Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-16

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 is increasingly financed by private companies, particularly pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms, rather than being undertaken exclusively by governments or individual researchers. Although private investment can accelerate innovation and bring treatments to the market rapidly, I strongly believe that medical research should be led primarily by governments, with substantial collaboration from private companies and independent scientists. This model is more likely to protect public interests while retaining the efficiency and expertise of the private sector.

The strongest argument for government involvement is that medical research is ultimately a public good rather than merely a commercial enterprise. Governments can fund investigations into diseases that disproportionately affect poorer populations or have limited commercial potential. Private companies, by contrast, naturally tend to prioritise projects capable of generating substantial returns. For example, research into rare diseases may be neglected if the potential market is too small to justify enormous development costs. Public funding can fill this gap and ensure that scientific progress is determined by medical necessity rather than purchasing power. Moreover, governments are better positioned to establish rigorous ethical standards and prevent conflicts of interest.

That said, private companies have an indispensable role because they possess enormous financial resources, specialised laboratories and the ability to transform scientific discoveries into practical medicines on a large scale. Competition between pharmaceutical firms can also stimulate innovation and shorten development timelines. For instance, once researchers identify a promising compound, a private company may have the expertise and infrastructure required to conduct large clinical trials, obtain regulatory approval and manufacture the resulting treatment efficiently. Independent researchers are equally valuable because they can provide impartial perspectives and challenge established assumptions without being directly tied to commercial objectives.

In my view, therefore, the most effective approach is a balanced partnership rather than exclusive control by any single group. Governments should provide foundational funding, establish ethical and regulatory safeguards, and support research addressing neglected health problems. Private companies should contribute capital, technology and commercial expertise, while independent scientists should oversee research quality and reproducibility. Such cooperation would combine public accountability with private-sector efficiency.

In conclusion, although private companies can make medical research faster and more innovative, governments should remain its principal driving force. A carefully regulated partnership involving governments, private corporations and independent researchers would ensure that medical breakthroughs are not only profitable, but also ethical, scientifically reliable and accessible to the wider population.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

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 paragraph is well-developed with relevant examples, such as the mention of rare diseases to illustrate the limitations of private funding and the role of pharmaceutical firms in clinical trials. The ideas are extended logically, providing a balanced view that acknowledges the strengths of private companies while justifying why government oversight is essential. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your arguments, providing a clear and well-supported final stance.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth, using effective cohesive devices such as 'The strongest argument for...', 'That said...', and 'In my view, therefore...'. The use of referencing is precise, and the paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct arguments. The flow of the argument is natural, and the relationship between the different stakeholders (government, private sector, and independent researchers) is clearly articulated throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which is used with precision. Phrases such as 'disproportionately affect', 'commercial enterprise', 'indispensable role', and 'foundational funding' show a high level of lexical control. The vocabulary is sophisticated and appropriate for an academic context. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the language used is natural and contributes effectively to the clarity of your arguments. The range of vocabulary is sufficient to convey complex ideas with ease.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with multiple clauses, such as 'Although private investment can accelerate innovation and bring treatments to the market rapidly, I strongly believe that medical research should be led primarily by governments...'. The majority of sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and syntax is excellent. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The use of modal verbs and conditional structures is accurate, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence.

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