Athletes’ salaries have been a recurring topic in IELTS Writing Task 2, appearing approximately once every two years since 2015. This theme often intersects with broader discussions about income inequality, fair compensation, and sports economics. Based on analysis of past exams, here’s a recent question that represents the topic well:
Some people think there should be limits on how much money professional athletes can earn. Others believe athletes should be able to earn as much as they can. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Professional athletes' salary debate illustrated through sports economics
Analysis of the Question
- Topic: Professional athletes’ earnings
- Task: Discuss both views + personal opinion
- Key aspects to cover:
- Arguments for salary caps
- Arguments against restrictions
- Personal stance with justification
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8.5)
The debate over whether professional athletes’ earnings should be capped has garnered significant attention in recent years. While some advocate for implementing salary limits, others maintain that athletes should have unrestricted earning potential. In my view, while complete salary freedom has its merits, reasonable regulations could benefit both sports and society.
Those who support salary caps present several compelling arguments. Firstly, excessive athlete salaries can create unsustainable financial pressure on sports organizations, potentially leading to bankruptcy or reduced investment in grassroots development. Additionally, astronomical wages often result in ticket price increases, making sports events less accessible to average fans. Implementing salary restrictions could help maintain financial stability and preserve the sport’s accessibility for all social classes.
Conversely, opponents of salary caps argue that athletes deserve unlimited earning potential. They contend that professional sports careers are typically short and physically demanding, justifying high compensation during their prime years. Furthermore, top athletes generate substantial revenue through merchandise sales and viewership, making their high salaries proportional to their economic contribution. Restricting their earnings could be viewed as unfair given their unique talents and limited career span.
In my opinion, a balanced approach involving moderate salary regulations would be most beneficial. While athletes should be well-compensated for their exceptional abilities and contributions, completely unrestricted salaries can lead to market distortions and negative consequences for sports development. Implementing reasonable caps could ensure fair compensation while promoting sustainable growth and maintaining competitive balance in professional sports.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6.5)
Professional athletes’ salaries are a big topic of discussion today. Some people think there should be limits on how much they can earn, but others disagree. I will discuss both sides and give my opinion.
People who want salary limits have some good points. First, when athletes get too much money, sports teams spend too much and can have financial problems. Also, high salaries make tickets more expensive, so normal people can’t go to games. This is not good for sports fans.
On the other hand, some people think athletes should earn what they can. Athletes work very hard and their careers are short. They also bring lots of money to their teams through tickets and TV. So maybe they deserve high salaries for their work.
I think both sides have good points, but salary limits might be better. While athletes should get good money for their skills, too much salary can cause problems. Maybe having some limits would help keep sports fair and affordable for everyone.
Comparative Analysis
Band 8.5 Essay Features:
- Sophisticated vocabulary and complex structures
- Clear organization with cohesive devices
- Well-developed arguments
- Balanced discussion with nuanced opinion
- Relevant examples and explanations
Band 6.5 Essay Features:
- Basic vocabulary with some repetition
- Simple sentence structures
- Clear but basic organization
- Limited development of ideas
- Basic examples and explanations
Key Vocabulary
- astronomical (adj) /ˌæstrəˈnɒmɪkəl/ – extremely large
- grassroots (n) /ˈɡrɑːsruːts/ – basic level of activity
- sustainability (n) /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti/ – ability to maintain at a certain level
- proportional (adj) /prəˈpɔːʃənəl/ – corresponding in size or amount
- market distortion (n) /ˈmɑːkɪt dɪˈstɔːʃn/ – interference with market forces
Practice Suggestions
Try writing essays on these related topics:
- Should there be limits on entertainers’ earnings?
- Do professional sports contribute positively to society?
- Is the commercialization of sports beneficial?
Share your practice essays in the comments for feedback and discussion with fellow learners.
