IELTS Task 2 discussion essay: Economic growth and poverty
A Task 2 discussion question. Explain both views fairly, then give your own opinion. The question asks for all three, so an essay on one side only answers part of it.
3 students’ essays below, each marked by Axiom, from band 6.5 to 7.0. Updated on 8 September 2026.
The question
Some people believe that economic growth is the only way to reduce poverty and hunger, while others argue that economic growth can harm the environment. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Students’ essays on this question, marked by Axiom
Across these 3 essays the average band is 6.8: Task Response 7.3, Coherence and Cohesion 6.7, Lexical Resource 7.0, Grammatical Range and Accuracy 7.0. Coherence and Cohesion was the weakest criterion.
Real answers, shared without their writers’ names, newest first. Each opens with its revisions marked in place. Estimated by AI. It isn’t an official IELTS score.
Overall band, an AI estimate: 7.0
Essay #3
Task response 8.0, coherence 7.0, vocabulary 7.0, grammar 7.0
Economic development is seen as the only way to alleviate poverty and famine by some people, whereas other individuals blame economic growth as it damages our natural…
Overall band, an AI estimate: 7.0
Essay #2
Task response 7.0, coherence 7.0, vocabulary 7.0, grammar 7.0
There is an ongoing debate about whether economic growth is an effective way to reduce poverty and hunger, while others that economic expansion can have serious…
Overall band, an AI estimate: 6.5
Essay #1
Task response 7.0, coherence 6.0, vocabulary 7.0, grammar 7.0
With the rapid growth in economies, there is a fiercing debate on its benefits. While some people think that economic growth is the sole way to mitigate poverty and…
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