The topic of government-provided healthcare for the elderly is a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. It falls under the broader category of healthcare and social welfare, which frequently appears in IELTS tests. Based on past exam trends and current global issues, this topic is likely to remain relevant in future IELTS exams. Let’s examine a specific question related to this theme:
Some people believe that governments should provide free health services to the elderly. Others think that the elderly should pay for their own health care. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
This question asks candidates to discuss two opposing viewpoints on healthcare provision for the elderly and express their personal opinion. It’s a typical IELTS Task 2 question that requires a balanced approach and critical thinking. Let’s analyze the question and provide sample essays for different band scores.
Question Analysis
The question presents two contrasting views:
- Governments should provide free health services to the elderly.
- The elderly should pay for their own health care.
Candidates are expected to:
- Discuss both viewpoints
- Provide reasons and examples to support each view
- Present their own opinion
- Use appropriate vocabulary and grammar
- Organize their ideas coherently
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Healthcare for the elderly is a contentious issue in many societies, with debates centered around whether governments should bear the cost or if individuals should be responsible for their own medical expenses. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own view on the matter.
Those who advocate for government-funded healthcare for the elderly argue that it is a fundamental right and a social responsibility. They contend that many older people have contributed to society throughout their working lives through taxes and labor, and thus deserve support in their later years. Moreover, free healthcare can prevent elderly individuals from falling into poverty due to high medical costs, ensuring a dignified quality of life for all senior citizens. This approach also promotes equality, as it ensures that all elderly individuals, regardless of their financial status, have access to necessary medical treatments.
On the other hand, proponents of self-funded healthcare for the elderly argue that it promotes personal responsibility and reduces the burden on public finances. They believe that individuals should plan for their retirement, including healthcare costs, throughout their working years. This view suggests that government resources are limited and should be allocated to other pressing needs, such as education or infrastructure development. Additionally, they argue that a system where the elderly pay for their own healthcare could lead to more efficient use of medical resources, as individuals might be more discerning about seeking treatment when they bear the cost.
In my opinion, while personal responsibility is important, governments should provide at least basic free health services to the elderly. This approach strikes a balance between social welfare and financial sustainability. A tiered system could be implemented, where essential treatments are provided free of charge, while more specialized or elective procedures might require co-payments. This would ensure that no elderly person is denied necessary care due to financial constraints, while also encouraging responsible use of healthcare resources.
In conclusion, the issue of healthcare provision for the elderly is complex and multifaceted. While there are valid arguments on both sides, I believe that a balanced approach that prioritizes basic care for all elderly citizens, regardless of their financial status, is the most ethical and practical solution. This not only upholds the principles of social justice but also recognizes the contributions of older generations to society.
(Word count: 368)
Elderly healthcare debate illustration
Essay Analysis (Band 8-9)
This essay demonstrates excellent writing skills and meets all the requirements for a high band score:
-
Task Achievement: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both viewpoints and clearly presenting a personal opinion. It provides well-developed ideas and relevant examples.
-
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear progression throughout. It uses a variety of cohesive devices effectively (e.g., “On the other hand”, “Moreover”, “Additionally”).
-
Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is sophisticated and precise (e.g., “contentious”, “advocate”, “proponents”, “discerning”). There is good use of less common lexical items and awareness of style and collocation.
-
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay demonstrates a wide range of grammatical structures used accurately and appropriately. Complex sentences are used effectively, and there are no noticeable errors.
-
Tone and Academic Style: The essay maintains a formal, academic tone throughout and presents a balanced, objective analysis of the issue.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
The question of whether governments should provide free health services to the elderly or if the elderly should pay for their own healthcare is a topic of debate in many countries. This essay will discuss both views and give my opinion.
Some people think that governments should offer free health services to older people. They believe this is important because many elderly people don’t have enough money to pay for expensive medical treatments. Free healthcare can help elderly people stay healthy and live better lives. Also, these people argue that the elderly have worked hard and paid taxes for many years, so they deserve free healthcare in return.
However, others believe that the elderly should pay for their own health care. They think this is fair because governments have limited money and need to spend it on other things like education and roads. They also say that if people know they need to pay for healthcare when they’re old, they will save money and take better care of their health when they’re younger.
In my opinion, I think governments should provide some free health services to the elderly, but not everything. Basic health care and important treatments should be free, but maybe the elderly could pay a small amount for less important services. This way, the government can help older people without spending too much money.
To conclude, both views have good points, but I believe a mix of free and paid services is the best solution. This can help elderly people get the care they need while also being fair to everyone in society.
(Word count: 270)
Elderly healthcare cost comparison
Essay Analysis (Band 6-7)
This essay demonstrates good writing skills but has some limitations compared to the Band 8-9 essay:
-
Task Achievement: The essay addresses all parts of the task, discussing both viewpoints and presenting a personal opinion. However, the ideas are less fully developed and the examples are more general.
-
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, but the use of cohesive devices is less sophisticated (e.g., frequent use of “Also” and “However”).
-
Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is appropriate but less varied and sophisticated compared to the Band 8-9 essay. There are fewer less common lexical items.
-
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures but with less variety than the higher band essay. There are no major grammatical errors, but the structures are less complex.
-
Tone and Academic Style: The essay maintains an appropriate tone, but the language is less formal and academic compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
Key Vocabulary
- Contentious (adjective) – /kənˈtenʃəs/ – causing or likely to cause disagreement
- Advocate (verb) – /ˈædvəkeɪt/ – to publicly support or recommend a particular cause or policy
- Proponent (noun) – /prəˈpəʊnənt/ – a person who advocates for something
- Discerning (adjective) – /dɪˈsɜːrnɪŋ/ – having or showing good judgment
- Tiered system (noun phrase) – /tɪəd ˈsɪstəm/ – a system with different levels or categories
- Multifaceted (adjective) – /ˌmʌltɪˈfæsɪtɪd/ – having many different aspects or features
- Dignity (noun) – /ˈdɪɡnəti/ – the state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect
- Sustainability (noun) – /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti/ – the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level
- Co-payment (noun) – /ˈkəʊpeɪmənt/ – a fixed amount paid by a patient for a covered health care service
- Social welfare (noun phrase) – /ˈsəʊʃl ˈwelfeə/ – organized public or private social services for the assistance of disadvantaged groups
These vocabulary items are particularly useful for discussing healthcare policies and social issues in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays.
In conclusion, the topic of government-provided healthcare for the elderly is likely to remain relevant in future IELTS exams. To prepare for such questions, practice writing balanced essays that discuss multiple viewpoints and clearly express your own opinion. Use a range of sophisticated vocabulary and varied grammatical structures to improve your band score. Remember to analyze the question carefully and address all parts of the task in your response.
For further practice, consider writing essays on related topics such as the role of government in regulating prescription drug prices or discussing whether governments should regulate the pharmaceutical industry more strictly. These exercises will help you develop a broader understanding of healthcare policy issues and improve your ability to articulate complex ideas in English.
We encourage you to practice writing an essay on the topic discussed in this article and share it in the comments section below. This active approach to learning can significantly enhance your IELTS Writing skills and prepare you for success in the exam.
