IELTS Writing Task 2 Question

In some countries, the government fully funds all university courses while in others, students have to pay for their own education. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each approach and give your opinion.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Answer

Score 6

In various countries, there are different approaches to university education funding. Some governments pay for all university courses, while in other places, students must cover their own educational costs. Both ways have advantages and disadvantages, which I will discuss in this essay.

Firstly, when the government funds all university courses, more students have the opportunity to attend university. This approach creates a more equal society where everyone can access higher education regardless of their financial background. However, this can lead to oversupply of graduates in certain fields, resulting in unemployment or underemployment.

On the other hand, when students pay for their own education, it may encourage them to choose a career path more carefully, as they will be responsible for paying back their loans. This can lead to a more diverse workforce, as students will select majors that are in high demand. However, this approach can also create an unequal society where only the wealthy can afford higher education.

In my opinion, a combination of both approaches would be the best solution. The government could provide financial aid for students from low-income backgrounds, while others could pay for their education. This would ensure that everyone has the opportunity to attend university, and also encourage students to select their career path wisely.

In conclusion, both government-funded and self-funded university education have their advantages and disadvantages. A balance between the two approaches should be considered to ensure equal access to higher education and a diverse workforce.

In some countries, the government fully funds all university courses while in others, students have to pay for their own education. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each approach and give your opinion.

In various countries, there are different approaches to university education funding. Some governments pay for all university courses, while in other places, students must cover their own educational costs. Both ways have advantages and disadvantages, which I will discuss in this essay.

Firstly, when the government funds all university courses, more students have the opportunity to attend university. This approach creates a more equal society where everyone can access higher education regardless of their financial background. However, this can lead to oversupply of graduates in certain fields, resulting in unemployment or underemployment.

On the other hand, when students pay for their own education, it may encourage them to choose a career path more carefully, as they will be responsible for paying back their loans. This can lead to a more diverse workforce, as students will select majors that are in high demand. However, this approach can also create an unequal society where only the wealthy can afford higher education.

In my opinion, a combination of both approaches would be the best solution. The government could provide financial aid for students from low-income backgrounds, while others could pay for their education. This would ensure that everyone has the opportunity to attend university, and also encourage students to select their career path wisely.

In conclusion, both government-funded and self-funded university education have their advantages and disadvantages. A balance between the two approaches should be considered to ensure equal access to higher education and a diverse workforce.

Examiner Feedback

  1. Task response: The response covers both advantages and disadvantages of each approach, but could be improved by providing more specific examples and elaborating on the points made. Additionally, the opinion could be more clearly justified.
  2. Coherence and cohesion: The essay is generally well-structured, but could benefit from more cohesive devices to improve the flow and better connect the ideas.
  3. Vocabulary: The vocabulary used is adequate but could be more varied and precise to express ideas more effectively.
  4. Grammar: The grammar is mostly accurate, but there is room for improvement in terms of sentence structure and variety.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Answer

Score 8

In numerous countries around the globe, there are contrasting methods of financing higher education. In some nations, the government bears the full financial burden of university courses, while in others, students are required to fund their own education. This essay will delve into the advantages and disadvantages of each approach and provide a personal opinion on the matter.

A significant advantage of government-funded education is that it fosters an egalitarian society, allowing individuals from diverse socio-economic backgrounds to access higher education. By reducing financial barriers, the government enables a wider pool of talent to contribute to the workforce, fostering innovation and economic growth. However, a notable downside of this approach is that it may lead to an oversupply of graduates in certain fields, such as humanities, causing a mismatch between labor market demands and the available workforce.

Conversely, a system where students finance their own education might encourage them to meticulously evaluate their career options, selecting majors with favorable job prospects. This approach can result in a more efficient allocation of resources within the education sector, as well as a better alignment between the needs of the economy and the skills of the workforce. Nevertheless, such a system risks exacerbating social inequality, as only those with the financial means can pursue higher education, leaving underprivileged individuals at a disadvantage.

In my view, an optimal solution would be a hybrid approach that combines the benefits of both systems. Governments should provide needs-based financial assistance, such as grants or low-interest loans, to ensure that students from low-income backgrounds have equal opportunities to access higher education. Simultaneously, those who can afford it should be encouraged to partially or fully finance their education.

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The IELTS Writing Task 2 is an essay writing task in which test-takers are required to write a 250-word essay in response to a given prompt or question. The task assesses the ability of the test-taker to present a clear and well-structured argument, use appropriate vocabulary and grammar, and provide relevant examples and supporting evidence.