Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · 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 8.5)

Nowadays, a considerable amount of medical research is funded by private companies. Although private organisations and individual researchers can make valuable contributions to medicine, I believe that governments should take the leading role because they can prioritise public health over commercial interests.

Private companies have several significant advantages in medical research. First, they generally possess considerable financial resources, cutting-edge technology and sophisticated equipment, which enables them to conduct highly detailed and efficient research. Their competitive environment can also encourage innovation and the rapid development of new medicines. However, their primary objective is to make a profit, and this can have negative consequences for patients. Pharmaceutical companies may charge considerably higher prices for newly developed medicines in order to recover research costs and maximise their profits. Consequently, life-saving treatments may become inaccessible to people with limited financial means.

Individual researchers can also make remarkable contributions to medicine. History provides numerous examples of scientists whose discoveries have transformed human health. Alexander Fleming, for instance, discovered penicillin, which became one of the most important medical breakthroughs of the twentieth century. In addition, traditional knowledge has contributed to medicine through home remedies and natural medications derived from plants. Such knowledge can provide valuable starting points for scientific investigation, although modern clinical research is necessary to establish their safety and effectiveness.

Nevertheless, I believe governments are best placed to lead medical research. They can use taxpayers' money to finance large-scale studies and bring together researchers from different countries, allowing them to conduct meticulous research on a much broader scale. More importantly, governments are not primarily motivated by profit and can therefore subsidise medicines or provide them at lower prices for the public. They can also invest in neglected diseases and long-term research that may not offer immediate commercial returns. The development of COVID-19 vaccines demonstrated the value of substantial public investment and international scientific cooperation in responding to a global health crisis.

In conclusion, private companies and individuals can contribute technology, investment and groundbreaking ideas, but governments should take the mantle of leading medical research. Their ability to prioritise public welfare, fund long-term projects and make medicines affordable makes them the most suitable institution to oversee this vital field.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

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 Alexander Fleming and the COVID-19 vaccine, which effectively support your arguments. The discussion of private companies, individual researchers, and government roles is balanced and logical. You have successfully extended your ideas, providing a nuanced view that acknowledges the benefits of private research while justifying why government leadership is superior in the context of public health. The conclusion effectively synthesises your main points, leaving no doubt about your stance.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organised 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 'However,' 'In addition,' 'Nevertheless,' and 'Consequently.' The use of referencing is precise, and the paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct arguments. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between ideas is always clear. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words; instead, the cohesion feels sophisticated and unobtrusive, which is characteristic of a high-band response.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which allows for precise and natural expression. Phrases such as 'take the mantle,' 'neglected diseases,' 'commercial interests,' and 'meticulous research' show a high level of lexical control. You use uncommon lexical items with awareness of style and collocation, and there are no noticeable errors in word choice. The vocabulary is consistently appropriate for an academic context, and your ability to convey complex ideas using precise terminology significantly enhances the quality of the essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses and varied sentence beginnings. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and verb tenses is excellent. You use modal verbs and conditional structures effectively to express opinions and hypothetical scenarios. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication, and the overall accuracy is very high. The writing is polished and demonstrates a sophisticated command of English grammar suitable for this task.

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