IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Essays: Addressing Income Inequality Through Taxation

Income inequality is a pressing global issue, and taxation is often proposed as a potential solution. This topic has appeared in various forms in IELTS Writing Task 2 questions over the years, and its relevance in today’s socio-economic climate suggests it may continue to be a recurring theme. Let’s examine a specific question related to this topic and provide sample essays for different band scores.

Some people believe that governments should tax the rich more and use the money to help the poor. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Analyzing the Question

This question asks for your opinion on a specific approach to addressing income inequality through taxation. Key points to consider:

1. The proposal: Increasing taxes on the wealthy
2. The purpose: To use the additional revenue to assist the poor
3. Your task: To express your level of agreement or disagreement

Remember to provide reasons and examples to support your position.

Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)

Income disparity is a growing concern in many countries, and the idea of progressive taxation to redistribute wealth has gained traction. While I largely agree that governments should increase taxes on high-income earners to support the less fortunate, I believe this approach should be implemented cautiously and in conjunction with other measures.

Taxing the affluent more heavily can indeed provide substantial resources for poverty alleviation programs. These funds could be channeled into improving public services, such as healthcare and education, which disproportionately benefit lower-income groups. For instance, in Scandinavian countries, high tax rates on the wealthy have facilitated comprehensive social welfare systems that have significantly reduced poverty rates. Moreover, this approach can help create a more equitable society by narrowing the wealth gap and promoting social mobility.

However, it is crucial to strike a balance to avoid potential negative consequences. Excessively high tax rates on the rich might discourage entrepreneurship and investment, potentially leading to economic stagnation and job losses that could harm the very people the policy aims to help. Additionally, there is a risk of capital flight, where wealthy individuals move their assets to countries with lower tax rates, thereby reducing the overall tax base.

Therefore, while I support the principle of progressive taxation, I believe it should be part of a more comprehensive strategy. Governments should also focus on creating economic opportunities, improving education and skills training, and implementing policies that encourage wealth creation across all socio-economic levels. Furthermore, efforts to close tax loopholes and improve tax collection efficiency should accompany any increase in tax rates.

In conclusion, I agree to a large extent that governments should tax the rich more to help the poor, but this approach must be carefully calibrated and complemented by other measures to ensure long-term economic growth and social progress.

(309 words)

Essay Analysis

This essay would likely score in the Band 8-9 range due to:

1. Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, presenting a clear position with a nuanced approach.
2. Coherence and Cohesion: Ideas are logically organized with clear progression. Paragraphing is appropriate and cohesive devices are used effectively.
3. Lexical Resource: A wide range of vocabulary is used accurately and appropriately, including topic-specific terms like “progressive taxation” and “capital flight”.
4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay demonstrates a wide range of complex structures used accurately, with only minor errors.

Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)

I partially agree that governments should increase taxes on rich people to help the poor. This approach has both advantages and disadvantages that need to be considered.

On one hand, taxing the wealthy more can provide more money for the government to help poor people. This extra money could be used to improve public services like healthcare and education, which are especially important for low-income families. For example, in some European countries, higher taxes on the rich have helped create better social welfare systems. This can make society fairer and give poor people more chances to improve their lives.

However, there are also some problems with this idea. If taxes are too high, rich people might not want to invest in businesses or might move their money to other countries with lower taxes. This could lead to fewer jobs and less economic growth, which would be bad for everyone, including the poor. Also, some people might think it’s unfair to take more money from those who have worked hard to become successful.

I think a better solution would be to find a balance. Governments could increase taxes on the rich a little bit, but also look for other ways to help the poor. For example, they could create more job training programs or improve education to help people get better jobs. They could also try to make sure that big companies pay their fair share of taxes.

In conclusion, while I agree that taxing the rich more can help the poor, I think it should be done carefully and along with other measures to address poverty and inequality.

(264 words)

Essay Analysis

This essay would likely score in the Band 6-7 range due to:

1. Task Response: The essay addresses the task and presents a clear position, but the ideas could be more fully developed.
2. Coherence and Cohesion: There is a clear overall progression, but the use of cohesive devices is sometimes inaccurate or mechanical.
3. Lexical Resource: There is a sufficient range of vocabulary, but more sophisticated items could be used. Some attempts at less common vocabulary are made.
4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: A mix of simple and complex sentence forms is used, with some errors that do not impede communication.

Income inequality and taxation concept

Key Vocabulary to Remember

1. Income inequality (noun) – /ˈɪnkʌm ɪnɪˈkwɒlɪti/ – The extent to which income is distributed unevenly in a group of people
2. Progressive taxation (noun) – /prəˈɡresɪv tækˈseɪʃən/ – A tax system where the tax rate increases as the taxable amount increases
3. Wealth redistribution (noun) – /welθ ˌriːdɪstrɪˈbjuːʃən/ – The transfer of income, wealth, or property from some individuals to others
4. Social mobility (noun) – /ˈsəʊʃəl məˈbɪlɪti/ – The ability of individuals to move between different social classes
5. Capital flight (noun) – /ˈkæpɪtl flaɪt/ – The rapid movement of large sums of money out of a country
6. Tax loophole (noun) – /tæks ˈluːphəʊl/ – A technicality that allows a person or business to avoid the full extent of a tax liability
7. Socio-economic (adjective) – /ˌsəʊsiəʊˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk/ – Relating to or concerned with the interaction of social and economic factors

Conclusion

Addressing income inequality through taxation is a complex topic that requires careful consideration of various economic and social factors. When writing about this subject in IELTS Task 2, it’s crucial to present a balanced argument, provide relevant examples, and use appropriate vocabulary.

For practice, try writing your own essay on this topic or related ones, such as:

• “Some argue that a flat tax rate for all income levels is fairer than a progressive tax system. Do you agree or disagree?”
• “Discuss the potential impacts of implementing a universal basic income funded by higher taxes on the wealthy.”

Remember to structure your essay clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and support your points with relevant examples. Feel free to share your practice essays in the comments section for feedback and discussion.