This Band 8 IELTS essay on income inequality thoroughly discusses both views on high incomes while presenting a balanced opinion. Key strengths include quality arguments and coherent organization, with areas for improvement in providing specific real-world examples.
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 fully addresses the task, discussing both views and presenting a clear opinion. It meets the word count requirement (334 words) and is well-structured with relevant ideas. All criteria are strong, leading to a high band score.
Now write your own — and see how your verdict holds up.
Submit your High Incomes essay and receive AI scores across Task Response, Coherence, Lexical Resource, and Grammar — plus a Band 9 model answer for your exact question.
In many countries, there is a growing gap between high-income earners and the rest of the population. While some people argue that individuals earning very high incomes benefit the nation, others believe that governments should impose limits on how much people can earn. Both perspectives present valid arguments.
On one hand, high-income earners can contribute significantly to national development. Individuals who earn large amounts of money often invest in businesses, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth. Entrepreneurs and top professionals, for example, can drive innovation and improve productivity within a country. Additionally, they tend to pay higher taxes, which can be used by the government to fund public services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure. From this viewpoint, allowing people to earn as much as possible can motivate hard work, creativity, and ambition, ultimately benefiting the entire economy.
On the other hand, some believe that extremely high incomes can lead to inequality and social imbalance. When wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few, it may widen the gap between the rich and the poor, leading to resentment and social tension. Critics argue that no individual needs to earn excessively large amounts of money while others struggle to meet basic needs. Therefore, they suggest that governments should introduce income caps or heavy taxation on the wealthy to ensure a more equal distribution of resources. This could help reduce poverty and improve the quality of life for disadvantaged groups.
In my opinion, governments should not strictly limit how much people can earn, as this could discourage innovation and reduce economic motivation. However, there should be effective taxation and policies in place to ensure that wealth is distributed more fairly. Progressive tax systems and social welfare programs can help bridge the gap without restricting individual success.
In conclusion, while high incomes can drive economic growth and innovation, they can also contribute to inequality if not properly managed. A balanced approach that encourages wealth creation while promoting fairness is the most effective solution for national development.
AI Feedback Report Details
Spelling · Grammar · Vocabulary · Criteria Analysis
Ready to practise? Get instant AI feedback on your verdict.
Submit your High Incomes essay and receive AI scores across all four IELTS criteria — with specific feedback on whether your solutions are specific, realistic, and matched to your problems.
Detailed Criteria Feedback
AI-powered analysis for each scoring criterion
Task Response8
Evaluation
The response fully covers all parts of the task. Both views are clearly discussed with relevant arguments, and a personal opinion is presented and supported. Ideas are developed sufficiently.
Examples
Examples include high-income earners contributing to economic growth through investment and innovation, and the opposing view highlighting inequality and the need for income caps.
How to Improve
To enhance task response, include more specific real-world examples or data to further substantiate the arguments, such as mentioning particular countries or economic studies.
Coherence & Cohesion8
Evaluation
The essay is well-organized with a clear logical progression. Paragraphing is appropriate, and cohesive devices are used effectively to link ideas.
Examples
Use of phrases like 'On one hand,' 'On the other hand,' 'Additionally,' 'Therefore,' 'In my opinion,' and 'In conclusion' provides clear signposting.
How to Improve
For even better cohesion, ensure smoother transitions between paragraphs by using more varied linking words or thematic connections.
Lexical Resource8
Evaluation
A wide range of vocabulary is used accurately and appropriately. The language is formal and suits the academic context, with good collocation and precision.
Examples
Terms like 'stimulate economic growth,' 'innovation,' 'productivity,' 'inequality,' 'social imbalance,' 'progressive tax systems,' and 'social welfare programs' demonstrate lexical range.
How to Improve
Incorporate more advanced or topic-specific vocabulary, such as 'economic disparity,' 'wealth redistribution,' or 'fiscal policies,' to add depth.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy8
Evaluation
A variety of complex structures are used with high accuracy. Sentences are grammatically correct, and punctuation is appropriately applied.
Examples
Complex sentences like 'While some people argue that individuals earning very high incomes benefit the nation, others believe...' and 'Individuals who earn large amounts of money often invest in businesses...' show grammatical range.
How to Improve
To further demonstrate range, experiment with more conditional sentences, passive voice, or inverted structures, though errors should be avoided.
Tip: Review the Band 9 model answer to see how a high-scoring essay structures arguments, uses advanced vocabulary, and maintains coherence throughout.
RELATED ESSAYS
01
There are two opposing views on whether university students should be free to choose their own subjects or whether they should only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as those related to science and technology. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Write at least 250 words.
There are two contrary opinions about whether university students should be free to choose their own subjects or whether they should be allowed to study subject...
02
There are two opposing views on whether university students should be free to choose their own subjects or whether they should only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as those related to science and technology. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Write at least 250 words.
The two opposing views on whether university students should be free to choose their own subject or whether allowing an individual to study courses that will on...
03
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.
An individual's educational background fortells a lot on how people can earn more or earn less. Some may finished only as a highschool graduate but has skills t...
04
Some people believe that children benefit more from growing up in large families with many siblings, while others think that being an only child offers greater advantages.Discuss both views and give your own opinion.Write not less than 250 words.
It is a common belief of some individuals that children raised in large families with multiple siblings are more likely to benefit more from their upbringing wh...
05
Some people believe that children benefit more from growing up in large families with many siblings, while others think that being an only child offers greater advantages.Discuss both views and give your own opinion.Write not less than 250 words.
In modern era, there is an incresing debate about children growing in large families can had benefit while others belive that growing nuclear family had benefit...