Some people believe that they should be able to keep all the money they earn, and should not have to pay tax to the state. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Sample Response
The notion that individuals should retain all their earnings and avoid contributing to the state through taxationnot contribute to the state through taxation is a contentious issue. While some argue that paying taxes is an unnecessary burden, others believe that it is a vital civic duty. In this essay, I will argue that, despite the appeal of having more disposable income, paying taxes is essential for the well-being of society as a whole. On the one hand, some individuals contend that they should be allowed to retain all their earningskeep all their hard-earned money, as they know best how to allocate their resources. This perspective is understandable, as having more disposable incomemoney in their pockets enables them to afford the necessities and desired luxuriesnecessities and luxuries they desire. Moreover, if individuals are allowed to retain their earnings, they are likely to invest in their personal development, which could lead to increased productivity and innovation. However, this viewpoint overlooks the pivotal role that taxation plays in supporting societysustaining the fabric of our society. On the other hand, taxes are indispensable for the provision of essential public services and infrastructure that benefit everyone. Governments rely on tax revenue to fund essential public facilitiesvital amenities such as roads, schools, and hospitals, which are crucial for our collective well-being. For instance, taxes enable the government to maintain a functioning healthcare system, thereby ensuringhealthcare system, which ensures that citizens have access to quality medical care when they need it most. Furthermore, taxesFurthermore, taxes also facilitate the financing of education, which is essential for the development of human capital and the growth of the economy. If individuals were not obliged to pay taxes, these essential services would likely be severely reduceddepleted, resulting in a decline in our quality of life. In conclusion, while it may seem appealing to retain all our earnings, I believe that the benefits of taxation far outweigh the costs. By paying taxesBy contributing to the state, we are investing in our collective future and ensuring that our society functions smoothly. Ultimately, it is our civic duty to pay taxes, as they are essential for the provision of public goods and services that enhance our quality of life.
Why this response received Band 7.5
The response sustains a clear position and develops a persuasive case for taxation through relevant discussion of public services, infrastructure, healthcare, and education. Its main limitation is presentation as one uninterrupted paragraph, which obscures the otherwise logical movement between the opposing view, the writer's argument, and the conclusion. The highest-priority improvement is to divide these stages into purposeful paragraphs and give each a sharply focused central idea.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
The position is explicit throughout, and the response develops relevant reasons for rejecting the idea that earners should keep all income.
Add a little more critical examination of the strongest argument against taxation to make the evaluation more nuanced.
Coherence and Cohesion
Ideas follow a clear argumentative sequence and cohesive devices guide the reader, but the entire response is presented as a single paragraph.
Separate the introduction, opposing view, main argument, and conclusion into distinct paragraphs with one central purpose each.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is wide, precise, and flexible, with effective language for discussing civic responsibility, public provision, and economic consequences.
Trim repeated references to essential services and collective well-being by using more selective wording where the meaning is already established.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A broad range of complex structures is used accurately, and the few minor imperfections do not disrupt communication.
Polish punctuation and sentence length in the densest parts so the sophisticated structures remain effortless to process.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Some people believe that they should be able to keep all the money they earn, and should not have to pay tax to the state. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.