Plan this discussion essay about economy with the ideas and outline below, write it on a 40-minute timer, then compare it with a band-8 model answer.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Some people believe that economic growth is the best measure of a country's success. Others think that other factors, such as health and happiness, are more important.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
GoPrep wrote this practice question in the style of the exam. It is not an official IELTS question.
Pick two or three points from one or both columns. You do not need all of them, and your own examples score better than memorised ones.
Spend the first few minutes planning, then write.
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Write your own answer first, then compare: how it answers the exact question, what each paragraph does, and which phrases you could borrow.
Some people see economic growth as the best sign of a successful country, while others believe health and happiness matter more. I think growth is important, but it is an incomplete measure of success.
Those who support the first view have a strong case. Growth creates jobs, raises incomes and gives governments the tax revenue needed to build schools, hospitals and roads. South Korea, for example, grew rapidly over several decades, and the result was a large rise in life expectancy and living standards. Growth figures are also easy to measure and compare between countries, which makes them a convenient guide for policymakers. Without a growing economy, it is difficult to reduce poverty at scale.
However, growth alone can be misleading. A country can record a high national income while a small group captures most of the benefit and ordinary people see little improvement. Rapid industrial expansion may also damage the environment, with polluted air and water harming public health. Moreover, citizens in wealthy nations do not necessarily report greater happiness. Long working hours, stress and loneliness can accompany a high income, and countries such as Bhutan have gone so far as to measure national happiness instead. Factors such as life expectancy, education, a clean environment and social support tell us much more about how people actually live.
For these reasons, I believe a country is best judged by a combination of indicators. Economic growth provides the resources, but health, wellbeing and equality show whether those resources are being used to improve lives.
In conclusion, while economic growth is valuable, it should not be the sole measure of success. Governments should treat it as a means of improving people's lives rather than as the goal itself.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| GDP | total value of a country's output |
| standard of living | level of material comfort |
| wellbeing | health and happiness |
| economic indicator | measure of economic health |
| social progress | improvement in society |
| national prosperity | a country's wealth |
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