Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-13

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)

Some people argue that governments should cover the cost of university education so that everyone can attend university without paying tuition fees. I largely agree with this view because free higher education can create greater equality of opportunity and provide significant benefits to society, although students should still contribute in some circumstances.

The main argument for free university education is that it can give people from disadvantaged backgrounds the same opportunities as those from wealthy families. Tuition fees can discourage capable students from attending university, particularly when their families cannot afford the cost. If higher education were funded by the government, students could choose their field of study based on their abilities and interests rather than their financial circumstances. This could also help societies produce more skilled professionals, such as doctors, engineers and teachers.

Another important benefit is that a highly educated population can contribute to economic and social development. University graduates often have specialised knowledge and skills that increase productivity and encourage innovation. In addition, governments can benefit from a larger pool of qualified workers and may receive more tax revenue in the long term. Therefore, spending public money on universities can be viewed as an investment rather than simply an expense.

However, making university completely free for everyone may not be the most efficient use of public funds. Wealthy families are generally able to pay tuition fees themselves, so providing them with free education could mean that limited government resources are spent on people who do not need financial assistance. A better approach might be to provide free or heavily subsidised education to students from low-income households, while allowing those who can afford it to contribute towards their tuition. Governments could also offer scholarships and low-interest loans to ensure that financial difficulties do not prevent capable students from studying.

In conclusion, I agree that the government should make university education financially accessible to everyone, but I do not believe that completely free education for all is necessarily the best policy. A system of targeted financial support would promote equality while ensuring that public money is used effectively.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, particularly the distinction between universal free education and targeted financial support. You have provided logical reasons for your stance, such as the potential for increased social mobility and the economic benefits of a skilled workforce. The ideas are extended and supported with relevant examples and reasoning, meeting the requirements for a high band score by providing a balanced and nuanced perspective on the issue.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, starting with the benefits of free education, moving to economic impacts, and concluding with a counter-argument and synthesis. Cohesive devices such as 'The main argument', 'In addition', 'However', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. The flow is natural, and the relationship between ideas is consistently clear, demonstrating a high level of control over the structure of the argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases such as 'disadvantaged backgrounds', 'financial circumstances', 'specialised knowledge', and 'targeted financial support' show a good command of topic-specific language. The vocabulary is used with precision, and there are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation. You successfully avoid repetition and use a variety of terms to express complex ideas, which contributes to the overall fluency and sophistication of the writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You use complex sentences effectively, such as conditional structures ('If higher education were funded...') and subordinate clauses ('...so that everyone can attend...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is handled correctly throughout. There is a good mix of simple and complex forms, and the control over verb tenses and subject-verb agreement is consistent. The writing is clear and professional, with no grammatical slips that impede communication.

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