Plan this problem and solution essay about society 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:
In many countries the gap between the richest and the poorest people is getting wider.
What are the causes of this problem and what measures could be taken to solve it?
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.
0 words of 250 minimum
Your answer stays on this page only. Copy it before you leave.
Write your own answer first, then compare: how it answers the exact question, what each paragraph does, and which phrases you could borrow.
In many countries the gap between the richest and the poorest people is growing. This essay will discuss the causes of this problem and suggest some solutions.
Several factors explain the trend. Globalisation and technology have increased the rewards for highly skilled workers and business owners, while jobs in manufacturing and routine office work have been moved overseas or automated, leaving low-skilled workers with stagnant wages. Tax systems in some countries also favour the wealthy: large companies and rich individuals can often reduce their payments through loopholes and offshore accounts, while ordinary workers pay tax on every pound they earn. Education is another factor. Children from wealthy families attend better schools and universities, so advantages are passed from one generation to the next, whereas poor children often leave school early. Finally, rising property prices increase the wealth of those who already own homes and push others into expensive rented housing.
Governments can take several steps. A fairer tax system, with higher rates on very large incomes and inheritances and tighter rules against tax avoidance, would raise funds for public services. Investment in good schools in poorer areas, together with scholarships and vocational training, would give young people from disadvantaged backgrounds a real chance to improve their position. A realistic minimum wage and stronger worker rights would help to raise the incomes at the bottom, and affordable housing programmes could reduce the burden of rent. Countries such as Sweden, which combine progressive taxation with strong public education and welfare, have achieved much smaller gaps than many others.
In conclusion, technological change, unequal taxation, uneven education and housing costs have widened the gap between rich and poor. Fairer taxes, better education and decent wages would help to close it.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| income inequality | unfair difference in earnings between groups |
| wealth gap | difference between rich and poor in what they own |
| low-skilled jobs | work requiring little training |
| progressive tax | tax that rises with income |
| social mobility | ability to move up in society |
| living standards | level of comfort people enjoy |
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