Some people say that the government should pay the costs of running universities so that a university education will be free for anyone who wants it. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
Sample Response
Some people argue thatexpress their view that the government should cover tuition feescover the course fees for all university students. I disagree with this opinion because I believe that while broad access to education is importantaccess to education is important, the responsibility of funding higher education should not be borne solely by the governmentcarried out only by the government.
One reason for my disagreement isOne reason why I disagree with the idea is the potential strain it could place on public finances. Providing tuition-free tertiary educationProviding free education at the tertiary level is a significant financial commitment, and the government may struggle to allocate sufficient funds to maintain high-quality education across all disciplinesensure quality education across all disciplines. This could result in budgetary constraints and resource shortagesbudgetary constraints and limited resources, ultimately affecting the quality of education provided. For example, if the government were to fully fund university education, it might lead to reduced funding for other crucial sectors such as healthcare, infrastructure, or social welfare programmes.
Another important consideration is the principlesprinciple of personal responsibility and accountability. By making individuals contribute financially to their education, they become more invested in their educationlearning and future prospects. This encourages a sense of ownership and commitment, fostering greater motivationfostering a greater motivation to succeed academically. For instance, students who take on part-time jobs or seek scholarships to contribute towards their education are often more driven and dedicated to achieving their academic goals.
In conclusion, while the idea of the government covering tuitioncourse fees for all university students may seem appealing, I believe that it is not a practical solution. By allowing students to pay for their tertiary education, the state can ensure a more equitable and sustainable higher education system.
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response maintains a clear position throughout and develops two focused arguments with relevant, well-integrated examples. Its main limitation is that the personal-responsibility argument and the final claim about equity are asserted a little more strongly than they are justified. The highest priority is to add a brief qualification or explanation showing how shared funding could preserve access while avoiding excessive pressure on public finances.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
The position is direct and consistently supported through well-developed arguments about public finances and personal responsibility.
Qualify the claim about student contributions by explaining how funding could remain accessible for people with limited means.
Coherence and Cohesion
Paragraphing is purposeful, progression is smooth, and examples are integrated naturally into each line of argument.
Create an even tighter conclusion by explicitly connecting shared funding to both sustainability and educational access.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is varied, precise, and appropriately academic, with only a slightly awkward expression in the opening position statement.
Refine occasional collocations, such as the phrasing used to describe who bears responsibility for funding.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex structures is used with consistently accurate control and clear punctuation.
Polish the awkward passive construction in the introduction and preserve the same accuracy in more nuanced qualifications.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Some people say that the government should pay the costs of running universities so that a university education will be free for anyone who wants it. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.