Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-07-26

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Nowadays, many medical research projects are funded by private companies. In your opinion, do you think that research should be carried by private companies, individuals or government?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 7.5)

Medical research plays a crucial role in improving healthcare and developing new treatments. Although private companies contribute significantly to scientific innovation, I believe that the government should play the leading role in funding and conducting medical research, while private organisations should provide additional support.

One important reason is that governments are more likely to focus on public health rather than financial profit. They can invest in research on serious diseases, such as cancer and Alzheimer's disease, even if these projects are expensive and do not generate immediate returns. Moreover, government-funded research is generally subject to strict regulations, making it more transparent and reliable. As a result, new medicines and treatments are more likely to be affordable and accessible to everyone.

On the other hand, private companies also have an essential role. They often possess advanced technology, skilled researchers, and substantial financial resources, allowing them to develop new drugs and vaccines more quickly. For example, many pharmaceutical companies invested heavily in developing COVID-19 vaccines, which helped save millions of lives. However, private firms may prioritise profitable medicines over treatments for rare diseases, as their main objective is to earn revenue.

In conclusion, while private companies make valuable contributions to medical research, I believe the government should take primary responsibility for funding and overseeing it. A partnership between the public and private sectors would be the most effective way to promote medical innovation while ensuring that the benefits are available to society as a whole.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The essay addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position that government should lead while private entities support. The ideas are relevant and well-supported with examples like COVID-19 vaccines and research into serious diseases. However, the response is 243 words long, failing to meet the 250-word minimum requirement. This under-length results in a penalty, as the development of ideas is slightly curtailed. To reach a higher band, ensure you expand on your arguments with more depth to comfortably exceed the word count, as the current length limits the potential for a fully developed discussion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is well-organised with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Logical progression is evident throughout, and the use of cohesive devices such as 'Although', 'Moreover', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion' is effective and natural. Each paragraph focuses on a central theme, contributing to a coherent overall structure. The referencing is clear, and the flow of ideas is logical, making the essay easy to follow. The paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different viewpoints presented.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The vocabulary is sufficient for the task and allows for some precision. You have used topic-specific terms such as 'scientific innovation', 'strict regulations', 'transparent', and 'pharmaceutical companies' appropriately. There is an awareness of style and collocation, and the language used is natural. While the range is adequate, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common lexical items would elevate the response further. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. You have successfully used a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as 'Although private companies contribute significantly to scientific innovation, I believe that the government should play the leading role'. The punctuation is accurate, and the majority of sentences are error-free. The control over complex structures is consistent, and there are no frequent errors that cause difficulty for the reader. The grammar is clear and supports the overall clarity of your arguments.

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