Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-09-25

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 7.0)

There is an ongoing debate about whether university education should be completely free and funded by the government. Although free higher education could provide equal opportunities for students from different financial backgrounds, I partly disagree with the idea that the government should cover all university costs. In my view, governments should provide substantial financial support, but students who can afford it should also contribute to the cost of their education.

On the one hand, making university education free would have several important advantages. First of all, it would give students from low-income families a better opportunity to pursue higher education. Many talented young people are unable to attend university because tuition fees and living expenses can be too expensive for their families. That is to say, removing these financial barriers could allow more students to study subjects such as medicine, engineering and education. Moreover, a larger number of highly educated people could benefit the whole country because graduates are more likely to enter skilled professions and contribute to economic development. For instance, a student from a poor family could become a doctor or engineer if financial difficulties did not prevent him or her from attending university.

On the other hand, completely free university education would place a considerable financial burden on governments. Universities require large amounts of money to pay lecturers, maintain buildings, purchase equipment and provide modern facilities. Furthermore, if the government had to fund all of these costs, it might have to increase taxes or reduce spending on other essential services, such as healthcare, public transport and housing. Besides that, not everyone who attends university necessarily needs financial assistance. Wealthier families may be able to pay tuition fees without experiencing serious financial difficulties.

In conclusion, although free university education can promote equal opportunities and help a country develop a highly skilled workforce, I do not believe that governments should pay the entire cost for every student. A more balanced approach would be to provide substantial financial assistance to disadvantaged students while asking those who can afford it to contribute towards their education.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The student presents a well-developed and clear position throughout the response. All parts of the prompt are fully addressed, weighing both the advantages of free higher education—such as equal opportunities for students from low-income families and wider economic benefits—against the drawbacks like the heavy financial burden on governments. The arguments are extended and supported with relevant examples, such as mentioning how a talented student from a poor family could become a doctor or engineer. The conclusion clearly summarizes the balanced stance taken. Overall, the response meets all the requirements of Band 7 for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organization and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, moving smoothly from the introduction to the advantages, the disadvantages, and finally the balanced conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively and appropriately, such as 'On the one hand,' 'On the other hand,' and 'Moreover,' which help guide the reader through the argumentation. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and logically. There are no noticeable lapses in cohesion, resulting in a smooth reading experience that fits comfortably within the Band 7 criteria.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

The student utilizes a sufficient range of vocabulary that allows for some flexibility and precision, such as 'financial barriers,' 'skilled professions,' 'economic development,' and 'disadvantaged students.' There is an awareness of collocation and style, and the lexis is generally appropriate for an IELTS essay. Although the vocabulary is mostly standard and functional rather than exceptionally sophisticated, it communicates the ideas clearly and accurately. There are no spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication, easily securing a solid Band 7.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures used with general accuracy, including conditional structures and relative clauses (e.g., 'Although free higher education could provide equal opportunities..., I partly disagree...'). There are frequent error-free sentences, and the grammar and punctuation are controlled well throughout the text. While minor slips or slightly repetitive phrasing may occasionally appear, they do not impede communication. The overall grammatical control easily reflects the standards of a Band 7 performance.

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