Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-12

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 6.5)

In contemporary society, the funding and execution of medical research have become subjects of intense debate. While some argue that such critical investigations should be managed exclusively by governments, others believe that private enterprises or individuals are better suited. In my opinion, although private funding plays a vital role in accelerating innovation, medical research is best steered through a collaborative model where governments maintain a primary regulatory and financial role to ensure public health interests remain paramount.

On the one hand, private companies possess immense financial resources and operational efficiency that can drastically shorten the timeline for medical breakthroughs. Pharmaceutical corporations, for instance, invest billions in clinical trials, leading to the rapid development of life- However, relying solely on private entities has significant drawbacks. Corporate funding often prioritizes lucrative conditions or chronic diseases that guarantee high returns, neglecting rare disorders or preventative health initiatives that lack commercial viability. Furthermore, commercial bias can sometimes compromise transparency and ethical standards.

On the other hand, government-funded research is fundamentally guided by public welfare rather than market profitability. State-backed institutions are more likely to fund long-term epidemiological studies, foundational science, and healthcare solutions for marginalized populations.

In conclusion, while individuals lack the capital and infrastructure for large-scale medical trials, neither governments nor private corporations should work in isolation. The most effective approach is a balanced partnership where government oversight and funding secure public health priorities, complemented by private sector innovation and commercialization capabilities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The student addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing the roles of private companies, individuals, and governments in medical research. A clear position is established in the introduction and maintained throughout the essay. The arguments are relevant and well-developed, contrasting the efficiency and commercial drive of private entities with the public welfare focus of state-backed institutions. However, an important penalty must be applied here: the response is 11 words short of the 250-word minimum, containing only 239 words. Because the length requirement is not met, the task achievement score is negatively affected, preventing the essay from reaching a Band 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organization and progression throughout. Information and ideas are coherently structured, starting with a comprehensive introduction, moving through well-differentiated body paragraphs examining private and government roles, and concluding with a balanced summary. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the topic. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'On the other hand,' and 'In conclusion' are utilized effectively to guide the reader through the argument. Referencing and substitution are handled smoothly, ensuring that the discourse flows naturally without noticeable mechanical faults.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary with some flexibility and precision. Less common lexical items are used appropriately, such as 'contemporary society,' 'operational efficiency,' 'lucrative conditions,' 'epidemiological studies,' and 'marginalized populations.' There is a good awareness of collocation and academic style. Minor spelling or word-choice errors are absent, though one sentence cuts off abruptly ('development of life-'), which indicates a minor drafting error. Overall, the lexical resource is strong and easily meets the requirements for a Band 7.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The student uses a wide variety of complex sentence structures with frequent error-free sentences. Examples of successful complex forms include 'While some argue that such critical investigations should be managed exclusively by governments, others believe that private enterprises or individuals are better suited.' Control over grammar and punctuation is generally very good, displaying accurate subordination and complex noun phrases. There is one minor mechanical cutoff at the end of a sentence ('development of life-'), but this does not severely impede understanding. The majority of the text exhibits strong grammatical control, fitting comfortably into the Band 7 criteria.

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.