Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-11-04

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)

Considerably amount of people feel that the goverment should pay the tution fee for the running universities so that cost of education is free. There are both advantages and disadvantages to look upon.

On one hand, I do agree to a certain extent that the tution fee should be paid by the government because not everyone is capable of affording higher education. People from a lower socio-economical background tend to eliminate the option of studying further and start working at a very young age after they complete their school eduaction.Hence, government funded universities can be helpful in this case as it provides a space for the people to explore their talents and interests by narrowing it down to the field they want to work in eventhough they are not able to afford it. Government funded univeristies are also recognised all over the world and it holds a good value compared to the private universities.

On the other hand, sometimes people tend to misuse the privilage of free education by making seats unavailable for the ones who is really in need. Where a person who can afford higher education competes with the person who is incapable of affording higher education this can cause eruption amongst people. Another downside of government funded universities is that the quality of education is sometimes sacrifised for a cheap alternative by hiring inexperienced faculties.

Overall, eventhough there are both pros and cos of government funded education, I strongly agree that the government should pay for the universities so that the education is free for everyone.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

Your position is clear: you agree that government should fund university education, while acknowledging concerns about misuse and educational quality. You address both sides and give relevant reasons, especially the point that students from lower-income backgrounds may have to work instead of continuing their studies. However, some ideas are asserted rather than fully explained. For example, the claim that government-funded universities are recognised worldwide is not supported with an example or a clear link to free access. The concern about people who can afford university taking places from those in need is also not developed into a specific explanation of how funding or admissions could address it. Develop these points with concrete examples and explain how they support your overall position.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, two contrasting body paragraphs signposted by “On one hand” and “On the other hand,” and a concluding position. This makes the main line of argument easy to follow. Within paragraphs, however, some connections are mechanical or unclear. The first body paragraph moves from affordability to university recognition without explaining the relationship between those ideas, and “Hence” introduces a broad claim rather than a clearly demonstrated result. The sentence beginning “Where a person who can afford…” is also difficult to connect to the preceding point. Use clearer links between each reason and its consequence, and make references explicit so readers can follow who is competing for places.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of vocabulary for the topic, including “lower socio-economical background,” “government funded,” “misuse the privilege,” and “quality of education.” These choices help communicate the main ideas, and you attempt some less common expressions. However, inaccurate spelling and word choice are noticeable, as in “goverment,” “tution,” “eduaction,” “univeristies,” and “sacrifised.” Some collocations are also unnatural: “Considerably amount of people” and “eruption amongst people” do not express your meaning idiomatically. Aim for accurate, natural combinations and check spelling carefully; this will make your argument more precise without requiring more complicated vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including clauses with “because,” “so that,” and “even though.” Most of the argument remains understandable, but some grammatical errors affect clarity. For example, “government funded universities … it provides” has a plural subject followed by a singular verb, while “the ones who is really in need” has a similar agreement problem. The construction “Where a person who can afford higher education competes…” is incomplete as written, and “the education is free” uses an article awkwardly for a general idea. Review subject–verb agreement, complete sentence structure, and article use. More consistently accurate complex sentences would strengthen the control shown in your writing.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.