Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-09-13

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 6.0)

IN TODAYS ERA WHEN THE COST OF THE EDUCATION HAS SKY ROCKETED, IT IS FORMIDABLE FOR SOME FAMILIES TO SUPPORT THEIR CHILD'S EDUCATION DUE TO FINANCIAL CONCERNS. GOVERNMENT TENDS TO PROVIDE EDUCATION AT MINIMUM FEES AT PUBLIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES SO THAT EDUCATION IS EASILY ASSESSBLE TO THOSE WHO TRULY WANTS IT. BUT THIS DEFINITELY DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO PROVIDE ALL THE UNIVERSITY EDUCATION FREE OF COST TO EVERY SINGLE STUDENT IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR ZEAL TO STUDY.

TO BEGIN WITH, THOUGH GOVERNMENT HAS TO FULFIL THEIR RESPONSIBILITY OF PROVIDING EDUCATION AS WELL SAID, THE EDUCATION THE BACKBONE OF A PERSON'S LIFE. GOVERMENT TO PROVIDE EDUCATION AT UNIVERSITIES AT A MINIMUM FEES. MOREOVER THEY ALSO OFFER NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS TO SUPPORT THE BRIGHT AND ASPIRING STUDENTS WHO ARE WILLING TO STUDY. PROMOTING SUCH INTIATIVES BY THE GOVERNMENT IS VERY USEFUL. FOR INSTANCE, THE PRIMARY EDUCATION ARE FREE IN MOST OF THE COUNTRIES SUCH AS INDIA, CANADA, ETC. AND THIS HELPS TO EDUCATE STUDENTS ABOUT THE NEED AND SIGNIFICANCE OF FURTHER STUDIES.

NEVERTHELESS, ON THE OTHER HAND, THE FULL BURDEN SHOULD NOT BE SHIFTED TO THE SHOULDERS OF THE GOVERNMENT SINCE THIS WILL LEAD TO INEFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES OF THE COUNTRY. THE FINANCIAL ASSETS AND BUDGET SHOULD BE CAREFULLY DIVIDED SO THAT ALL THE SECTORS GET THE CORRECT RATIO ALLOTED TO THEM. ALSO, THIS IS NOT ALONE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE POLITICAL BODIES TO LOOK AT THE EDUCATION AND UNIVERSITY BURDEN OF THE SUDENTS INDIVIDUALLY, BUT THE FAMILY TOO SHOULD CONTRIBUTE TO THIS. THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY SHOULS BE IN THE HANDS OF THE SENIOR FAMILY MEMBERS. THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ONLY HELP IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS WHEN THE FAMILY IS NOT IN A GOOD FINANCIAL CONDITION, HAS A MEDICAL PROBLEM, ETC.

TO RECAPETULATE, THE MAIN RESPONSIBILITY SHOULD BE ON FAMILY'S SHOULDER BUT THE BENEFITS OFFERED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO HELP TO EDUCATE THE WORTHY STUDENTS SHOULD BE AWAILED. AND UNDER CERTAIN SITUATIONS THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD COME FORWARD TO HELP OUT THEIR CITIZENS FOR GETTING FURTHER UNIVERSITY EDUCATION.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses the prompt by discussing whether the government should fund all university education or leave it partly to families. The student presents a clear position throughout, arguing that while public education should be supported, the full burden should not fall entirely on the state. Ideas are extended and supported, such as mentioning the role of primary education and family responsibilities. However, some arguments lack deep development, particularly regarding financial resource allocation, and tend to overgeneralise slightly. Overall, all parts of the task are addressed adequately, placing this performance at a Band 6.5, which rounds to 6.5.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay displays a logical overall organisation with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points, such as the benefits of government initiatives versus the responsibilities of families. Cohesive devices are employed, including transition markers like 'TO BEGIN WITH', 'NEVERTHELESS, ON THE OTHER HAND', and 'TO RECAPETULATE'. However, some referencing is slightly clunky, and the mechanical use of all-caps throughout the text detracts from professional presentation. Cohesion is occasionally faulty or repetitive, but a clear progression is maintained throughout, fitting the Band 6 descriptor well.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting less common lexical items such as 'FORMIDABLE', 'ASSESSBLE', 'INEFFICIENT ALLOCATION', and 'RECAPETULATE'. However, there are noticeable spelling errors ('ASSESSBLE' instead of accessible, 'RECAPETULATE' instead of recapitulate, 'GOVERMENT') and some awkward word choices ('SKY ROCKETED', 'SHOULS'). While these errors do not impede overall communication, they prevent the lexical score from reaching Band 7. The range is sufficient for precision on familiar topics, but lexical control is inconsistent.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating attempts at subordination and relative clauses. There are, however, several grammatical errors throughout the text, such as missing articles ('the education the backbone', 'at minimum fees'), subject-verb agreement issues ('GOVERNMENT TENDS', 'PRIMARY EDUCATION ARE'), and preposition errors ('burden should not be shifted to the shoulders'). Although punctuation is generally adequate, the frequent errors in basic grammar structures occasionally draw the reader's attention, placing the performance firmly in the Band 6 category where errors do not impede communication.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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