Medical science breakthroughs have been a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays, appearing in various forms over the past few years. This topic is likely to remain relevant due to its significance in our rapidly evolving world. Based on recent trends, we can expect to see questions related to medical advancements and their societal impact in future IELTS exams. Let’s examine a sample question that has appeared in past tests:
Some people think that the most significant medical science breakthroughs will happen in the future. Others believe that the most important breakthroughs have already happened. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Analysis of the Question
This question requires candidates to:
- Discuss two contrasting viewpoints on medical science breakthroughs
- Provide their own opinion on the matter
- Support their arguments with relevant examples and explanations
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Medical science has undoubtedly made remarkable strides throughout history, revolutionizing healthcare and improving human life expectancy. While some argue that the most significant breakthroughs have already occurred, others believe that the future holds even greater potential for medical advancements. In my opinion, both past achievements and future innovations are crucial, but the most groundbreaking discoveries are yet to come.
Those who believe that the most important medical breakthroughs have already happened have a strong case. The discovery of antibiotics, vaccines, and anesthesia have saved countless lives and transformed medical practice. For instance, the development of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928 marked a turning point in treating bacterial infections, dramatically reducing mortality rates from previously fatal diseases. Similarly, the eradication of smallpox through vaccination campaigns represents a monumental achievement in public health.
However, proponents of future breakthroughs argue that we are on the cusp of even more revolutionary advancements. The rapid progress in fields such as genetics, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence promises to unlock new frontiers in medicine. CRISPR gene-editing technology, for example, has the potential to cure genetic disorders and possibly even extend human lifespan. Moreover, personalized medicine tailored to an individual’s genetic makeup could revolutionize treatment efficacy and minimize side effects.
In my view, while we must acknowledge the tremendous impact of past medical breakthroughs, the most significant advancements are yet to come. The convergence of various scientific disciplines and exponential growth in computing power are creating unprecedented opportunities for medical innovation. The potential cure for cancer, reversal of aging, and eradication of neurodegenerative diseases could have a far more profound impact on human society than any previous discovery.
In conclusion, both historical and future medical breakthroughs play vital roles in advancing human health. However, given the accelerating pace of scientific progress and the complex challenges we face, I believe that the most transformative medical innovations lie ahead, promising to reshape our understanding of health and longevity.
Timeline of medical breakthroughs from past to future
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Medical science has made big improvements in the past and continues to do so today. Some people think the best discoveries have already happened, while others believe the most important ones will come in the future. I think both views have good points, but I agree more with the idea that the biggest breakthroughs are still to come.
People who say the most important medical breakthroughs have already happened have some good reasons. In the past, doctors found ways to stop many deadly diseases. For example, vaccines have helped stop illnesses like smallpox and polio that used to kill many people. Also, things like antibiotics and better surgery methods have saved lots of lives. These discoveries have made a big difference in how long people live and how healthy they are.
On the other hand, those who think the best medical breakthroughs will happen in the future also have strong arguments. Science and technology are moving very fast these days, and new areas like genetic research and artificial intelligence are opening up new possibilities. For instance, scientists are working on ways to edit genes to fix diseases before they start. They are also trying to make medicines that work differently for each person based on their DNA.
In my opinion, while past discoveries were very important, I believe the biggest medical breakthroughs are still to come. We are learning more about how the human body works every day, and this knowledge will help us solve big health problems. I think in the future, we might find cures for diseases like cancer or Alzheimer’s, which we still can’t fix today. Also, new technologies might help people live much longer and healthier lives than ever before.
To conclude, both past and future medical breakthroughs are important for human health. However, I think the most exciting and important discoveries are still ahead of us, and they will change healthcare in ways we can’t even imagine yet.
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
Medical science has made many important discoveries in the past and continues to do so today. Some people think the best discoveries have already happened, but others believe the most important ones will come in the future. I will discuss both views and give my opinion.
First, many people believe that the most important medical breakthroughs have already happened. They think this because in the past, doctors found ways to stop many deadly diseases. For example, vaccines have helped stop illnesses like smallpox that used to kill many people. Also, things like antibiotics have saved lots of lives. These discoveries have made people live longer and be healthier.
However, other people think the best medical breakthroughs will happen in the future. They say this because science and technology are getting better very fast. For example, scientists are working on new ways to treat diseases using genes. They are also trying to make medicines that work differently for each person. These new ideas might help solve big health problems in the future.
In my opinion, I think both past and future medical breakthroughs are important. The discoveries from the past have helped many people and saved lives. But I also think there will be more important breakthroughs in the future. Maybe doctors will find ways to cure diseases like cancer or help people live even longer.
In conclusion, medical science has made important discoveries in the past and will continue to do so in the future. Both past and future breakthroughs are important for human health.
Explanation of Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay:
- Task Response: Fully addresses all parts of the task with a clear position and well-developed ideas.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Logically organized with a clear progression of ideas and effective use of cohesive devices.
- Lexical Resource: Wide range of vocabulary used accurately and appropriately, with good use of less common words.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Wide range of structures used flexibly and accurately, with only rare minor errors.
Band 6-7 Essay:
- Task Response: Addresses all parts of the task, though some aspects may be more fully covered than others.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Information and ideas are generally well organized with adequate use of cohesive devices.
- Lexical Resource: Sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, with some attempts at less common words.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Mix of simple and complex sentence forms with generally good control, though errors occur.
Band 5-6 Essay:
- Task Response: Addresses the task in a general way, but may be repetitive or lack focus in parts.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Basic organization is apparent, but not always logical. Limited use of cohesive devices.
- Lexical Resource: Limited range of vocabulary, adequate for basic communication but lacks precision.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Limited range of structures with frequent errors, though meaning is generally clear.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Scoring Criteria
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Breakthrough (noun) – /ˈbreɪkθruː/ – an important discovery or development
- Revolutionize (verb) – /ˌrevəˈluːʃənaɪz/ – to change something completely and dramatically
- Eradication (noun) – /ɪˌrædɪˈkeɪʃn/ – the complete destruction or removal of something
- Convergence (noun) – /kənˈvɜːrdʒəns/ – the process of coming together or meeting
- Exponential (adjective) – /ˌekspəˈnenʃl/ – becoming more and more rapid
- Neurodegenerative (adjective) – /ˌnjʊərəʊdɪˈdʒenərətɪv/ – causing the progressive loss of nerve cells
- Personalized medicine (noun phrase) – /ˈpɜːrsənəlaɪzd ˈmedɪsɪn/ – medical care tailored to individual patients
- Gene editing (noun phrase) – /dʒiːn ˈedɪtɪŋ/ – the process of making changes to specific DNA sequences
- Artificial intelligence (noun phrase) – /ˌɑːrtɪˈfɪʃl ɪnˈtelɪdʒəns/ – the development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence
- Nanotechnology (noun) – /ˌnænəʊtekˈnɒlədʒi/ – the branch of technology that deals with dimensions and tolerances of less than 100 nanometers
In conclusion, the topic of medical science breakthroughs and their impact on society is likely to remain relevant in future IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. Candidates should be prepared to discuss both historical achievements and potential future advancements, considering their relative significance and societal implications. To practice, try writing your own essay on this topic or related ones, such as:
- The ethical implications of genetic engineering in medicine
- The role of artificial intelligence in future healthcare systems
- The impact of extended human lifespans on society and the economy
Remember to structure your essay clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and support your arguments with relevant examples. Feel free to share your practice essays in the comments section for feedback and discussion.
