Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-01

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, a large amount of medical research is funded by private companies. Some people believe that individuals or governments should be responsible for funding such research instead. In my opinion, medical research should mainly be supported by governments, although private companies can also play an important role.

There are several reasons why governments should take the primary responsibility for medical research. First, medical research is essential for public health, but it is often extremely expensive and time-consuming. Governments have access to large amounts of public funding and can support research even when it does not generate immediate financial returns. For example, research into rare diseases may not be profitable for private companies because only a small number of people need treatment. However, governments can fund such projects because their main objective is to improve public health rather than make a profit.

Another advantage of government-funded research is that it can be more independent. Private companies may sometimes focus on research that is likely to produce profitable medicines or treatments. This could result in less attention being given to diseases or health problems that are not commercially attractive. Government institutions, on the other hand, can invest in a wider range of medical studies according to public needs. For instance, governments can provide funding for research into infectious diseases, preventive healthcare and vaccines, which can benefit entire populations.

However, private companies should not be excluded from medical research. They often have advanced technology, skilled researchers and substantial financial resources. Their investment can speed up the development of new medicines and medical equipment. Therefore, cooperation between governments and private companies would be the most effective approach.

In conclusion, although private companies can contribute significantly to medical research, I believe that governments should have the primary responsibility for funding it. A combination of public funding and private investment can ensure that research focuses on both public health and medical innovation.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

You have fully addressed all parts of the prompt. Your position is clear from the introduction and is maintained consistently throughout the essay. You provide a balanced argument by explaining why government funding is essential for public health and non-profitable research, while also acknowledging the value of private sector contributions. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of rare diseases and the need for infectious disease research. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your main points, resulting in a well-structured and logical response that meets all the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, starting with the introduction of the government's role, followed by specific arguments for government funding, and finally, a balanced view on private sector involvement. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'First', 'However', 'Another advantage', and 'Therefore', which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas, and the referencing is clear throughout the text. The flow is smooth and natural, making the essay easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases such as 'immediate financial returns', 'commercially attractive', and 'medical innovation' show a strong command of topic-specific language. The vocabulary is used accurately and helps to convey your ideas with precision. While the range is sufficient and effective, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common collocations could elevate the response further. Nevertheless, the language is natural and there are no errors in word choice that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

Your writing displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional and concessive clauses (e.g., 'although private companies can contribute...', 'even when it does not generate...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is strong. There are no significant errors that distract the reader or cause confusion. The grammatical structures are used flexibly to support the development of your arguments, demonstrating a high level of proficiency.

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