Examine the arguments in favour of and against animal experiments, and come to a conclusion on this issue.

Same questionCompare 2 different answers (Band 6.5–7.5)

Sample Response

1

Issues related to animal experimentation are frequently discussed these days, particularly in the media. It is often said that animals should not be used forin testing because such testing is cruel and unnecessarybecause it is cruel and unnecessary. This essay will examine the arguments for and against animal testing.

2

On the one hand, people who support these experimentsthe people who support these experiments say that we must conductdo tests on animals. For instance, many famous lifesaving drugs were developedinvented in this way, and animal experiments may help us to find more cures in the future. Indeed, possibly even a cure for cancer and AIDS. Furthermore, the animals used in experimentsthe animals which are used are not usually wild but are bred especially for experiments. Therefore, they believe it is not true that animal experiments are responsible for reducing the number of wild animals on the planet.

3

On the other hand, opponentsothers feel that there are good arguments against this. First and foremost, animal experiments are unkind and cause animals a lot of pain. In addition, they feel that many tests are unnecessarynot really important, and in fact animals are not only used to test new medicines but also new cosmetics, which could be tested on humans instead. Another issue is that animal experiments sometimes produce misleading resultssometimes an experiment on animals gives us the wrong result because animals’ bodies are not exactly the same as our own. As a consequence, this testing may not be providing the safety that its proponents claim.

4

In conclusion, I am of the opinion, on balance, that the benefits do not outweigh the disadvantages, and testing on animals should not continue. Although animal testing may improve human livesAlthough it may improve the lives of humans, it is not fair that animals should suffer in order to achieve this.

Overall assessment

Why this response received Band 7.5

The response examines both positions directly, maintains a clear conclusion, and organises relevant arguments into an easy-to-follow discussion. Its main limitation is that some supporting points, especially the claim about specially bred animals, are asserted rather than evaluated in relation to the ethical issue. The best improvement would be to deepen the analysis of each side and make the supporting evidence more precise and persuasive.

Band score breakdown

IELTS Writing Criteria Scores

TR

Task Response

7.5
Scoring rule

Both sides are addressed with a clear final position and generally relevant, developed supporting ideas.

Next step

Evaluate the significance of each example more deeply so that every supporting point directly strengthens the argument.

CC

Coherence and Cohesion

7.5
Scoring rule

Ideas progress logically through well-focused paragraphs, with clear and mostly natural linking between points.

Next step

Integrate transitions more subtly and connect each example more explicitly to the paragraph's central claim.

LR

Lexical Resource

7.5
Scoring rule

Vocabulary is varied and generally precise, with effective topic-specific choices and only occasional awkward phrasing.

Next step

Refine a few broad expressions by choosing more exact terms for medical research, ethics, and experimental reliability.

GRA

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

7.5
Scoring rule

A wide range of complex structures is used accurately, while only minor lapses and one sentence fragment appear.

Next step

Convert fragments such as the standalone possibility about cures into fully integrated sentences for consistently polished control.

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IELTS Writing Task 2

Examine the arguments in favour of and against animal experiments, and come to a conclusion on this issue.

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