Women opting out of marriage: to what extent agree?
The question
In many countries, women no longer feel the need to get married. Some people believe that this is because women are able to earn their own income and therefore do not require the financial security that marriage can bring. To what extent do you agree?
About 40 minutes. Write at least 250 words.
Plan before you write
- Position:
- I strongly agree that financial independence is the primary driver behind the declining necessity of marriage for women.
- Paragraph 2:
- The ability to earn an independent income has liberated women from the traditional requirement of marriage for economic stability.
- Paragraph 3:
- Beyond financial factors, professional autonomy allows women to prioritise personal fulfilment and career progression over domestic roles.
- State a clear position in the last sentence of the introduction and keep it to the end.
- Two body paragraphs that each give one reason for that position, with an example.
- A partial position is fine if it is stated precisely; a position that drifts is what caps task response at 6.
Band 8 sample essay
Throughout history, marriage was frequently viewed as a fundamental economic arrangement rather than a purely romantic union. In many contemporary societies, the trend of women choosing to remain single is increasingly evident. I strongly agree that the ability of women to secure their own financial future is the primary catalyst for this shift, as the necessity for a partner's economic support has largely vanished.
Financial autonomy has empowered women to lead independent lives without the constraints of traditional dependency. Historically, women often entered matrimony to gain access to resources and social security, as employment opportunities were restricted. Today, with equal access to higher education and professional sectors, women can achieve substantial wealth and stability on their own. For instance, in many Western nations, the rise of female-led households demonstrates that women no longer require a spouse to maintain a comfortable standard of living or to purchase property.
Furthermore, the evolution of social norms has shifted the focus from domestic obligation to individual agency. When women are not tethered to a marriage for survival, they are free to pursue career ambitions and personal interests that were once secondary to family duties. This shift is particularly visible in corporate environments, where women increasingly occupy leadership roles, often choosing to delay or forgo marriage to ensure their professional trajectories remain unhindered. This independence allows for a broader definition of success that is not defined by marital status.
In summary, the transition away from marriage is a direct consequence of the economic empowerment of women. By achieving financial independence, women have gained the freedom to make life choices based on personal preference rather than necessity. As long as economic equality continues to flourish, the reliance on marriage as an essential institution will likely continue to decline.
292 words. Use the structure and the vocabulary, not the sentences.
Why this scores Band 8
This essay achieves Band 8 by maintaining a clear, consistent position throughout and using sophisticated, topic-specific vocabulary. A Band 6 response often fails to provide specific examples and relies on repetitive, clichéd phrasing rather than developing a coherent, logical argument.
Vocabulary from the essay
- catalyst
- a person or thing that precipitates an event
- autonomy
- the right or condition of self-governing power
- matrimony
- the state or ceremony of being married
- tethered
- tied down or restricted in one's movement
- trajectories
- the path followed by an object or person
- unhindered
- not delayed or kept back by anything
- forgo
- to go without something desirable or necessary
- flourish
- to grow or develop in a healthy way
Write this one yourself and get a band
Forty minutes, then a band for task response, coherence, vocabulary and grammar, with the sentences that cost you marked.
Practise IELTS writingOn your phone? Get the BandLadder app for scored writing practice anywhere.
Frequently asked questions
What type of essay is "Women opting out of marriage: to what extent agree?"?
Opinion (agree or disagree). State a clear position in the last sentence of the introduction and keep it to the end.
How long should the answer be?
At least 250 words. This sample is 292 words, written to fit 40 minutes with five minutes left to check grammar.
What is the difference between a Band 6 and a Band 8 answer here?
This essay achieves Band 8 by maintaining a clear, consistent position throughout and using sophisticated, topic-specific vocabulary. A Band 6 response often fails to provide specific examples and relies on repetitive, clichéd phrasing rather than developing a coherent, logical argument.
More sample essays
- Addressing the Global Challenge of an Aging Population
- Addressing the rising problem of cyberbullying among teenagers
- Cooking as an essential life skill: discuss both views
- Declining bicycle usage: causes and potential solutions
- Defining success through wealth versus happiness: discuss both views
- Are traditional museums and galleries obsolete in digital times?
- Are video games beneficial for children: agree or disagree
- Artificial Intelligence and Education: Agree or Disagree Analysis
- All 180 sample essays