Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-07

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 companies have become increasingly involved in funding medical research. Although commercial organizations and individuals can make valuable contributions to scientific progress, I believe that governments should bear the primary responsibility for medical research, particularly when it concerns diseases and treatments that affect society as a whole.

The strongest argument for government-funded research is that public health should not be determined by profitability. Pharmaceutical companies are businesses, and they therefore tend to invest heavily in areas where there is a substantial financial return. This can lead to an imbalance in medical research, with lucrative treatments for chronic conditions receiving considerable investment while rare diseases and illnesses that predominantly affect poorer populations remain under-researched. Governments, in contrast, can allocate resources according to public need rather than commercial potential. They can, for instance, finance research into neglected tropical diseases, antibiotic resistance and preventive healthcare, even when such projects are unlikely to generate significant profits.

Government involvement is also essential for ensuring that medical research is conducted ethically and transparently. The results of privately funded studies may sometimes be influenced, either directly or indirectly, by commercial interests. A company developing a new drug, for example, has a financial incentive to demonstrate that its product is safe and effective. This does not necessarily mean that private research is unreliable, but it highlights the importance of independent oversight. Public institutions can establish rigorous standards for clinical trials, protect participants and require researchers to disclose potential conflicts of interest. In this way, scientific progress can take place without compromising public safety.

That said, private companies should certainly have a significant role in the research process. They often possess enormous financial resources, highly specialized expertise and sophisticated technology, enabling them to transform laboratory discoveries into practical medicines on a large scale. The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines demonstrated the value of collaboration between governments, universities and pharmaceutical companies. Individuals and charitable organizations can also contribute by funding research into rare conditions or supporting innovative scientific projects that might otherwise struggle to attract investment.

In conclusion, although private companies and individuals can accelerate innovation and provide essential expertise and funding, governments should remain the main force behind medical research. A balanced system in which public authorities set priorities and ethical standards while private organization's contribute investment, and technological expertise would be the most effective way to ensure that medical advances benefit society as widely as possible.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, particularly the distinction between profit-driven research and public health needs. You provide relevant examples, such as the mention of neglected tropical diseases and the COVID-19 vaccine collaboration, which effectively support your points. The conclusion synthesizes your arguments well, acknowledging the role of private entities while reaffirming the necessity of government oversight. The response is balanced and demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the topic.

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 primary argument for government funding, moving to the necessity of ethical oversight, and finally acknowledging the role of private companies. Cohesive devices are used effectively and naturally, such as 'The strongest argument for...', 'In contrast...', and 'That said...'. Paragraphing is used skillfully to separate distinct points, and referencing is clear throughout. The flow of the argument is smooth, making the essay very easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which is used with precision. Phrases like 'lucrative treatments', 'neglected tropical diseases', 'independent oversight', and 'conflicts of interest' show a high level of lexical control. The word choices are appropriate for an academic context and contribute to the professional tone of the essay. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is sophisticated without feeling forced. This level of lexical resource is consistent with a high-band performance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of complex grammatical structures with high accuracy. You use a variety of sentence types, including conditional structures and complex subordinate clauses, such as 'Although commercial organizations and individuals can make valuable contributions... I believe that...'. Punctuation is used correctly to manage sentence flow. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the few minor slips, such as the unnecessary apostrophe in 'private organization's contribute', do not impede communication or detract from the overall quality of the writing. The control over grammar is excellent.

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