This is a high-scoring sample answer for the following IELTS Task 2 essay question: In education and employment, some people work harder than others. Why do some people work harder? Is it always a good thing to work hard? Below is a list of less common vocabulary with definitions. Other collocations for task 2 essays on work and education can be found here. Read the sample answer, then send me your essay in the comments. I will give you a quick score and also some comments if I have time. Start today, unless you’re struggling for ideas.
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IELTS Writing Task 2 Quiz – Do You Know Enough?

IELTS Task 2 Essay Sample Answer
In education and employment, some people work harder than others.
Why do some people work harder?
Is it always a good thing to work hard?
In both employment and education, some people are harder workers than their colleagues. There are a multitude of reasons for this, while it depends on the person’s circumstances whether it is beneficial or not.
For some, keeping busy to forget other life issues is the main driver, but for most it is some kind of progress, usually due to their career or family. Regarding the former, many employees work their hardest because they are aiming for promotion or a higher salary to improve their lives while they are young enough to do so. Others, however, are driven by fear, put under strain and pressure by their managers to improve their performance so they can keep their jobs. Similarly, these employees can often be put under both positive and negative pressure by their wives and families, being pushed to cater for a better lifestyle or the threat of breakup.
Whether this is advantageous or healthy often depends on whether these hard workers are intrinsically or extrinsically motivated. If they are motivated by the thought of a good stable environment for their family or being able to fulfill their dream, this will make all their hard work worthwhile, and it will become a habit. However, if they are only motivated by fear or by money, they will more often than not burn out which can result in them losing their job or even their family.
In conclusion, although there are different motivations for working hard, most of them are related to career or family. This will cause some to blossom and grow, while other will wilt and fail under pressure.
Remember to post your essay in the comments at the bottom of this page so I can give you a score!
Less Common Vocabulary for this Essay
a multitude – a large amount
driver – an urge to attain a goal or satisfy a need
strain – an excessive demand for someone’s abilities
to cater for – to provide people with what they need or want
intrinsically motivated – motivation from inside a person, such as good feelings or love
extrinsically motivated – motivation from outside of a person, such as rewards, prizes, salary
burn out – to become so exhausted they can’t work anymore
to blossom – to produce flowers
to wilt – to droop or sag
Even more vocabulary on education is available here.
Remember to post your essay in the comments at the bottom of this page so I can give you a score!
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