Higher education accessibility is a topic of great importance in modern society. It frequently appears in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays, reflecting its relevance to global discussions on education and equality. Based on past exam trends and the current socio-economic climate, we can expect this theme to continue featuring prominently in future IELTS tests.
Let’s examine a relevant IELTS Writing Task 2 question that has appeared in recent exams:
Some people believe that university education should be available to all students, while others believe that higher education should be limited to good students. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Analyzing the Question
This question asks you to:
- Discuss the view that university education should be available to all students
- Discuss the view that higher education should be limited to good students
- Give your own opinion on the matter
It’s crucial to address all parts of the question in your essay to achieve a high band score.
Sample Essays for Different Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay
The debate over who should have access to higher education is a contentious one, with valid arguments on both sides. While some advocate for universal access to university education, others believe it should be reserved for high-achieving students. In my opinion, while maintaining academic standards is important, broadening access to higher education can bring significant benefits to society as a whole.
Proponents of universal access to higher education argue that it is a fundamental right and a catalyst for social mobility. They contend that limiting university education to only top students perpetuates existing inequalities and denies opportunities to those who may have potential but lack the advantages of a privileged background. Furthermore, a more educated populace can lead to a more informed citizenry, fostering innovation and economic growth. Countries like Germany and Norway, which offer free or low-cost university education to all, have seen positive outcomes in terms of social cohesion and economic competitiveness.
On the other hand, those who support limiting higher education to good students argue that this approach maintains academic standards and ensures efficient use of resources. They posit that universities should focus on nurturing the brightest minds, who are more likely to make significant contributions to their fields. Additionally, they contend that admitting students who are not academically prepared may lead to high dropout rates and a dilution of the quality of education. Countries like Singapore, which have highly selective university admission processes, have produced world-class institutions and graduates.
In my view, while there is merit to both arguments, the benefits of making higher education more accessible outweigh the potential drawbacks. However, this does not mean compromising on quality. Instead, a balanced approach could involve:
- Implementing a tiered system of higher education institutions, catering to different academic levels and specializations.
- Providing robust support systems and bridging programs to help less academically prepared students succeed.
- Encouraging alternative pathways to higher education, such as vocational training and lifelong learning opportunities.
By adopting such measures, we can maintain academic excellence while democratizing access to knowledge and skills. This approach recognizes that potential is not always reflected in academic scores alone and that society benefits when diverse talents and perspectives are nurtured through higher education.
In conclusion, while the debate over access to higher education is complex, I believe that striving for greater accessibility is crucial for creating a more equitable and prosperous society. By implementing thoughtful policies that balance inclusivity with academic rigor, we can harness the full potential of our population and drive progress in an increasingly knowledge-based global economy.
(Word count: 407)
Band 6-7 Essay
The question of who should have access to university education is a topic of much debate. Some people think it should be available to everyone, while others believe it should only be for good students. This essay will discuss both views and give my opinion.
There are several reasons why university education should be available to all students. Firstly, it gives everyone a fair chance to improve their lives. Many people may not have done well in school due to personal problems or lack of opportunities, but they could still benefit from higher education. Secondly, having more educated people in a country can help its economy grow. When more people have degrees, they can get better jobs and contribute more to society.
On the other hand, some argue that higher education should be limited to good students. They say that universities should focus on teaching the brightest minds who can make the most of the education. This could lead to better research and innovations. Also, if too many people go to university, it might lower the value of a degree and make it harder for graduates to find jobs.
In my opinion, while it’s important to maintain high standards in universities, education should be accessible to as many people as possible. I think we can achieve this by having different types of higher education institutions. For example, some universities could focus on academic research, while others could offer more practical courses. This way, people with different abilities and interests can all benefit from higher education.
To conclude, both sides of this argument have valid points. However, I believe that making higher education more accessible, while still maintaining quality, is the best way forward for society.
(Word count: 283)
Band 5-6 Essay
Many people have different ideas about who should go to university. Some think everyone should have the chance, but others say only good students should go. I will talk about both ideas and give my opinion.
People who think everyone should go to university say it’s fair. They believe that all people should have the chance to learn more and get better jobs. If more people go to university, the country might become richer because people will have more knowledge and skills.
But some people think only good students should go to university. They say that universities should teach the smartest people who can learn quickly. If too many people go to university, it might make degrees less special.
I think both ideas have good points, but I agree more that everyone should have a chance to go to university. Maybe we can have different kinds of universities for different people. Some can be for very smart students, and others can be for people who want to learn job skills.
In conclusion, I believe giving more people the chance to go to university is good, but we should also make sure the education is still good quality.
(Word count: 181)
Explanation of Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay Explanation
This essay demonstrates the qualities of a high band score (8-9) for several reasons:
- Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and clearly stating the writer’s opinion.
- Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear progression throughout. It uses a variety of cohesive devices effectively.
- Lexical Resource: It uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy.
Band 6-7 Essay Explanation
This essay demonstrates the qualities of a mid-range band score (6-7) for the following reasons:
- Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, though some aspects are covered more thoroughly than others.
- Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, but the relationships between ideas could be clearer in some places.
- Lexical Resource: It uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, with some attempts at less common vocabulary.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with generally good control.
Band 5-6 Essay Explanation
This essay demonstrates the qualities of a lower band score (5-6) for these reasons:
- Task Response: The essay addresses the task in a general way but some points are underdeveloped.
- Coherence and Cohesion: There is a clear overall structure, but paragraphing is not always logical.
- Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is limited but adequate for basic communication on the topic.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses mainly simple sentences with some attempts at complex structures.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Accessible (adjective) /əkˈsesəbl/ – able to be reached or easily obtained
- Contention (noun) /kənˈtenʃən/ – heated disagreement
- Catalyst (noun) /ˈkætəlɪst/ – something that causes activity between two or more persons or forces
- Perpetuate (verb) /pərˈpetʃueɪt/ – make something continue indefinitely
- Cohesion (noun) /koʊˈhiːʒən/ – the action or fact of forming a united whole
- Dilution (noun) /daɪˈluːʃən/ – the action of making something weaker in force, content, or value
- Nurture (verb) /ˈnɜːrtʃər/ – care for and encourage the growth or development of
- Democratizing (verb) /dɪˈmɒkrətaɪzɪŋ/ – make (something) accessible to everyone
- Rigorous (adjective) /ˈrɪɡərəs/ – extremely thorough, exhaustive, or accurate
- Innovative (adjective) /ˈɪnəveɪtɪv/ – featuring new methods; advanced and original
diverse students
Conclusion
The topic of higher education accessibility is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. To prepare, practice writing essays on related themes such as:
- The role of government in funding higher education
- The impact of free university education on society
- The balance between vocational training and academic education
Remember, the key to success in IELTS Writing Task 2 is to address all parts of the question, organize your ideas clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and support your arguments with relevant examples.
We encourage you to practice writing an essay on the topic provided in this article. Share your essay in the comments section below for feedback and discussion. This active practice is an excellent way to improve your writing skills and prepare for the IELTS exam.
For more IELTS Writing Task 2 practice, you might find these related articles helpful:
- Why Governments Should Promote Free Healthcare Systems
- Why Mental Health Services Should Be Universal
- Importance of Financial Education in Reducing Inequality
These topics share similar themes of accessibility and social equity, which can help you build a broader vocabulary and argument base for discussing issues related to higher education accessibility.
