IELTS Writing Task 2: Scientific Funding — Band 7.5 Sample with Full Breakdown
Related guides:
The Prompt
Paraphrased Prompt:
Governments worldwide allocate significant funds to scientific research. However, some argue that this money could be better spent on immediate societal needs. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this viewpoint?
Band 7.5 Sample Answer
Sample Answer (Band 7.5)
The allocation of government funds to scientific research has long been a contentious issue. While some advocate for redirecting these funds to address immediate societal needs, I firmly believe that investing in scientific research is crucial for long-term societal benefits.
On one hand, proponents of redirecting funds argue that immediate needs such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure require urgent attention. For instance, in developing countries, basic healthcare facilities are often inadequate, leading to preventable diseases and high mortality rates. Additionally, education systems in many regions are underfunded, limiting the potential of future generations. These arguments highlight the pressing need for funds to be allocated to areas that can provide immediate relief and improve the quality of life for citizens.
However, I contend that scientific research is equally important. Advances in science and technology have led to groundbreaking discoveries that have transformed societies. For example, the development of vaccines has eradicated deadly diseases, and advancements in renewable energy have provided sustainable solutions to environmental challenges. Moreover, scientific research often leads to economic growth and job creation, benefiting society in the long run. Therefore, while immediate needs are important, investing in scientific research is essential for sustainable development.
In conclusion, while it is crucial to address immediate societal needs, the long-term benefits of scientific research cannot be overlooked. A balanced approach that allocates funds to both immediate needs and scientific research is necessary for the overall well-being and progress of society.
Scoring Breakdown
Task Response (TR):
- Presents a clear position throughout the response.
- Provides relevant, extended, and supported ideas.
- Logical development with clear progression.
Coherence and Cohesion (CC):
- Uses cohesive devices effectively to connect ideas.
- Paragraphs are logically organized.
- Uses a range of cohesive devices appropriately.
Lexical Resource (LR):
- Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey precise meanings.
- Some less common lexical items are used appropriately.
- Some less common lexical items are used with some awareness of style and collocation.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA):
- Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms.
- Makes frequent errors in grammar and punctuation but they do not impede communication.
Vocabulary Highlights
- Contentious (adjective): Causing or likely to cause disagreement or argument.
- Example: The allocation of government funds to scientific research has long been a contentious issue.
- Advocate (verb): Publicly recommend or support.
- Example: Proponents of redirecting funds argue that immediate needs require urgent attention.
- Inadequate (adjective): Lacking the quality to be sufficient or acceptable.
- Example: Basic healthcare facilities are often inadequate, leading to preventable diseases.
- Eradicated (verb): Destroy completely; put an end to.
- Example: The development of vaccines has eradicated deadly diseases.
- Sustainable (adjective): Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without depleting natural resources.
- Example: Advancements in renewable energy have provided sustainable solutions to environmental challenges.
- Balanced (adjective): Carefully considered to include a variety of views or influences.
- Example: A balanced approach that allocates funds to both immediate needs and scientific research is necessary.
- Transformed (verb): Changed in form, appearance, or character; transformed.
- Example: Advances in science and technology have transformed societies.
- Groundbreaking (adjective): Introducing radical new ideas; innovative or revolutionary.
- Example: Scientific research often leads to groundbreaking discoveries.
- Urgent (adjective): Requiring immediate action or attention.
- Example: Immediate needs such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure require urgent attention.
- Long-term (adjective): Lasting or intended to last or yield results over a long period.
- Example: The long-term benefits of scientific research cannot be overlooked.
- Pressing (adjective): Requiring immediate action or attention.
- Example: These arguments highlight the pressing need for funds to be allocated to areas that can provide immediate relief.
- Preventable (adjective): Able to be prevented.
- Example: Basic healthcare facilities are often inadequate, leading to preventable diseases.
- Transformed (verb): Changed in form, appearance, or character; transformed.
- Example: Advances in science and technology have transformed societies.
- Allocate (verb): Distribute (resources or funds) for a particular purpose.
- Example: Governments worldwide allocate significant funds to scientific research.
- Immediate (adjective): Occurring or done at once; instant.
- Example: Immediate needs such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure require urgent attention.
- Benefits (noun): Advantageous or useful features.
- Example: The long-term benefits of scientific research cannot be overlooked.
- Societal (adjective): Relating to society or its organization.
- Example: The allocation of government funds to scientific research has long been a contentious issue.
- Economic (adjective): Relating to the economy of a country or region.
- Example: Scientific research often leads to economic growth and job creation.
- Environmental (adjective): Relating to the natural world and the impact of human activity on its conditions.
- Example: Advancements in renewable energy have provided sustainable solutions to environmental challenges.
- Overall (adjective): Considering everything.
- Example: A balanced approach is necessary for the overall well-being and progress of society.
Common Mistakes Students Make
- Lack of Clear Position: Some students fail to present a clear position, leading to a lower score in Task Response.
- Inadequate Examples: Using vague or irrelevant examples can weaken the argument and reduce the score in Task Response.
- Poor Cohesion: Inadequate use of cohesive devices can make the response difficult to follow, affecting the Coherence and Cohesion score.
- Limited Vocabulary: Using a limited range of vocabulary can result in a lower score in Lexical Resource.
- Grammatical Errors: Frequent grammatical errors can impede communication and lower the Grammatical Range and Accuracy score.
Get Your Own Response Scored by AI on English AIdol
Practice makes perfect. Get your own IELTS Writing Task 2 response scored by AI on English AIdol and receive detailed feedback to improve your score.
