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IELTS Writing Task 2:
Drug Legalization (Two Part Question) — Band 6/7/8/9 Model Answers

IELTS Writing Task 2 drug legalization two part question sample answers. Get Band 6, 7, 8, 9 model essays with expert scoring analysis.

IELTS Writing Task 2: Drug Legalization (Two Part Question) — Band 6/7/8/9 Model Answers | English AIdol Blog

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IELTS Writing Task 2 drug legalization two part question sample answers. Get Band 6, 7, 8, 9 model essays with expert scoring analysis.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: Drug Legalization (Two Part Question) — Band 6/7/8/9 Model Answers

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The Prompt

Prompts like this appear in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams:

> Some people believe that legalizing drugs can reduce crime and improve public health, while others argue that it would lead to increased drug abuse. To what extent do you agree or disagree? In your opinion, what would be the most effective strategies for governments to address the issue of drug use?

Model Answers with Scoring Breakdowns

Band 6.0 Answer

Scoring Breakdown:

  • Task Response (TR): 5.0 (Presents a position but with limited development and relevance to the question)
  • Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 6.0 (Uses some cohesive devices but with frequent errors and unclear progression)
  • Lexical Resource (LR): 6.0 (Uses a mix of appropriate and inappropriate vocabulary with some errors)
  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 6.0 (Attempts complex sentences but with frequent errors)

Answer:

Some people think legalizing drugs can reduce crime and improve health. I agree with this idea. Legalizing drugs can help control their quality and reduce illegal activities. For example, in Portugal, drug use is decriminalized, and the government provides treatment instead of punishment. This has led to fewer deaths and better public health.

To address drug use, governments should focus on education and treatment. Schools should teach students about the dangers of drugs. Additionally, governments should provide rehabilitation programs for addicts. This can help people recover and reduce crime rates. In conclusion, legalizing drugs can be beneficial, but education and treatment are also important.

Band 7.0 Answer

Scoring Breakdown:

  • Task Response (TR): 7.0 (Presents a clear position with some extension and support)
  • Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 7.0 (Uses cohesive devices effectively but with some repetition and minor errors)
  • Lexical Resource (LR): 7.0 (Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary with some less precise word choices)
  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 7.0 (Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with some errors)

Answer:

The legalization of drugs is a controversial issue. I believe that legalizing drugs can reduce crime and improve public health, but only if strict regulations are in place. For instance, in countries where drugs are legalized, the government can control the quality and distribution, reducing the power of drug cartels. This has been seen in places like Uruguay, where marijuana is legal, and crime rates have dropped.

Effective strategies for addressing drug use include education, regulation, and treatment. Governments should invest in public awareness campaigns to inform people about the risks of drug use. Additionally, they should provide support services for those who are addicted. For example, Canada has implemented harm reduction programs that have successfully reduced overdose deaths. In conclusion, while legalization has potential benefits, it must be accompanied by strong policies to ensure public safety and health.

Band 8.0 Answer

Scoring Breakdown:

  • Task Response (TR): 8.0 (Presents a clear position with detailed, relevant, and extended support)
  • Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 8.0 (Uses cohesive devices effectively with a clear progression of ideas)
  • Lexical Resource (LR): 8.0 (Uses a wide range of vocabulary with precise word choices and minimal errors)
  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 8.0 (Uses a variety of complex sentence structures with frequent errors)

Answer:

The debate over drug legalization has gained significant traction in recent years. I firmly believe that legalizing drugs can mitigate crime and enhance public health, provided it is approached with a comprehensive strategy. Legalization can dismantle the illegal drug market by transferring control to regulated entities, thereby reducing violent crime and ensuring product safety. For example, Portugal's decriminalization policy has led to a 90% reduction in drug-related HIV infections and a 50% decrease in drug-related deaths since 2001.

To effectively address drug use, governments must implement a multi-faceted approach. Firstly, extensive educational programs should be launched to inform the public about the dangers of drug abuse. Secondly, strict regulations should be enforced to control the quality and distribution of legal drugs. Lastly, robust treatment and rehabilitation programs are essential to support those struggling with addiction. Countries like Switzerland have successfully integrated these strategies, resulting in a significant decline in drug-related harm. In conclusion, while legalization offers potential benefits, it must be coupled with stringent regulations and support systems to ensure its success.

Band 9.0 Answer

Scoring Breakdown:

  • Task Response (TR): 9.0 (Presents a clear, fully developed position with relevant, extended, and supported ideas)
  • Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 9.0 (Uses cohesive devices effectively with a clear progression and logical flow of ideas)
  • Lexical Resource (LR): 9.0 (Uses a wide range of vocabulary with precise word choices and minimal errors)
  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 9.0 (Uses a variety of complex sentence structures with frequent error-free sentences)

Answer:

The legalization of drugs has emerged as a contentious issue with compelling arguments on both sides. I contend that legalization can indeed reduce crime and improve public health, but only if it is implemented within a robust regulatory framework. By legalizing drugs, governments can erode the power of criminal organizations, as evidenced by the experience of countries like the Netherlands, where drug-related crime has significantly diminished since the decriminalization of cannabis. Furthermore, legalization enables governments to control the quality and purity of drugs, thereby reducing health risks associated with contaminated substances.

To effectively address the issue of drug use, governments should adopt a holistic approach that encompasses education, regulation, and treatment. Comprehensive public awareness campaigns are essential to educate individuals about the perils of drug abuse. Simultaneously, strict regulatory measures must be enforced to monitor the production, distribution, and consumption of legal drugs. Additionally, investing in treatment and rehabilitation programs is crucial to support individuals struggling with addiction. For instance, Australia's harm minimization strategy has proven effective in reducing drug-related harm and promoting public health. In conclusion, while the legalization of drugs presents a viable solution, it must be accompanied by stringent regulations and comprehensive support systems to ensure its efficacy and to safeguard public well-being.

Vocabulary Highlights

  1. Decriminalized (adjective) - Made or declared no longer subject to legal restrictions or penalties.
  • Example: