Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-03

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 contemporary society, a considerable amount of research is funded by private companies. Whether medical research should be funded by private companies, individuals or government, has become a heated debate in current society. I strongly believe that government should lead the research and in this essay, I will present reasons and examples to support my viewpoint.

Private companies have several significant advantages in medical research. First, they have considerable financial resources, cutting edge technology and sophisticated equipment which enables them to conduct research, that is highly detailed and efficient. Their competitive environment can also encourage more innovation and rapid development of new medicines. However, their primary goal is to make a profit, which can have a negative consequences for the patients. Private pharmacuetical companies can charge considerably higher prices on their medicines compared to the government, in order to recover costs and maximize their profits, which can lead to life saving treatment being unavailable to the poor people.

Individual researchers can also make considerable amount of contributions to the society and welfare of mankind. History provides numerous examples of such luminaries whose discoveries have transformed human health. Alexander Fleming, for instance, discovered penicillin, which became the most important medical discovery of the 20th-century, and saved millions of lives. Moreover, individuals have provided knowledge about traditional medicine and home remedies which have contributed significantly to human well being and led to discovery of new plant extracts being used as medicine. These discoveries can be an excellent starting point for scientific discoveries and lead to groundbreaking inventions and innovations.

Nevertheless, I believe government should be leading the medical research on all fronts. They can use the taxpayers' money to conduct research, on a large scale and fund large scale studies and bring together researchers from different countries and parts of the world, which can allow them to conduct research and apply their knowledge on a broader scale. Furthermore, the main goal of government is not to make profit but have the goodwill of people, so government can give considerable discounts and subsidies on the medicines. They can do long-term research that is something private companies will not focus on, as private companies focus on immediate profit. A good example would be, Covid-19 Vaccines which were made after a long term research and collaborative effort by many different countries and saved millions of lives.

In conclusion, while individuals and private companies have contributed a lot to the society and medical research, I believe that government leading the medical research would be the best option, as it will be a relief for the people however, in an ideal world collaboration between individuals, private companies and government would be the all time best scenario.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, providing a clear position that government-led research is preferable. The ideas are well-developed, with distinct paragraphs dedicated to private companies, individual researchers, and the government's role. The arguments are supported by relevant examples, such as the mention of Alexander Fleming and the collaborative effort behind Covid-19 vaccines. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes the main points while offering a nuanced final thought. The response is well-structured and fully meets the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a logical progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a clear central topic, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth, using cohesive devices such as 'However,' 'Moreover,' and 'Nevertheless.' The use of referencing is generally effective, and the paragraphing is appropriate. While some cohesive devices are standard, they are used accurately to guide the reader through the argument. The overall structure is coherent, and the relationship between ideas is clearly established, contributing to a professional and easy-to-follow flow of information.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is sufficient and generally precise, allowing for a clear expression of ideas. The student uses some academic collocations such as 'contemporary society,' 'cutting edge technology,' and 'groundbreaking inventions.' There are a few minor spelling errors, such as 'pharmacuetical,' and some slight repetition of phrases like 'considerable amount of.' However, the range is adequate to convey complex arguments effectively. The use of topic-specific vocabulary related to medical research is good, and the overall tone is appropriate for an academic essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of relative clauses ('which enables them to...') and conditional-like structures. While there are occasional grammatical slips, such as the unnecessary comma in 'research, that is' and 'research, on a large scale,' these do not impede communication. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over punctuation and tense is generally strong. The student demonstrates a solid grasp of grammar, which supports the clarity and sophistication of the arguments presented.

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