In some countries, a few people earn extremely high salaries. Some people think that this is good for a country, while others believe the government should control salaries and limit the amount people can earn. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Same questionCompare 3 different answers (Band 6.5–8)

Sample Response

1

There is a large income disparityearning discrepancy among the highest- and lowest-earning groupstop and bottom percentage of individuals in many nations. This occurs becauseThis is due to the fact that certain people at the top are earning extremely high salariesmaking exorbitant salaries. Many people think that this is an unequal distribution of incomeunfair distribution of wages as those aton the bottom are struggling to make ends meet. Therefore, they advocate that the government should set a salary ceiling. FromIn my perspective, I don’t agree with this viewopinion, as a high income motivates people to work hardermore. In the following paragraphs, I shall discuss both views and give reasons to support my opinion.

2

Primarily, some people believe that the government should ensure that income is distributed more equallymoney is spread equally across the country. It would enable governments to keep a close eye on people’s earningspeople’s earning potential and avoid income disparities within the country. It would also narrow the gapdifference between affluent and poor people, eventually eradicating poverty. By adhering to these rules, society will advance in a consistent manner, providing a fair opportunity for all.

3

Nevertheless, people work hard in order to earn high wages and afford the lifestyles they desire. This goal drives people to improve the quality of their workenhance their job quality so that they can be regarded as the leadingtop specialists in their professions. Additionally, it is only through the efforts of these individuals that the country becomes a developed nationdevelops into a well-developed nation. Because the money produced by those with high incomes is taxed and distributed throughout the country, individuals are highly dedicated to their work, which should be rewarded with good pay. Therefore, instead of preventing individuals from obtaining high incomes, the government should invest in education programs for the lower-income groupsweaker class so that they may earn high salaries as well.

4

Overall, some people think that capping salaries is the best approach to preserve social equalityhomogeneity since it promotes equal opportunity for everybody. However, rather than stifling people’s desires to improve their standard of living, the government should implement a variety of educational initiatives.

Overall assessment

Why this response received Band 7.0

The response presents a clear position and develops both sides in a logical structure, with the case against salary caps receiving useful explanation and an alternative policy. Its main limitation is that several claims about equality, poverty eradication, taxation, and national development are broad or insufficiently substantiated. The highest-priority improvement is to develop each argument through a more precise causal explanation and a concrete, credible example.

Band score breakdown

IELTS Writing Criteria Scores

TR

Task Response

7.0
Scoring rule

Both views and a clear opinion are addressed, although some supporting claims are broad and overgeneralised.

Next step

Develop the consequences of each policy with a specific example and avoid unsupported claims such as salary controls eradicating poverty.

CC

Coherence and Cohesion

7.0
Scoring rule

The response progresses logically through a clear introduction, two contrasting body paragraphs, and a consistent conclusion.

Next step

Use more precise internal links between claims so that references such as ‘these rules’ have an unmistakable antecedent.

LR

Lexical Resource

6.5
Scoring rule

A good range of topic vocabulary is used, but several collocations are awkward or imprecise.

Next step

Replace expressions such as ‘bottom percentage’ and ‘weaker class’ with natural, accurate terms such as ‘lowest earners’ and ‘lower-income groups’.

GRA

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

7.0
Scoring rule

A variety of sentence structures is handled with generally good control, and errors rarely impede meaning.

Next step

Proofread prepositions, articles, and noun phrasing, especially forms such as ‘from my perspective’ and ‘those at the bottom’.

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IELTS Writing Task 2

In some countries, a few people earn extremely high salaries. Some people think that this is good for a country, while others believe the government should control salaries and limit the amount people can earn. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

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