IELTS Writing Task 2: Scientific Funding — Band 9.0 Sample with Full Breakdown
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Prompt
Some people believe that governments should fund scientific research, while others argue that private companies should be responsible for this. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Model Answers
Band 6.0 Answer
Governments should fund scientific research because it is important for society. Private companies only care about making money, so they will not invest in research that does not make a profit. For example, medical research for rare diseases may not be profitable, but it is still important. Governments can fund this research because they care about people's health. On the other hand, private companies can do research faster and more efficiently because they have more resources. They can also patent new inventions and make money from them. In conclusion, both governments and private companies should fund scientific research, but governments should fund more because they care about society.
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): The answer presents a position but does not fully address all parts of the prompt. It is relevant but lacks depth.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): The ideas are logically organized but lack clear cohesive devices. The answer is easy to follow but not sophisticated.
- Lexical Resource (LR): The vocabulary is adequate but limited in range and accuracy. Some errors in word choice and collocation are present.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): The sentence structures are simple and mostly accurate, but there is a lack of complex sentences.
Band 7.0 Answer
The funding of scientific research is a contentious issue, with proponents of government funding arguing that it is essential for societal progress, while advocates for private sector involvement contend that it fosters innovation and efficiency. Governments have a responsibility to invest in research that benefits the public, such as healthcare and environmental studies. For instance, government-funded research has led to breakthroughs in treating diseases like cancer. Conversely, private companies can allocate resources more effectively and drive technological advancements. They can also commercialize research, which can lead to economic growth. However, their primary motivation is profit, which may not always align with societal needs. In my opinion, a balanced approach is necessary, with governments funding research that benefits society and private companies investing in areas that drive innovation.
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): The answer fully addresses all parts of the prompt and presents a clear position. It is relevant and well-developed.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): The ideas are logically organized and use a mix of cohesive devices. The answer is easy to follow and well-structured.
- Lexical Resource (LR): The vocabulary is varied and appropriate. There are some errors in word choice and collocation, but they do not impede understanding.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): The sentence structures are varied and mostly accurate. There are some errors, but they are not frequent enough to impede understanding.
Band 8.0 Answer
The debate over who should fund scientific research, governments or private companies, is multifaceted and warrants careful consideration. Proponents of government funding argue that it is crucial for addressing societal needs and promoting the public good. For example, government-funded research has led to significant advancements in fields such as medicine and environmental science. Moreover, governments can prioritize research that may not be profitable but is essential for societal well-being. On the other hand, private companies can drive innovation and efficiency through their ability to allocate resources strategically. They can also commercialize research, leading to economic growth. However, their primary motivation is profit, which may not always align with societal needs. In my view, a collaborative approach is ideal, with governments funding research that benefits society and private companies investing in areas that drive innovation.
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): The answer fully addresses all parts of the prompt and presents a clear, well-supported position. It is relevant, well-developed, and logically organized.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): The ideas are logically organized and use a wide range of cohesive devices. The answer is easy to follow and well-structured.
- Lexical Resource (LR): The vocabulary is varied and sophisticated. There are few errors in word choice and collocation.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): The sentence structures are varied and complex. There are few errors, and they do not impede understanding.
Band 9.0 Answer
The funding of scientific research is a critical issue that demands a nuanced understanding of the roles played by governments and private companies. Advocates for government funding contend that it is indispensable for addressing societal needs and promoting the public good. For instance, government-funded research has led to groundbreaking advancements in fields such as healthcare and environmental sustainability. Furthermore, governments can prioritize research that may not be profitable but is essential for societal well-being. Conversely, private companies can drive innovation and efficiency through their ability to allocate resources strategically. They can also commercialize research, leading to economic growth. However, their primary motivation is profit, which may not always align with societal needs. In my opinion, a synergistic approach is optimal, with governments funding research that benefits society and private companies investing in areas that drive innovation. This collaborative model ensures that both societal needs and economic growth are addressed effectively.
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): The answer fully addresses all parts of the prompt and presents a clear, well-supported position. It is relevant, well-developed, and logically organized.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): The ideas are logically organized and use a wide range of cohesive devices. The answer is easy to follow and well-structured.
- Lexical Resource (LR): The vocabulary is varied, sophisticated, and precise. There are no errors in word choice and collocation.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): The sentence structures are varied, complex, and accurate. There are no errors that impede understanding.
Vocabulary Highlights
- Contentious (adj.): Controversial or disputed.
- Example: The issue of scientific funding is highly contentious.
- Proponents (n.): Supporters or advocates.
- Example: Proponents of government funding argue for its societal benefits.
- Breakthroughs (n.): Significant advances or discoveries.
- Example: Government-funded research has led to breakthroughs in medicine.
- Allocate (v.): To distribute or assign resources.
- Example: Private companies can allocate resources more effectively.
- Commercialize (v.): To make something available for sale.
- Example: Private companies can commercialize research findings.
- Strategically (adv.): In a planned or calculated manner.
- Example: Private companies can allocate resources strategically.
- Aligned (adj.): In agreement or harmony.
- Example: The motivations of private companies may not always align with societal needs.
- Collaborative (adj.): Involving cooperation or teamwork.
- Example: A collaborative approach is ideal for funding scientific research.
- Synergistic (adj.): Producing a combined effect greater than the sum of individual effects.
- Example: A synergistic approach ensures both societal needs and economic growth are addressed.
- Indispensable (adj.): Essential or crucial.
- Example: Government funding is indispensable for addressing societal needs.
- Groundbreaking (adj.): Innovative or revolutionary.
- Example: Government-funded research has led to groundbreaking advancements.
- Sustainability (n.): The ability to maintain or support a process over time.
- Example: Environmental sustainability is a key area of government-funded research.
- Prioritize (v.): To give higher priority or importance to something.
- Example: Governments can prioritize research that benefits society.
- Efficiency (n.): The ability to produce desired results with minimal waste.
- Example: Private companies can drive innovation and efficiency.
- Motivation (n.): The reason or incentive for doing something.
- Example: The primary motivation of private companies is profit.
Common Mistakes Students Make
- Lack of Clear Position: Many students fail to present a clear position on the issue, leading to a lower Task Response score.
- Inadequate Vocabulary: Using limited or repetitive vocabulary can negatively impact the Lexical Resource score.
- Poor Cohesion: Insufficient use of cohesive devices can make the answer difficult to follow, affecting the Coherence and Cohesion score.
- Grammatical Errors: Frequent grammatical errors can lower the Grammatical Range and Accuracy score.
- Irrelevant Information: Including information that is not relevant to the prompt can detract from the overall quality of the response.
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