s influence.
- Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
- Explain your new main idea.
- Include specific details and examples.
- Continue developing it…
- as fully as possible!
1. In conclusion, despite the material benefits of wealth, it is clear that one’s ability to shape the world is a surer symbol of success. 2. Every individual and society must locate a balance between these two ideals.
- Summarise your main ideas.
- Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.
Many would argue that those who contribute significantly to society, such as artists, teachers and scientists, are more successful than the affluent. In my opinion, although earnings can be a sign of success, one’s worldly impact should be held in higher esteem.
On the one hand, wealth allows an individual to enjoy their life to the fullest. It is common in popular culture to elevate values related to altruism, however, most honest individuals would admit that success can be equated with what one can afford. The wealthy can afford the possessions and lifestyle they desire and also have the free time and peace of mind to completely enjoy their leisure. In past centuries, such people were admired as shameless examples of personal enjoyment. Therefore, this financial freedom can be viewed as the strictest and more direct definition of success.
However, money itself does not always engender a feeling of satisfaction in the same way as more active pursuits in life. Many wealthy individuals feel that they have contributed little to society and this diminishes their enjoyment of their gains. Such dissatisfaction is less present in individuals who, as long as they are not living in destitute poverty, pursue meaningful outlets for their energies. For example, renowned scientists throughout history are often not extremely wealthy, yet they are considered great successes due to their contributions and the personal joy they derive from the full exercise of their abilities. This fact can be extended to all other professions that involve determination, creativity, and the growth of one’s influence.
In conclusion, despite the material benefits of wealth, it is clear that one’s ability to shape the world is a surer symbol of success. Every individual and society must locate a balance between these two ideals.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
argue claim
contribute significantly give a lot to
affluent rich
although however
earnings money made
sign of success symbol of achievement
worldly impact effect on everyone
held in higher esteem considered more important
on the one hand firstly
wealth money
enjoy their life to the fullest have a good life
common pervasive
elevate values raised importance
related to concerning
altruism doing things for others
however regardless
honest truthful
admit confide, say
equated made equal
afford be able to pay for
possessions things you have
lifestyle standard of living
desire want
free time spare time
peace of mind not worried
completely totally
leisure free time
in past centuries hundreds of years ago
admired looked upon fondly
shameless examples not feeling bad about themselves role models
personal enjoyment loving for themselves
therefore thus
financial freedom ability to buy things
strictest most severe
direct definition clear description
engender create
satisfaction feeling good about
active pursuits not passive jobs
contributed added to
diminishes gets smaller
gains increases
dissatisfaction not satisfied with
less present not there as much
as long as so far as
destitute poverty very, very poor
pursue meaningful outlets do something important in life
energies attempts, abilities
renowned famous
throughout history for a long time from the past to now
considered regarded as
contributions giving something back
personal joy sense of achievement
derive get
full exercise complete use
extended lengthened
professions jobs
determination grit
creativity imagination
growth getting bigger
despite regardless of
material benefits money, things
shape influence
surer symbol better sign
locate find
balance keep equal
ideals principles
Pronunciation
Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:
ˈɑːgjuː
kənˈtrɪbju(ː)t sɪgˈnɪfɪkəntli
ˈæflʊənt
ɔːlˈðəʊ
ˈɜːnɪŋz
saɪn ɒv səkˈsɛs
ˈwɜːldli ˈɪmpækt
hɛld ɪn ˈhaɪər ɪsˈtiːm.
ɒn ðə wʌn hænd
wɛlθ
ɪnˈʤɔɪ ðeə laɪf tuː ðə ˈfʊlɪst
ˈkɒmən
ˈɛlɪveɪt ˈvæljuːz
rɪˈleɪtɪd tuː
ˈæltrʊɪzm
haʊˈɛvə
ˈɒnɪst
ədˈmɪt
ɪˈkweɪtɪd
əˈfɔːd
pəˈzɛʃənz
ˈlaɪfˌstaɪl
dɪˈzaɪə
friː taɪm
piːs ɒv maɪnd
kəmˈpliːtli
ˈlɛʒə
ɪn pɑːst ˈsɛnʧʊriz
ədˈmaɪəd
ˈʃeɪmlɪs ɪgˈzɑːmplz
ˈpɜːsnl ɪnˈʤɔɪmənt
ˈðeəfɔː
faɪˈnænʃəl ˈfriːdəm
ˈstrɪktɪst
dɪˈrɛkt ˌdɛfɪˈnɪʃən
ɪnˈʤɛndə
ˌsætɪsˈfækʃən
ˈæktɪv pəˈsjuːts
kənˈtrɪbju(ː)tɪd
dɪˈmɪnɪʃɪz
geɪnz
dɪsˌsætɪsˈfækʃən
lɛs ˈprɛznt
æz lɒŋ æz
ˈdɛstɪtjuːt ˈpɒvəti
pəˈsjuː ˈmiːnɪŋfʊl ˈaʊtlɛts
ˈɛnəʤiz
rɪˈnaʊnd
θru(ː)ˈaʊt ˈhɪstəri
kənˈsɪdəd
ˌkɒntrɪˈbjuːʃənz
ˈpɜːsnl ʤɔɪ
dɪˈraɪv
fʊl ˈɛksəsaɪz
ɪksˈtɛndɪd
prəˈfɛʃənz
dɪˌtɜːmɪˈneɪʃən
ˌkriːeɪˈtɪvɪti
grəʊθ
dɪsˈpaɪt
məˈtɪərɪəl ˈbɛnɪfɪts
ʃeɪp
ˈʃʊərə ˈsɪmbəl
ləʊˈkeɪt
ˈbæləns
aɪˈdɪəlz
Vocabulary Practice
I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:
Many would a_____e that those who c__________________________y to society, such as artists, teachers and scientists, are more successful than the a_________t. In my opinion, a__________h e_________s can be a s_________________s, one’s w_____________t should be h_________________m.
O________________d, w_________h allows an individual to e_______________________________t. It is c________n in popular culture to e______________s r____________o a____________m, h_____________r, most h____________t individuals would a_________t that success can be e____________d with what one can a________d. The wealthy can afford the p________________s and l_____________e they d_______e and also have the f___________e and p_______________d to c______________y enjoy their l___________e. I__________________s, such people were a____________d as s_____________________s of p_____________________t. T____________e, this f________________m can be viewed as the s____________t and more d____________________n of success.
However, money itself does not always e_________r a feeling of s_____________n in the same way as more a__________________s in life. Many wealthy individuals feel that they have c_____________d little to society and this d_______________s their enjoyment of their g_______s. Such d__________________n is l____________t in individuals who, a_____________s they are not living in d_________________y, p___________________________s for their e_____________s. For example, r__________d scientists t_________________y are often not extremely wealthy, yet they are c___________d great successes due to their c_____________s and the p________________y they d_______e from the f______________e of their abilities. This fact can be e_____________d to all other p_____________s that involve d________________n, c______________y, and the g__________h of one’s influence.
In conclusion, d________e the m_________________s of wealth, it is clear that one’s ability to s_______e the world is a s_____________l of success. Every individual and society must l________e a b________e between these two i______s.
Listening Practice
Learn more about this topic by watching videos from The New York Times YouTube channel below and practice with these activities:
Reading Practice
Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/the-10-greatest-scientists-of-all-time
Speaking Practice
Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam
Success
- When a person is successful, are they also happy?
- What is success?
- Do relationships affect success?
- Which is more important for success: opportunity or hard work?
- What defines success for people in your country?
Writing Practice
Practice with the related IELTS essay topic below:
Some think schools should rewards students who have the best academic results, while others think it’s more important to reward students who achieve other types of success (such as sports, music, and good behaviour).
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
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