Mental health awareness has become an increasingly important topic in recent years, and it’s no surprise that it has made its way into IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. As an IELTS instructor, I’ve noticed a growing trend of questions related to government investment in mental health awareness. This topic is not only relevant to current global issues but also allows test-takers to showcase their critical thinking and writing skills.
Let’s examine a sample question that has appeared in recent IELTS exams and is likely to be seen in future tests:
Some people believe that governments should invest more money in mental health awareness programs. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Analyzing the Question
Before we dive into sample essays, let’s break down the question:
- Topic: Government investment in mental health awareness programs
- Task: Express your opinion on the extent to which you agree or disagree
- Key points to consider:
- Reasons for investing in mental health awareness
- Potential benefits and drawbacks of such investments
- Alternative uses for government funds
Now, let’s look at three sample essays that demonstrate different levels of writing proficiency.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Mental health has emerged as a critical public health concern in recent years, with far-reaching implications for individuals and society at large. I strongly agree that governments should allocate more resources to mental health awareness programs, as such investments can yield significant benefits in terms of public health, economic productivity, and overall societal well-being.
Firstly, increased government funding for mental health awareness can lead to earlier detection and intervention of mental health issues. By educating the public about the signs and symptoms of common mental health disorders, these programs can encourage individuals to seek help before their conditions worsen. This proactive approach not only improves individual outcomes but also reduces the long-term burden on healthcare systems and society.
Moreover, mental health awareness programs can help combat the pervasive stigma surrounding mental illness. This stigma often prevents people from seeking help and can lead to discrimination in various aspects of life, including employment and social relationships. Government-backed campaigns can normalize conversations about mental health, fostering a more supportive and understanding society.
From an economic perspective, investing in mental health awareness can yield substantial returns. Mental health issues are a leading cause of absenteeism and reduced productivity in the workplace. By promoting better mental health, governments can indirectly boost economic output and reduce the financial strain on social services and healthcare systems.
However, it is essential to acknowledge that increased investment in mental health awareness should not come at the expense of other crucial areas of public health or social services. Governments must strike a balance, ensuring that mental health receives adequate attention while still addressing other pressing societal needs.
In conclusion, the benefits of government investment in mental health awareness programs far outweigh any potential drawbacks. By prioritizing mental health education and support, governments can create healthier, more productive, and more compassionate societies. As mental health continues to gain recognition as a fundamental aspect of overall well-being, it is imperative that governments take a proactive stance in promoting awareness and understanding.
(Word count: 309)
Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay
This essay demonstrates excellent writing skills and meets the criteria for a high band score:
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Task Achievement: The essay fully addresses the question, presenting a clear position with well-developed ideas and relevant examples.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear progression throughout. It uses a variety of cohesive devices effectively.
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Lexical Resource: The writer uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay displays a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
In recent years, mental health has become a big issue in many countries. Some people think that governments should spend more money on programs to make people aware of mental health problems. I agree with this idea to some extent, but I also think there are other important things the government needs to consider.
On one hand, investing in mental health awareness can be very helpful. Many people don’t understand mental health problems, which can make it hard for those who are suffering to get help. If the government spends money on education programs, more people might recognize the signs of mental health issues and know how to get support. This could lead to fewer serious problems in the long run.
Also, mental health awareness programs can help reduce the shame that some people feel about mental health issues. If more people understand that mental health problems are common and nothing to be ashamed of, it might be easier for people to talk about their problems and get help.
However, governments have limited budgets and need to think carefully about how they spend money. There are many other important areas that also need funding, such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure. It’s important to find a balance between different needs.
In conclusion, I believe that governments should invest more in mental health awareness, but they should do so carefully. They need to make sure that this investment doesn’t take away from other important areas. By finding the right balance, governments can help improve mental health while still addressing other crucial issues in society.
(Word count: 263)
Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay
This essay demonstrates good writing skills but falls short of the highest band scores:
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Task Achievement: The essay addresses the main parts of the task, presenting a clear position with some development of ideas.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, but the use of cohesive devices is not as sophisticated as in the Band 8-9 essay.
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, but it lacks the range and sophistication of higher band scores.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with generally good control, but it lacks the full flexibility of the highest band scores.
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
Mental health is very important for everyone. Some people say the government should give more money for mental health awareness. I think this is a good idea because many people don’t know about mental health problems.
First, if the government spends money on mental health awareness, more people will learn about it. This is good because people can get help if they know they have a problem. Many people don’t know when they have mental health problems, so they don’t get help.
Also, mental health awareness can help stop people from being mean to others with mental health problems. If people understand more about mental health, they might be nicer to people who have these problems.
But the government has to think about other things too. They need money for schools, hospitals, and roads. They can’t spend all their money on mental health. They have to be careful about how they use their money.
In conclusion, I think the government should spend more money on mental health awareness, but not too much. They need to think about other important things too. If they do it right, they can help people with mental health and still do other important things.
(Word count: 184)
Analysis of Band 5-6 Essay
This essay demonstrates adequate writing skills but has several limitations:
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Task Achievement: The essay addresses the main parts of the task but lacks depth in its arguments and examples.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay has a basic structure, but the use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes repetitive.
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is limited and repetitive, with some errors in word choice and usage.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses mostly simple sentence structures with limited complexity. There are some grammatical errors, but they do not significantly impede communication.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Mental health awareness (noun phrase) – /ˈmentl helθ əˈwernəs/ – knowledge and understanding of mental health issues
- Stigma (noun) – /ˈstɪɡmə/ – a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person
- Intervention (noun) – /ˌɪntərˈvenʃn/ – action taken to improve a situation, especially a medical disorder
- Proactive (adjective) – /proʊˈæktɪv/ – creating or controlling a situation rather than just responding to it after it has happened
- Absenteeism (noun) – /ˌæbsənˈtiːɪzəm/ – the practice of regularly staying away from work or school without good reason
- Pervasive (adjective) – /pərˈveɪsɪv/ – spreading widely throughout an area or a group of people
- Allocation (noun) – /ˌæləˈkeɪʃn/ – the action or process of distributing resources or funds for a particular purpose
- Compassionate (adjective) – /kəmˈpæʃənət/ – feeling or showing sympathy and concern for others
- Normalization (noun) – /ˌnɔːrməlaɪˈzeɪʃn/ – the process of bringing or returning something to a normal condition or state
- Productivity (noun) – /ˌprɑːdəkˈtɪvəti/ – the effectiveness of productive effort, especially in industry, as measured in terms of the rate of output per unit of input
Conclusion
The topic of government investment in mental health awareness is likely to remain relevant in future IELTS exams. As you prepare for your test, consider practicing with similar questions and focusing on developing well-structured arguments supported by relevant examples.
To further improve your skills, try writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This practice will help you refine your writing and receive feedback from others. Additionally, you may want to explore related topics such as the impact of social media on mental health or the role of schools in promoting mental well-being.
Remember, the key to success in IELTS Writing Task 2 is not just about memorizing sample essays, but developing your ability to analyze questions, organize your thoughts, and express your ideas clearly and coherently.