The topic of charitable donations and personal income has been a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2, appearing approximately 2-3 times annually since 2019. Based on analysis of past exam papers, this topic frequently emerges in various forms, particularly focusing on whether individuals should be obligated to donate a portion of their earnings to charity.
Analysis of Topic and Real Exam Question
Some people believe that everyone should be required to donate a percentage of their income to charities that help the needy. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?
This question requires candidates to discuss the concept of mandatory charitable donations. Key aspects to address include:
- Personal freedom vs social responsibility
- Impact on individual finances
- Effectiveness of forced charity
- Alternative approaches to helping the needy
Band 8 Sample Essay
In recent years, there has been growing debate about whether individuals should be compelled to donate part of their income to charitable causes. While I understand the noble intentions behind this suggestion, I strongly disagree with making such donations mandatory.
The primary argument against enforced charitable giving is that it contradicts the fundamental principle of personal financial freedom. Every individual has unique financial responsibilities and circumstances, including mortgage payments, healthcare costs, and educational expenses. Imposing mandatory donations could create unnecessary hardship for those who are already struggling to meet their basic needs or saving for important life goals.
Furthermore, forced philanthropy might actually diminish the positive social impact of charitable giving. When people donate voluntarily, they tend to be more engaged with the causes they support and often contribute additional time and effort beyond monetary donations. Mandatory contributions could transform charitable giving from a meaningful act of compassion into just another tax-like obligation, potentially reducing overall engagement with charitable causes.
A more effective approach would be to encourage voluntary donations through tax incentives and increased awareness about charitable causes. Governments could implement stronger tax deductions for charitable giving or create matching fund programs. Additionally, educational initiatives could help people understand the importance of philanthropy and its positive impact on society.
In conclusion, while supporting charitable causes is admirable, making donations compulsory would be counterproductive. Instead, focusing on creating a culture of voluntary giving and providing appropriate incentives would better serve both donors and recipients.
Band 6.5 Sample Essay
The question of whether people should be forced to give money to charity is an important topic in today’s society. I disagree with this idea because it has many problems.
Firstly, making people give money to charity is not fair. Many people don’t have enough money for their own needs, so forcing them to give away their money would make their life harder. For example, some workers in developing countries barely earn enough to support their families, and taking away part of their income would be very difficult for them.
Secondly, when people are forced to do something, they usually don’t feel good about it. If donation becomes mandatory, people might feel angry and resist giving money to charity. They might also try to find ways to avoid paying, which would make the system not work well.
Another problem is that some charities might not use the money properly. If there is too much forced donation, some organizations might become careless with money management. This could lead to waste and corruption in charity organizations.
I think a better solution is to encourage people to give money voluntarily. The government can give tax benefits to people who donate, and schools can teach students about helping others. This way, people will give money because they want to, not because they have to.
Key Vocabulary
- philanthropy (n) /fɪˈlænθrəpi/ – the practice of helping the poor and those in need
- compulsory (adj) /kəmˈpʌlsəri/ – required by law or rules
- diminish (v) /dɪˈmɪnɪʃ/ – to become or make something become less
- counterproductive (adj) /ˌkaʊntərprəˈdʌktɪv/ – having the opposite effect to what is intended
- incentive (n) /ɪnˈsentɪv/ – something that encourages a person to do something
- voluntary (adj) /ˈvɒləntri/ – done willingly, not forced
- engagement (n) /ɪnˈɡeɪdʒmənt/ – involvement in an activity
- initiative (n) /ɪˈnɪʃətɪv/ – a new plan or process to achieve something
Looking Ahead
For future practice, consider these related topics:
- Should wealthy nations be required to share their wealth with poorer nations?
- Is it the government’s responsibility to help the poor, or should this be left to private charities?
- Should companies be required to donate a percentage of their profits to social causes?
Feel free to practice writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section for feedback and discussion.