IELTS Band 9 Essay About the qualities a person needs to become truly successful
Here we take a look at a band 9 ielts writing task 2 sample about “The qualities a person needs to become truly successful”. This sample then will be further analyzed for its vocabulary, grammar and format, so we see how it has qualified for such band score. We also suggest over 200 band 9 IELTS samples released in 2025.
Sample Answer (Band 9)
The qualities a person needs to become truly successful in today’s world cannot be learned at a university or similar academic institution.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
In contemporary society, the attributes required for genuine success extend beyond the confines of traditional academia. While universities provide essential foundations in knowledge and critical thinking, they often fall short in equipping individuals with the pragmatic skills necessary for real-world achievement. Therefore, I largely agree that true success is shaped more by experiential learning, adaptability, and interpersonal competence than by formal education alone.
To begin with, universities primarily focus on theoretical instruction, which, while valuable, does not necessarily translate into practical success. For instance, entrepreneurship, leadership, and resilience—key traits of successful individuals—are rarely developed through structured curricula. Many of the world’s most accomplished figures, such as Steve Jobs and Elon Musk, credit their achievements to real-world exposure, risk-taking, and self-directed learning rather than formal degrees. This suggests that success is often the product of ingenuity, perseverance, and the ability to navigate uncertainties—skills that are honed outside academic settings.
Moreover, the rapid evolution of industries has diminished the exclusivity of university education as a pathway to success. The digital revolution has enabled individuals to acquire expertise through online platforms, mentorship, and hands-on experience. In fields such as technology, marketing, and creative industries, self-taught professionals frequently outperform degree holders due to their ability to adapt quickly to dynamic market demands. This underscores the importance of lifelong learning and practical experience over reliance on academic credentials.
However, it is undeniable that universities serve as crucial launchpads for professional careers in specialized fields like medicine, law, and engineering, where formal qualifications are indispensable. Additionally, higher education cultivates critical thinking, discipline, and analytical skills that can contribute to long-term success. Nevertheless, these advantages alone do not guarantee professional excellence, as success ultimately hinges on an individual’s ability to apply knowledge in real-world contexts.
In conclusion, while universities provide valuable intellectual and technical skills, the essential qualities for success—such as adaptability, innovation, and resilience—are primarily cultivated outside academic institutions. Therefore, although formal education plays a role in career development, true success is largely determined by one’s ability to continuously learn, evolve, and seize opportunities beyond the university setting.
Vocabulary in the sample for the qualities a person needs to become truly successful
- Attributes (/ˈætrɪˌbjuːts/)
Success often depends on personal attributes such as resilience and creativity. - Confines (/ˈkɒn.faɪnz/)
True learning often happens beyond the confines of a traditional classroom. - Pragmatic (/præɡˈmæt.ɪk/)
A pragmatic approach to problem-solving is essential in business and innovation. - Ingenuity (/ˌɪn.dʒəˈnjuː.ɪ.ti/)
The entrepreneur’s ingenuity allowed her to turn challenges into opportunities. - Dynamic (/daɪˈnæm.ɪk/)
The job market is highly dynamic, requiring constant adaptation and skill upgrades.
Advanced Grammar Structures
- Complex Sentences with Relative Clauses
- “Many of the world’s most accomplished figures, such as Steve Jobs and Elon Musk, credit their achievements to real-world exposure, risk-taking, and self-directed learning rather than formal degrees.”
- This adds depth and detail to the argument.
- Parallelism
- “True success is shaped more by experiential learning, adaptability, and interpersonal competence than by formal education alone.”
- This structure enhances clarity and readability.
- Conditional Sentences
- “If individuals rely solely on formal education, they may struggle to adapt to the rapidly changing job market.”
- Using conditionals helps present hypothetical scenarios effectively.
- Inversion for Emphasis
- “Not only does success require academic knowledge, but it also demands real-world problem-solving skills.”
- This elevates the formal tone of the writing.
- Use of Passive Voice
- “The digital revolution has enabled individuals to acquire expertise through online platforms, mentorship, and hands-on experience.”
- The passive construction shifts the focus to the subject rather than the agent of the action.
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