Student loans have become an increasingly common topic in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays, reflecting the growing global concern about education financing. This subject has appeared in various forms over the past few years, and its relevance is likely to persist in future exams. Today, we’ll focus on a specific aspect of this theme: managing student loans effectively.
Let’s examine a recent IELTS Writing Task 2 question that addresses this issue:
Many students rely on loans to finance their higher education. Some people believe that the government should forgive these loans to reduce the financial burden on graduates. Others argue that borrowers should be responsible for repaying their debts. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Analyzing the Question
This question revolves around the controversial topic of student loan forgiveness. It requires candidates to:
- Discuss arguments in favor of government loan forgiveness
- Present arguments against loan forgiveness
- Provide their personal opinion on the matter
Let’s look at sample essays for different band scores, analyzing why they receive their respective scores.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
The issue of student loan forgiveness has sparked heated debates in many countries, with valid arguments on both sides. While some advocate for government intervention to alleviate graduates’ financial stress, others maintain that individuals should honor their financial commitments. In my opinion, a balanced approach that combines partial loan forgiveness with improved repayment options would be the most effective solution.
Proponents of loan forgiveness argue that it would significantly reduce the financial burden on young graduates, allowing them to contribute more actively to the economy. By freeing up funds that would otherwise go towards loan repayments, graduates could invest in housing, start businesses, or pursue further education, all of which could stimulate economic growth. Moreover, loan forgiveness could help address income inequality, as student debt disproportionately affects lower-income individuals who often struggle to repay their loans while earning entry-level salaries.
On the other hand, those against loan forgiveness contend that it would be unfair to taxpayers who did not benefit from higher education or who have already repaid their loans. They argue that forgiving student loans could create a moral hazard, encouraging future students to borrow irresponsibly with the expectation of eventual forgiveness. Additionally, blanket loan forgiveness might not address the root causes of rising education costs and could potentially lead to even higher tuition fees in the future.
In my view, a nuanced approach that combines partial loan forgiveness with improved repayment options would be most beneficial. For instance, governments could forgive a portion of the loan for graduates who work in essential public services or underserved communities. Simultaneously, implementing income-based repayment plans and capping interest rates could make loan repayment more manageable for all borrowers. This approach would provide relief to those who need it most while maintaining a sense of personal responsibility.
In conclusion, while student loan forgiveness is a complex issue with valid arguments on both sides, a balanced solution that addresses the needs of graduates while maintaining fiscal responsibility is crucial. By combining targeted forgiveness with improved repayment options, we can create a more equitable and sustainable system for financing higher education.
[Word count: 345]
Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay
This essay demonstrates excellence in several key areas:
Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both viewpoints and clearly stating the writer’s opinion.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphing and effective use of cohesive devices.
Lexical Resource: The writer uses a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately, including topic-specific terms like “moral hazard” and “income-based repayment plans”.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay showcases a variety of complex structures with minimal errors.
Development of Ideas: Each point is well-developed with relevant examples and explanations.
Infographic on managing student loans effectively
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
The topic of student loan forgiveness is very important today. Some people think the government should cancel these loans to help graduates, but others believe students should pay back what they borrowed. I will discuss both sides and give my opinion.
People who support loan forgiveness say it would help young graduates a lot. If they don’t have to pay back loans, they can use that money for other things like buying a house or starting a business. This could be good for the economy. Also, forgiving loans might help reduce the gap between rich and poor people, because poorer students often have more debt.
However, people against loan forgiveness think it’s not fair to those who didn’t go to college or already paid their loans. They worry that if loans are forgiven, future students might borrow too much money thinking they won’t have to pay it back. Also, it might not solve the problem of why college is so expensive in the first place.
In my opinion, I think there should be a mix of solutions. Maybe the government could forgive some of the loan for people who work in important jobs like teachers or nurses. They could also make it easier to pay back loans by connecting the payments to how much money people earn. This way, graduates get some help, but they still take responsibility for their loans.
To conclude, student loan forgiveness is a difficult issue with good points on both sides. I believe a balanced approach that helps graduates while still making them responsible for some of their debt is the best way forward.
[Word count: 277]
Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay
This essay demonstrates competence but falls short of excellence in several areas:
Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, but the ideas are less fully developed compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, but the use of cohesive devices is less sophisticated.
Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is adequate but less varied and precise compared to the higher band essay.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences, with some errors that do not impede communication.
Development of Ideas: While main points are present, they are less elaborated and supported compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
The importance of financial literacy for young adults becomes evident when dealing with complex financial decisions like managing student loans. Developing these skills can significantly impact one’s ability to navigate loan repayment effectively.
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
Nowdays, many students have to borrow money to go to university. Some people think government should cancel these loans to help students. Other people think students should pay back the money they borrowed. I will talk about both ideas and give my opinion.
People who want to cancel loans say it will help students a lot. If students don’t have to pay back loans, they can use money for other things like buying a house. This might be good for the economy. Also, it might help poor students who have a lot of debt.
But other people think cancelling loans is not fair. They say it’s not fair to people who didn’t go to university or already paid their loans. They worry that if loans are cancelled, students in the future might borrow too much money and not be careful.
I think maybe we should do both things. Maybe government can cancel some of the loan for students who become teachers or doctors. And maybe they can make it easier to pay back loans by making the payments smaller if someone doesn’t earn much money.
In conclusion, this is a difficult problem. I think we should help students but also make sure they are responsible for some of their debt.
[Word count: 212]
Analysis of Band 5-6 Essay
This essay demonstrates basic competence but has several limitations:
Task Response: The essay addresses the main parts of the task, but ideas are underdeveloped.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay has a basic structure, but paragraphing and cohesive devices are limited.
Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is simple and repetitive, with some errors in word choice.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay relies heavily on simple sentence structures with frequent errors.
Development of Ideas: Ideas are present but lack depth and supporting details.
Illustration of student loan repayment strategies
Key Vocabulary for IELTS Writing on Student Loans
Loan forgiveness (noun) – /ləʊn fəˈɡɪvnəs/ – The cancellation of all or part of a loan by the lender
Financial burden (noun phrase) – /faɪˈnænʃəl ˈbɜːdn/ – The strain or difficulty caused by financial obligations
Income-based repayment (noun phrase) – /ˈɪnkʌm beɪst rɪˈpeɪmənt/ – A plan where loan payments are calculated based on the borrower’s income
Moral hazard (noun) – /ˈmɒrəl ˈhæzəd/ – A situation where someone is more likely to take risks because they won’t bear the full cost of their actions
Fiscal responsibility (noun phrase) – /ˈfɪskəl rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪləti/ – The principle of managing financial resources prudently
Debt consolidation (noun) – /det kənˌsɒlɪˈdeɪʃn/ – The process of combining multiple debts into a single, larger debt
Tuition fees (noun) – /tjuːˈɪʃn fiːz/ – The cost charged for teaching by a college or university
Graduate (noun/verb) – /ˈɡrædʒuət/ (n), /ˈɡrædʒueɪt/ (v) – A person who has completed a degree / To successfully complete an academic degree
Underserved communities (noun phrase) – /ˌʌndəˈsɜːvd kəˈmjuːnətiz/ – Groups or areas that receive inadequate services or resources
Economic stimulus (noun phrase) – /ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˈstɪmjələs/ – Actions taken to encourage economic growth or activity
Conclusion
Managing student loans effectively is a crucial skill for many graduates and a topic of significant societal importance. As we’ve seen from the sample essays, this subject allows for diverse perspectives and arguments. To prepare for potential IELTS Writing Task 2 questions on this topic, consider practicing with variations such as:
- The role of financial education in preventing excessive student debt
- The impact of student loans on career choices and economic mobility
- Comparing government-funded education systems with loan-based systems
Remember, the key to success in IELTS Writing Task 2 is not just about having good ideas, but also expressing them clearly, coherently, and with appropriate vocabulary and grammar. Practice writing essays on this topic and related themes to improve your skills. Feel free to share your practice essays in the comments section for feedback and discussion!
Credit card usage and debt is another financial topic that often intersects with student loan management, as many students rely on credit cards to supplement their finances during their studies.