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Discussion (Discuss both views) Society Task 2

Some people think paying taxes is enough while others think as part of the society they have more responsibility. Discuss both sides and present your views in this writing task

A full IELTS Writing Task 2 answer to this question, with a paragraph plan, ideas you can use, and the vocabulary that fits this topic.

The question

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Some people think paying taxes is enough while others think as part of the society they have more responsibility. Discuss both sides and present your views in this writing task

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

How to read this question

You are given two opposing views and asked to discuss both before giving your own. The single most common Band 6 cause here is discussing both sides but never stating your own opinion, or stating it only in the conclusion.

Paragraph plan

Introduction — Paraphrase the topic, acknowledge both views, state a clear personal opinion.

Body 1 — Present the first view with a clear explanation and a concrete example or reasoning.

Body 2 — Present the opposing view with a clear explanation and reasoning.

Conclusion — Summarise both views concisely and restate your position.

Model essay

Band 8.5–9.0 model essay

348 words

According to some, fulfilling one's tax obligations is a sufficient contribution to society, whereas others maintain that individuals bear broader civic responsibilities. In my view, while taxation forms an essential foundation, active civic participation ultimately produces a more cohesive society.

On the one hand, proponents of the view that taxation suffices argue that these mandatory contributions already fund essential public services, such as healthcare, education and infrastructure. To clarify, since taxes are compulsory and proportionate to income, they represent a fair and consistent mechanism through which every citizen supports collective welfare, regardless of personal inclination toward charitable activity. Individuals who work diligently and pay their dues, according to this view, should not be expected to sacrifice additional personal time or resources beyond this obligation, particularly given the demands already placed upon them by work and family life.

On the other hand, others contend that citizenship entails responsibilities extending beyond financial contributions. This is attributable to the fact that taxation alone cannot address localised or immediate needs, such as supporting an isolated elderly neighbour or organising neighbourhood clean-up initiatives, which government spending rarely reaches directly. Moreover, active engagement, such as volunteering or civic activism, fosters stronger community bonds and mutual trust, outcomes that impersonal tax payments cannot replicate.

From my perspective, both forms of contribution are necessary, but circumstances should dictate their relative weight. Individuals facing financial hardship or time constraints should not be judged for confining their contribution to taxation alone, since this itself sustains vital public services. However, those with greater disposable time or resources ought to be encouraged, though not compelled, to engage more actively in community life, as their additional involvement addresses gaps that government funding inevitably leaves unaddressed.

To conclude, despite differing views on whether taxation alone constitutes sufficient civic contribution, I believe that while taxes are indispensable, individuals with the capacity to do more should embrace supplementary civic responsibilities to strengthen community cohesion.

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Ideas & vocabulary for this topic

Ideas you can use

  • Introduction: Paraphrase both views (tax payment alone vs broader civic duty) and state that taxation is essential but active participation makes society more cohesive.
  • Body 1: Explain the view that taxes are enough, since they are compulsory, proportionate to income, and already fund essential public services such as healthcare and education.
  • Body 2: Explain the opposing view that citizenship requires more than money, because taxation cannot meet local, immediate needs and civic engagement builds trust and community bonds that impersonal payments cannot.
  • Body 3: Give the balanced opinion that people under financial or time pressure should not be judged for paying taxes only, while those with spare capacity should be encouraged, not compelled, to contribute more.
  • Conclusion: Summarise that while taxes are indispensable, those who can do more should take on additional civic responsibility to strengthen community cohesion.
Word or phraseMeaningUsed in a sentence
mandatory contributionspayments required by lawthese mandatory contributions already fund essential public services
proportionatein correct proportion or balance relative to something elsesince taxes are compulsory and proportionate to income
collective welfarethe wellbeing of the community as a wholea fair and consistent mechanism through which every citizen supports collective welfare
civic activismactive efforts by citizens to influence or improve public or community lifeactive engagement, such as volunteering or civic activism, fosters stronger community bonds
mutual trustconfidence shared between people in one anotherfosters stronger community bonds and mutual trust, outcomes that impersonal tax payments cannot replicate
disposable timefree time available after obligations are metthose with greater disposable time or resources ought to be encouraged
supplementaryadditional; extraindividuals with the capacity to do more should embrace supplementary civic responsibilities
community cohesionthe sense of unity and connectedness within a communityto strengthen community cohesion

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