Culture & SocietyDiscuss Both ViewsBeginnerHigh Frequency

IELTS Essay: Some people think success in life comes from hard work and determination. Oth...

Prompt

Some people think success in life comes from hard work and determination. Others think money and appearance are more important. Discuss both sides and give your opinion

#success definition#hard work vs. wealth#meritocracy#privilege and advantage#life achievement

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Band 7 → 9 — Band 7 argues hard work or appearance/wealth matters more for success with examples, while Band 9 deconstructs the false dichotomy, shows all three factors interact, and explains how appearance/wealth create unequal starting points where equal effort produces unequal outcomes.

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Key concepts in this essay

Definition of success (financial, personal satisfaction, status, family stability)
Interplay between effort, talent, luck, and systemic advantage in outcomes
Role of physical appearance and attractiveness bias in opportunity access
Limitations of meritocratic narratives when structural barriers exist

Pitfalls the model essay avoids

Treating hard work and appearance/wealth as entirely opposed when they interact (hard work often leads to wealth; appearance can affect opportunity)
Using outlier examples (lottery winners, celebrities) without discussing statistical patterns
Ignoring that wealthy and attractive people often *also* work hard, making causality unclear

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