Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-07-31

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 8.5)

Medical plays a vital role in improving public health and extending life expectancy. Although private companies contribute significantly by investing large amounts of money in innovation, I believe that governments should take primary responsibility for funding and conducting medical research because they prioritize public welfare over financial gain.

The main advantage of government-funded research is that it focuses on the needs of society rather than profitability. Private pharmaceutical companies naturally invest in projects that are likely to generate substantial revenue, Which means that the treatment for rare diseases or illnesses affecting low-income populations may recieve little attention. Governments, however, have a duty to protect the health of all citizens. Consequently, they are more likely to allocate resources fairly and support research that benefits society as whole, regardless of its commerical value.

Furthermore, government-led research is generally more transparent and accountable. Public institutions are subject to strict ethical regulations, reducing the likelihood of biased results or conflicts of interest. By contrast, private companies may face pressure from shareholders to produce profitable outcomes, which could influence research priorities. During covid-19 pandemic, government funding enabled scientists to collaborate internationally and accelerate the development of life-saving vaccines, demonstrating the effectiveness of public investment.

In conclusion, although private companies make valuable contributions to medical innovation, government should remain the principal force behind medical research to ensure that scientific progress serves the interests of the entire population rather than commercial objectives. Overall, government leadership combined with private sector support is the most effective approach to medical research.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position in the introduction and maintaining it throughout. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the contrast between profit-driven private research and the public welfare focus of government-funded initiatives. The use of the COVID-19 pandemic as an example provides strong support for the argument. The response is balanced, acknowledging the role of private companies while justifying why government leadership is essential. The position is clear and well-supported, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'Although', 'Consequently', 'Furthermore', and 'By contrast' are used effectively to link ideas. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The flow of information is natural, and the reader is guided through the argument without difficulty. The structure is coherent and supports the overall task response effectively.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

The vocabulary is precise and appropriate for an academic essay. Phrases such as 'extending life expectancy', 'prioritize public welfare', 'substantial revenue', and 'conflicts of interest' demonstrate a good range of topic-specific language. There are very few errors, such as the minor spelling error 'commerical' (commercial) and 'recieve' (receive), but these are rare slips that do not impede communication. The writer shows an ability to use less common lexical items with a good awareness of collocation and style.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay uses a variety of complex sentence structures effectively, such as conditional clauses and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'Although private companies contribute... I believe that...'). The majority of sentences are error-free. There are a few minor punctuation and capitalization slips, such as the unnecessary capitalization of 'Which' in the second paragraph and the missing article before 'covid-19 pandemic'. However, these are minor and do not affect the clarity of the writing. The control over grammar is strong throughout the response.

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