Some people say that material possessions bring happiness in life, but others suggest that they are useless in terms of providing happiness. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Sample Response
The debate on whether material possessions contribute to happinesshappiness in life has been a topic of debatesubject of discussion for centuries. While some argue that material possessions bring happiness and comfort, others contend that true happiness lies in non-material aspects of life, such as relationships and personal fulfilment. This essay will explore both perspectives and argue that while material possessions can provide temporary pleasure, they are not the ultimate source of genuine and lasting happiness.
Those who emphasize the importanceadvocate for the significance of material possessions argue that they can bring immediate pleasure and gratification. Acquiring new gadgets, luxuryluxurious items, or a dream car can provide a sense of accomplishment and elevate one's mood. Moreover, material possessions can enhance comfort and convenience in daily life, making it easier to enjoy various experiences and activities. For instance, owning the latest smartphone can bring joy and excitement, as it offers advanced featuresfeatures and functionalities that enhance communication and entertainment.
Conversely, proponents of the view that material possessions cannot provide happinessare useless in terms of providing happiness emphasize the significance of non-material aspects of life. Genuine happiness is often associated with strong relationships, a sense of purpose, and personal growth. Fulfilling experiences, such as spending quality time with loved ones, pursuing hobbies, or engaging in community service, can provide deep and lasting fulfilmentoffer profound and lasting happiness. Research has shown that individuals who prioritise experiences over material possessions report higher levels of life satisfaction and overall well-being.
In my opinion, happiness derived fromhappiness that derives from material possessions is often short-lived and subject to diminishing returns. Consequently, the pursuit of material possessions can lead to a cycle of materialism and discontent, as genuine fulfilment is elusive through mere acquisition. By contrastOn the contrary, investing time and energy in nurturing meaningful relationships and personal growth can foster a sense of contentment and happiness that transcends material desires.
In summarypithy, while material possessions can provide temporary pleasure and comfort, they are not the sole determinants of true and lasting happiness. The pursuit of non-material aspects, such as meaningful relationships and personal growth, plays a pivotal role in achieving genuine contentment.
Why this response received Band 8.0
The essay fully discusses both perspectives and sustains a nuanced, clearly expressed opinion, with strong development of temporary pleasure versus lasting fulfilment. Its main limitation is minor stylistic imprecision, particularly the incorrect closing phrase “In pithy” and some repetition of key terms. The priority is to refine those isolated expressions and vary references without weakening the essay’s precise, well-organised argument.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
Both views are thoroughly addressed, and the writer's clear opinion is developed through relevant reasoning and well-chosen examples.
Add one concrete illustration of diminishing returns or lasting experiential satisfaction to make the final evaluation even more tangible.
Coherence and Cohesion
Ideas are sequenced logically through the two views, evaluation, and conclusion, with cohesive devices used effectively throughout.
Replace “On the contrary” in the opinion paragraph with a connector that more precisely signals comparison, such as “By contrast.”
Lexical Resource
The response uses broad, precise vocabulary for pleasure, fulfilment, materialism, and well-being, despite isolated awkward wording and repetition.
Replace “In pithy” with “In summary” and vary repeated references to “material possessions” and “happiness” where clarity permits.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex structures is controlled accurately, and the few minor errors do not impede meaning.
Preserve this grammatical control while checking fixed introductory phrases and keeping list structures fully parallel.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Some people say that material possessions bring happiness in life, but others suggest that they are useless in terms of providing happiness. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.