Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-11

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 8.0)

University Education Should Be Free

Some people argue that governments should cover the cost of running universities so that higher education can be free for everyone who wishes to attend. I largely agree with this view because free university education can create equal opportunities and provide significant benefits to society, although it may also place a considerable financial burden on governments.

The main advantage of free university education is that it gives students from all economic backgrounds an equal opportunity to study. Many talented young people cannot attend university because tuition fees are too expensive for their families. If the government pays these costs, students can choose their courses based on their interests and abilities rather than their financial situation. For example, a talented student from a low-income family may be able to become a doctor, engineer or teacher if university fees are fully funded.

Another important benefit is that society as a whole can gain from a highly educated population. Universities produce skilled professionals who contribute to economic growth and provide essential services. For instance, countries need well-trained doctors, nurses, engineers and teachers to develop and maintain their communities. Therefore, government investment in higher education can be viewed as an investment in the country's future.

However, providing completely free university education can be expensive, particularly in developing countries where governments already have limited budgets. If too much public money is spent on universities, there may be less funding available for healthcare, schools and infrastructure. In addition, some graduates earn very high salaries after completing university, so it could be argued that they should contribute something towards the cost of their education.

In conclusion, I agree that governments should make university education free or highly affordable for students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Although this policy would require significant public spending, the long-term benefits of creating equal opportunities and a skilled workforce make it a worthwhile investment.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, with the first body paragraph focusing on social equity and the second on the broader economic benefits to society. You also effectively acknowledge the counter-argument regarding financial constraints, which adds depth to your analysis. The conclusion provides a clear summary that aligns with your initial stance. The arguments are relevant, logical, and well-supported with clear examples, such as the mention of doctors and engineers, demonstrating a strong grasp of the prompt's requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'The main advantage', 'Another important benefit', 'For instance', and 'In addition', which help guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The use of referencing is precise, and the flow of information is natural throughout the text, making the essay very easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic essay. Phrases like 'economic backgrounds', 'highly educated population', 'significant public spending', and 'disadvantaged backgrounds' show a solid command of topic-specific language. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well, it is consistently functional rather than highly sophisticated. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more precise collocations or less common academic synonyms to add more nuance to your arguments. However, the current range is more than sufficient to convey your ideas clearly and effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional clauses ('If the government pays...') and concessive clauses ('Although this policy would...'). The grammar is highly accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no significant slips that impede communication. Your control over verb tenses and subject-verb agreement is consistent. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a strong command of English grammar, which supports the clarity of your arguments effectively.

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