Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-22

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)

Nowadays, many medical research projects are funded by private companies. In my opinion, although private companies and individuals can make valuable contributions to medical research, the government should take the primary responsibility for funding and conducting such research.

One major reason is that governments can prioritise public health rather than profit. Medical research often requires many years and a substantial amount of funding, while private companies may focus mainly on treatments that are commercially profitable. In contrast, governments can invest in research into diseases that affect large numbers of people but may not generate high financial returns. For example, research into vaccines for infectious diseases can protect entire communities, even when the treatment itself is not highly profitable. Furthermore, government-funded research can be made available to hospitals and researchers more widely, which can accelerate medical progress.

However, private companies and individuals also have an important role to play. Pharmaceutical companies generally have advanced technology, specialised researchers and sufficient financial resources to develop new medicines efficiently. Competition between companies can also encourage innovation and reduce the time needed to bring new treatments to patients. For instance, private pharmaceutical firms have developed numerous medicines and vaccines by investing heavily in clinical trials and advanced laboratory research. Individuals, particularly wealthy philanthropists, can also provide additional funding for research projects that might otherwise struggle to obtain financial support.

In conclusion, I believe that medical research should be primarily funded by governments because public health should not depend entirely on commercial interests. Nevertheless, cooperation between governments, private companies and individuals is likely to produce the most effective and innovative medical research.

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 throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, with a logical balance between the primary role of the government and the secondary, yet valuable, contributions of private entities. You provide relevant examples, such as the distinction between profit-driven research and public health initiatives like vaccine development, which effectively supports your main argument. The conclusion synthesizes these points well, offering a nuanced perspective that acknowledges the benefits of cooperation while reinforcing your central thesis.

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 the government's role and the role of private companies is smooth, using appropriate linking words like 'However' and 'Nevertheless'. Cohesive devices are used effectively to connect sentences and ideas without being repetitive or mechanical. The paragraphing is logical, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs exploring different sides of the argument, and a concise conclusion. The flow of information is natural and easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases such as 'commercially profitable', 'accelerate medical progress', and 'commercial interests' show a good command of topic-specific language. You use less common lexical items with precision, and there are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation. The language is natural and contributes to the overall clarity and sophistication of your arguments. Your vocabulary is well-suited to the task and allows for precise expression of your ideas.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'although private companies and individuals can make valuable contributions...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense usage is excellent. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. You successfully use a variety of sentence forms to convey your points, which reflects a high level of grammatical competence. The writing is accurate and demonstrates a consistent command of English grammar.

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