Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-08
IELTS Writing Task 2 question
Some people feel 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?
Give reasons for your answer, and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Student answer (Band 5.0)
Some people think that if the government should take the responsibility of running educational institutions like paying maintainance cost so people can have free access to education. I completely disagree to this statement because making the university education free to public can increase the government expenses and others sectors would be ignored that requires government attention.
The first and foremost reason that governmnet should not pay for university expenses because government officials have fixed budget to invest in education, health, infrastructure and transportation development. The healthcare and system needs huge investment to provide better healthcare services to needy people. it is prioritized as compared to others sectors and healthy society is the future of any developing country. If most of the funds are spend on education then it may put burden on government budget.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, reaching only 134 words. Consequently, the development of ideas is severely limited. While you state a clear position against free university education, the arguments are underdeveloped. You mention budget constraints and the need for healthcare funding, but these points lack the depth, examples, and logical extension required for a higher band. The response is essentially an introduction and one paragraph, failing to provide a comprehensive discussion of the topic. To improve, you must expand your arguments with specific examples and ensure you address all aspects of the prompt in full detail.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organized into two short paragraphs. While there is a basic attempt at logical progression, the lack of length prevents the development of a cohesive argument. You use some cohesive devices like 'The first and foremost reason' and 'If', but the transition between ideas is abrupt due to the brevity of the text. Paragraphing is present, but the second paragraph is underdeveloped. To improve, ensure each paragraph has a clear topic sentence followed by supporting evidence and a concluding thought, and use a wider variety of linking words to connect your ideas more fluidly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is generally adequate for basic communication but lacks the range and precision expected at higher levels. You use terms like 'maintainance cost' (spelling error: maintenance), 'government expenses', and 'fixed budget'. There are some inaccuracies, such as 'others sectors' (should be 'other sectors') and 'system needs huge investment' (vague). The range is limited, and there is little attempt to use less common or more sophisticated vocabulary. To improve, try to incorporate more precise academic collocations and ensure correct spelling and word forms.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'if the government should take... so people can have' (incorrect structure), 'disagree to this statement' (should be 'disagree with'), and 'others sectors would be ignored that requires' (subject-verb agreement error). Punctuation is generally acceptable, but the sentence construction is often clunky. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement, correct preposition usage, and refining your sentence structure to ensure grammatical accuracy throughout your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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