People are never satisfied with what they have

IELTS Writing Task 2 with sample answer.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

People are never satisfied with what they have; they always want something more or something different.

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

Write at least 250 words.


Sample Answer:
We have already embraced a materialistic world. All of us incessantly demand more. But why, even if we have all we need, a well-paid job, loving family and lovely wife, and beautiful home, what more makes us content? But there is always that posh new Mercedes Benz or higher paid job or even that younger attractive spouse. Following reasons could explain why.

First of all, we always feel that something out there is better than we have. This is how human beings are meant to be. Though it sounds a pessimistic comment, it our very nature that craves for new things and desires constantly different objects. We are endowed with the nature that has gift the ability to grow and evolve by constantly transforming ourselves and our ambient. This may be chief reason why people never feel content with their present condition, and hence always struggle to do better for themselves in the future. Take my uncle as an example. He is already a renowned tycoon in the business world. Nevertheless he toils almost 24/7 for flourishing more his business.

Secondly, another main reason is that we have the trait that compares with others. That is to say that grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. People very often think about what other have that they do not. Consequently, people tend to compare their own situations to others with respect to financial, social, emotional, intellectual condition that keep them discontent about their own conditions. For example, one of my friends always compares him to me in terms of financial condition and he feels discontent despite he has more than enough wealth.

Last but not the least, perhaps ambition is the main reason that keeps man dissatisfied. Our ambition knows no bound. Let me clarify a bit more. We have, in many ways, tamed nature and lead a more cozy life and possibly more pleasurable. But being ambitious, we constantly strive harder to manipulate nature to get more advantage of it. Actually, ambition is the essence of human being and because of having future ambition, we never be content with our present achievement.

In conclusion, dissatisfaction is what is not necessarily bad because it is most probable the very same discontent that enables us to evolve as a superior animal into the planet. From the above reasons, it is concluded that it is never ever possible for human being to be content.