Students should pay the full cost for their own study, because university education benefits individuals rather than society.

Practice this IELTS Writing Task 2 question on IELTSX. Students should pay the full cost for their own study, because university education benefits individuals rather than society.

Students pay full cost own study university education benefits individuals rather society - IELTS Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Write at least 250 words.

A student's answer to this task, and the feedback on it

Written by an IELTSX user under exam conditions and published unedited and anonymously. Band 9 · 343 words.

Model Answer

The debate over who should fund university education is a contentious one. While it is true that graduates often earn higher salaries and enjoy better career prospects, the claim that students should pay the full cost because education only benefits individuals is deeply flawed. I completely disagree with this view, as the societal returns on higher education are equally, if not more, significant.

On the one hand, it is undeniable that individuals gain personal advantages from a degree. University graduates typically have access to higher-paying jobs, greater job security, and more opportunities for professional growth. This private benefit might suggest that students should invest in themselves. However, this argument ignores a critical reality: if universities become unaffordable, only the wealthy will be able to attend. This would create a rigid class system, trap talented students from low-income families in poverty, and waste enormous human potential that could benefit the wider community.

On the other hand, society reaps enormous rewards from an educated workforce. University graduates fill essential roles that keep the country functioning—doctors save lives, engineers design infrastructure, teachers shape future generations, and scientists develop new technologies. Moreover, higher education drives economic growth through innovation and research. Countries that invest in public universities, such as Germany and Finland, boast stronger economies and lower inequality. If students alone bore the full cost, many would avoid “low-paying but vital” professions like nursing or social work, leading to critical shortages in these areas and harming the entire population.

Furthermore, the argument that education is a private good fails to acknowledge that an educated citizenry strengthens democracy. A well-informed population is less susceptible to misinformation and more capable of making sound political decisions, which benefits everyone in society.

In conclusion, while university education indeed offers personal advantages, its benefits to society are profound and indispensable. Making students pay the full cost would be a shortsighted policy that harms social mobility and undermines the collective good. Therefore, I firmly believe that governments must continue to subsidize higher education as an investment in the nation's future.

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Examiner feedback

This essay represents the highest standard of IELTS writing, achieving a Band 9 across all criteria. It presents a sophisticated, well-reasoned argument with flawless linguistic accuracy and exceptional structural organization.

Task Response - 9

- Fully addresses all parts of the task by presenting a sophisticated and well-developed position. - Ideas are fully extended and supported with relevant, high-quality examples (e.g., German/Finnish education models, specific societal roles). - The response remains focused and avoids over-generalization, maintaining a nuanced perspective on the private vs. public benefit debate.

Coherence & Cohesion - 9

- Information and ideas are sequenced with perfect logic, ensuring a smooth and natural flow between arguments. - Cohesive devices are used so skillfully that they are virtually transparent, providing seamless transitions between paragraphs. - Paragraphing is managed expertly, with each section containing a clear central topic that builds toward the overall conclusion.

Lexical Resource - 9

- Uses a wide and sophisticated range of vocabulary, including high-level terms like 'contentious', 'indispensable', and 'citizenry'. - Collocations are used naturally and precisely throughout the text. - Spelling and word formation are flawless, reflecting a native-like command of the language.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 9

- Demonstrates a wide range of structures with full flexibility and precision. - The essay is entirely free of grammatical errors, with sophisticated use of complex sentence forms. - Punctuation is used accurately and effectively to enhance the clarity and rhythm of the writing.

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