Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-28

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 7.5)

In recent years, private corporations have emerged as significant financial backers of medical research. While private enterprise and wealthy individuals undoubtedly play a valuable role in driving innovation, I firmly believe that governments should bear the primary responsibility for conducting and funding medical research. This is because prioritizing public well-being over financial profit is of utmost importance.

On the one hand, private funding offers several advantages, particularly in terms of speed and financial resources. Commercial pharmaceutical companies often have substantial capital and state-of-the-art facilities, enabling them to accelerate the development of groundbreaking treatments. Driven by market competition and profit incentives, these firms can swiftly mobilize top scientific talent to produce effective drugs. A prime example of this was during the COVID-19 pandemic, where private pharmaceutical companies rapidly developed and manufactured life-saving vaccines in record time. However, relying solely on private funding carries inherent risks. Corporations tend to prioritize lucrative treatments over non-profit public health needs and often sell essential medications at exorbitant prices.

On the other hand, government-led research is crucial to ensure ethical oversight, objectivity, and equitable healthcare access. Unlike commercial entities, state institutions are accountable to the public and can allocate funds towards critical health issues that may not have commercial appeal, such as rare diseases or preventive medicine. Furthermore, when the government funds and conducts research, the resulting treatments are more likely to be made affordable through national healthcare programs. While wealthy individuals can contribute through philanthropic donations, their contributions are often sporadic and insufficient to support large-scale, long-term medical initiatives on their own.

In conclusion, while private companies and individuals undoubtedly contribute immensely to technological innovation and funding, I firmly believe that medical research should be primarily carried out and regulated by the government. This ensures that public health priorities remain focused on human welfare rather than financial gain.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it consistently throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, providing a balanced view by acknowledging the benefits of private funding before presenting a strong case for government-led research. The use of the COVID-19 vaccine example effectively supports your point regarding the speed of private enterprise. The ideas are extended logically, and the conclusion provides a clear summary of your stance. The response is well-structured and directly answers the question of who should be responsible for medical research.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical progression. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the advantages of private funding and the necessity of government oversight is smooth. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion', which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the topic. The referencing is clear, and the flow of ideas is natural and easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You have used a wide and sophisticated range of vocabulary throughout the essay. Phrases such as 'significant financial backers', 'inherent risks', 'lucrative treatments', and 'equitable healthcare access' demonstrate a high level of lexical control. The vocabulary is precise and fits the academic context of the task perfectly. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the language used is natural and fluent. You have successfully incorporated topic-specific terminology without it feeling forced or repetitive, which contributes to the overall clarity and professional tone of the writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences and varied clause types. The control over grammar is excellent, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used accurately to support the structure of your arguments. There are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication. The use of modal verbs and conditional structures is handled with precision, contributing to the sophisticated tone of the essay. Your ability to construct complex, error-free sentences consistently throughout the response is a key strength.

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.