Some People Think that the Teenage Years are the Happiest Times - IELTS Writing Task 2

Happiness is deeply subjective and often shaped by life stage, personal expectations, and social responsibilities. While some people fondly recall adolescence as a carefree period filled with freedom and excitement, others argue that true happiness emerges later in life, when individuals gain independence, purpose, and emotional maturity. The IELTS Writing Task 2 topic ‘Some People Think that the Teenage Years are the Happiest Times’ urges you to compare emotional satisfaction across life stages while presenting a balanced and thoughtful personal viewpoint.

This blog explores how to approach the essay topic ‘Some People Think that the Teenage Years are the Happiest Times’, provides high-band sample responses, and provides you with a strong vocabulary to confidently address this theme.

Essay Question for ‘Some People Think that the Teenage Years are the Happiest Times’

Outline for IELTS Discussion Essay

Given below is the outline that will help you to understand how to write an IELTS discussion essay with opinion, like ‘Some People Think that the Teenage Years are the Happiest Times’.

Sample Answers for Some People Think that the Teenage Years are the Happiest Times IELTS Writing Task 2

You will find three IELTS Band 9 essay samples on the topic ‘Some People Think that the Teenage Years are the Happiest Times’ below. They will help you in writing your own essay and achieving a high score.

Some People Think that the Teenage Years are the Happiest Times - Sample Answer 1

There is a widespread belief that adolescence is the happiest period of life, whereas others argue that adulthood brings deeper fulfilment despite increased responsibilities. I strongly believe that the teenage years are generally happier because they involve fewer pressures, greater emotional freedom, and more time for personal enjoyment.

Teenage life is often characterised by simplicity and a sense of carefreeness. Most teenagers are not burdened with financial obligations, career pressures, or the responsibility of supporting a family. Instead, their primary focus is education, friendships, and leisure activities. School life provides a structured yet relatively stress-free environment where young people can socialise daily, take part in sports or cultural events, and explore their interests. These experiences foster strong social bonds and create frequent moments of joy. Moreover, teenagers are typically encouraged to experiment, make mistakes, and learn without facing severe consequences, which further enhances their emotional well-being.

By contrast, adulthood brings a different, and arguably deeper, form of happiness. Adults gain independence and the ability to shape their own lives, which can be highly fulfilling. Achievements such as building a career, forming meaningful relationships, or raising a family often provide a strong sense of purpose. Although adults face stress related to work and finances, they are better equipped emotionally to manage challenges. For instance, earning one’s own income and making independent choices often results in confidence and self-respect. 

In conclusion, adulthood offers certain rewards, such as personal growth, independence, and a sense of accomplishment. However, these benefits usually require prolonged effort, sacrifice, and patience, making happiness sporadic and less consistent than during adolescence. Adolescence remains a uniquely joyful phase of life, free from the constant pressures that define adulthood. 

Some People Think that the Teenage Years are the Happiest Times - Sample Answer 2

Life has many phases and some phases are considered more jocund and jaunty than others. While many believe that one lives life to its fullest during the delicate and carefree years of teenage, others consider one lives exhilaratingly in adulthood. In this essay, we shall reflect upon both the opinions and I will propound my views on the same.

Adulthood is a stage where one gets the utmost freedom and true emancipation as far as individual decisions are concerned. One can nurture one’s intellect and perspicacity in adulthood to an optimum level that is not restricted, in most cases, by other’s thoughts and reflections on a particular topic. For example, one doesn’t have to rely upon the direction of a guardian to decide upon trivial matters. Moreover, one becomes economically independent upon the attainment of the adult stage of life. As a result, they become the finest and happiest in all the endeavour one chooses to step into after having gone through a stern phase of discipline and hardship. 

Contrary to that, many proffer that life endows all the happiness and exuberance during the teenage years and I find myself swinging along the same direction. Firstly, the paucity of resources, the dearth of comfort and despondence if ever-pervasive in one’s life, is not intensely felt during the juvenile years as one doesn’t come to terms with the reference of the drudgery and perseverance of adulthood. Secondly, this phase of life, more often, is safeguarded under the tutelage of one’s guardians who look after them and check their routine requirements. So, it won’t be erroneous to say that the most exquisite seconds of one’s life are the teenage years, where one is not totally dependent on the most basic chores and at the same time, doesn’t play on the forefront to take up daunting tasks.

Hence, conclusively it could be said that the teenage years are unequivocally the most rejoiced phase of one’s life, where one lives to the fullest essence with a credulous soul and starry eyes.

Some People Think that the Teenage Years are the Happiest Times - Sample Answer 3

Vocabulary to Use for Some People Think that the Teenage Years are the Happiest Times - IELTS Writing Task 2

Below are some IELTS academic high-frequency vocabulary words for IELTS essay, like ‘Some People Think that the Teenage Years are the Happiest Times’, which will help you when framing your answer for this or related topics.

To conclude, the debate over whether happiness peaks in adolescence or adulthood highlights how emotional satisfaction changes across life stages. Recent IELTS topics in Writing Task 2, like this one, encourage you to compare experiences, evaluate responsibilities, and express personal judgement clearly. So, using balanced arguments, relevant examples, and precise vocabulary, you can effectively demonstrate critical thinking and achieve a strong writing band score.

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