Public health campaigns play a crucial role in promoting wellness and preventing diseases in communities worldwide. This topic has been a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams, appearing frequently in recent years. Based on past trends and the growing global focus on public health, it’s likely that questions related to public health campaigns will continue to be prevalent in future IELTS exams.
Let’s examine a typical IELTS Writing Task 2 question on this subject and explore sample essays for different band scores.
Analyzing the Task
Some people think that public health campaigns are ineffective and a waste of money. Others believe they are essential to improving people’s health. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
This question requires you to:
- Discuss arguments for and against public health campaigns
- Provide your personal opinion on the matter
- Support your points with relevant examples and explanations
Sample Essays
Band 8-9 Essay
Public health campaigns have been a subject of debate, with some arguing they are ineffective and costly, while others maintain their essential role in improving societal health. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own viewpoint.
Those who criticize public health campaigns often point to their perceived ineffectiveness and high costs. They argue that many people ignore or quickly forget the messages conveyed in these campaigns, rendering them futile. For instance, despite numerous anti-smoking campaigns, a significant portion of the population continues to smoke. Additionally, critics contend that the substantial funds allocated to these campaigns could be better spent on direct healthcare services or medical research.
On the other hand, proponents of public health campaigns emphasize their crucial role in disease prevention and health promotion. They argue that these initiatives raise awareness about critical health issues and can lead to significant behavioral changes over time. For example, campaigns promoting hand washing and mask-wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic have been instrumental in reducing virus transmission rates. Furthermore, supporters point out that prevention is often more cost-effective than treatment, making these campaigns a wise investment in long-term public health.
In my opinion, while public health campaigns may not always yield immediate or easily measurable results, they are indispensable tools for improving population health. The cumulative effect of consistent health messaging can gradually shift societal norms and behaviors towards healthier choices. Moreover, when designed effectively and targeted appropriately, these campaigns can be highly impactful. The success of initiatives like seatbelt awareness campaigns, which have significantly reduced road fatalities, demonstrates their potential effectiveness.
In conclusion, while the criticism of public health campaigns’ effectiveness is understandable, I believe their potential benefits far outweigh their costs. A balanced approach, combining well-designed campaigns with other public health measures, is likely the most effective strategy for improving overall community health.
(Word count: 309)
Band 6-7 Essay
Public health campaigns are a topic of discussion among people. Some think they don’t work well and waste money, while others believe they are very important for making people healthier. I will talk about both sides and give my opinion.
People who don’t like public health campaigns say they don’t work well. They think many people don’t pay attention to these campaigns or forget about them quickly. For example, even though there are many campaigns about not smoking, lots of people still smoke. Also, these campaigns cost a lot of money that could be used for other things in healthcare.
On the other hand, people who support public health campaigns think they are very important. They say these campaigns help people learn about health problems and can change how people act over time. For instance, campaigns about washing hands and wearing masks during COVID-19 helped stop the virus from spreading. They also say that preventing health problems is cheaper than treating them later.
I think public health campaigns are important, even if we can’t always see their results right away. When people hear health messages many times, it can slowly change how they think and act. Some campaigns have worked very well, like the ones about wearing seatbelts, which have helped save many lives in car accidents.
In conclusion, while some people think public health campaigns don’t work well and cost too much, I believe they are necessary for making people healthier. It’s best to use these campaigns along with other ways of improving health to help everyone in the community.
(Word count: 268)
Band 5-6 Essay
Public health campaigns are something people talk about. Some people think they are not good and waste money. Other people think they are very important to make people healthy. I will talk about both ideas and say what I think.
People who don’t like public health campaigns say they don’t work. They think people don’t listen to the campaigns. For example, there are campaigns about not smoking, but many people still smoke. Also, these campaigns cost a lot of money.
But other people say public health campaigns are very good. They think the campaigns help people learn about health. For example, campaigns about washing hands during COVID-19 helped people not get sick. They also say it’s cheaper to stop people from getting sick than to help them after they are sick.
I think public health campaigns are good. They can help people learn about health slowly. Some campaigns have worked well, like the ones about wearing seatbelts in cars.
In the end, I think public health campaigns are important to make people healthy. We should use these campaigns and other ways to help people be healthy.
(Word count: 178)
Analysis of Essay Scores
Band 8-9 Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates excellent control of language and ideas:
- Task Achievement: Fully addresses all parts of the task with well-developed ideas and a clear position.
- 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.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Diverse sentence structures with high accuracy.
Band 6-7 Essay Analysis
This essay shows good control of language with some limitations:
- Task Achievement: Addresses all parts of the task but with less depth than the Band 8-9 essay.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Clear overall progression but with some repetition and less sophisticated linking.
- Lexical Resource: Adequate vocabulary range with some attempts at less common words.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Mix of simple and complex sentences with generally good control.
Band 5-6 Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates basic competence with limitations:
- Task Achievement: Attempts to address the task but with limited development of ideas.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Basic organization present but with limited use of cohesive devices.
- Lexical Resource: Simple vocabulary used repetitively.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Mainly simple sentences with some errors that do not impede communication.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Public health (noun) /ˌpʌblɪk ˈhelθ/ – The health of the population as a whole
- Campaign (noun) /kæmˈpeɪn/ – An organized course of action to achieve a goal
- Ineffective (adjective) /ˌɪnɪˈfektɪv/ – Not producing the desired result
- Essential (adjective) /ɪˈsenʃl/ – Absolutely necessary
- Awareness (noun) /əˈweənəs/ – Knowledge or perception of a situation or fact
- Prevention (noun) /prɪˈvenʃn/ – The action of stopping something from happening
- Behavioral changes (noun phrase) /bɪˈheɪvjərəl ˈtʃeɪndʒɪz/ – Alterations in how people act or conduct themselves
- Cost-effective (adjective) /ˌkɒst ɪˈfektɪv/ – Effective or productive in relation to its cost
- Societal norms (noun phrase) /səˈsaɪətl nɔːmz/ – Standards of behavior shared by members of a social group
- Cumulative effect (noun phrase) /ˈkjuːmjələtɪv ɪˈfekt/ – The combined result of something over a period of time
In conclusion, mastering the art of writing about public health campaigns in IELTS Task 2 requires a deep understanding of the topic and the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly. Practice writing essays on this theme, focusing on developing balanced arguments and supporting your points with relevant examples. Remember to structure your essay well, use a range of vocabulary, and maintain grammatical accuracy.
For further practice, consider writing essays on related topics such as:
- The role of government in promoting public health
- The impact of social media on public health campaigns
- The effectiveness of health education in schools
Feel free to share your practice essays in the comments section below. This active engagement will help you refine your writing skills and prepare effectively for the IELTS Writing Task 2.