Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-12

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 8.0)

Nowadays, a significant proportion of medical research is funded by private companies, while governments and individual researchers also contribute to scientific development. In my view, medical research should be supported by both governments and private companies, although the government should take primary responsibility for research that serves the wider public.

Private companies have an important role because they can provide substantial funding and develop treatments relatively quickly. Pharmaceutical companies, for example, have the financial resources to conduct expensive clinical trials and bring new medicines to the market. Since they can potentially make a profit from successful discoveries, they also have a strong incentive to invest in research and innovation. Without private investment, some promising treatments might take considerably longer to develop.

However, relying too heavily on private companies can create problems. Their primary responsibility is generally to their shareholders, meaning that they may prefer research that is commercially profitable rather than research that addresses the needs of the poorest or most vulnerable groups. Diseases that mainly affect people in low-income countries, for instance, may receive less attention because there is limited financial return. Government funding can help correct this imbalance by supporting research based on public need rather than profitability. Governments can also fund basic scientific research, which may not produce an immediate commercial product but can provide the foundation for important medical discoveries in the future.

Individuals and universities should certainly be involved as well, particularly because researchers often generate innovative ideas independently of commercial interests. Nevertheless, individual researchers usually lack the financial resources required for large-scale clinical trials, so they are more effective when supported by public institutions or private organisations.

In conclusion, I believe that medical research should be a shared responsibility. Private companies can contribute investment, technology and efficiency, while governments should ensure that research remains focused on public health and areas that may otherwise be neglected. This combination would provide both innovation and social responsibility.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. Each paragraph is well-developed with relevant examples, such as the mention of pharmaceutical companies' financial incentives and the potential neglect of diseases in low-income countries. The arguments are logical and balanced, showing a sophisticated understanding of the roles of both private and public sectors. The conclusion effectively synthesises your main points, providing a clear and coherent final stance. Your ideas are well-extended, and the response is highly relevant to the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'However', 'For instance', and 'Nevertheless', which help guide the reader through your argument. The use of referencing is precise, and the paragraphing is logical and appropriate for an academic essay. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words; the flow is natural and contributes to the overall clarity of the argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which is used with precision and naturalness. Phrases such as 'significant proportion', 'financial resources', 'commercially profitable', and 'social responsibility' are used accurately and in the correct context. You show a good awareness of collocation and style, which is appropriate for an academic task. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or spelling, and the vocabulary is sophisticated enough to convey complex ideas clearly and effectively throughout the entire response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences and varied clause types. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. You use modal verbs and conditional structures effectively to express opinions and hypothetical situations, such as 'might take considerably longer' and 'may not produce'. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The writing is fluent, and the grammatical accuracy is consistent throughout the text, reflecting a high level of proficiency.

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.