Education accessibility has consistently appeared as a prominent theme in IELTS Writing Task 2, particularly in recent years. Based on analysis of past exam patterns, questions about educational access and equality appear in approximately 15-20% of tests, making it a crucial topic for IELTS candidates to master. Let’s examine a recent question that exemplifies this theme.
The importance of access to higher education remains a critical concern in many developing nations, where financial barriers often prevent talented students from pursuing their academic goals.
Question Analysis
Some people believe that all university education should be free for students. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
This question requires candidates to:
- Take a clear position on free university education
- Provide well-reasoned arguments
- Consider potential counterarguments
- Support claims with relevant examples
Students participating in classroom discussion about free university education
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8.5)
In the ongoing debate about higher education costs, while I partially agree that university education should be free, I believe a more nuanced approach combining subsidized education with some student contribution would be more beneficial.
Free university education undoubtedly offers significant advantages. Firstly, it ensures that talented students from all socioeconomic backgrounds can access higher education, promoting social mobility and reducing inequality. For example, countries like Germany and Norway that offer free university education have consistently high rates of social mobility. Secondly, eliminating financial barriers encourages more people to pursue higher education, creating a more skilled workforce that benefits the entire economy.
However, completely free education may present certain challenges. The primary concern is the substantial burden on public finances, which could lead to reduced funding for other essential services like healthcare or infrastructure. Additionally, students who pay nothing might be less motivated to complete their studies efficiently, potentially leading to longer completion times and increased costs for the system.
A balanced approach would be more practical. This could involve heavily subsidized education with nominal fees, means-tested scholarships, and income-contingent loan systems. For instance, Australia’s HECS-HELP system allows students to study without upfront costs while contributing to their education costs once they reach a certain income threshold.
In conclusion, while universal free education is an admirable goal, a hybrid system that combines significant government support with reasonable student contribution appears more sustainable and effective.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6.5)
I agree that university education should be free for all students because it has many benefits for society and individuals.
The main reason why university education should be free is because it helps poor students. Many clever students cannot go to university because it is too expensive. This is not fair. For example, in my country, many students from rural areas cannot afford university fees, so they cannot get good jobs.
Also, free education is good for the country’s economy. When more people can study at university, they can get better jobs and pay more taxes. This helps the government get more money. The importance of budgeting for young adults becomes less critical when education is free.
Some people say free education costs too much money for the government. However, I think the government can use tax money better. They can spend less money on other things and more on education. Also, educated people can help make the country better.
In conclusion, I think university education should be free because it helps poor students and makes the country stronger.
Analysis of Band Scores
Band 8.5 Essay Analysis:
- Task Response: Clear position with balanced viewpoint
- Coherence and Cohesion: Logical progression with effective paragraphing
- Lexical Resource: Sophisticated vocabulary (“socioeconomic backgrounds”, “social mobility”)
- Grammar: Complex structures used accurately
Band 6.5 Essay Analysis:
- Task Response: Clear but simplistic position
- Coherence and Cohesion: Basic organization with some repetition
- Lexical Resource: Limited but adequate vocabulary
- Grammar: Mix of simple and complex sentences with some errors
Key Vocabulary
- socioeconomic (adj.) /ˌsəʊʃɪəʊˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk/ – relating to social and economic factors
- mobility (n.) /məʊˈbɪləti/ – ability to move between social classes
- subsidized (adj.) /ˈsʌbsɪdaɪzd/ – supported financially
- means-tested (adj.) /miːnz-ˈtestɪd/ – based on financial need
- contingent (adj.) /kənˈtɪnʤənt/ – dependent on certain conditions
In conclusion, this topic remains highly relevant for IELTS candidates. Similar questions might focus on education funding models, private versus public education, or educational equality. Practice writing responses to these variations to strengthen your skills. Feel free to share your practice essays in the comments for feedback and discussion.
role of museums in educating the public about history demonstrates another aspect of accessible education that candidates should consider.
