IELTS Writing Task 2: Private Vs Public Research - Band 8.0 Sample with Full Breakdown
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The Prompt
Some people think that private companies should fund scientific research rather than governments. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Model Answers
Band 6.0 Answer
The government should pay for scientific research because private companies cannot be trusted. I disagree with this.
Private companies want to make money, so they will only research things that can make them profit. For example, they might research new medicines, but only if they think they can sell them for a lot of money. This means that important research that does not make money, like finding cures for rare diseases, might not happen.
Also, private companies might not share their research with everyone. They might keep it secret so that they can make more money. This is bad because scientific research should be for everyone, not just for making money.
In conclusion, I think the government should pay for scientific research because private companies cannot be trusted to do it properly.
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): Addresses the task but presents a limited position with some relevant arguments. (Band 5.0)
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Presents a clear progression of ideas but with some repetition and lack of complex structures. (Band 6.0)
- Lexical Resource (LR): Uses some less common vocabulary but with some errors and limited range. (Band 6.0)
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Makes frequent grammatical errors and has limited sentence variety. (Band 5.0)
Band 7.0 Answer
In my opinion, both private companies and governments should fund scientific research, but for different reasons.
Private companies are often more efficient than governments when it comes to research and development. They have a strong incentive to innovate and find new solutions because their profits depend on it. For instance, tech companies like Apple and Samsung invest heavily in research to develop new products that can give them a competitive edge. This drive for innovation can lead to significant advancements in technology and other fields.
However, governments also play a crucial role in funding scientific research. They have the responsibility to ensure that research is conducted for the public good, not just for profit. Governments can fund research into areas that private companies might ignore, such as basic science or research into diseases that affect only a small number of people. Additionally, governments can provide the long-term funding that some research projects require, which private companies might not be willing to provide.
In conclusion, both private companies and governments should fund scientific research, but they should focus on different areas. Private companies can drive innovation and development, while governments can ensure that research is conducted for the public good.
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): Presents a clear position with relevant, extended arguments. (Band 7.0)
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Presents a clear progression of ideas with some use of cohesive devices. (Band 7.0)
- Lexical Resource (LR): Uses a mix of common and less common vocabulary with some awareness of style and collocation. (Band 7.0)
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Makes some grammatical errors but has a mix of simple and complex sentence forms. (Band 7.0)
Band 8.0 Answer
The debate over who should fund scientific research, private companies or governments, is a contentious one. I firmly believe that both entities have crucial roles to play, but their priorities should differ.
Private companies, driven by the profit motive, tend to focus on research that has immediate commercial applications. This can lead to rapid advancements in areas like technology and medicine, where the potential for financial gain is high. For example, pharmaceutical companies invest heavily in research and development to create new drugs that can treat common ailments, as the return on investment is substantial. However, this focus on profitability can lead to neglect of areas that are less lucrative but equally important, such as research into rare diseases or basic scientific principles.
On the other hand, governments have a broader mandate to serve the public interest. They can fund research that might not have immediate commercial applications but is crucial for societal progress. For instance, governments often fund basic scientific research, which forms the foundation for future technological advancements. Additionally, governments can provide the long-term funding that some research projects require, which private companies might find too risky or time-consuming. Moreover, governments can ensure that the results of scientific research are accessible to all, promoting equity and social welfare.
In conclusion, both private companies and governments should fund scientific research, but their priorities should differ. Private companies can drive innovation and development in areas with commercial potential, while governments can ensure that research is conducted for the public good and that the benefits are widely shared.
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): Presents a clear position with relevant, extended arguments and supports them with examples and explanations. (Band 8.0)
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Presents a clear progression of ideas with a mix of cohesive devices and some complex structures. (Band 8.0)
- Lexical Resource (LR): Uses less common lexis with skill and presents a style appropriate for the task. (Band 8.0)
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with frequent error-free sentences. (Band 8.0)
Vocabulary Highlights
- Contentious (adjective): Causing or likely to cause disagreement or argument.
- Example: The debate over who should fund scientific research is a contentious one.
- Profit motive (noun): The desire to make a profit.
- Example: Private companies, driven by the profit motive, tend to focus on research that has immediate commercial applications.
- Lucrative (adjective): Producing a great deal of profit.
- Example: Pharmaceutical companies invest heavily in research and development to create new drugs that can treat common ailments, as the return on investment is substantial.
- Mandate (noun): An official order or commission to do something.
- Example: Governments have a broader mandate to serve the public interest.
- Equity (noun): The quality of being fair and impartial.
- Example: Governments can ensure that the results of scientific research are accessible to all, promoting equity and social welfare.
- Advancements (noun): The process of moving forward in a purposeful way.
- Example: This drive for innovation can lead to significant advancements in technology and other fields.
- Incentive (noun): A thing that motivates or encourages someone to do something.
- Example: Private companies have a strong incentive to innovate and find new solutions.
- Competitive edge (noun): An advantage that makes a company more competitive in the market.
- Example: Tech companies invest heavily in research to develop new products that can give them a competitive edge.
- Basic science (noun): Scientific research that seeks to understand fundamental principles rather than to create practical applications.
- Example: Governments often fund basic scientific research, which forms the foundation for future technological advancements.
- Neglect (verb): To fail to care for properly.
- Example: This focus on profitability can lead to neglect of areas that are less lucrative but equally important.
- Foundation (noun): The basis or groundwork of anything.
- Example: Basic scientific research forms the foundation for future technological advancements.
- Accessible (adjective): Easily obtained or used.
- Example: Governments can ensure that the results of scientific research are accessible to all.
- Social welfare (noun): The health, happiness, and well-being of a society's citizens.
- Example: Governments can ensure that the results of scientific research are accessible to all, promoting equity and social welfare.
- Immediate (adjective): Happening or done without delay.
- Example: Private companies tend to focus on research that has immediate commercial applications.
- Potential (noun): Having or showing the capacity to develop into something in the future.
- Example: Private companies can drive innovation and development in areas with commercial potential.
Common Mistakes Students Make
- Overgeneralizing: Students often make sweeping statements without providing specific examples or explanations. For instance, saying "private companies are bad" without explaining why.
- Ignoring the Prompt: Some students fail to address the task directly, either by agreeing or disagreeing with the statement or by discussing unrelated topics.
- Lack of Cohesion: Students sometimes present ideas in a disjointed manner, making it difficult for the examiner to follow their argument. This can be avoided by using cohesive devices and organizing ideas logically.
- Limited Vocabulary: Using repetitive or basic vocabulary can limit the band score. Students should aim to use a range of less common lexis appropriately.
- Grammatical Errors: Frequent grammatical errors can significantly lower the band score. Students should proofread their work to minimize errors.
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