IELTS Writing Task 2 with sample answer.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write at least 250 words.
Some feel executives in large companies should receive high salaries while others think they are paid too much compared to ordinary workers
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Sample Answer:
Nowadays, executive salaries in large companies have become the subject of public debate, as some argue that they should be paid a high salary due to their responsibilities and qualifications, while others think they are overcompensated compared to the ordinary worker. This essay will discuss both of these views before presenting my own opinion.
On the one hand, those who consider executive salaries to be reasonable argue that these individuals are responsible for the successful running of the company, and as such, should receive a salary which reflects their worth. Executives are highly experienced, educated and have the necessary skills, such as leadership and problem-solving abilities, to effectively manage large organisations. Furthermore, they usually work long hours and have to make difficult decisions which can impact on the company’s future. Therefore, it can be argued that they deserve to be rewarded with a high salary.
On the other hand, those who believe that executives are overpaid claim that their wages are disproportionate to those of the ordinary worker, and thus unfair. For example, the average salary for an executive in the US is approximately $100,000 per year, whereas the median salary for an employee in the same country is around $35,000. This disparity is exacerbated by the fact that the benefits and bonuses that executives receive, such as pensions and stock options, are far greater than those offered to ordinary employees.
In my opinion, executive salaries should be reasonable and in proportion to the wages of the average worker. Whilst executives should be rewarded for their hard work and expertise, the gap between their salaries and that of the ordinary worker should not be so great. Furthermore, executives should not receive excessive benefits and bonuses, such as large pensions, which are often not available to other employees. Therefore, I believe that executive salaries should be commensurate with the salaries of other workers in the same company.
In conclusion, whilst some argue that executives should receive high salaries due to their responsibilities and qualifications, others think that they are paid too much compared to other workers. In my view, executive salaries should be reasonable and proportional to the wages of the average worker in the company.