People Think That More Money Will Make Them Happier – IELTS Writing Task 2 Discussion Essay

The essay topic, ‘People Think That More Money Will Make Them Happier’, would help you to think from different perspectives and develop diverse opinions from a neutral point of view. This topic increases your knowledge on topics which are related to finance, happiness, work-life balance, and social values. With this essay, you can practice the IELTS Writing section where you would acquire basic writing skills like idea generation, organization, logical connection, and topic-specific vocabulary words. By diving into the sample answer, you will acquire the skills of argument structuring, giving examples, and using appropriate tone throughout the essay.

Tips to Generate Ideas for IELTS Writing Task 2 Discussion Essay ‘People Think That More Money Will Make Them Happier’

It is crucial to improve your ability to present multiple viewpoints, especially in this type of IELTS Writing Task 2 essays.  As the coherence, task response, and lexical resource will be the parameters on which you will be assessed, you must get familiar with the idea planning, developing body paragraphs and also the effective usage of formal academic language. The table below suggests the tips which will guide you to generate ideas for the essay, ‘People Think That More Money Will Make Them Happier’.

Question - IELTS Writing Task 2 Discussion Essay, ‘People Think That More Money Will Make Them Happier’

Structure Breakdown for the IELTS Writing Task 2 Discussion Essay, ‘People Think That More Money Will Make Them Happier’

Creating an outline is one of the most important aspects which will help you to achieve a higher IELTS Band Score of 8+. A well-organized essay would include the articulation of your thoughts and ideas, the progression of your argument, and the way you efficiently attempt the essay. Below is the structure breakdown for the IELTS Writing Task 2 Discussion Essay, ‘People Think That More Money Will Make Them Happier’.

Want to learn How to Write Discussion Essay? Check out the video below!

Sample Answer 1 on ‘People Think That More Money Will Make Them Happier’

Many people say that money cannot buy happiness, and I believe it to be true. Not everything in the world can make one happy for a long time, including money. In contrast, some people have the perspective that money can bring more happiness in their essence of life. My take on this is that money is not the only thing that can make people happier, and the essay will explain why.

On one hand, the comfort and grandeur that money can buy are also important. For example, if parents have enough money to provide the proper education for their children and fulfill their desired wants and needs, they undoubtedly would be more than happy and worry-free. The rich can also support more charity for the needy and poor to elevate their standard of living. As a result, one can achieve happiness by acquiring all their specific needs and wants while living a comfortable life.

On the other hand, having money indeed brings happiness to most people, but it does not mean that people without money are dispirited. For instance, social workers working in underdeveloped countries make a small amount of money. Still, the reward of happiness and the gratification they gain from helping people and doing the job they are good at is immeasurable. Moreover, the best things in life are mostly free. To name a few, happiness can be found in doing the job that you love, having supportive and loving people in one’s life, random acts of kindness from a stranger, having time to oneself, feeling the sun on one’s face, the clean feeling after a long shower, the thrill of personal achievement, et cetera. These things may sound trivial but are more valuable than any amount of money.

To conclude, people can be happy even if they have nickels and dimes to spend, and other things can play an essential role in bringing happiness. However, money fails to provide eternal joy and peace of mind.

Vocabulary for Sample Answer 1 on ‘People Think That More Money Will Make Them Happier’

• Essence

Meaning – the intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something, especially something abstract, which determines its character.
Example – Knowing natural rules brings the essence of life to another level.

• Dispirited

Meaning – having lost enthusiasm and hope or disheartened.
Example – Carol was dispirited right after she got scolded by her teacher in front of her batchmates.

• Gratification

Meaning – pleasure, especially when gained from the satisfaction of a desire.
Example – In this materialistic world, one should seek gratification from within.

• Trivial

Meaning – of little value or importance.
Example – Lara tends to cry at anything trivial, but she feels better after it.

• Grandeur

Meaning – splendour and impressiveness, especially of appearance or style.
Example – My friend’s wedding was arranged with such grandeur that we were all in awe.

• Nickel and dimes

Meaning – greedily or unfairly charge (someone) many small amounts for minor services.
Example – Restaurants and cafes usually charge nickel and dimes on the face of service charge on the bill.

Sample Answer 2 on ‘People Think That More Money Will Make Them Happier’

Most people connect a better income with a happier life where they think that financial success is the key to a better lifestyle. However, others opine that happiness is more dependent on personal and social aspects than on money. In this essay, both sides will be discussed in the forthcoming paragraphs..

To start with, money does bring happiness, especially when security is concerned. With the required amount of money, one can satisfy their needs while unfazed about costs involved in illness or accidents. Besides that, being financially secure gives the person the opportunity to engage in leisure pursuits. In other words, individuals can follow their passion and enroll in courses for further education, which altogether raise the level of life satisfaction.

On the contrary, happiness cannot be gauged in terms of cash. This is predominantly because of the fact that close friends and family, health, and a sense of direction are all factors that play to a greater extent in people remaining happy for extended durations. The ones with high incomes in many cases are the sufferers of stress, long working hours, and cutthroat competition, all of which are harmful to one's mental state. Besides, even if the rich do not possess the items they want anymore, they will be left with only the need for more money. This urge could make them realize that it is not always easily attainable due to which they develop the feeling of having no contentment.

To conclude, financial stability might be a factor that favors happiness, but it might also include conditions where priorities might change. An abundant life must be based on both economic security and a person’s value system.

Vocabulary for Sample Answer 2 on ‘People Think That More Money Will Make Them Happier’

• Unfazed

Meaning – A person who is not affected or worried by a situation
Example – She was unfazed by the financial pressure and instead concentrated on keeping a balanced lifestyle.

• Leisure pursuits

Meaning – Activities for enjoyment and relaxation
Example – Many people engage in different leisure pursuits like travelling and playing sports.

• Gauged

Meaning – Something which is examined very carefully
Example – Tom disagrees to gauge happiness through the lens of material success.

• Cutthroat

Meaning – Extreme levels of competition
Example – A cutthroat workplace usually results in stress nowadays.

• Attainable

Meaning – Something that is possible to achieve
Example – Many believe that dreams can be attainable if one focuses on them.

• Contentment

Meaning – A state of mind where a person is feeling satisfied and at peace within
Example – Kriya finds contentment through relationships and social work.

By practising consistently on various topics, you will get familiar with the structure of the essay and ace the IELTS Exam.  With every new topic, you will learn to think of ideas, develop different opinions, and present your arguments coherently. This will help in improving skills related to coherence, vocabulary range, grammatical control and critical thinking. Remember that every discussion essay is your opportunity to polish your writing style, acquire confidence, and get closer to your desired band.

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