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.
Perfect writing I ever seen
Thanks so much!
There is an argument about whether a successful person should be full of money or have made a great contribution to the world. In my opinion, those people who try their best to make the world better, like scientists and doctors, can be considered successful, because they are selfishless.
The money which belongs to rich people would enventually flow back to society, and help improve economics. In most cases, rich people are the boss of a company, which means they actually offer jobs to native people, and ensure the stability of society. Moreover, a rich boss always nurses a successful company, even a monopoly. It also indicates that they are skilled at business or commercial, which is also a signal of their hard work in some cases. However, the final target of those rich bosses is earning unlimited money for themselves primarily, which may lead to unmoral situations. For instance, a manager may push his workers to work overtime without charging an overtime fee.
By contrast, the aims of those who devote themselves to the world are to make the world better or to help people to have better lives. Their dreams are the same as others’. Their achievements improve the human race instead of themselves. For example, when a new type of clean energy is developed, the research team may earn some money or prizes that they deserve. But the successful result benefits the world and may even save humans from lack of energy. Compared to rich people, it is self-evidently for normal citizens that scientists who have conspicuously contributed to society are more successful.
In sum, although rich men could bring some economic profit to locals, those who make tremendous efforts to change the world are more likely to be considered as successful. Because they want a better world for people and take an actual step toward it. Furthermore, the media should pay more attention to the news that is changing the world instead of focusing on famous people.
Keep it up, Gakki!
Selfless is the word you are looking for, I think.
I am little bit unsure about the beginning and the ending part. In your article, there is no main reason in the beginning and the ending. If I present the main reason in beginning and state that in the end, will it be safety?
Moreover, during writing research article, my research tutor tell me that, “on the one hand” and “on the other hand” have to be paired. But I only saw “on the one hand” in your article, and can not find “on the other hand”. It that actually acceptable?
I’m not sure what you mean, Gakki – I state my reason in the introduction and repeat it again in the conclusion – that is what I would recommend you do too.
Can you clarify?
Also it is totally fine to use ‘on the one hand’ the way that I did – it is for showing contrast anyway.
To be safe in your own writing, you can use both phrases.
By far the best source of information for IELTS I had gone through, believe me, it’s a package of everything made much more convenient and easier. Keep up the great work admin.
Really appreciate your hard work. Going for my IELTS exam now in the train (Australia) hopefully I’ll get more than the desired score.
Thanks
You’re very welcome – no admin here thought – just me, Dave!
Let us know how your exam goes!
Most are of belief that persons who earn more money are the most successful, while others think that individuals who contribute to society such as scientists plus teachers are more successful than others. In my opinion, money is a certain degree for being success, but is less success than social workers like scientists and teachers.
Those who claim that success correlates highly with a lot of money argue that it affords higher acceptance in society. Someone who success from money is able to spend luxury life, buy whatever want and not only that, they even can take control the society on their hand.
However, the majority of individuals state that people who contribute to the welfare of the society are more successful. Someone who is a doctor or teacher is able to provide their service to develop they society or a country. Through such kinds of dedication can do success societies and through that, those social contributors also able to be success from both, society as well as humanistic.
In conclusion, success depends on the contribution that provide the society rather than earn money. Finally, success is a such a thing that every individual should obtained but not just one person.