Last Updated: 8th May 2020
GT Writing Task 2 (Essay Writing) Sample # 14
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Many governments think that economic progress is their most important goal. Some people, however, think that other types of progress are equally important for a country.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Model Answer 1:
Development of a nation does not come overnight and many aspects of development are interconnected. Hence, financial progress should not be the primary goal for a sustainable elevation, according to many. Others, however, emphasise solely on economic advancement. I consider success in education, industrialisation, acceptance of technology, healthcare, research, and fair governance far more important and believe that they can bring true progress to a country in the long run.
On the one hand, monetary freedom and self-reliance serve a nation to fight its predicaments in a more effective way. When a country has sufficient budget, it can develop its infrastructure, fight corruption, plan for development policies and attract foreign investors. For instance, some Gulf countries, despite their deficiency in technological advancement, research facilities, gender equity, and modern education system, have achieved enviable GDP due to their economic growth from their natural resource.
On the contrary, money and natural resource, in this modern era, cannot guarantee future development as technology plays a great role in the race of progress. Economic growth relies on the whole nation, not only to a certain portion of the population, and thus healthy and educated citizens play a much powerful role in the development. China, as a country, has developed due to its educated population who are important workforce in its export industry. Their acceptance of technology has labelled them as a fast-growing economy. Besides, fair governance in countries like Malaysia and Singapore has put them on top of the fast-growing economy.
In conclusion, economic progress is not a single objective that can be achieved overnight. Equal or even more important aspects are there for actual development and ensuring these would eventually bring sustainable financial achievement.
Model Answer 2:
Economic growth, without any doubt, is an important objective for a government as it is directly linked to the living standards of citizens. Though per-capita income and steady economic progress are considered the most important goals for a government by many, social justice, political rest, gender equity and human rights are no less important for the true development of a country.
There are obvious reasons why economic development is often considered the primary goal of an administration. Firstly, it ensures better living standards for citizens. It, in turns, ensures, better job opportunities, education, healthcare and purchasing capabilities. For instance, countries with higher literacy rate and better life expectancy are usually economically strong. Moreover, increasing revenue and money reserve are vital for infrastructural development. Finally, a strong economy empowers the country’s global position and political influence.
Nevertheless, money alone cannot ensure a better social situation. A rich country will ultimately fall if it cannot curb crimes or maintain social justice. Human rights violation often puts rich countries behind the developing nations in living standards index. For instance, despite higher GDP, some developed countries are considered less favourable countries to live in. An autocratic government often turmoil the citizens’ rights to live freely and economic progress in such countries alone cannot make ordinary citizens happy. Perhaps another key consideration of countries true progress is tied with gender equality. Thus the success of a government can often be measured with the social justice and happiness of citizens rather than the wealth they have.
To conclude, economic progress along with key elements for a better social state is overall criteria to measure the achievement of a government. It is expected that a government would put emphasis on making citizens happy along with the economic progress.