Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-30

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 5.5)

In today's world, many medical research projects are funded by private companies. I completely disagree that research should be carried out by private companies, individuals or government because colaboration of all three will boost the R&D sector and the overall development of a country. Also, this may help in developing more innovative solutions and helps the country to fight against any unexpected pandemic.

Firstly, research carried out by both government and private companies helps to boost the R&D sector of the country. If people from different groups perform research on the same topic, it is more likely to obtain an outcome in a minimum amount of time, which in turn boost the sector. Secondly, this view helps in the overall development of the country because of the different research performed by different groups. For example, if both private companies and the government perform different research, it can help in the development of the country by providing medicines of different diseases.

Additionally, combination of different groups helps in developing more effective solutions due to collaboration. If private companies, government and individuals work together as a team, they are more likely to develop effective medicines by offering fewer side effects. Furthermore, this helps the country to fight against unexpected pandemics. For instance, if a country is affected by a particular diasease, the private companies and the government can come forward and help to overcome this event.

In conclusion, I strongly disagree that research should be carried out by private companies, individuals or government because researching together helps in the overall development of the country and can boost the R&D sector of a country. In addition, this view helps in developing effective outcomes and encourages a country to fight against any pandemic.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The student addresses the prompt by taking a clear stance against the exclusive funding by any single entity, arguing instead for a collaborative approach involving private companies, individuals, and the government. While the prompt asks 'do you think that research should be carried by private companies, individuals or government?', the student interprets this as a call for collaboration among all three, which directly answers the core issue. Ideas are extended and supported with reasons such as boosting the R&D sector and enhancing pandemic preparedness. However, some arguments lack deep development and tend to over-generalize, such as stating that multiple groups researching the same topic achieves an outcome in 'minimum amount of time'. Overall, the response addresses all parts of the task with a consistent position, aligning well with the Band 6.5 to 7.0 descriptors. A band score of 6.5 is awarded.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The essay is organized into a logical structure with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas, such as R&D boosting and pandemic readiness. Cohesive devices are employed to signal transitions, such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'Additionally', and 'In conclusion'. However, referencing and cohesion are at times a bit mechanical, and some transitions feel repetitive or simplistic. For example, 'Secondly, this view helps...' and 'Additionally, combination of different groups helps...' rely heavily on formulaic markers rather than sophisticated logical flow. Paragraph internal progression is generally clear, but the mechanical nature of the cohesive devices limits the score. This reflects the Band 6 descriptors well.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully using terms such as 'collaboration', 'unexpected pandemic', 'R&D sector', and 'innovative solutions'. However, there are noticeable instances of awkward word choice and spelling or lexical errors, such as spelling 'colaboration' (collaboration) and 'diasease' (disease). The phrase 'offering fewer side effects' is also an unnatural collocation for medicines. Attempts at less common vocabulary are made, but they are occasionally inaccurate. The lexical range is sufficient for the task and communication is not impeded, but these limitations prevent the student from reaching Band 7.0. Therefore, a band score of 6.0 is appropriate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The writer employs a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing conditional structures and relative clauses, such as 'If people from different groups perform research on the same topic, it is more likely to obtain an outcome...' and 'if a country is affected by a particular diasease, the private companies and the government can come forward...'. There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, such as missing articles ('because colaboration of all three', 'helps in developing more effective solutions') and minor structural slips. Despite these errors, the complex structures are generally understandable, and meaning is rarely obscured. The frequency and nature of the errors place the grammar firmly in the Band 6 category.

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