IELTS Writing Task 2: University Tuition Fees (Agree Disagree) — Band 6/7/8/9 Model Answers

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The Prompt

Some people believe that university tuition fees should be abolished. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Model Answers

Band 6.0 Answer

The idea of free university education is popular, but I disagree with this view. I believe that students should pay for their education because it has many benefits.

Firstly, paying for university helps students to value their education more. When people pay for something, they tend to work harder and appreciate it more. For example, in countries where university is free, many students do not study seriously. They know that they do not have to pay, so they do not try hard. This is not good for their future or for society.

Secondly, if university is free, the government has to pay for it. This means that taxpayers' money is used for education instead of other important things like hospitals or roads. This is not fair because not everyone goes to university. People who do not go to university should not have to pay for those who do.

In conclusion, I believe that university tuition fees should not be abolished. Students should pay for their education because it helps them to value it more and it is fairer for taxpayers.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 5.0 - Presents a clear position but with some irrelevant points.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 6.0 - Ideas are logically organized but with some unclear referencing.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 6.0 - Uses some less common vocabulary but with some errors.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 6.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms but with frequent errors.

Band 7.0 Answer

The notion of abolishing university tuition fees has gained traction, but I firmly disagree with this perspective. I contend that students should bear the cost of their higher education for several compelling reasons.

To begin with, tuition fees instill a sense of responsibility and commitment in students. When individuals invest financially in their education, they are more likely to approach their studies with dedication and seriousness. For instance, research conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) indicates that students in countries with higher tuition fees tend to achieve better academic outcomes. This suggests that financial investment correlates with academic success.

Moreover, the financial burden of free university education would fall on taxpayers. This is inequitable, as not all citizens benefit from higher education. For example, individuals who pursue vocational training or enter the workforce directly after secondary school would be subsidizing the education of university students. This redistribution of funds is not only unfair but also economically inefficient.

In conclusion, the abolition of university tuition fees is not a viable solution. Students should contribute to the cost of their education to foster responsibility and ensure fairness for all taxpayers.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 7.0 - Presents a clear position with relevant, extended, and supported arguments.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 7.0 - Uses cohesive devices effectively but with some less obvious ones.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 7.0 - Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary with some less common lexical items but some errors.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 7.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with frequent but not systematic errors.

Band 8.0 Answer

The proposal to eliminate university tuition fees is a contentious issue, and while it has its proponents, I strongly disagree with this stance. I argue that maintaining tuition fees is beneficial for both students and society at large.

Primarily, tuition fees serve as a motivator for students to excel academically. When students invest financially in their education, they are more likely to take their studies seriously and strive for excellence. Empirical evidence from the National Center for Education Statistics in the United States supports this claim, showing that students in institutions with higher tuition fees tend to have higher graduation rates and better career prospects. This demonstrates that financial investment can drive academic success.

Additionally, the cost of free university education would be substantial and could divert funds from other critical public services. For example, in countries where higher education is free, such as Germany, the government allocates a significant portion of its budget to education, often at the expense of healthcare and infrastructure. This allocation of resources can lead to suboptimal outcomes in other sectors, ultimately affecting the quality of life for all citizens.

In conclusion, the abolition of university tuition fees is not a prudent policy. Maintaining tuition fees ensures that students remain motivated and that public funds are allocated more equitably across various sectors.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 8.0 - Presents a clear position with relevant, extended, and supported arguments, and presents a clear conclusion.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 8.0 - Uses cohesive devices effectively and skillfully manages progression and referencing.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 8.0 - Uses a wide range of vocabulary with less common lexical items but some less precise collocations.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 8.0 - Uses a wide range of complex sentence forms with frequent but not systematic errors.

Band 9.0 Answer

The debate surrounding the abolition of university tuition fees is multifaceted, but I firmly contend that maintaining tuition fees is essential for fostering academic excellence and ensuring equitable resource allocation.

Firstly, tuition fees act as a catalyst for academic diligence. When students bear the financial burden of their education, they are more likely to approach their studies with a sense of purpose and commitment. This is corroborated by a comprehensive study conducted by the Cambridge Assessment English, which revealed that students in fee-paying institutions exhibit higher levels of engagement and achieve superior academic outcomes. This underscores the intrinsic link between financial investment and educational attainment.

Furthermore, the financial implications of free university education are profound. The burden of funding higher education would inevitably fall on taxpayers, many of whom do not benefit directly from university education. For instance, in countries like Sweden, where higher education is free, the government's education budget has grown exponentially, often at the expense of other vital public services. This diversion of funds can lead to a decline in the quality of other essential services, ultimately affecting the well-being of the entire population.

In conclusion, the abolition of university tuition fees is not a viable solution. Maintaining tuition fees ensures that students remain motivated and that public funds are allocated judiciously across various sectors, ultimately benefiting society as a whole.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 9.0 - Presents a clear position with relevant, extended, and supported arguments, and presents a clear conclusion.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 9.0 - Uses cohesive devices effectively and skillfully manages progression and referencing.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 9.0 - Uses a wide range of vocabulary with less common lexical items and precise collocations.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 9.0 - Uses a wide range of complex sentence forms with frequent error-free sentences.

Vocabulary Highlights

1. Abolished (verb) - to officially end or cancel something: The government abolished the old law.
2. Traction (noun) - the act of gaining support or popularity: The new policy has gained traction among voters.
3. Instill (verb) - to gradually make someone have a quality or feeling: The teacher tried to instill a love of reading in her students.
4. Dedication (noun) - the quality of being committed to a task or purpose: Her dedication to her work was evident in her achievements.
5. Correlates (verb) - to have a mutual or reciprocal relationship: The data correlates with our hypothesis.
6. Contentious (adjective) - causing or likely to cause disagreement: The issue of tuition fees is a contentious one.
7. Motivator (noun) - something that encourages someone to do something: Financial incentives can be a strong motivator.
8. Empirical (adjective) - based on observation or experience rather than theory: Empirical evidence supports the hypothesis.
9. Suboptimal (adjective) - less than optimal; not the best possible: The current system leads to suboptimal outcomes.
10. Prudent (adjective) - acting with or showing care and thought for the future: It is prudent to save money for retirement.
11. Diligence (noun) - careful and persistent work or effort: Her diligence paid off when she received the promotion.
12. Corroborated (verb) - to confirm or support a statement or theory: The evidence corroborates our findings.
13. Exponentially (adverb) - in a way that increases very rapidly: The cost of living has increased exponentially.
14. Judiciously (adverb) - in a way that shows good judgment: The funds were allocated judiciously.
15. Well-being (noun) - the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy: The government's policies aim to improve the well-being of its citizens.
16. Intrinsic (adjective) - belonging naturally; essential: The intrinsic value of education cannot be overstated.
17. Allocation (noun) - the process of distributing something: The allocation of resources was fair and equitable.
18. Multifaceted (adjective) - having many different aspects or features: The issue is multifaceted and complex.
19. Stance (noun) - a person's opinion or attitude about a particular issue: Her stance on the issue was clear and unwavering.
20. Catalyst (noun) - a person or event that quickly causes change or action: The new policy acted as a catalyst for reform.

Common Mistakes

1. Overgeneralization: Students often make sweeping statements without sufficient evidence or examples. For instance, saying that all students who pay tuition fees perform better without any data to support this claim.
2. Lack of Clarity: Some students fail to clearly state their position or provide a clear conclusion. This can confuse the reader and weaken the argument.
3. Irrelevant Points: Including points that do not directly address the question can detract from the main argument. For example, discussing the cost of primary education when the question is about university tuition fees.
4. Poor Vocabulary Choices: Using vague or inappropriate words can weaken the argument. For example, using the word 'stuff' instead of 'resources' or 'items' can make the writing seem less formal.
5. Grammatical Errors: Frequent grammatical mistakes can make the writing difficult to understand. For example, using incorrect verb tenses or subject-verb agreement can confuse the reader.

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