Important Things are Free Essay Tips

A number of students reported this essay question in IELTS writing task 2. Many of you have asked me for ideas and tips about this essay. You can find step by step tips below. The essay below is called an Opinion Essay (however some teachers called it an “argumentative essay” or “agree/disagree essay”).

IELTS Essay Question

Some people think that the most important things in life are free and cannot be bought. To what extent do you agree?

Tips for this IELTS Essay

  1. Please note that the wording of the essay is “important things” not “important services”. You need to pay close attention to the words used in the essay so that you don’t change the meaning.
  2. You need to make a list of things that are important in life and are free:
    1. family
    2. health
    3. appreciation of nature
    4. love
    5. Each of the above cannot be bought using money – they are available to rich and poor alike.
  3. This essay is not about WHY they are free. You need to be very clear what the aim of the question is. The question is “do you think the most important things are free or do you think the most important things are not free and must be bought.
  4. You need to think of things that are not free and must be bought:
    1. food
    2. housing
    3. education
    4. health care
    5. clothes
    6. cars
    7. electricity
    8. these items must be bought using money. Rich people get better quality food, housing, education etc than poor people who sometimes can’t afford even the most basic human necessities.
  5. Now you have brainstormed your ideas. What is your opinion? Do you think the best things in life are free? Or do you think the best things in life are not free?
  6. Your opinion must be written clearly in the introduction and explained in the body paragraphs.
  7. Your thesis statement:
    1. The thesis statement should be one sentence that presents your position (your opinion).
    2. You can start this sentence with : In my opinion or I think or I believe or something similar that shows YOUR own personal opinion. Don’t start it with “this essay”.
  8. Model Introduction
    1. See a range of different introductions for this essay question: Model Introductions

IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Essays

You can find more tips, free videos and model essays on this page: IELTS Writing Task 2.

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Comments

  1. Hi Liz,

    i want to ask about agree/ disagree type questiona.

    Shall we write our whole essay only on the side we agree/disagree OR we should write both sides of our agreement to clear the arguments….like if i agree to school children should participate only in team games rather than on individual interest games, then i should write another side benefits of playing individual games also ?????

    OR shall i complete the all paragraphs on providing benefits of playing in team????

    This will boost the scores or reduce it….

    Thnks in advance……..

    • Please look at the model introductions for this lesson which explains it all. The link is provided on the page above.

  2. Hello Liz …. I got 7.5 overall in the ielts exam… i watched ur vidz and learnt from them … coaching classes costed a lot … but i prepared myself and got this score … thank you so much for the lessons … Keep up the good work ☺️😇

  3. Khushwinder Singh says

    Hi Liz,
    I believe that this is not opinion essay and hence we need cover only one part to whom we agree, as there is nothing in the question like “Discuss both sides”. Could you please let me know if my understanding is correct.
    Thanks

  4. Miyanda Mwiinga Mwamba says

    Thanks a lot Liz I got L7.5,R6.5,W7,S7.5..just using your blog but want paid up lessons for reading..how do I get in touch with you?

  5. I appeared on 11th of November, 2017 and had the same Task 2.

  6. I believe that the most important elements in life such as family, friends, happiness, and love are for free. While on the other hand, material things such as medicine, shelter, clothes, and education which are also considered as basic necessity cost something.

  7. In my opinion, we are being gifted many things like life, health, family and love that are totally free and priceless. However there are many things in life which are important and we have to be bought as necessities such as, food, healthcare, education, transport and house.

  8. Hi liz i am really appriate for your support
    I have a question pleas tell me. I have a sentence : if a female student is the best candidate for a place on a course ,it would be wrong to reject her in favor of a male student . Here we used would in second sentence why did they use would instead of will . Is it corret if we use will?

  9. Elizabeth Stein says

    Elizabeth’s thesis:

    In my opinion, I agree that the things that are really significant throughout life, and often not valued enough, are free and cannot be acquired with money. This essay will try to support this statement.

  10. Jenimol James says

    In my opinion, all important things in life are not free, some of them like family,health,love etc are priceless but some basic needs like food, shelter, education etc are priceworthy and ought to be bought. .

  11. Olajide says

    In my opinion,there are some essential things of life susch as hapiness,health and love which we acquire at no cost while education,housing and health care which are also critical to life must be paid for.

  12. Here is my version of the introduction.

    It is thought by some that the most valued things in life come at no monetary cost. In my opinion, I agree as overall health, family and friends are very important to a person.

  13. In this hectic world . Many people think that everything can be bought which is unfortunately not true, as the most important things in life are priceless like health or happiness for examples. Money will stand still when it comes to such important and vital things in life like that.

  14. Hi liz,
    This essay says to what extent u agree? Does it mean u cant disagree with the statement?

    • Do you agree? Do you agree or disagree? To what extent do you agree? To what extent do you agree or disagree? = all the same essay = all the same instructions.

      • Dear Liz does it mean therefore that in any “agree/disagree” essay there has to be a separate body paragraph for the opposing viewpoint?

  15. Simifredy says

    I believe God has gifted us certain necessities in life such as nature,health,family and love;however, there are other important things that we need in life that has to be bought.

  16. Hello Ma’am,
    Please check it and point if found any mistake.
    It is commonly though that most significant things in a life are costless and there is no need to spend money on that, while other side, people have to spend on it.I definitely go with the given sentence that most vital things which we got from god are free, which I will discuss in below.

  17. Sanjeev Kumar says

    I believe, there is no doubt that most essential things of life, such as family, love and health come with no cost which can never be acquired in exchange of money.

  18. In my point of view, the most esential things in our normal life are free and natural. However, to achieve them, we need to afford the human necessities which are bought by using money.

  19. Marivic c. Hulleza says

    In my opinion, The best things in life are free however the most important things needs hardwork and money to avail it.

  20. Marivic c. Hulleza says

    In my perspective. I believe the best things in life are free however most important things needs hardwork in order to avail it.

  21. Hi liz,
    Thanks for the guidance. I have a doubt in one topic :
    Some ppl choose career for salary . other choose career according to whether they enjoy the work.

    Ok does enjoyment mean work satisfaction here?
    Or going by passion?
    I need to understand this to give relevant points supporting my views.

  22. In my opinion, I totally agree that money would never be able to buy the most valuable things in life, namely family and health, which are not only for free, but also priceless.

  23. I completely agree with this as some of the things gifted to human such as family and health are free but irreplaceable whenever lost, making them more important than other necessities of life which can eventually be attained although at a price.

  24. With the gradual merging of capitalism and modern lifestyles, it is arguably difficult to name a single thing today not yet materialized. However, it is believed many valuable issues in the world are still definitely unbuyable. From a personal prospective, Despite its rareness, things such as true friendship can not be offered for sale. This will be analyzed by looking at why real friendship is heavier lasts longer compared to paid one

  25. In my opinion, free things are essential for life, but the basic needs of life which have to buy, are also significantly important to live a healthy life.

  26. In my opinion ,i think that the most essential things of life ought not to be free and should be bought with money.

  27. Hi Liz,
    Below is what I wrote as background n theisis.

    There is a school of thought that, the most essential and intrinsic things of everyday life cannot be purchased. In my opinion, there are many strong reasons for advocating tbe above fact, as now will be explained below.

    Is above correct?

  28. Hi Liz,
    Here is my answer, please correct me if I’m wrong.

    People have different opinion on whether or not the most important things in life can be brought. There are some strong arguments against the idea that those most important things in life can be free, I still believe that there are certain things that people cannot buy.

    Some people believe that there is a price for everything, whereas they can get anything they wanted through hard-working. In doing so, people can buy their dream house and have good meals if they deserved it, therefore people will live their life with passion.

    By contrast, in my opinion, I believe that the most important things in life are invaluable. Because in people’s loves, there are important things that cannot be brought by using money, such as intimacy and love. It is impossible to buy a life-long relationship such as family or friendship, in other words, people do not pay their parents, siblings, or any of their loved ones for their cares.

    In conclusion, there is no doubt that money has a certain importance in people’s lives, but I still belie that there are important things that money cannot buy.

    • Gullickson Rodica says

      Liz has told you to write only the thesis not the whole essay but nevertheless you fid a good job by comparing things you can buy with money and those which are priceless,cannot be bought by money.

  29. Most people believe that there are some important things in our life which can not be bought through money such as family, friends and health, these are the priceless and gifted by good. I definitely agree with the statement mentioned.

  30. Lawrence says

    Some people have the perception of most crucial things in the world are cost free and cannot be purchased. However, in my opinion I agree that they are free analyzing both the family and health aspect of life.

  31. Hello Liz,

    For this essay I mentioned Air & Water as the most important things in life and explained why aren’t they free anymore. Is this alright? Did I go off-topic?

  32. HINA AFROZ says

    Thesis statement for the argumentative essay.
    It is said and it is also a fact that certain non_materialistic things like natural beauty, health care, love and family are those blessings which have been granted to us free to enjoy our life and if they’re lost once can’t be bought at any cost.

  33. Chinazor says

    In my opinion, I agree most of the important things in life are free but not all because there are still important things like food, shelter, clothing etc that we still have to work for.

  34. Hi Liz,
    Here’s my opinion.

    People have different opinion on whether or not the most important things in life can be brought. There are some strong arguments against the idea that those most important things in life should be free, I still believe that there are certain things that you cannot buy.
    Some people believe that there is a price for everything, whereas they can get anything they wanted through hard-working. In doing so, people can buy their dream house and have good meals if they deserved it, therefore people will live their life with passion.
    By contrast, in my opinion, I believe that the most important things in life are invaluable. Because there are important things which cannot be brought by using money in our life, such as intimacy and love. It is impossible to buy a life-long relationship like family or friendship, in the other words, people cannot have intimacy and love through money. People do not pay your parents, siblings, any of your loved ones for their cares.
    In conclusion, there is no doubt that there is a certain importance of money in people’s lives, but I believe that there are important things that money cannot buy.

  35. Bahubali says

    It is argued by some that extremely important things in one’s life are free of charge and no amount of money can buy them. However, I am of the opinion that a number of things, which are crucial for survival such as education , food, clothing and shelter to name but a few, can only be obtained by means of money.

  36. Bahubali says

    It is argued by some that extremely important things in one’s life are free of charge and no amount of money can buy them. However, I am of the opinion that a number of things, which are crucial for survival such as food, clothing and shelter to name but a few, must be bought.

  37. Harish K says

    Thesis statement:
    In my perspective, Love, family relations and air are most important among those which we freely enjoy and I also belive that everyone relishes it all the time in their life’s.

    (Ideas: Love – Mother’s love is unconditional right from the time we are in her womb.

    Family relations: Everyone tends to remember their family members such as mother, father, grand parents which are most important relations being enjoyed for free from being a toddler till last breath.

    Air: One of the five essential elements which is completely free and the only means of living which cannot be substituted.

    – All the ideas are to be elaborated with some real life scenarios / examples if possible.

    This is what I would write.
    Liz, Please do correct me and let me know if any changes are to be made. (My goal for writing task is 7 min)

  38. Lovepreet Singh says

    It is argued by some that it is not possible to purchase the most valuable things in life. While I agree that certain qualities such as happiness, love and health cannot be bought, in my opinion, the most basic human needs such as food, housing and education can only be obtained, using money.

  39. I entirely agree that some non material thing which ca not be bought are free for us and we accesse them freely.

  40. Jose Antonio Palacios says

    Hi Liz I’m José,
    In my case here at Canada, I took the IELTS the last Saturday. And the writing task 2 was kind the same with the question.
    “Some people buy products because they are good and suits to what they need, that’s why advertising is unnecessary”
    They want me to say some advantages and disvatanges of that topic and also the question “for what extent I was agree?”
    Before the day test I was watching one of your videos and you say that something about “what extent” means.
    I said that I wasn’t completely agree with that statement…
    I hope I could get what they really asked.

    Thanks for your tips for IELTS, and when I get my results I will post them here.

    Regards

  41. Free and the things which can not be bought are considered to be the most precious things in life. In my opinion, I agree that free and priceless values, such as family, friends, love and belief, are the most significant in life. However, I also believe that a piece of bread could be more necessary in the capitalistic system.

  42. In some people’s opinion major things in life cannot be obtained by money, but are available to everyone equally for free. I certainly agree to this view like family, time, health which are most valuable assets, are free.

  43. Bibi najira says

    Hi Liz!!!!you are the most prominent and sublime teacher I ever met!!!!your materials are much helpful for ielts students…those who are sharing their successful experiences!!!!!I truly appreciate them!!!!!!! God bless you all!!!!I am facing huge problem in writing but getting some help from your tips and very slowly doing well in writing!!!!

  44. Mamta Jagia says

    I got to write in task 2 if govt should spend money on top athletes or on sports for everyone do send solution.

  45. it is commonly thought that the most fundamental issues in our life are costless and we can not buy it. In my opinion, I totally agree with this idea as our families and our health are free, and they are certainly invaluable things in our lives.

    is it ok??

  46. Laureano says

    Hello Liz,
    Thesis statement:
    From my perspective, I believe that family, sincerity and humbleness are among the most valuable things in life and, fortunately, they are all free.

  47. Rupenzil says

    My essay

    Some people think that things that are really valuable to us cannot be bought with money. I would like to agree to this statement. Few of these priceless things are real happiness, good Health and true Relationships. Let’s explore about each of these in detail see what makes it truly priceless yet so valuable.

    Firstly, happiness is one important thing that cannot be bought with money. Happiness is ones state of mind, with a feeling of being loved and being secure. Happiness that come from riches and wealth is temporary and doesn’t last long.

    Secondly, good health is something that one has to attain over a long period of time. In order to stay fit and healthy, one may have to invest in good food and lifestyle. But that alone does not ensure good health. Health is a state of complete physical, social and emotional well being. For example, an end stage cancer patient, when doctors say that nothing can be done, if he has good moral support from friends and family and people to keep him happy, it will definitely help him to a large extent.

    Last but not the least, true friendships and relationships are the ones that stay with us through thick and thin. Such relationships cannot be bought with money. Friendships that come with wealth and riches and wealth are temporary and not true.

    Hence I would like to conclude that true happiness, good health and real relationships are keys to life and these priceless things are valuable yet free. As people get richer and wealthier, they tend to miss out on these precious things and that makes their life miserable.

  48. Muhammad kashif says

    Introduction:
    Few people argue that the most essential things in life are free of cost and cannot be acquired by other means. I partially agree with this school of thought, as I believe that there are other things which holds an equal importance.

    Waiting for your feedback, Liz.

  49. Rupenzil says

    Some people think that things that are really valuable to us cannot be bought with money. I would like to agree to this statement. Few of these priceless things are real happiness, True love, good Health and Relationships. Let’s explore about each of these in detail see what makes it truly priceless yet so valuable.

    Firstly, happiness is one important thing that cannot be bought with money. Happiness is ones state of mind, with a feeling of being loved and being secure…..

  50. Chibuzo says

    In my opinion, i agree to some extend that the most important things in life are free however there are a number of basis necessities of life which are not.

  51. it was my husband question yesterday….in KSA

    thanks a lot

    • Muhammad Umer Hasan says

      It was my question on 11th Nov in Khi Pakistan. Really a tough statement to write on it.

  52. ShakeelaRiaz says

    In my point of view, the most significant things like family, health, happiness and appreciation of nature are available to every human being without spending a peny whereas less important substances like residence, health care, a luxurious transport are bought against price.

  53. I just chose one side n agreed with the statement. N the things i mentioned were health, time, intellect/wisdom. I mentioned that these things are most valuable and cannot be bought. In body paragraphs i explained these things in each paragraph.
    I didn’t mentio the things that we can buy like food, housing, car, food etc did i attempt in the wrong direction?

  54. I mentioned time, happiness and health as the most important things in life and can not be bought.

  55. In my opinion, I believe that every person has some personal exclusive things which cannot buy or it cannot be measured by money rather it’s a matter of feelings.

  56. Bushra M. says

    Some argue that most valuable things in life cannot be purchased and come at free of cost.I completely agree with the statement…

  57. Dear Liz,

    plz tell this approach of balanced view is appropriate?
    In my opinion, I strongly believe that things like family, health, wisdom, love are free, however, their maintenance does require some amount of finance.

  58. Vimal Kamothi says

    Hi Liz,

    I have tried and written the entire essay. Please suggest in case of any correction / improvements needed:-

    Although some people believe that the most significant things in life are free of cost, other people think that most precious things in life are purchased through paying the price. In my opinion, I believe that the most key things in life are free of charge.

    On one hand, few people think that the vital things in life are free of charge and I agree as well. In another words, these precious things are available in abundance to rich as well as poor in the same manner. For example, family, love, nature, health, air, water etc. There is no charge on these significant things and all of these are available to us in our life irrespective of being rich or poor. Furthermore, we must thankful, appreciate and preserve
    the nature and surrounding available resources which provide us almost all of these things in our life without charging us.

    On the other hand, some people think that the valuable things in life are purchased through money. In other words, the key things are only available to us if we spend good amount of money on them. For example, food, clothes, housing, higher education, well lifestyle, car etc. These vital things are the basic human necessities and cannot be available to us unless we pay the higher price on them.

    In conclusion, while people may differ in their views I think that most of the precious things in life are free of cost and as a human being we must appreciate for the same.

    Regards,
    Vimal

  59. Hi Liz,
    Thank you for doing what you do.
    Here is my thesis statement for this essay.

    It is thought by some people that the most essential things in life are priceless and cannot be gotten with money. In my opinion, I totally agree that the most essential things in life are equally accessible both to the rich and the poor.
    Is this a good thesis or not? Thanks for being there

  60. Hello Liz
    That is great tips.
    What is wrong with starting thesis statement by “This essay will…”?
    Thank you very much.

  61. In my view, I believe that the things we value much in life such as love and happiness are given freely, hence, cannot be traded.

  62. Mostafa says

    In my opinion, I strongly believe that the most paramount things are not charged by a human.

  63. Vincent Abiola Fowler says

    Great work Liz. I paid soo much attention to the task 2 especially on food,housing,clothes and cars. I should be expecting Band 8 as usual…lol I started my essay this way

    It is believed most valuable things of life should be free and not to be purchased. I totally dis-agree with this notion. In my BP1 I wrote about “value”. When things are bought with our hard earned money, we not only value it, we appreciate and maintain it and I related this to Clothing. If clothes are free everyone will just wear them and dump them.
    BP2 I related it to Council flats in UK…lol some of these flats are not as clean as they should be and the reason is simply because they are offered by the government FREE.
    BP3 I related it to Cars, if cars are free how will it be fuel? If Cars are free will the parts will also be free? People who got donated Cars careless on maintaining them nor replace their parts ontime because they do not value what they got for free. I also talk about Quality. Quality on things got for free can NEVER be compared to those that were Purchased.
    In my conclusion, after a brief summary on why things of life should not be free including education,transportation and health care{even though i didn’t discuss them in my BPs}. I ended my essay with “Nothing is free in Life even for those that live in FREELAND”…lol sounds funny

  64. Suara Ibrahim says

    I think the important things in life are naturally made to be free

  65. In the current question do we need to discuss both the sides or any one on which we agree or disagree… I took the exam and had the same question. I disagreed with the opinion and largely talked on points mentioned under disagree point as above.. am I right in my approach

  66. hi liz,

    here’s my thesis statement.tnx in advance for the feedback.
    “I believed that the most important things in life are free and is available to rich and poor alike.”

  67. Dear Liz

    I got the same essay and was slightly confused in the begning.

    In my Opinion, The best things in life are free such as Healhy relationships and Teachings from elders.

    I wrote about the Relationships with our love ones; How relationships are important in being mentally well being and how they cannot be bought from money, and Teachings from elderly people such as Discipline, Punctuality are available free to youngsters, how these things will play a pivotal role later in future life; in a postive manner.

    I explained these points in details with examples and concluded with my opinion.
    What do you think about the content of this essay I wrote?
    I hope I wrote the essay well.

    Many Thanks for wonderful lessons.

  68. Hi, I received this question in ielts general test held on 11 November 2017. I mentioned love and air as two important things.

  69. Manpreet singh says

    Some people have perception that best things in life are free namely family,health,love etc.But,others reckon that there are many things which are not free and those are very necessery in life like food,clothes.I disagree with former view and this essay will discuss reasons before forming conclusion.

  70. Vimal Kamothi says

    In my opinion, I believe that the most precious things in life are free of cost.

  71. In my opinion, I think the most vital things in life should be free to choose and people do not have to buy them.

    • Hi, I’ve noticed people here write: In my opinion, I think/agree/believe.. Is it really better than just: In my opinion the most vital… I don’t have much experience in writing and it sounds weird to me.

  72. Gaurav minhas says

    Like if we talk about honesty and freedom… As the most important things

  73. Anand k says

    I completely agree with this view those who hold this view. In my opinion, most important things are free that cannot be bought by money.

  74. I completely agree with sentence that Time which is most valuable and priceless thing.

  75. Thanks much!

    Blessed BE

  76. Himanshu Saurabh says

    Dear Liz,
    I have given neutral opinion on this topic stating that eventhough some necessary things of life are free such as family, friends but other important things like cars, bank balance need to be earn.
    After that I have given justifications on both views in each body paragraphs. And then conclusion.
    Is this is correct way?

  77. Gaurav minhas says

    Hi Liz,
    My question is can we give neutral opinion also on this?

  78. Gurpreet says

    It is thought by some people that most of the important things that are available in our are free, which means they involves no cost. In my opinion, I agree that friends, family and real life knowledge are free.

  79. Hi Liz,
    Please correct me if I am wrong…
    Can I begin like below:
    Though many people feel that best things are not freely available yet I, personally believe, that best things in life can not be bought with money rather can be get freely with love and care. I can better eludicate my point of view as below.
    Begin next paragraph with real life examples…

  80. In my opinion I believe that most important things of life are free,because love,good health and family are the most significant things of life you get for free.

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