Economic inequality is a pressing global issue that frequently appears in IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. Based on recent trends and the importance of this topic, it’s highly likely that you may encounter a question related to addressing economic inequality through taxation in your IELTS exam. Let’s explore this topic with sample essays for different band scores.
Economic Inequality and Taxation
Analyzing the Question
Let’s consider the following IELTS Writing Task 2 question:
Some people believe that governments should increase taxes on the wealthy to address economic inequality. Others argue that this approach is unfair and may discourage economic growth. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
This question requires you to:
- Discuss the view that higher taxes on the wealthy can address economic inequality
- Discuss the opposing view that this approach is unfair and may hinder economic growth
- Provide your own opinion on the matter
Now, let’s look at sample essays for different band scores.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Economic disparity is a critical issue facing many societies today, and the role of taxation in addressing this problem has become a topic of heated debate. While some advocate for increasing taxes on the affluent to reduce inequality, others contend that such measures are unjust and potentially detrimental to economic progress. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own viewpoint.
Proponents of higher taxes on the wealthy argue that this approach can effectively redistribute wealth and create a more equitable society. By increasing the tax burden on high-income earners, governments can generate additional revenue to fund social programs, education, and healthcare initiatives that benefit lower-income groups. This redistribution of resources can help narrow the wealth gap and provide greater opportunities for upward mobility. Moreover, progressive taxation systems have historically played a crucial role in reducing income inequality in many developed nations.
On the other hand, critics of this approach contend that it is fundamentally unfair to penalize success and may have unintended negative consequences. They argue that higher taxes on the wealthy could discourage entrepreneurship, investment, and innovation, which are essential drivers of economic growth. There are concerns that such policies might lead to capital flight, with wealthy individuals and businesses relocating to jurisdictions with more favorable tax regimes. Additionally, some argue that focusing solely on taxation overlooks other important factors contributing to economic inequality, such as education disparities and technological changes.
In my opinion, while increasing taxes on the wealthy can be an effective tool in addressing economic inequality, it should be part of a comprehensive approach rather than a standalone solution. I believe that a balanced tax policy, combined with targeted investments in education, skills training, and social infrastructure, can create a more level playing field without stifling economic dynamism. It is crucial to design tax policies that encourage productive economic activities while ensuring that the benefits of growth are more evenly distributed across society.
In conclusion, addressing economic inequality through taxation is a complex issue that requires careful consideration of various factors. While higher taxes on the wealthy can contribute to reducing disparities, policymakers must strike a delicate balance between promoting equity and maintaining economic incentives for growth and innovation. Ultimately, a multifaceted approach that combines progressive taxation with investments in human capital and social programs is likely to be most effective in creating a more equitable and prosperous society for all.
(Word count: 395)
Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay
This essay demonstrates excellent writing skills and meets the criteria for a high band score (8-9) for the following reasons:
Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion. It presents a well-developed response with relevant, extended, and supported ideas.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear progression throughout. It uses a range of cohesive devices effectively (e.g., “While,” “On the other hand,” “Moreover,” “Additionally”). Each paragraph has a clear central topic.
Lexical Resource: The essay uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features. Examples include “economic disparity,” “affluent,” “redistribution of resources,” “upward mobility,” and “capital flight.”
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures used accurately and appropriately. It includes complex sentences and shows flexibility in sentence structures.
Development of Ideas: Each point is well-elaborated with clear explanations and relevant examples, demonstrating in-depth understanding of the issue.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
In today’s world, economic inequality is a big problem, and some people think that governments should make rich people pay more taxes to solve it. However, others believe this is not fair and might hurt the economy. This essay will discuss both sides of this argument and give my opinion.
Those who support higher taxes for wealthy people say it can help make society more equal. When rich people pay more taxes, the government gets more money to spend on things like schools, hospitals, and help for poor people. This can give everyone a better chance to succeed in life. Also, many countries have used this kind of tax system before, and it has helped reduce the gap between rich and poor people.
On the other hand, people against this idea say it’s not fair to punish successful people with higher taxes. They worry that if rich people have to pay too much tax, they might not want to start new businesses or invest their money, which is important for the economy to grow. Some rich people might even move to other countries where taxes are lower. These people also say that there are other reasons for inequality, like differences in education, and just changing taxes won’t fix everything.
In my opinion, I think making rich people pay more taxes can help with inequality, but it’s not the only solution. I believe we need a balanced approach. Governments should find a way to make taxes fair for everyone, but also encourage people to work hard and be successful. It’s also important to invest in education and training programs to help people get better jobs and earn more money.
To conclude, the issue of using taxes to address economic inequality is complicated. While higher taxes on the wealthy can help reduce the gap between rich and poor, we need to be careful not to harm the economy. I think the best solution is to combine fair taxes with other programs that help people improve their lives and earn more money.
(Word count: 339)
Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay
This essay demonstrates good writing skills and meets the criteria for a band score of 6-7 for the following reasons:
Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and providing a personal opinion. The ideas are relevant, but some points could be more fully extended and supported.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized with clear overall progression. It uses some cohesive devices (e.g., “However,” “On the other hand,” “Also”), but not always with full flexibility. Each paragraph has a clear central topic.
Lexical Resource: The essay uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision. There are some less common lexical items (e.g., “economic inequality,” “invest”), but the range is not as wide as in the Band 8-9 essay.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms. There are few errors, and they do not impede communication.
Development of Ideas: The main ideas are relevant and developed with some explanation and examples. However, the development is not as thorough as in the Band 8-9 essay.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Economic inequality (noun) – /ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ɪnɪˈkwɒləti/ – differences in economic well-being between individuals or groups
- Taxation (noun) – /tækˈseɪʃən/ – the system of collecting taxes
- Redistribute (verb) – /ˌriːdɪˈstrɪbjuːt/ – to share wealth or resources more equally
- Progressive taxation (noun phrase) – /prəˈɡresɪv tækˈseɪʃən/ – a tax system where higher earners pay a higher rate of tax
- Capital flight (noun phrase) – /ˈkæpɪtl flaɪt/ – the movement of money out of a country due to unfavorable conditions
- Entrepreneurship (noun) – /ˌɒntrəprəˈnɜːʃɪp/ – the activity of setting up and running businesses
- Upward mobility (noun phrase) – /ˈʌpwəd məʊˈbɪləti/ – the capacity to move to a higher social or economic position
- Income disparity (noun phrase) – /ˈɪnkʌm dɪˈspærəti/ – the difference in income between different groups
- Fiscal policy (noun phrase) – /ˈfɪskəl ˈpɒləsi/ – government policy on taxation and spending
- Wealth gap (noun phrase) – /welθ ɡæp/ – the difference in wealth between the rich and the poor
Conclusion
Addressing economic inequality through taxation is a complex topic that requires careful consideration of various perspectives. As you prepare for your IELTS Writing Task 2, remember to:
- Clearly state and discuss both viewpoints
- Provide your own opinion with supporting arguments
- Use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures
- Organize your essay logically with clear paragraphs and transitions
To further practice, try writing your own essay on this topic or related ones, such as:
- The role of education in reducing economic inequality
- The impact of globalization on income disparities
- Government policies to promote economic stability and reduce inequality
Remember to post your practice essays in the comments section for feedback and discussion. This active practice will help you improve your writing skills and prepare effectively for the IELTS exam.