This Band 5 IELTS writing task 2 essay discusses the topic of income control. While it addresses the issue, it struggles with clarity and presents a lack of balanced perspectives on the benefits of high incomes versus the need for government limits.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Question
Discuss both views · High Incomes · 40 min
Some people in different countries earn very high incomes. While some people think that this is beneficial for the nation, others believe that the government should limit how much money people can make. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Write at least 250 words.
Score Breakdown
IELTS Writing Band Scores (1–9)
Summary: The essay meets the minimum word count (273 words) but does not adequately address the task. It fails to present a balanced discussion of both views (benefits of high incomes vs. government limits) and the opinion is unclear and underdeveloped. Coherence is weak due to repetitive ideas and lack of clear paragraphing. Lexical range is limited, and grammatical errors affect clarity.
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It is often debated that government should have the power to control the salaries of the highest-income people in the society. If the government allows limits on income, then millionaires and billionaires find various paths to hide their income and to avoid taxes. So, it badly affects the government's annual tax revenue.
From my perspective, the government should control the black income of millionaires and billionaires, for they do not pay taxes to the government. In this way, states do not generate money for further development in the country. States should need to restrict the income of those persons who indirectly affect the middle and lower classes.
When a government does not meet its target of generating revenue, then it imposes high taxes, which badly affect middle- and low-class incomes. So, the government should keep an eye on the transactions of businessmen for generating taxes.
If we talk about middle- and lower-class people, there is no need to restrict earning a high income, so they are already suffering to meet their basic needs. They find ways to earn more income within the boundary of law.
In another point of view, for those people who earn a lot money and pay taxes to the government, there is no need to implement the restriction on their incomes. So, they contribute to the development of the country. In my opinion, states keep an eye on the transactions and taxes of every person and set the tax ratio according to the income. If someone earn a lot of money, they pay more tax as compared to those who earned money which is viable for their family needs.
AI Feedback Report Details
Spelling · Grammar · Vocabulary · Criteria Analysis
Grammatical Mistakes
3 errors| Mistake | Correction | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| States should need to restrict | States need to restrict | Redundant modal verbs: 'should' and 'need to' together are unnecessary; use one. |
| earn a lot money | earn a lot of money | Missing preposition 'of' after 'a lot'. |
| If someone earn a lot of money | If someone earns a lot of money | Subject-verb agreement: 'someone' is singular and requires 'earns'. |
Vocabulary Improvements
5 suggestions| Original Word/Phrase | Improved Word/Phrase | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| badly affects | adversely affects | Informal phrasing; 'adversely' is more precise and academic. |
| black income | undeclared income | 'Black income' is informal and vague; 'undeclared income' is the standard term in tax contexts. |
| keep an eye on | monitor | Informal idiomatic expression; 'monitor' is more formal and precise. |
| viable for their family needs | sufficient for their family needs | 'Viable' means workable or feasible, not adequate in amount; 'sufficient' is the correct collocation. |
| tax ratio | tax rate | 'Tax ratio' is uncommon and vague; 'tax rate' is the standard term for percentage of income taxed. |
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Detailed Criteria Feedback
AI-powered analysis for each scoring criterion
Task Response5
Evaluation
The essay attempts to discuss the topic but does not clearly present both sides of the argument. The first view (high incomes are beneficial) is only briefly mentioned in the last paragraph, while the second view (government should limit income) is focused on tax evasion rather than income limits. The writer's opinion is stated but not well justified. The response is partially relevant but lacks depth and balance.
Examples
The essay spends most of the time on 'black income' and tax issues, which are peripheral to the core question of whether high incomes are beneficial or should be limited. The phrase 'In another point of view' introduces the opposing view too late and without sufficient development.
How to Improve
Clearly separate the two views in distinct paragraphs. For the first view, explain why some think high incomes benefit the nation (e.g., through investment, tax revenue, job creation). For the second view, discuss reasons for limiting income (e.g., inequality, social harmony). Then provide a clear personal opinion supported by reasoning.
Coherence & Cohesion5
Evaluation
The essay lacks a clear structure. There is no introduction or conclusion. Ideas are repeated (e.g., 'keep an eye on transactions' appears twice). Paragraph breaks are inconsistent, and transitions between ideas are abrupt or missing.
Examples
The essay jumps from 'government should control black income' to 'imposes high taxes' to 'middle- and lower-class people' without logical connectors. The final paragraph starts with 'In another point of view' but then quickly returns to the writer's opinion.
How to Improve
Use a clear four-paragraph structure: introduction, first view, second view, conclusion with your opinion. Use linking words (e.g., 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'In conclusion') to guide the reader. Avoid repeating the same point multiple times.
Lexical Resource5
Evaluation
Vocabulary is basic and repetitive. Words like 'income', 'taxes', 'government', and 'middle/lower classes' are used many times. There is little use of synonyms or academic vocabulary. Some phrases are informal (e.g., 'a lot money' missing 'of').
Examples
The essay uses 'black income' instead of 'undeclared income' or 'tax evasion'. 'Viable for their family needs' is awkward. No varied expressions for 'high earners' (e.g., 'top earners', 'wealthy individuals').
How to Improve
Expand your vocabulary by learning synonyms related to income, taxation, and inequality (e.g., 'remuneration', 'levy', 'disparity', 'prosperity'). Practice using more precise and formal language. Read sample essays to see how words like 'beneficial', 'detrimental', 'cap', 'regulation' are used.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy5
Evaluation
The essay uses mostly simple sentences with occasional errors. There is limited use of complex structures (e.g., conditionals, relative clauses). Grammatical mistakes include subject-verb agreement ('If someone earn'), incorrect relative pronouns ('those who earned money which is viable'), and missing articles.
Examples
'If someone earn a lot of money' should be 'earns'. 'those who earned money which is viable for their family needs' is unclear and grammatically awkward. The sentence 'States should need to restrict' is redundant ('should' + 'need to').
How to Improve
Practice writing complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'Although some people argue that high incomes benefit the economy, others believe that...'). Review subject-verb agreement and article usage. Proofread for basic errors before submitting.
Tip: Review the Band 9 model answer to see how a high-scoring essay structures arguments, uses advanced vocabulary, and maintains coherence throughout.
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