You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Some people think that hard work and determination bring success. Others think other factors such as money and good appearance are more important. Discuss both views and give your opinion?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Sample Answer
It is true that some people believe that the key factors for success in life are hard work and determination, although others place more importance on money and smart appearance. While all these are necessary, I would argue that money is the single most essential factor for those who wish to achieve success.
On the one hand, the determination to work hard is essential for anyone who wants to earn a living and raise a family. Firstly, this is true in terms of employment, because most jobs impose a heavy workload on employees. Even jobs such as serving customers in stores, supermarkets or coffee shops, offering a minimum wage, no job prospects and no promotion opportunities demand hard work and dedication. Secondly, froma perspective of life outside work, simply supporting a family involves commitment and a lot of effort to maintain a close-knit family. Such parental involvement is the basis of preparing children to enter adult life, and to pursue a successful career.
On the other hand, money and appearances are the things most valued in the modern world. People are increasingly judged by their wealth or their smart and fashionable clothes. Without money, it is impossible to think about running your own business or developing contacts with rich and influential people who can help you to get ahead in life. Most aspiring entrepreneurs, film or sports stars, for example, do not achieve their dreams, and are considered by society as failures. If you have money, then designer clothes and celebrity status advertise your success to others.
In conclusion, it is a sad reality that of all the factors most likely to bring success, money is, in my opinion, the most important.
283 words
Vocab Highlights
to earn a living: to earn money
a heavy workload: having many tasks to perform
minimum wage: the lowest wage that an employer is allowed to pay by law
job prospects: the chances of being successful and having more opportunities at work
promotion opportunities: chances to move to a more important position in a company or organization
to support a family: to have enough money to be able to look after a family
commitment: the willingness to work hard and give your time and energy to a job or activity
a close-knit family: a family having strong relationships with each other, helping with problems and enjoying a lot of time together
parental involvement: the act or process of parents when taking part in their children’s activities.
to enter adult life: the stage when adolescents are almost old enough to be legally independent of their parents.
to pursue a successful career: to have a series of jobs in a particular area of work, with more responsibility as time passes
judged: to form an opinion about something or somebody
to run your own business: to have a business which you own
influential: having a lot of influence on something or somebody
get ahead in life: to succeed in life
aspiring: wanting to be successful