IELTS/ PTE/TOEFL Writing Tasks, The Essay
Writing Task 2, Essay
The Essay Question:
Some people say that economic progress is the only way to measure a country’s success, whereas others think there are other factors which can be used to measure a country’s success.
What are these other factors ? Which of these do you think are most important ?
The Essay:
People are divided over the manner in which they believe a nation’s success can be gauged, with few thinking financial progression is the sole measure and yet others contending that there are other deciding points. According to me, quality of life and good mental health are other considerations that truly define the achievement of a country. Quality of life being the preponderant mark of a successful nation.
Parts of the populace who opine that economic wellness is an indicator of a country thriving, argue that with money all the basic needs can be catered to, such free education and healthcare. When bare minimum services are provided at no cost to public by governments, the number of people below poverty line will be far less.
By contrast, with all the economic wealth a country enjoys, the people can be unhealthy and unhappy. As the popular saying goes, health is wealth. According to statistics released by the United Nations, notwithstanding economic advancements in some nations such as United States of America or Europe, a disturbingly high percentage of citizens are under depression, vis-a-vis Nepal or Sikkim that are not economically developed in comparison.
Furthermore, the quality of life of the population most rightly depicts true success of a country and is the prime indicator, since it tells how the economic progress is leading to a good life for people. In turn a good life would be healthy family time and good relationships. When a country is economically very strong but the people are emotionally unstable and rushing to earn, with minimal time for loved ones, that cannot be termed success.
To conclude, I believe that health and quality of life of the people, which is the supreme factor , rather than economic strength are the yardstick to weigh the success of a country, since economic growth falls short when citizens are unhappy.