IELTS Writing Task 2: Should Governments Limit Extremely High Salaries? (Agree, Disagree & Balanced Essays)

IELTS Writing Task 2 Question

Some countries pay extremely high salaries to people. Some people believe that the country must not do that and makes a limit on salaries. Do you agree or disagree?

Question Breakdown

This is an opinion essay (Agree/Disagree type). You must clearly state your position:

• Do you agree that governments should impose limits on extremely high salaries?
• Do you disagree, believing that high salaries are justified?
• Or do you take a balanced stance (partly agree and partly disagree)?

Key themes to consider:

• Economic growth & incentives
• Equality vs inequality
• Government control vs free market
• Fair distribution of wealth

Essay Planning

1. Agree Only (Governments should limit salaries)

Introduction: State agreement with limiting salaries.
Body 1: Extreme salaries widen the gap between rich and poor.
Body 2: Money could be redirected towards healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
Conclusion: Reaffirm support for salary caps.

2. Disagree Only (Governments should not limit salaries)

Introduction: State disagreement with limiting salaries.
Body 1: High salaries attract global talent, boosting innovation and economy.
Body 2: Governments should tax high earners rather than limit income.
Conclusion: Reaffirm that free markets, not restrictions, are more effective.

3. Balanced Approach

Introduction: Acknowledge both sides.
Body 1: High salaries reward innovation and effort.
Body 2: But excessive inequality harms society; governments can regulate through taxes and social welfare.
Conclusion: Salaries should not be strictly capped, but fair redistribution is necessary.

Band 9 Sample Essays

Sample Essay 1 (Agree)

Some argue that governments should place restrictions on extremely high salaries, and I completely agree with this view. Unchecked income inequality has damaging effects on society, and capping salaries could lead to a fairer distribution of wealth.

Firstly, astronomical salaries are often unjustified. In many industries, top executives earn hundreds of times more than ordinary employees, despite not necessarily working harder. Such discrepancies create resentment, social unrest, and a widening gap between the rich and the poor. If governments set a limit on maximum income, societies could achieve a more equitable balance.

Secondly, limiting excessive salaries would free up resources that can be invested in vital public services. Education, healthcare, and infrastructure are often underfunded, while individuals continue to accumulate vast wealth that benefits only a few. A fair salary ceiling ensures that national resources are channelled towards collective progress rather than individual luxury.

In conclusion, restricting extreme salaries is an effective way for governments to promote fairness and strengthen social cohesion. Therefore, I strongly support the idea of limiting incomes at the highest level.

Sample Essay 2 (Disagree)

While some argue that governments should impose limits on high salaries, I firmly disagree. Income caps would damage innovation, reduce competitiveness, and discourage ambition.

To begin with, high salaries often serve as incentives for people to work harder, innovate, and take risks. For example, entrepreneurs and top professionals are motivated by the possibility of high financial rewards. If strict salary limits were imposed, many talented individuals might leave the country or stop contributing at the same level. This would harm national growth and competitiveness.

Furthermore, instead of limiting salaries, governments should focus on implementing fair taxation policies. By taxing high earners more heavily, governments can collect funds for public services while still allowing individuals to enjoy the rewards of their hard work. This system ensures a balance between free-market principles and social welfare.

In conclusion, restricting salaries is not the best approach. Encouraging innovation while redistributing wealth through taxation is a more effective solution. Therefore, I believe governments should not limit incomes.

Sample Essay 3 (Balanced)

The question of whether governments should limit extremely high salaries is controversial. While I believe that rewarding talent and hard work is essential, I also recognise the dangers of unchecked income inequality.

On one hand, high salaries often drive ambition and progress. Individuals who innovate, manage large corporations, or create jobs deserve financial rewards. Strictly capping their income could discourage productivity and drive talented professionals abroad. A free-market approach encourages competition and growth.

On the other hand, extremely high incomes create wealth gaps, leading to social division and dissatisfaction. Governments must step in to prevent excessive inequality. However, rather than imposing absolute salary limits, authorities can use progressive taxation and welfare schemes to redistribute wealth more fairly. This ensures both motivation for individuals and stability for society.

In conclusion, while high salaries are beneficial for economic growth, governments must ensure they do not create destructive inequality. A balanced approach combining incentives with redistribution is the best way forward.

Key Vocabulary for IELTS Salary Essay

• Income inequality – wealth gap, financial disparity
• Progressive taxation – fair taxation system
• Economic competitiveness – ability to attract and retain talent
• Wealth redistribution – fairer spread of resources
• Financial incentives – motivation through money
• Social cohesion – unity and harmony in society
• Market-driven economy – free-market system
• Astronomical salaries – extremely high wages

Final Tips for IELTS Candidates

1. Take a clear position – IELTS examiners look for consistency.
2. Use topic-specific vocabulary – terms like progressive taxation and income inequality boost your lexical score.
3. Provide examples – real-world examples (e.g., CEOs, entrepreneurs, or taxation systems) make arguments more convincing.
4. Stay balanced in tone – even in “agree” or “disagree” essays, acknowledge the other side briefly for higher band scores.
5. Aim for 270–290 words – gives you enough space for development without going off-topic.

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