The topic of mandatory vaccinations for all citizens has been a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. Based on analysis of past exam questions and current global health trends, this subject is likely to appear frequently in future tests. Let’s examine a relevant question that has appeared in recent IELTS exams:

Some people believe that all citizens should be required by law to have certain vaccinations. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?

This question directly addresses the controversial issue of mandatory vaccinations, requiring test-takers to present a well-reasoned argument supported by relevant examples. Let’s analyze the question and provide sample essays for different band scores.

Question Analysis

The question asks for your opinion on whether vaccinations should be legally required for all citizens. Key points to consider:

1. The scope is “all citizens,” implying a universal policy.
2. It mentions “certain vaccinations,” not all vaccines.
3. The phrase “required by law” suggests government enforcement.
4. You need to state your level of agreement or disagreement.
5. You should provide reasons and examples to support your position.

Sample Essay 1 (Band 8.5)

Vaccinations have played a crucial role in eradicating deadly diseases and improving public health worldwide. While I acknowledge the importance of widespread immunization, I disagree with the notion that all citizens should be legally required to have certain vaccinations.

Undoubtedly, vaccinations have numerous benefits for both individuals and society. They provide protection against potentially life-threatening diseases, reduce the spread of infections within communities, and decrease the burden on healthcare systems. For instance, the global eradication of smallpox and the near-elimination of polio can be attributed to successful vaccination campaigns. Moreover, high vaccination rates create herd immunity, protecting vulnerable individuals who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons.

However, mandating vaccinations by law raises ethical concerns and infringes upon personal freedoms. Individuals should have the right to make informed decisions about their health and bodily autonomy. Forcing vaccinations could be seen as a violation of human rights and personal beliefs, potentially leading to social unrest and distrust in government institutions. For example, in some countries, mandatory vaccination policies have resulted in protests and increased vaccine hesitancy among certain groups.

Furthermore, a one-size-fits-all approach to vaccination may not be appropriate for everyone. Some individuals may have legitimate medical reasons for avoiding certain vaccines, such as allergies or compromised immune systems. A blanket legal requirement could put these people at risk or force them to seek potentially dangerous exemptions.

Instead of implementing mandatory vaccination laws, governments should focus on education and accessibility. By providing accurate information about vaccine safety and efficacy, addressing concerns, and ensuring easy access to vaccines, authorities can encourage voluntary participation. Countries like Sweden have achieved high vaccination rates through public education campaigns and easily accessible healthcare services, without resorting to legal mandates.

In conclusion, while vaccinations are undoubtedly beneficial for public health, I believe that making them legally required for all citizens is an overreach of government authority. A more effective approach would be to foster trust in medical institutions, provide comprehensive education, and ensure widespread availability of vaccines. This strategy would likely result in high vaccination rates while respecting individual autonomy and addressing the diverse needs of the population.

[Word count: 345]

Vaccination education campaign poster

Essay Analysis (Band 8.5)

This essay demonstrates excellent writing skills and meets the criteria for a Band 8.5 score:

1. Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, presenting a clear position with a fully developed response. It discusses both the benefits of vaccinations and the drawbacks of making them mandatory, providing relevant examples throughout.

2. Coherence and Cohesion: The ideas are logically organized with clear progression throughout the essay. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the use of cohesive devices (e.g., “However,” “Furthermore,” “Instead of”) is skillful and unobtrusive.

3. Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is sophisticated and precise (e.g., “eradicating,” “infringes upon,” “herd immunity,” “blanket legal requirement”). The essay demonstrates flexibility in expression and an awareness of collocation.

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a wide range of grammatical structures accurately and appropriately. Complex sentences are used effectively, and there are no noticeable errors.

5. Development and Support: Each main idea is well-developed with relevant examples and explanations, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of the issue.

Sample Essay 2 (Band 7.5)

In recent years, the debate over mandatory vaccinations has intensified due to global health concerns. While I recognize the importance of vaccinations in protecting public health, I partially agree that they should be legally required for all citizens.

On one hand, mandatory vaccinations can significantly benefit society. Widespread immunization helps prevent the spread of infectious diseases, protecting not only vaccinated individuals but also those who cannot receive vaccines due to medical conditions. For example, the successful eradication of smallpox through global vaccination efforts demonstrates the potential of this approach. Additionally, high vaccination rates create herd immunity, which is crucial for safeguarding vulnerable populations such as infants and the elderly.

However, enforcing vaccinations by law raises concerns about personal freedom and bodily autonomy. Some individuals may have religious or philosophical objections to certain vaccines, and forcing them to undergo medical procedures against their will could be seen as a violation of human rights. Moreover, there are rare cases where people may have adverse reactions to vaccines, and a blanket mandate might not account for these individual health considerations.

A more balanced approach would be to implement strong incentives and educational programs rather than strict legal requirements. Governments could focus on making vaccines easily accessible, providing clear information about their benefits and risks, and addressing common misconceptions. For instance, should governments impose stricter gun control laws they could also consider similar strategies for promoting vaccination, such as public awareness campaigns and school-based programs.

In conclusion, while I believe that widespread vaccination is crucial for public health, I think that a nuanced approach is necessary. Governments should prioritize education, accessibility, and incentives rather than relying solely on legal mandates. This strategy would likely achieve high vaccination rates while respecting individual rights and addressing diverse health needs.

[Word count: 291]

Essay Analysis (Band 7.5)

This essay demonstrates good writing skills and meets the criteria for a Band 7.5 score:

1. Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task and presents a clear position, though the response is not as fully developed as the Band 8.5 essay.

2. Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear progression throughout. Each paragraph has a central topic, and cohesive devices are used effectively, though not as skillfully as in the higher band essay.

3. Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is appropriate and accurate, with some examples of less common words (e.g., “eradication,” “herd immunity”). However, the range is not as wide as in the Band 8.5 essay.

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a variety of complex structures accurately. There are no significant errors, but the range is not as wide as in the higher band essay.

5. Development and Support: Main ideas are well-developed with relevant examples, though not as thoroughly as in the Band 8.5 essay.

Sample Essay 3 (Band 6.5)

The question of whether vaccinations should be mandatory for all citizens is a complex issue. In my opinion, I partly agree that some vaccinations should be required by law, but not all of them.

Firstly, mandatory vaccinations can help protect public health. When many people are vaccinated, it stops diseases from spreading easily. This is important for keeping everyone safe, especially people who can’t get vaccines because of health problems. For example, if most people get the flu vaccine, it helps protect old people who might get very sick from the flu.

However, making all vaccinations required by law might cause problems. Some people have religious beliefs that don’t allow certain medical treatments. Forcing them to get vaccines could be unfair and against their rights. Also, some people might have bad reactions to vaccines, so it’s not safe for everyone to get them.

I think a good solution is to make some important vaccines mandatory, like the ones for very dangerous diseases. But for other vaccines, the government should focus on education and making them easy to get. They could teach people about how vaccines work and why they’re important. This way, more people might choose to get vaccinated without being forced.

In conclusion, while some vaccinations should be required to protect public health, not all of them need to be mandatory. The government should use a mix of laws and education to encourage people to get vaccinated and keep everyone healthy.

[Word count: 249]

Essay Analysis (Band 6.5)

This essay demonstrates adequate writing skills and meets the criteria for a Band 6.5 score:

1. Task Response: The essay addresses the task and presents a clear position, but the response is not fully developed.

2. Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally coherent with some organization, but the progression of ideas is not always clear. Basic cohesive devices are used, but they may be repetitive.

3. Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is adequate for the task, but the range is limited. There are some attempts at using less common vocabulary, but these are not always successful.

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there may be some errors. The range of structures is more limited compared to higher band essays.

5. Development and Support: Main ideas are present but not always well-developed. Examples are provided but may lack detail or relevance.

Key Vocabulary

1. Mandatory (adjective) – /ˈmændətɔːri/ – required by law or rules
2. Vaccination (noun) – /ˌvæksɪˈneɪʃn/ – treatment with a vaccine to produce immunity against a disease
3. Immunity (noun) – /ɪˈmjuːnəti/ – the ability of an organism to resist a particular infection or toxin
4. Eradication (noun) – /ɪˌrædɪˈkeɪʃn/ – the complete removal or destruction of something
5. Herd immunity (noun) – /hɜːd ɪˈmjuːnəti/ – resistance to the spread of a disease within a population based on pre-existing immunity of a high proportion of individuals
6. Autonomy (noun) – /ɔːˈtɒnəmi/ – the right or condition of self-government
7. Incentive (noun) – /ɪnˈsentɪv/ – a thing that motivates or encourages someone to do something
8. Adverse reaction (noun phrase) – /ˈædvɜːs riˈækʃn/ – an unexpected or dangerous reaction to a drug or medical treatment

In conclusion, the topic of mandatory vaccinations for all citizens is likely to remain relevant in future IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. Related topics that may appear include the role of government in public health, individual rights versus collective responsibility, and the impact of misinformation on health decisions. To prepare for such questions, practice writing essays on these themes, focusing on clear argumentation, relevant examples, and proper essay structure.

We encourage readers to practice writing their own essays on this topic and share them in the comments section below. This active engagement will help improve your writing skills and prepare you for the actual IELTS exam. Should vaccinations be mandatory for all citizens? Share your thoughts and let’s discuss this important issue together!