IELTS Writing Task 2 essay with model answer

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic

Topic: Higher Education

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Model Answer:

There are different views on the question whether university education should be the privilege of a few, or should be for the broad masses. Arguments can be made for both positions, with cost considerations the most convincing one for the stance that says higher education ought to be restricted to those aiming for better jobs. However, both individuals and societies can profit greatly from a population that has a high level of education, and these benefits, in my opinion, trump the cost argument.

University education isn't cheap. Hence, those in favor of a goal-oriented approach that sees higher education as the end to a means. In this case better jobs, make a calculation where the cost of education is balanced by the contributions to society that are expected from the graduates. Take doctors or engineers, for example. Their education is costly, but the positive impact their work will have over their lifetimes is easily measured in monetary terms. The investment thus pays off.

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The positive outcomes from educating the broad public on a higher level are much less easy to measure. Or, the individual level, these may include expanded horizons and higher satisfaction in life. For societies, the benefits may encompass better decision making on multiple levels such as with regards to the environment, the economy, an at the voting booth. One instance where a higher base level of education would be beneficial at the moment is the question of whether climate change is real. If people, in general, had a better understanding of science, there likely wouldn't be such confusion, and false information would fall on deaf ears. Therefore, there are broad benefits of higher education that should not be underestimated.

In conclusion, while valid arguments can be made for both positions, I believe that those who wish to restrict university access to people seeking higher jobs take too narrow a view. Even though the benefits of higher education for the general public may be difficult to measure directly in terms of economics, they are no less real.

Total Words: 330

Task Achievement: 9

Coherence & Cohesion: 9

Lexical resources: 9

Grammar: 9

Overall Score: Band 9

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