IELTS Writing Task 2: Are Athletes Paid Too Much? (Band 9 Sample)
This agree/disagree question asks whether the enormous salaries earned by top professional athletes are justified. A band-9 response takes a clear position, defends it with developed reasons, and addresses the opposing view rather than ignoring it. Below is a model answer of roughly 285 words that argues the pay is excessive, followed by a breakdown of why it scores 9 on all four criteria.
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01 · The task
Some people think that professional athletes and sports stars are paid far too much money compared with people in other important jobs. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
02 · Band 9 sample answer
286 words · Band 9It is undeniable that the biggest names in football, basketball and tennis earn in a week what a nurse or teacher might earn in several years. While I acknowledge that their talent is rare, I largely agree that such astronomical salaries are difficult to justify when set against the value of other professions.
1. Why the pay seems excessive
The central objection is one of proportion. Doctors, teachers and emergency workers perform roles that society genuinely depends on, yet they are paid a tiny fraction of what a striker receives for playing a game. This imbalance sends a troubling message to young people about what our culture truly values, implying that entertainment matters more than saving lives or educating the next generation.
2. The argument in defence of high pay
In fairness, there is a market logic to these wages. Elite athletes have a very short career, entertain millions, and generate vast revenue through ticket sales, broadcasting and sponsorship, so clubs can afford to pay them handsomely. From this perspective, the players are simply receiving their share of the wealth they create.
In conclusion, although the salaries reflect the money these stars bring in, I believe they remain excessive relative to their real importance to society. A fairer distribution that better rewarded essential workers would, in my view, benefit everyone.
03 · Why this scores Band 9
The position — that the pay is largely excessive — is stated in the introduction and defended with a developed argument about proportion and the message it sends. The market-logic counter-argument is given a genuine paragraph before the conclusion reaffirms the stance, so both sides are addressed while the opinion stays firm.
One idea governs each body paragraph — "why the pay seems excessive" then "the argument in defence" — with the stance flagged early and confirmed at the end. Linking is natural rather than mechanical: "The central objection is...", "In fairness, there is a market logic...", "In conclusion...".
Vocabulary is precise and idiomatic — "astronomical salaries", "a tiny fraction", "a troubling message", "market logic", "pay them handsomely", "a fairer distribution" — carrying an abstract argument about value with confident collocation rather than filler.
A wide range is controlled accurately: a concessive opener ("While I acknowledge that their talent is rare"), a participle clause carrying consequence ("implying that entertainment matters more than saving lives"), and a hypothetical in the conclusion ("A fairer distribution that better rewarded essential workers would... benefit everyone"). The writing stays error-free.
04 · Useful collocations for this task
Tap a phrase to see what it means and how to use it. Natural collocations like these lift your Lexical Resource score.
05 · Frequently asked questions
Do I have to choose a side in this essay?
Yes. Give a clear opinion — this model argues the pay is largely excessive — and keep it consistent. A firm, well-defended stance scores higher on Task Response than a vague, undecided answer.
Should I still give the opposing argument?
Yes — the strongest agree/disagree essays acknowledge the other side. Here the "market logic" defence is given a full paragraph and then answered, which shows balance without abandoning the position.
How do I make the comparison with other jobs convincing?
Name specific essential roles — doctors, teachers, emergency workers — and contrast their pay and social value with athletes'. Concrete comparisons are far more persuasive than simply asserting that footballers "earn too much".
How long should the essay be?
At least 250 words; a band-9 answer is usually 260–290. This model is 286 words, enough to argue the case and address the counter-view without padding.
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