The topic of free education is a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. Based on an analysis of past exam questions and current trends, it’s likely to appear in future tests as well. This article will provide sample essays for different band scores, focusing on the question: “Should education be free?”
Some people believe that education should be free for everyone. Others think that students should pay for their own education. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Analyzing the Question
This question requires candidates to:
- Discuss arguments for free education
- Discuss arguments for students paying for education
- Provide their own opinion on the matter
Let’s examine sample essays for different band scores, starting with a high-band response.
Band 8-9 Sample Essay
Education is a fundamental right and a cornerstone of societal progress. While some argue that it should be provided free of charge to all, others contend that students should bear the financial responsibility. This essay will explore both perspectives before presenting my own viewpoint.
Proponents of free education argue that it promotes equal opportunities and social mobility. By removing financial barriers, all individuals, regardless of their economic background, can access quality education. This can lead to a more skilled workforce, increased innovation, and overall economic growth. Furthermore, free education can reduce the burden of student debt, allowing graduates to contribute more effectively to the economy upon entering the workforce.
On the other hand, those who support student-funded education contend that it instills a sense of value and responsibility. When students invest financially in their education, they may be more motivated to excel academically and make the most of their learning opportunities. Additionally, charging for education can help maintain high-quality facilities and resources, as institutions would have more funds to invest in research, technology, and faculty development.
In my opinion, a balanced approach that combines elements of both systems would be most beneficial. I believe that basic education should be provided free of charge to ensure universal access to fundamental knowledge and skills. However, for higher education or specialized programs, a sliding scale fee system based on family income could be implemented. This would ensure that those who can afford to contribute do so, while still providing opportunities for less privileged students through scholarships and financial aid programs.
In conclusion, while both free and paid education systems have their merits, a hybrid model that prioritizes accessibility while maintaining quality seems to be the most pragmatic solution. This approach would foster a more equitable society while still encouraging personal investment in education.
(Word count: 298)
Explanation of Band 8-9 Score
This essay demonstrates excellent coherence, cohesion, and a wide range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, which are key criteria for a high band score. Let’s break down the elements that contribute to its high quality:
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay follows a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs discussing both views, and a conclusion. Paragraphs are well-linked using phrases like “On the other hand” and “In conclusion.”
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Lexical Resource: The essay uses a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately. Examples include “cornerstone of societal progress,” “social mobility,” and “instills a sense of value and responsibility.”
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay demonstrates a variety of complex structures used accurately. For instance, “While some argue that it should be provided free of charge to all, others contend that students should bear the financial responsibility.”
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Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and clearly presenting the writer’s own opinion with supporting ideas.
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Critical Thinking: The essay goes beyond simple arguments, proposing a nuanced solution that combines elements of both systems, showing sophisticated thought processes.
Band 6-7 Sample Essay
The question of whether education should be free or paid for by students is a topic of much debate. This essay will discuss both sides of the argument and give my opinion.
There are good reasons why education should be free. Firstly, it gives everyone a chance to learn, no matter how much money they have. This is fair and can help reduce inequality in society. Also, when education is free, more people can go to school and university. This means a country will have more educated workers, which is good for the economy.
However, some people think students should pay for their education. One reason is that when people pay for something, they value it more. Students who pay for their courses might work harder because they don’t want to waste their money. Another point is that if students pay, universities can have more money to improve their facilities and hire better teachers.
In my opinion, I think the best solution is to have some parts of education free and some parts paid for. Basic education, like primary and secondary school, should be free for everyone. This ensures all children can learn important skills. But for university, maybe students could pay some of the cost, but not all of it. The government could help students who can’t afford to pay.
To conclude, while there are benefits to both free and paid education, I believe a mix of both is the best way. This would give everyone a chance to learn while also making sure universities have enough money to provide good quality education.
(Word count: 270)
Explanation of Band 6-7 Score
This essay demonstrates good control of language and addresses the task, but lacks some of the sophistication seen in the Band 8-9 essay. Here’s a breakdown of its strengths and areas for improvement:
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Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and presenting the writer’s opinion. However, the ideas could be more fully developed and supported.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay has a clear structure and uses some linking words effectively (e.g., “Firstly,” “However,” “To conclude”). The progression of ideas is logical, but transitions between paragraphs could be smoother.
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is generally appropriate and covers the topic well. However, it lacks the range and sophistication seen in higher band scores. There’s some repetition (e.g., multiple uses of “good” and “better”).
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences with generally good control. There are no major errors that impede communication, but the range of structures is not as wide as in the Band 8-9 essay.
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Critical Thinking: The essay presents a balanced view and offers a compromise solution, showing some critical thinking. However, the arguments could be more nuanced and deeply explored.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Societal progress (noun phrase) – /səˈsaɪətl ˈprəʊɡres/ – advancement or development of society
- Social mobility (noun phrase) – /ˈsəʊʃl məʊˈbɪləti/ – the ability to move between different social classes
- Economic background (noun phrase) – /ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˈbækɡraʊnd/ – a person’s financial situation or history
- Instill (verb) – /ɪnˈstɪl/ – to gradually but firmly establish an idea or attitude in a person’s mind
- Sliding scale (noun phrase) – /ˈslaɪdɪŋ skeɪl/ – a system of fees that varies based on a person’s ability to pay
- Pragmatic (adjective) – /præɡˈmætɪk/ – dealing with things sensibly and realistically
- Inequality (noun) – /ˌɪnɪˈkwɒləti/ – lack of equality or fairness
- Facilities (noun) – /fəˈsɪlətiz/ – buildings, services, or equipment provided for a particular purpose
Conclusion
The topic of free education is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related themes such as:
- The role of government in funding education
- The impact of student debt on society
- The balance between accessibility and quality in education
- The pros and cons of privatized education systems
Remember to analyze the question carefully, plan your essay structure, and use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures appropriate to your target band score. We encourage you to practice writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section for feedback and discussion.