IELTS Writing Task 2: University Tuition Fees — Band 9.0 Sample with Full Breakdown

Related guides:

• IELTS Writing Task 2 Renewable Energy Agree Disagree Sample…
• IELTS Writing Task 2 Deforestation Two Part Question Sample…
• IELTS Writing Task 2 Renewable Energy Two Part Question…
• IELTS Writing Task 2: Climate Change Discussion Sample Band…
• IELTS Writing Task 2: Recycling (Discussion) — Band 6/7/8/9…

The Prompt

Some people believe that universities should be free for all students regardless of their financial background. Others argue that university tuition fees should be charged to all students. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Model Answers

Band 6.0 Answer

The topic of whether universities should be free or not is a controversial one. Some people think that education should be free for everyone, while others believe that students should pay for their tuition. In my opinion, I agree with the latter view.

On one hand, those who support free university education argue that it is a fundamental right. They believe that everyone should have access to higher education, regardless of their financial situation. Additionally, free education can help reduce inequality in society. However, I disagree with this viewpoint because it can lead to a waste of resources. Not everyone is serious about studying, and if education is free, some people might not take it seriously.

On the other hand, those who support paying for university tuition argue that it encourages students to be more responsible. When students pay for their education, they are more likely to take it seriously and work hard. Additionally, tuition fees can help universities improve their facilities and resources. Therefore, I believe that students should pay for their tuition.

In conclusion, while free university education has its benefits, I believe that charging tuition fees is a better approach. It encourages responsibility and helps improve the quality of education.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 5.0 - Presents a position but with limited development.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 6.0 - Uses some cohesive devices but lacks overall progression.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 6.0 - Uses some less common vocabulary but with some inaccuracies.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 6.0 - Makes frequent grammatical errors that impede communication.

Band 7.0 Answer

The debate over whether universities should be free or charge tuition fees is a contentious one. Proponents of free education argue that it promotes equality, while those in favor of tuition fees contend that it fosters responsibility. I firmly believe that universities should charge tuition fees.

Advocates of free university education posit that it is a basic human right. They argue that access to higher education should not be contingent on one's financial status. Furthermore, free education can mitigate societal inequalities. However, this perspective overlooks the potential for misuse of resources. If education is free, some individuals may not take it seriously, leading to a waste of public funds.

Conversely, proponents of tuition fees argue that it instills a sense of responsibility in students. When students invest financially in their education, they are more likely to be committed and diligent. Additionally, tuition fees can be reinvested into universities to enhance facilities and resources. Therefore, I am convinced that charging tuition fees is the more pragmatic approach.

In conclusion, while free university education has its merits, the benefits of charging tuition fees outweigh them. It promotes accountability and improves the quality of education.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 7.0 - Presents a clear position with some development.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 7.0 - Uses cohesive devices effectively but with some inconsistencies.
• 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 they do not impede communication.

Band 8.0 Answer

The question of whether universities should be free or charge tuition fees is a complex and multifaceted issue. While some argue that free education promotes equality, others contend that tuition fees encourage responsibility. I am inclined to support the latter view.

Those who advocate for free university education assert that it is a fundamental right. They believe that access to higher education should not be restricted by financial constraints. Moreover, free education can help reduce societal disparities. However, this perspective fails to consider the potential for resource misallocation. If education is free, there is a risk that some individuals may not take it seriously, leading to a squandering of public resources.

On the other hand, those who support tuition fees argue that it fosters a sense of accountability in students. When students pay for their education, they are more likely to be committed and diligent. Furthermore, tuition fees can be used to improve university facilities and resources. Therefore, I am convinced that charging tuition fees is the more pragmatic approach.

In conclusion, while free university education has its advantages, the benefits of charging tuition fees are more compelling. It promotes responsibility and enhances the quality of education.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 8.0 - Presents a clear position with thorough development.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 8.0 - Uses cohesive devices effectively with clear progression.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 8.0 - Uses a range of vocabulary appropriately with some less common lexical items.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 8.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with some grammatical errors.

Band 9.0 Answer

The contentious issue of whether universities should be free or charge tuition fees has been a subject of debate for decades. While proponents of free education argue that it promotes equality, advocates of tuition fees contend that it fosters responsibility. I am firmly of the opinion that universities should charge tuition fees.

Proponents of free university education posit that it is a basic human right. They argue that access to higher education should not be contingent on one's financial status. Furthermore, free education can help mitigate societal inequalities. However, this perspective overlooks the potential for resource misallocation. If education is free, there is a risk that some individuals may not take it seriously, leading to a squandering of public resources. Additionally, free education can place a significant burden on taxpayers, who may not necessarily benefit from it.

Conversely, those who support tuition fees argue that it instills a sense of accountability in students. When students invest financially in their education, they are more likely to be committed and diligent. Moreover, tuition fees can be reinvested into universities to enhance facilities and resources, ultimately improving the quality of education. Additionally, tuition fees can help fund scholarships and financial aid for students who cannot afford to pay, ensuring that education remains accessible to all.

In conclusion, while free university education has its merits, the benefits of charging tuition fees are more substantial. It promotes responsibility, enhances the quality of education, and ensures that education remains accessible to all. Therefore, I firmly believe that universities should charge tuition fees.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 9.0 - Presents a clear position with thorough, supported, and extended development.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 9.0 - Uses cohesive devices effectively with clear progression and a logical organization.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 9.0 - Uses a wide range of vocabulary appropriately with frequent use of less common lexical items.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 9.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with frequent error-free sentences.

Vocabulary Highlights

1. Controversial: Debatable; likely to cause disagreement.

• Example: The topic of free university education is highly controversial.

1. Proponent: A person who advocates for a particular cause or belief.

• Example: Proponents of free education argue that it promotes equality.

1. Contingent: Dependent on something else happening first.

• Example: Access to higher education should not be contingent on financial status.

1. Mitigate: To make something less severe, serious, or painful.

• Example: Free education can help mitigate societal inequalities.

1. Misallocation: The act of allocating something incorrectly or inefficiently.

• Example: Free education can lead to the misallocation of public resources.

1. Squandering: Wasting something, especially money or time, in a reckless or foolish manner.

• Example: Free education can lead to the squandering of public resources.

1. Accountability: The fact or condition of being held accountable or answerable for something within one's power, control, or management.

• Example: Tuition fees foster a sense of accountability in students.

1. Reinvest: To invest something again or in a different way.

• Example: Tuition fees can be reinvested into universities to enhance facilities.

1. Burden: A heavy load; something that is carried with difficulty.

• Example: Free education can place a significant burden on taxpayers.

1. Diligent: Careful and persistent in one's work or duties.

• Example: Students who pay for their education are more likely to be diligent.

1. Fund: To provide money for something.

• Example: Tuition fees can help fund scholarships for students in need.

1. Accessible: Easily reached, entered, or obtained; available to all.

• Example: Tuition fees can ensure that education remains accessible to all.

1. Contentious: Causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial.

• Example: The issue of free university education is highly contentious.

1. Perspective: A particular attitude towards or way of regarding something; a point of view.

• Example: This perspective overlooks the potential for resource misallocation.

1. Enhance: To increase or improve in value, quality, or extent.

• Example: Tuition fees can enhance the quality of education.

1. Commitment: The state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc.

• Example: Paying for education fosters a sense of commitment in students.

1. Scholarship: Financial aid provided to a student on the basis of academic or other achievement.

• Example: Tuition fees can help fund scholarships for students in need.

1. Financial Aid: Money provided by an organization to a student on the basis of need.

• Example: Tuition fees can help fund financial aid for students in need.

1. Quality: The standard of something as measured against other things of a similar kind; the degree of excellence of something.

• Example: Tuition fees can enhance the quality of education.

1. Ensure: To make certain of something; to guarantee.

• Example: Tuition fees can ensure that education remains accessible to all.

Common Mistakes

1. Lack of Clear Position: Many students fail to present a clear position on the issue, making their arguments weak and unfocused.
2. Inadequate Development: Some students present a clear position but fail to develop their arguments thoroughly, leading to a lower score in Task Response.
3. Poor Vocabulary Choice: Using simple or repetitive vocabulary can limit the Lexical Resource score. Students should aim to use a wide range of vocabulary, including less common lexical items.
4. Grammatical Errors: Frequent grammatical errors can impede communication and lower the Grammatical Range and Accuracy score. Students should aim to use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with minimal errors.
5. Lack of Cohesion: Poor use of cohesive devices can make the response difficult to follow, leading to a lower score in Coherence and Cohesion. Students should aim to use cohesive devices effectively with clear progression.

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 help you improve your score.