The topic of rising education costs has become increasingly prevalent in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. Based on recent trends and the frequency of appearance in past tests, it’s highly likely that candidates will encounter this subject in future exams. Let’s explore a relevant question and analyze sample essays to help you prepare effectively for this challenging topic.

Analyzing the Question

Some people think that governments should pay for university education while others believe students should be responsible for the costs. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

This question addresses the issue of rising education costs by presenting two contrasting views on who should bear the financial burden of university education. It requires candidates to:

1. Discuss the perspective that governments should fund university education
2. Explore the view that students should be responsible for their education costs
3. Provide a personal opinion on the matter

Let’s examine three sample essays of varying quality to understand how to approach this question effectively.

University Funding Debate

Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)

The debate over who should bear the financial burden of university education has become increasingly contentious in recent years. While some argue that governments should fully fund higher education, others contend that students should be responsible for their own educational costs. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own viewpoint on this complex issue.

Proponents of government-funded university education argue that it promotes equal access to higher learning, regardless of an individual’s socioeconomic background. By removing financial barriers, talented students from low-income families can pursue their academic aspirations without the burden of crippling debt. Moreover, a well-educated workforce contributes to a nation’s economic growth and competitiveness in the global market, justifying the public investment in higher education.

On the other hand, those who believe students should pay for their own education contend that this approach fosters a sense of personal responsibility and value for the education received. When students invest their own money, they may be more motivated to excel academically and make the most of their university experience. Additionally, this model can help alleviate the financial strain on government budgets, allowing for the allocation of resources to other critical areas such as healthcare or infrastructure.

In my opinion, a balanced approach that combines elements of both views would be most effective. I believe that governments should provide substantial financial support for higher education, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds or those pursuing fields crucial to national development. However, students should also contribute a reasonable portion of the costs, perhaps through low-interest loans or income-contingent repayment schemes. This hybrid model would maintain the principle of equal access while instilling a sense of personal investment in one’s education.

In conclusion, the question of who should fund university education is multifaceted and requires careful consideration. While both government funding and student responsibility have their merits, a nuanced approach that balances societal needs with individual accountability is likely to yield the best outcomes for students, institutions, and society as a whole.

(Word count: 309)

Essay Analysis

This essay demonstrates several qualities that contribute to its high band score:

1. Clear structure: The essay follows a logical structure with a clear introduction, body paragraphs discussing both views, and a conclusion that summarizes the main points and presents a balanced opinion.

2. Cohesion and coherence: The ideas flow smoothly, with appropriate use of cohesive devices such as “Moreover,” “On the other hand,” and “Additionally.”

3. Lexical resource: The essay employs a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately, such as “contentious,” “crippling debt,” and “alleviate the financial strain.”

4. Grammatical range and accuracy: The writer uses a variety of complex sentence structures correctly, demonstrating a high level of grammatical control.

5. Task response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion with supporting ideas.

Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)

The cost of university education is a big issue these days. Some people think the government should pay for it, while others believe students should be responsible. This essay will discuss both sides and give my opinion.

There are good reasons why the government should pay for university education. First, it gives everyone a fair chance to study, no matter how much money their family has. This is important because education can help people get better jobs and improve their lives. Also, when more people go to university, it’s good for the country’s economy because there are more skilled workers.

However, some people argue that students should pay for their own education. They say that when students pay, they value their education more and work harder. It also means the government can spend money on other important things like hospitals or roads.

In my opinion, I think both the government and students should share the cost of university education. The government could pay a part of it, especially for students from poor families or for subjects that are important for the country. But students should also pay some of the cost, maybe by taking out loans that they can pay back later when they have a job. This way, everyone takes some responsibility, but education is still accessible to all.

To conclude, the question of who should pay for university education is not simple. While both government funding and student responsibility have good points, I believe a mix of both is the best solution. This would help make sure that education is available to everyone while also making students value their studies.

(Word count: 274)

Essay Analysis

This essay demonstrates qualities that place it in the Band 6-7 range:

1. Structure: The essay has a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs discussing both views, and a conclusion. However, the paragraphs could be more fully developed.

2. Cohesion and coherence: The ideas are generally well-linked, but the use of cohesive devices is less sophisticated than in the Band 8-9 essay.

3. Lexical resource: The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, but lacks the range and precision of higher band scores. Some phrases like “big issue” and “good for the country’s economy” are somewhat simplistic.

4. Grammatical range and accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences, with generally good control of grammar. However, there is less variety in sentence structures compared to the Band 8-9 essay.

5. Task response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and providing a personal opinion. However, the ideas could be more fully developed and supported.

Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)

Nowadays, university education is very expensive. Some people think government should pay for it, but others say students should pay. I will talk about both ideas and give my opinion.

Government paying for university is good because everyone can go to university, even poor people. This is fair and gives everyone a chance. Also, when more people study at university, the country gets more smart people and this is good for everyone.

But some people think students should pay for university. They say when students pay, they try harder because they spend their own money. Also, if government doesn’t pay for university, they can use money for other things like hospitals.

I think both government and students should pay for university. Government can pay some money, and students can pay some too. This is fair for everyone.

In conclusion, paying for university is a hard question. I think sharing the cost between government and students is the best way.

(Word count: 149)

Essay Analysis

This essay demonstrates qualities that place it in the Band 5-6 range:

1. Structure: The essay has a basic structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. However, the paragraphs are underdeveloped and lack detail.

2. Cohesion and coherence: The ideas are presented in a logical order, but there is limited use of cohesive devices, making the essay feel somewhat disjointed.

3. Lexical resource: The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, with simple words and phrases like “good,” “fair,” and “smart people” used frequently.

4. Grammatical range and accuracy: The essay primarily uses simple sentence structures with limited accuracy in more complex structures. There are some grammatical errors, such as missing articles.

5. Task response: The essay addresses the main parts of the task but lacks depth in its discussion of the views and provides a simplistic personal opinion without much supporting explanation.

Key Vocabulary to Remember

1. Contentious (adjective) /kənˈtenʃəs/ – causing or likely to cause disagreement
2. Crippling (adjective) /ˈkrɪp.əl.ɪŋ/ – causing someone to become unable to move or walk properly
3. Alleviate (verb) /əˈliː.vi.eɪt/ – to make something bad such as pain or problems less severe
4. Socioeconomic (adjective) /ˌsəʊ.si.əʊ.iː.kəˈnɒm.ɪk/ – related to the differences between groups of people caused by their financial situation
5. Competitiveness (noun) /kəmˈpet.ə.tɪv.nəs/ – the quality of being as good as or better than others of a comparable nature
6. Nuanced (adjective) /ˈnjuː.ɑːnst/ – characterized by subtle shades of meaning or expression
7. Multifaceted (adjective) /ˌmʌl.tiˈfæs.ɪ.tɪd/ – having many different aspects or features
8. Income-contingent (adjective) /ˈɪn.kʌm kənˈtɪn.dʒənt/ – depending on or varying with income

Conclusion

The topic of rising education costs and funding for university education is likely to remain relevant in future IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related topics such as:

1. The impact of student loans on graduates’ career choices
2. The role of private universities in higher education
3. The effectiveness of free online education compared to traditional university education

Remember to analyze the question carefully, plan your essay structure, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and provide well-developed arguments supported by examples. By practicing regularly and studying high-quality sample essays, you can improve your writing skills and boost your chances of achieving a high band score in the IELTS Writing Task 2.

We encourage you to practice writing an essay on the topic discussed in this article and share it in the comments section below. This active practice will help you refine your skills and receive feedback from others preparing for the IELTS exam.