Question: Some people believe that a person’s important element is his or her work. Without a satisfying career, life is meaningless. Do you agree or disagree?
Band 8+ Sample Answer:
(Intro) People have different views as to what makes their life meaningful. While some people claim that having a gratifying job is key to the fulfilment, I would argue that other factors such as health and relationships are also of paramount importance.
(Body 1) On the one hand, it is justifiable to say that having a pleasing job is key to achieving life satisfaction. As most people spend at least eight hours at work every day, doing what they are passionate about can bring a great deal of joy. This is true among artists who enjoy expressing their true selves in pieces of art / through their art. Another example is the job done by those working for non-profit organisations whose purpose is to help people across the globe. What makes their lives meaningful is to see villages in remote areas transformed, more children going to school or living conditions significantly improved. To these people, the pleasure derived from their job is a precursor to a fulfilled life.
(Body 2) However, it seems to me that other elements such as health and relationships can also have a profound impact on people’s lives. First of all, good health is a crucial factor without which people may find it impossible to handle simple tasks, such as doing chores, let alone spending hours at work. A salient example of this is the case of many Japanese people whose physical health has deteriorated as a result of overworking for months on end. Another factor which greatly matters is people’s relationships with others. Those who are surrounded by close acquaintances are more likely to be happier and more content. In contrast, having nobody to share or discuss life’s ups and downs may lead to loneliness, isolation and depression, which have an adverse impact on people’ s mental wellbeing in the long term.
(Conclusion) In conclusion, while I agree that having a pleasing career is beneficial to some extent, other elements are also instrumental in helping people enjoy their life to the fullest. Given this situation, it is advisable that people balance their time between work, health and relationships in order to enjoy life to the fullest.
Essay: Student essay, corrected & upgraded by Nick Kemp, former IELTS examiner.
Image: Duong Toan / Pixabay.
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