Writing Task 2: “Some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices”

Essay Question: “Some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?”

This IELTS Writing Task 2 sample guide transforms this challenging agree or disagree essay IELTS topic into your pathway to success. Through strategic analysis and compelling arguments, you’ll master the art of tackling choice overload questions. Our three progressive Band 7 IELTS essay samples reveal the secrets behind Band 6.0 to Band 9.0 performance, enriched with powerful IELTS task 2 essay vocabulary. Conquering “some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices” unlocks higher IELTS Writing band scores.

Identifying the Essay Type and Key Requirements

At first glance, this topic “Some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices” may seem like a classic ‘too much of a good thing’ prompt — should we celebrate having 85 toothpaste varieties or worry about never picking the right one? But beneath the surface, this is an Agree/Disagree essay demanding you explore one of modern life’s paradoxes: does more equal better?

The concept “too many choices” relates to “choice overload” – where abundant options decrease satisfaction and decision-making efficiency. This manifests across career paths, consumer products, relationships, and lifestyle decisions. Your response should demonstrate understanding of this paradox: choice represents freedom, yet excessive options can create anxiety and paralysis.

Common Viewpoints You Can Challenge (or Support)

To develop a compelling response to the statement “some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices,” think beyond textbook pros and cons. Great essays engage with the underlying tension — between freedom and overwhelm, progress and pressure. Below are real-world angles of IELTS Sample Bank you can explore or challenge:

• More is not always better: Why an endless menu of choices can lead to indecision, regret, and decision fatigue — especially in careers, consumer habits, or relationships.
• Freedom vs burnout: Is modern abundance a symbol of empowerment, or a psychological burden that makes even small decisions feel exhausting?
• From arranged paths to infinite scroll: How the shift from limited options to algorithm-driven lives (job platforms, dating apps, streaming content) has changed the way we commit — or hesitate.
• A third perspective: Maybe it’s not the number of choices, but our ability to filter, prioritize, and make peace with our decisions that truly matters. This view focuses on strategy over quantity.

Choose whichever angle aligns with your opinion — or blend them thoughtfully — but remember: high-band responses go beyond surface-level examples and tackle the paradox at the heart of modern freedom.

Blueprint for Structuring Your Essay

Forget the generic templates — high-scoring essays are structured with purpose, not just paragraphs. For a complex statement like “Some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices,” your layout should walk the reader through your logic clearly and convincingly. Here’s a strategic framework tailored specifically to this topic:

• Introduction: Reframe the issue by highlighting how modern life bombards us with options — from shopping aisles to career paths. Then, state your position clearly: do you see this as empowerment, overwhelm, or something in between?
• Body Paragraph 1: Make your strongest argument first. For example, explain how excessive choice leads to decision fatigue, anxiety, and lower satisfaction. Use examples like consumer behavior studies or digital app overload (e.g. Netflix fatigue, career paralysis).
• Body Paragraph 2: Address the opposite view — that choice reflects freedom and progress. Acknowledge its validity, but argue why this benefit can be counterproductive or impractical without good decision-making structures.
• Conclusion: Reinforce your position while zooming out. Suggest how societies or individuals might better navigate the choice explosion — not by limiting freedom, but by cultivating focus, priorities, or digital literacy.

Some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices – sample essays

Band 6.0–6.5 Sample Essay

In today’s world, many people believe we face too many choices in our daily lives. I partially agree with this view because while extensive options can create difficulties, they also bring significant benefits.

Having numerous choices can indeed cause problems for individuals. When people visit supermarkets, they encounter hundreds of product varieties, from breakfast cereals to cleaning supplies. This abundance often leads to confusion and decision fatigue. For example, choosing a mobile phone becomes overwhelming when dozens of brands offer similar features at different prices. Many consumers spend excessive time comparing options, yet still feel uncertain about their final decisions. This situation creates stress and reduces satisfaction levels.

However, expanded choices represent genuine progress in modern society. Previous generations had limited opportunities, particularly in education and career paths. Today, students can select from thousands of university courses, including new fields like digital marketing and environmental science. This variety enables people to match their interests with suitable options more effectively. Additionally, online shopping platforms provide global access to products, allowing consumers to find items that perfectly suit their specific needs and budgets.

In conclusion, while having many choices can sometimes overwhelm people and create decision difficulties, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The key is developing better decision-making skills rather than reducing available options. Modern society benefits from this diversity, as it promotes individual freedom and personal satisfaction when choices are made thoughtfully.

Word count: 248

Vocabulary Table for Band 6.0-6.5 Essay:

Band 7.0–7.5 Sample Essay

The proliferation of choices in contemporary society has sparked considerable debate about whether this abundance constitutes progress or burden. While acknowledging that extensive options can occasionally overwhelm individuals, I believe the benefits of having numerous choices significantly outweigh the drawbacks.

Admittedly, choice overload can lead to decision paralysis and decreased satisfaction. Research demonstrates that consumers confronted with extensive product ranges often experience anxiety and regret. This phenomenon manifests clearly in modern retail environments, where shoppers encounter thousands of variations for basic items. For instance, a typical grocery store stocks over 300 breakfast cereal types, creating unnecessary complexity for a simple purchase decision. Such abundance can paralyze decision-making processes and ironically reduce satisfaction, as consumers constantly question whether alternative options might have been superior.

Nevertheless, expanded choice represents fundamental progress in human freedom and opportunity. Previous generations faced severely restricted educational pathways, career prospects, and lifestyle options, particularly marginalized groups. Today’s diverse opportunities enable individuals to align their life choices more closely with personal values and aspirations. The technology sector exemplifies this transformation, creating entirely new career categories like data scientists and social media specialists that were inconceivable decades ago. Similarly, educational institutions now offer interdisciplinary programs that combine traditional subjects innovatively, allowing students to craft personalized learning experiences.

In conclusion, while choice abundance occasionally creates decision difficulties, the expansion of human agency and opportunity it represents constitutes genuine societal advancement. Rather than reducing options, individuals should develop better decision-making frameworks and accept that satisfaction matters more than perfect optimization.

Word count: 263

Vocabulary table for band 7.0-7.5 some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices essay:

Band 8.0–9.0 Sample Essay

Contemporary society’s exponential expansion of available choices represents one of our era’s most distinctive characteristics, generating considerable debate about whether such abundance constitutes progress or burden. While acknowledging the psychological challenges posed by extensive options, I contend that choice proliferation fundamentally enhances human potential and societal well-being when appropriately navigated.

The phenomenon of choice overload undeniably creates genuine psychological stress and suboptimal decision-making outcomes. Empirical research by psychologist Sheena Iyengar demonstrated that consumers presented with 24 jam varieties were significantly less likely to purchase compared to those offered six options, illustrating how abundance can paradoxically diminish engagement. This principle extends beyond consumer behavior into consequential life domains. Healthcare systems now offer patients myriad treatment alternatives, requiring complex risk-benefit analyses that many feel ill-equipped to navigate. Similarly, contemporary dating platforms present seemingly infinite potential partners, contributing to decreased relationship commitment and increased anxiety among young adults.

However, this perspective overlooks the transformative liberation that expanded choices represent. Rigid historical social structures constrained individuals within predetermined trajectories based on gender, class, and geography. Modern choice abundance has democratized opportunity access, enabling unprecedented social mobility. Educational institutions now offer thousands of specialized programs in emerging fields like environmental sustainability and artificial intelligence ethics. Furthermore, globalization has expanded geographic mobility, allowing individuals to seek optimal environments aligned with their values.

In conclusion, while choice proliferation presents legitimate management challenges, the fundamental expansion of human agency it represents constitutes modernity’s greatest achievement. Success lies in developing decision-making competencies rather than restricting options.

Word count: 267

Vocabulary table for band 8.0-9.0 some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices essay:

Advanced Tips to Reach Higher Band

1. Paragraph Structure Formula: For essays addressing “some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices,” follow this proven structure: Topic sentence with clear stance → Explanation → Specific example/evidence → Analysis linking back to main thesis about choice complexity.

2. Real-World Evidence Integration: When discussing “some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices,” replace generic examples (“many people feel stressed”) with specific references:

• Research studies (Barry Schwartz’s paradox of choice, Iyengar’s choice overload theory)
• Country examples (Denmark’s choice architecture, Sweden’s pension system complexity)
• Statistics (supermarkets: 40,000+ vs 3,000 items in 1980s, career options expansion)

3. Transitional Phrases Mastery:

4. Excellence Checklist: 

• Conclusion: When concluding essays on “some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices,” connect to future trends (“as AI expands choices”) or broader societal implications about decision-making evolution
• Language: Mix simple (“Choice matters”) with complex sentences (“While abundance creates…”) 
• Word Count: Target 250-280 words exactly 
• Review: Ensure every example directly supports your thesis statement

Key Takeaways

The choice abundance debate reflects broader questions about human psychology, social progress, and individual agency in modern society. Successful essays on some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices and topics demonstrate understanding that simple positions rarely capture complex realities.

Remember that IELTS Writing Task 2 success depends on clear argumentation, relevant examples, and sophisticated language use rather than personal opinions alone. Focus on developing logical frameworks that support your position with credible evidence and thoughtful analysis.