Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-07-28

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 9.0)

Medical research is an expensive and time-consuming endeavour, and opinions differ over who should bear the responsibility of funding it: private corporations, individual researchers, or governments. While each has a role to play, I believe that government funding should remain the primary source, with private companies acting as a valuable supplement.

On one hand, private company funding brings clear advantages. Pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms often possess substantial financial resources and cutting-edge facilities, enabling rapid progress on specific treatments. For instance, several COVID-19 vaccines were developed at record speed largely due to private investment combined with government support. Individuals, meanwhile, can contribute valuable expertise and innovative thinking, particularly in the early, exploratory stages of research, though they rarely have the resources to fund large-scale clinical trials alone.

However, relying primarily on private funding carries significant risks. Companies are ultimately driven by profit, meaning research tends to concentrate on lucrative areas such as chronic lifestyle diseases, while neglecting rare conditions or diseases that predominantly affect poorer populations, since these offer limited financial return. This can create serious gaps in global health provision, leaving vulnerable groups without access to necessary treatments.

Government funding, by contrast, is typically allocated based on public health need rather than commercial potential. This allows research into rare diseases, public health emergencies, and preventative medicine to continue even when profitability is low. Furthermore, government-funded research findings are usually made publicly available, promoting transparency and enabling other scientists to build upon the work, whereas private companies often patent their discoveries, restricting wider access.

In conclusion, although private companies and individuals both make meaningful contributions to medical research, I believe governments should retain primary responsibility for funding, given their focus on public welfare over profit. A balanced model, where government funding is complemented by private investment, would likely produce the most effective outcomes.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it consistently throughout the essay. Each stakeholder mentioned in the prompt—private companies, individuals, and governments—is discussed, and your arguments are well-developed with logical reasoning. For example, the contrast between the profit-driven nature of private firms and the public-welfare focus of government funding is a sophisticated point that directly answers the 'why' behind your opinion. The inclusion of the COVID-19 vaccine example provides relevant real-world context, strengthening your argument. The response is balanced and provides a clear, well-supported conclusion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 9.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving smoothly from the advantages of private funding to its risks, and finally to the benefits of government intervention. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'On one hand,' 'However,' 'by contrast,' and 'In conclusion,' which help guide the reader through your argument. Referencing is clear throughout, and the paragraphing is skillful, ensuring that each new point is introduced in a logical sequence. The flow of the essay is natural and professional.

Lexical Resource — Band 9.0

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which is used with precision and natural control. Phrases such as 'expensive and time-consuming endeavour,' 'cutting-edge facilities,' 'lucrative areas,' and 'global health provision' show a high level of lexical sophistication. You use less common items appropriately and maintain a formal, academic tone throughout. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary effectively conveys your nuanced arguments regarding the complexities of medical research funding.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences, conditional-like reasoning, and varied clause structures. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and syntax is excellent. For instance, the sentence 'Companies are ultimately driven by profit, meaning research tends to concentrate on lucrative areas...' demonstrates a sophisticated use of participial phrases. There are no significant grammatical errors, and the writing is consistently accurate, allowing for a smooth and professional reading experience.

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