You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Some people believe that individuals are responsible for their own personal happiness. Others argue that happiness can be affected by other factors. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.

MODEL ANSWER>>>

Happiness is hard to define, but many feel it as a positive aspect of life. While some think it is more or less related to the individual himself, others feel it can be attributed to other factors. Both arguments are vital, and hence a detailed discussion is needed before framing a logical conclusion.

Those who have the former view think so because they believe the actions and attitude of a person decide his level of happiness. For example, if an individual has a negative attitude towards himself and others, which is reflected mostly in his behavior or actions, his level of happiness falls to the minimum. However, if he is optimistic in his actions, even at adverse situations, his contentment level would be marked high. There are many around us who enjoy each moment of their life despite unfavorable situations and simultaneously there are people who appear to be dismayed even they have almost all the favorable factors in their life.

However, there are people who highlight external factors which they think are responsible for making a person happy. While some think that it is the emotional relationships which are crucial, others might attribute this to wealth, material possessions, social status or power. They think that these factors can either raise or lower the contentment level of a person. For example, there are people who become happy when their close acquaintances are with them always, and they fall depressed when they feel these people neglect them. The situation is the same in case of money and material possessions.

After discussing both views in detail, I feel that both internal and external factors play significant roles in making a person happy. However, the level of happiness a person extract from these factors vary from person to person at different situations.

Word count: 299