IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 - Money & Happiness

 

Many people think that more money will make them happier. How important is money for happiness?

 

By Matt Carrelo and Youra An

 

Even though many people think that more money will lead to more happiness, the role of money in finding happiness is actually more nuanced than most people believe. While in some situations there is truth in this assertion, there is more to it than meets the eye.

 

It is true that in certain circumstances, more money will reduce one’s suffering. This is certainly the case in areas that are poverty stricken. If you are struggling to feed, clothe and obtain essential medical care for you and your family, then more money will almost certainly decrease your suffering and therefore make you happier. According to various studies regarding how income affects happiness, the increase in happiness seems to tail off after one’s annual income reaches about $75,000. One interpretation of these results would be that any income over and above $75,000 would not practically improve one’s quality of life. 

 

However, this may be a drastic oversimplification of the issue, since one’s income is inextricably intertwined with one’s status and we know that many people derive a sense of happiness from obtaining higher status and a better social reputation. In fact, there are psychological studies that have shown that there is a strong link between one’s status and their serotonin levels to such a degree that even their life expectancy is higher.

 

In conclusion, more money in specific circumstances can certainly increase one’s happiness, however one should be cognisant that the quest for riches can quite often be due to a desire for social acceptance and they may be better off trying to remedy their emotional malaise in a different manner without pinning their entire happiness on an external factor. (278 words)

 

Introduction

Even though many people think that more money will lead to more happiness, the role of money in finding happiness is actually more nuanced than most people believe. While in some situations there is truth in this assertion, there is more to it than meets the eye. (47 words)

 

Body Paragraph 1

It is true that in certain circumstances, more money will reduce one’s suffering. This is certainly the case in areas that are poverty stricken. If you are struggling to feed, clothe and obtain essential medical care for you and your family, then more money will almost certainly decrease your suffering and therefore make you happier. According to various studies regarding how income affects happiness, the increase in happiness seems to tail off after one’s annual income reaches about $75,000. One interpretation of these results would be that any income over and above $75,000 would not practically improve one’s quality of life. (101 words)

 

Body Paragraph 2

However, this may be a drastic oversimplification of the issue, since one’s income is inextricably intertwined with one’s status and we know that many people derive a sense of happiness from obtaining higher status and a better social reputation. In fact, there are psychological studies that have shown that there is a strong link between one’s status and their serotonin levels to such a degree that even their life expectancy is higher. (72 words)

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, more money in specific circumstances can certainly increase one’s happiness, however one should be cognisant that the quest for riches can quite often be due to a desire for social acceptance and they may be better off trying to remedy their emotional malaise in a different manner without pinning their entire happiness on an external factor. (58 words)