Education plays a pivotal role in shaping society and the economy. In IELTS Writing Task 2, questions about how education can promote social and economic mobility are increasingly common. This topic’s frequency in recent exams suggests it will likely remain a popular subject for future tests. Let’s explore a relevant question that has appeared in past IELTS exams and provide sample essays for different band scores.
Analyzing the Task
Some people believe that children from wealthy families should pay more for their university education than those from poorer backgrounds. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
This question addresses the intersection of education, economic background, and social mobility. It requires candidates to consider the fairness and implications of differential pricing in higher education based on family wealth.
Sample Essays
Band 8-9 Essay
Education is often viewed as a great equalizer, providing opportunities for individuals to improve their social and economic standing. The proposal that children from affluent families should pay more for university education than those from less privileged backgrounds is a contentious issue. While I understand the reasoning behind this suggestion, I ultimately disagree with it for several reasons.
Firstly, implementing a system where wealthier students pay more could be seen as a form of discrimination. University admissions and fees should be based on merit and academic potential rather than family background. This approach ensures fairness and equal opportunity for all students, regardless of their economic status. Moreover, it upholds the principle that education is a right, not a privilege determined by one’s financial circumstances.
Secondly, such a policy might discourage high-achieving students from wealthy families from pursuing higher education in their home country. These students might opt for international universities or private institutions that do not discriminate based on family wealth, leading to a potential brain drain and loss of talent for the nation. This could, ironically, exacerbate social and economic disparities in the long run.
However, it is crucial to acknowledge the need for financial support for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Instead of charging wealthy students more, a more equitable approach would be to strengthen scholarship programs, grants, and financial aid systems. This would provide targeted support to those who need it most without penalizing others based on their family’s economic status.
Furthermore, governments should focus on progressive taxation systems and allocate more funds to education from the overall budget. This approach ensures that those with higher incomes contribute more to society, including education funding, through a fair and transparent system.
In conclusion, while the intention behind charging wealthy students more for university education is understandable, it is not the most effective or fair solution to promote social and economic mobility. A more holistic approach that combines equitable access to education, robust financial aid systems, and progressive taxation would be more beneficial in creating a level playing field for all students, regardless of their economic background.
(Word count: 329)
Band 6-7 Essay
The idea of making students from rich families pay more for university education than those from poor backgrounds is a complex issue. While I can see some benefits to this approach, I mostly disagree with it.
On one hand, charging wealthy students more could help provide more resources for universities. This extra money could be used to improve facilities, hire better teachers, or offer more scholarships to poor students. It might seem fair because rich families can afford to pay more, and it could help balance out the advantages they already have.
However, there are several problems with this idea. Firstly, it’s not fair to charge people differently for the same education just because of their family background. University fees should be based on the course and its quality, not on how much money a student’s parents have. This could be seen as a form of discrimination.
Secondly, it might discourage rich students from attending local universities. They might choose to study abroad instead, where they won’t be charged extra. This could lead to a loss of talented students and potentially harm the quality of education in the country.
A better solution would be to have a fair system of scholarships and financial aid. This way, students who can’t afford university can get help, but without unfairly charging others more. The government could also increase funding for universities from taxes, which is a more equal way of getting money from those who earn more.
In conclusion, while helping poor students access university education is important, charging rich students more is not the best way to do this. It’s better to have equal fees for all, with good support systems for those who need financial help.
(Word count: 276)
Band 5-6 Essay
Some people think rich students should pay more for university than poor students. I don’t agree with this idea.
First, it’s not fair to make some people pay more for the same thing. If two students study the same course, they should pay the same amount. It doesn’t matter if their parents have more money.
Second, it might make rich students not want to go to university in their country. They might go to other countries to study instead. This is not good for the country because it loses good students.
Also, it might be hard to decide who is rich and who is poor. Some families might try to hide their money to pay less. This could cause problems.
I think a better way is to give more help to poor students. The government can give scholarships or loans to students who need money. This way, everyone has a chance to go to university.
The government should also try to make university cheaper for everyone. They can give more money to universities so they don’t need to charge students so much.
In conclusion, I don’t think rich students should pay more for university. It’s better to help poor students in other ways and make university affordable for everyone.
(Word count: 198)
Explanation of Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates excellent writing skills and a sophisticated approach to the topic:
- Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, presenting a clear position with well-developed arguments.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Ideas are logically organized with clear progression throughout. Paragraphs are well-linked, and cohesive devices are used effectively.
- Lexical Resource: A wide range of vocabulary is used with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: A wide range of structures is used with full flexibility and accuracy.
Band 6-7 Essay Analysis
This essay shows a competent handling of the task:
- Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, although some aspects are more fully covered than others.
- Coherence and Cohesion: There is a clear overall progression, but some ideas may be inadequately developed.
- Lexical Resource: An adequate range of vocabulary is used for the task, with some attempts at less common vocabulary.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: A mix of simple and complex sentence forms is used, with generally good control.
Band 5-6 Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates a modest attempt at addressing the task:
- Task Response: The essay addresses the task in a general way, but the format is simple, and ideas may lack development.
- Coherence and Cohesion: The overall progression is visible, but not always clear. Basic cohesive devices are used.
- Lexical Resource: A limited range of vocabulary is used, adequate for basic communication.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Simple sentences are used accurately, but errors occur in more complex structures.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Social mobility (noun) /ˈsəʊ.ʃəl məˈbɪl.ə.ti/ – The ability to move between different social classes
- Economic disparity (noun) /ˌiː.kəˈnɒm.ɪk dɪˈspær.ə.ti/ – The difference in economic status between groups
- Equitable (adjective) /ˈek.wɪ.tə.bəl/ – Fair and impartial
- Progressive taxation (noun) /prəˈɡres.ɪv tækˈseɪ.ʃən/ – A tax system where the tax rate increases as income increases
- Brain drain (noun) /breɪn dreɪn/ – The emigration of highly skilled individuals from a country
- Financial aid (noun) /faɪˈnæn.ʃəl eɪd/ – Money provided to support education or training
- Meritocracy (noun) /ˌmer.ɪˈtɒk.rə.si/ – A system where advancement is based on ability and achievement
- Socioeconomic background (noun) /ˌsəʊ.si.əʊ.iː.kəˈnɒm.ɪk ˈbæk.ɡraʊnd/ – The social and economic context of a person’s upbringing
- Educational equity (noun) /ˌed.jʊˈkeɪ.ʃən.əl ˈek.wɪ.ti/ – Fairness in access to educational opportunities
- Upward mobility (noun) /ˈʌp.wəd məˈbɪl.ə.ti/ – The capacity to move to a higher social or economic position
Conclusion
Understanding how education can promote social and economic mobility is crucial for success in IELTS Writing Task 2. The sample essays provided demonstrate different approaches and skill levels in addressing this topic. To improve your writing skills, try crafting your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section for feedback.
For further practice, consider these potential future topics:
- The role of free education in reducing economic inequality
- The impact of private schools on social mobility
- How online education can enhance access to learning for disadvantaged groups
Remember, regular practice and attention to structure, vocabulary, and coherence are key to achieving a high band score in IELTS Writing Task 2.
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