IELTS Writing Task 2: Private Vs Public Research (Two Part Question) — Band 6/7/8/9 Model Answers
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The Prompt
Prompt: Some people believe that private companies should fund scientific research rather than governments. Others argue that governments should be responsible for this funding. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Model Answers
Band 6.0 Answer
Score Breakdown:
- Task Response (TR): 5.0 - Presents a position but with limited development
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 6.0 - Ideas are logically organized but with some repetition
- Lexical Resource (LR): 6.0 - Uses some less common vocabulary but with some errors
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 6.0 - Makes frequent grammatical errors
Answer:
Private companies should fund scientific research because they can make more money. Governments should not fund research because they spend too much money on other things. Private companies have more money than governments. They can invest in research and make new products. This is good for the economy. Governments have to spend money on schools, hospitals, and roads. They do not have enough money for research. Private companies can also hire the best scientists. They can pay them more money. Governments cannot pay scientists as much. Therefore, private companies should fund scientific research.
Band 7.0 Answer
Score Breakdown:
- Task Response (TR): 7.0 - Presents a clear position with some development
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 7.0 - Ideas are logically organized with clear transitions
- Lexical Resource (LR): 7.0 - Uses a mix of common and less common vocabulary appropriately
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 7.0 - Makes some grammatical errors but generally accurate
Answer:
The debate over who should fund scientific research, private companies or governments, is a contentious one. Proponents of private funding argue that companies have the financial resources and the incentive to invest in research that can lead to profitable innovations. Additionally, private companies can offer competitive salaries to attract top talent, which can drive advancements in various fields. On the other hand, governments have the responsibility to allocate funds for the public good. They can invest in research that may not be immediately profitable but benefits society as a whole, such as medical research or environmental studies. In my opinion, a balance between private and public funding is ideal. Private companies can focus on profitable research, while governments can support research that benefits society.
Band 8.0 Answer
Score Breakdown:
- Task Response (TR): 8.0 - Presents a clear position with thorough development
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 8.0 - Ideas are logically organized with effective transitions
- Lexical Resource (LR): 8.0 - Uses a range of vocabulary with precision
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 8.0 - Makes occasional grammatical errors but generally accurate
Answer:
The question of who should fund scientific research, private companies or governments, has been a subject of intense debate. Advocates for private funding contend that companies have the financial acumen and the motivation to invest in research that can yield profitable outcomes. Moreover, private entities can offer lucrative compensation packages to attract the brightest minds, thereby fostering innovation. Conversely, governments have a vested interest in funding research that serves the public interest. They can allocate resources to areas such as healthcare and environmental conservation, which may not be immediately lucrative but are crucial for societal well-being. In my view, a collaborative approach is optimal. Private companies can drive innovation through profitable research, while governments can ensure that vital areas receive the necessary funding. This synergy can lead to a more balanced and effective research ecosystem.
Band 9.0 Answer
Score Breakdown:
- Task Response (TR): 9.0 - Presents a clear position with thorough development and insightful analysis
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 9.0 - Ideas are logically organized with sophisticated transitions
- Lexical Resource (LR): 9.0 - Uses a wide range of vocabulary with precision and sophistication
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 9.0 - Uses a wide range of grammatical structures with minimal errors
Answer:
The dichotomy between private and public funding of scientific research is a multifaceted issue that warrants careful consideration. Proponents of private funding argue that corporations possess the financial wherewithal and the strategic foresight to invest in research that can lead to groundbreaking innovations. Furthermore, private entities can offer competitive remuneration to attract top-tier talent, thereby accelerating the pace of discovery. Conversely, governments have a moral and ethical obligation to fund research that addresses societal needs. They can allocate resources to areas such as public health and environmental sustainability, which may not be immediately profitable but are essential for the collective good. In my opinion, a harmonious blend of private and public funding is the most efficacious approach. Private companies can drive innovation through market-driven research, while governments can ensure that critical areas receive the necessary support. This collaborative model can lead to a more equitable and sustainable research landscape.
Vocabulary Highlights
- Contentious: Causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial.
- Example: The debate over funding sources is highly contentious.
- Proponents: A person who advocates for a cause or proposal.
- Example: Proponents of private funding argue for market-driven research.
- Lucrative: Producing a great deal of profit.
- Example: Private companies can offer lucrative compensation packages.
- Vested Interest: A personal or financial interest in something.
- Example: Governments have a vested interest in public health research.
- Allocate: Distribute (resources or duties) for a particular purpose.
- Example: Governments can allocate resources to critical research areas.
- Synergy: The interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their individual effects.
- Example: A collaborative approach can create synergy in research funding.
- Efficacious: (Especially of a medicine or a remedy) producing a decided, beneficial effect.
- Example: A balanced approach is the most efficacious solution.
- Collective Good: The benefit or well-being of the community as a whole.
- Example: Governments should prioritize research for the collective good.
- Strategic Foresight: The ability to anticipate and prepare for future developments.
- Example: Private companies have strategic foresight in research investment.
- Accelerate: Increase in rate of some process.
- Example: Competitive salaries can accelerate the pace of discovery.
- Groundbreaking: Introducing an important new development or discovery.
- Example: Private funding can lead to groundbreaking innovations.
- Remuneration: Money paid for work or a service.
- Example: Private entities can offer competitive remuneration.
- Harmonious: Free from disagreement or dissent; peaceful.
- Example: A harmonious blend of funding sources is ideal.
- Sustainable: Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without depleting natural resources.
- Example: A collaborative model leads to a sustainable research landscape.
- Collective Good: The benefit or well-being of the community as a whole.
- Example: Governments should prioritize research for the collective good.
- Market-Driven: Determined or influenced by the forces of supply and demand in a market economy.
- Example: Private companies drive innovation through market-driven research.
- Equitable: Fair and impartial.
- Example: A collaborative model can lead to a more equitable research landscape.
- Accelerate: Increase in rate of some process.
- Example: Competitive salaries can accelerate the pace of discovery.
- Groundbreaking: Introducing an important new development or discovery.
- Example: Private funding can lead to groundbreaking innovations.
- Remuneration: Money paid for work or a service.
- Example: Private entities can offer competitive remuneration.
Common Mistakes
- Lack of Clear Position: Failing to state a clear opinion on the issue.
- Inadequate Development: Not providing enough supporting arguments and examples.
- Poor Organization: Lack of logical flow and clear structure in the essay.
- Vocabulary Errors: Using incorrect or inappropriate vocabulary.
- Grammatical Errors: Making frequent grammatical mistakes that hinder understanding.
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