Healthcare spending has been a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2, appearing approximately 3-4 times annually in recent years. Based on analysis of past exam questions, this topic frequently emerges in various forms, particularly regarding government healthcare priorities and funding allocation.
For today’s analysis, let’s examine a recent actual IELTS task 2 question:
Some people believe that governments should spend more money on healthcare than on other sectors. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Should governments prioritize healthcare spending over other areas has become increasingly relevant in recent years, especially following global health challenges.
Question Analysis
- Topic: Government spending priorities
- Task: Opinion essay (agree/disagree)
- Key points to address:
- Healthcare spending vs other sectors
- Reasons for prioritizing/not prioritizing healthcare
- Impact on society
- Balance between different sectors
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8.0)
A substantial number of individuals advocate for increased government healthcare expenditure compared to other sectors. While I partially agree with this viewpoint, I believe a balanced approach to budget allocation across various sectors is essential for a nation’s overall development.
Healthcare undoubtedly deserves significant government funding for several compelling reasons. Firstly, a healthy population forms the foundation of a productive workforce, which directly contributes to economic growth. Moreover, comprehensive healthcare systems prevent the spread of diseases and reduce long-term healthcare costs through preventive measures. For instance, Singapore’s substantial investment in healthcare infrastructure has resulted in one of the world’s most efficient healthcare systems, significantly improving citizens’ life expectancy and quality of life.
However, exclusively prioritizing healthcare spending over other sectors could be detrimental. Education, infrastructure, and security are equally crucial for societal development. A well-funded education system produces skilled healthcare professionals, while robust infrastructure ensures healthcare services are accessible to all citizens. Furthermore, investments in research and technology often lead to medical breakthroughs and improved healthcare delivery systems.
The optimal approach lies in maintaining a strategic balance in budget allocation. Governments should assess their specific demographic needs, current healthcare infrastructure, and long-term development goals before determining spending priorities. For example, developing nations might need to allocate more resources to basic healthcare infrastructure, while developed countries might focus on advanced medical research and specialized care facilities.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6.5)
Many people think governments should spend more money on healthcare than other areas. I agree with this idea because health is very important for everyone.
The main reason why healthcare needs more money is that it affects everyone’s life. When people are healthy, they can work better and earn more money. Also, good healthcare helps prevent serious illnesses and saves money in the future. For example, in my country, when the government spent more on vaccinations, fewer people got sick, and this saved money on treating diseases.
However, other areas also need government money. Education is important because children need to learn, and infrastructure like roads and bridges helps people travel to hospitals. If the government only spends money on healthcare, these other important things might suffer.
I think governments should give more money to healthcare but not forget other sectors. They should look at what their country needs most and make smart decisions about spending. This way, they can help everyone in the society have a better life.
Should governments provide free health care for everyone? is another related topic that frequently appears in IELTS examinations.
Analysis of Band Scores
Band 8.0 Essay Analysis:
- Task Response: Clear position, fully developed ideas
- Coherence and Cohesion: Logical organization, effective paragraphing
- Lexical Resource: Sophisticated vocabulary use
- Grammatical Range: Complex structures, minimal errors
Band 6.5 Essay Analysis:
- Task Response: Clear but simpler ideas
- Coherence and Cohesion: Basic organization
- Lexical Resource: Limited range of vocabulary
- Grammatical Range: Mix of simple and complex structures
Key Vocabulary
- expenditure (n) /ɪkˈspendɪtʃər/ – spending of money
- comprehensive (adj) /ˌkɒmprɪˈhensɪv/ – complete, including everything
- infrastructure (n) /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃər/ – basic systems and services
- demographic (adj) /ˌdeməˈɡræfɪk/ – related to population statistics
- allocation (n) /ˌæləˈkeɪʃn/ – distribution of resources
- preventive (adj) /prɪˈventɪv/ – designed to stop something before it happens
- detrimental (adj) /ˌdetrɪˈmentl/ – causing harm or damage
For practice, try writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section. Consider these alternative questions for additional practice:
- Should healthcare be completely free for all citizens?
- Is private healthcare better than public healthcare?
- Should governments focus more on preventive healthcare?