This is my IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of health services.

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IELTS Essay: Health Services

Health services are a basic necessity. However, private companies have made them quite costly for ordinary individuals.

Do the advantages of private health care outweigh its disadvantages?

Today, the cost of basic health services due to privatization has risen dramatically. In my opinion, although this can lead to greater innovation in the medical field, it is a negative burden overall for the average person.

Those who argue in favor of private medical care point out the benefits for medical knowledge generally. There is significant evidence in a wide range of industries as to the efficacy of privatization in driving innovation. The medical field is no different as hospitals in countries such as the United States compete to develop innovative therapies and procedures that can enhance their reputations and generate higher revenues. These efforts in turn encourage the hiring of the brightest medical minds in the world. Without such competition, it is unlikely that many current advances in medical technology would exist at all.

However, these advances do little to alleviate the dramatic financial repercussions for ordinary citizens. In the United States, a person without medical insurance is likely to owe at least thousands for relatively simple procedures such as repairing a broken bone or conducting a simple non-invasive surgical procedure. Contrast this approach with many western European nations that function on a socialized approach to medicine. In these countries, a person is comforted by the knowledge that a trip to the hospital or consultation with a doctor will be largely paid for by the government. The result of this more equal system is that there is little disparity in the care given to the wealthy and less affluent segments of the population.

In conclusion, despite the value of stimulating competition among medical institutions, there would be greater impact in a scheme wherein the individual could receive medical care without incurring excessive expenses. In many countries, this is already the situation.

Analysis

1. Today, the cost of basic health services due to privatization has risen dramatically. 2. In my opinion, although this can lead to greater innovation in the medical field, it is a negative burden overall for the average person.

  1. Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
  2. Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.

1. Those who argue in favor of private medical care point out the benefits for medical knowledge generally. 2. There is significant evidence in a wide range of industries as to the efficacy of privatization in driving innovation. 3. The medical field is no different as hospitals in countries such as the United States compete to develop innovative therapies and procedures that can enhance their reputations and generate higher revenues. 4. These efforts in turn encourage the hiring of the brightest medical minds in the world. 5. Without such competition, it is unlikely that many current advances in medical technology would exist at all.

  1. Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
  2. Explain your main idea.
  3. Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
  4. Keep developing it fully.
  5. Better to have more detail.

1. However, these advances do little to alleviate the dramatic financial repercussions for ordinary citizens. 2. In the United States, a person without medical insurance is likely to owe at least thousands for relatively simple procedures such as repairing a broken bone or conducting a simple non-invasive surgical procedure. 3. Contrast this approach with many western European nations that function on a socialized approach to medicine. 4. In these countries, a person is comforted by the knowledge that a trip to the hospital or consultation with a doctor will be largely paid for by the government. 5. The result of this more equal system is that there is little disparity in the care given to the wealthy and less affluent segments of the population.

  1. Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
  2. Explain your new main idea.
  3. Include specific details and examples.
  4. Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
  5. This essay is a bit long – aim for about 275 words.

1. In conclusion, despite the value of stimulating competition among medical institutions, there would be greater impact in a scheme wherein the individual could receive medical care without incurring excessive expenses. 2. In many countries, this is already the situation.

  1. Summarise your main ideas.
  2. Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.

Today, the cost of basic health services due to privatization has risen dramatically. In my opinion, although this can lead to greater innovation in the medical field, it is a negative burden overall for the average person.

Those who argue in favor of private medical care point out the benefits for medical knowledge generally. There is significant evidence in a wide range of industries as to the efficacy of privatization in driving innovation. The medical field is no different as hospitals in countries such as the United States compete to develop innovative therapies and procedures that can enhance their reputations and generate higher revenues. These efforts in turn encourage the hiring of the brightest medical minds in the world. Without such competition, it is unlikely that many current advances in medical technology would exist at all.

However, these advances do little to alleviate the dramatic financial repercussions for ordinary citizens. In the United States, a person without medical insurance is likely to owe at least thousands for relatively simple procedures such as repairing a broken bone or conducting a simple non-invasive surgical procedure. Contrast this approach with many western European nations that function on a socialized approach to medicine. In these countries, a person is comforted by the knowledge that a trip to the hospital or consultation with a doctor will be largely paid for by the government. The result of this more equal system is that there is little disparity in the care given to the wealthy and less affluent segments of the population.

In conclusion, despite the value of stimulating competition among medical institutions, there would be greater impact in a scheme wherein the individual could receive medical care without incurring excessive expenses. In many countries, this is already the situation.

Answers

For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:

Here are the synonyms for each line:

  1. the cost of basic health services: the price of primary healthcare
  2. due to: because of
  3. privatization: the transfer to private ownership/control
  4. risen dramatically: increased significantly
  5. lead to greater innovation in the medical field: result in enhanced creativity in the healthcare sector
  6. negative burden overall: adverse impact overall
  7. average person: typical individual
  8. Those who argue in favor of: Advocates for
  9. medical care: healthcare
  10. benefits for medical knowledge generally: advantages for medical expertise in general
  11. There is significant evidence in: Substantial proof exists in
  12. a wide range of industries as to: numerous sectors regarding
  13. efficacy: effectiveness
  14. driving innovation: propelling innovation
  15. compete to develop innovative therapies: vie to create groundbreaking treatments
  16. procedures: medical procedures
  17. enhance their reputations: bolster their reputations
  18. generate higher revenues: produce increased revenues
  19. These efforts: These endeavors
  20. in turn encourage: subsequently promote
  21. hiring: employing
  22. brightest medical minds in the world: most brilliant medical professionals globally
  23. Without such competition: In the absence of such competition
  24. many current advances in: numerous present advancements in
  25. exist: have
  26. do little to alleviate: provide limited relief for
  27. the dramatic financial repercussions: the significant financial consequences
  28. for ordinary citizens: for regular individuals
  29. owe: require
  30. relatively simple procedures: moderately straightforward treatments
  31. repairing: mending
  32. conducting a simple non-invasive surgical procedure: performing a basic non-invasive surgical operation
  33. Contrast this approach with: Compare this method to
  34. function on a socialized approach to medicine: operate under a socialized healthcare system
  35. comforted by the knowledge: reassured by the awareness
  36. consultation: medical consultation
  37. largely paid for by the government: mostly funded by the government
  38. The result of this more equal system is: As a consequence of this fairer system,
  39. little disparity: minimal difference
  40. care given: healthcare provided
  41. less affluent segments of the population: economically disadvantaged sections of society
  42. despite the value of stimulating competition among medical institutions: notwithstanding the importance of fostering competition among medical establishments
  43. there would be greater impact in a scheme wherein: there would be a more significant effect in a setup where
  44. receive medical care without incurring excessive expenses: obtain healthcare without incurring exorbitant costs
  45. situation: circumstance

Pronunciation

Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:

ðə kɒst ɒv ˈbeɪsɪk hɛlθ ˈsɜːvɪsɪz

djuː tuː

ˌpraɪvətaɪˈzeɪʃᵊn

ˈrɪzᵊn drəˈmætɪkᵊli

liːd tuː ˈɡreɪtər ˌɪnəˈveɪʃᵊn ɪn ðə ˈmɛdɪkᵊl fiːld

ˈnɛɡətɪv ˈbɜːdᵊn ˌəʊvəˈrɔːl

ˈævᵊrɪʤ ˈpɜːsᵊn

ðəʊz huː ˈɑːɡjuː ɪn ˈfeɪvər ɒv

ˈmɛdɪkᵊl keə

ˈbɛnɪfɪts fɔː ˈmɛdɪkᵊl ˈnɒlɪʤ ˈʤɛnᵊrᵊli

ðeər ɪz sɪɡˈnɪfɪkᵊnt ˈɛvɪdᵊns ɪn

ə waɪd reɪnʤ ɒv ˈɪndəstriz æz tuː

ˈɛfɪkəsi

ˌpraɪvətaɪˈzeɪʃᵊn

ˈdraɪvɪŋ ˌɪnəˈveɪʃᵊn

kəmˈpiːt tuː dɪˈvɛləp ˈɪnəvətɪv ˈθɛrəpiz

prəˈsiːʤəz

ɪnˈhɑːns ðeə ˌrɛpjəˈteɪʃᵊnz

ˈʤɛnəreɪt ˈhaɪə ˈrɛvənjuːz

ðiːz ˈɛfəts

ɪn tɜːn ɪnˈkʌrɪʤ

ˈhaɪərɪŋ

ˈbraɪtɪst ˈmɛdɪkᵊl maɪndz ɪn ðə wɜːld

wɪˈðaʊt sʌʧ ˌkɒmpəˈtɪʃᵊnɪt ɪz ʌnˈlaɪkli

ˈmɛni ˈkʌrᵊnt ədˈvɑːnsɪz ɪn ˈmɛdɪkᵊl tɛkˈnɒləʤi

ɪɡˈzɪst

duː ˈlɪtᵊl tuː əˈliːvieɪt

ðə drəˈmætɪk faɪˈnænʃᵊl ˌriːpɜːˈkʌʃᵊnz

fɔːr ˈɔːdᵊnᵊri ˈsɪtɪzᵊnz

əʊ

ˈrɛlətɪvli ˈsɪmpᵊl prəˈsiːʤəz

rɪˈpeərɪŋ

kənˈdʌktɪŋ ə ˈsɪmpᵊl nɒn-ɪnˈveɪsɪv ˈsɜːʤɪkᵊl prəˈsiːʤə

ˈkɒntrɑːst ðɪs əˈprəʊʧ wɪð

ˈfʌŋkʃᵊn ɒn ə ˈsəʊʃᵊlaɪzd əˈprəʊʧ tuː ˈmɛdsᵊn

ˈkʌmfətɪd baɪ ðə ˈnɒlɪʤ

ˌkɒnsəlˈteɪʃᵊn

ˈlɑːʤli peɪd fɔː baɪ ðə ˈɡʌvᵊnmənt

ðə rɪˈzʌlt ɒv ðɪs mɔːr ˈiːkwəl ˈsɪstəm ɪz

ˈlɪtᵊl dɪˈspærəti

keə ˈɡɪvᵊn

lɛs ˈæfluənt ˈsɛɡmənts ɒv ðə ˌpɒpjəˈleɪʃᵊn

dɪˈspaɪt ðə ˈvæljuː ɒv ˈstɪmjəleɪtɪŋ ˌkɒmpəˈtɪʃᵊn əˈmʌŋ ˈmɛdɪkᵊl ˌɪnstɪˈtjuːʃᵊnz

ðeə wʊd biː ˈɡreɪtər ˈɪmpækt ɪn ə skiːm weərˈɪn

rɪˈsiːv ˈmɛdɪkᵊl keə wɪˈðaʊt ɪnˈkɜːrɪŋ ɪkˈsɛsɪv ɪkˈspɛnsɪz

ˌsɪʧuˈeɪʃᵊn

Vocabulary Practice

I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:

Today, t_________________________s d_____o p_______________n has r_________________y. In my opinion, although this can l__________________________________________d, it is a n__________________l for the a_________n.

T__________________________f private m________e point out the b____________________________y. T_____________________________________________________________________o the e_______y of p__________n in d___________n. The medical field is no different as hospitals in countries such as the United States c_______________________________s and p_________-s that can e_________________________s and g_________________________s. T________________________e the h_____g of the b_________________________________________d. W______________________n, it is unlikely that m_____________________n medical technology would e______-t at all.

However, these advances d____________________________________________________________________________s. In the United States, a person without medical insurance is likely to o___e at least thousands for r_________________s such as r___________g a broken bone or c___________________________________________e. C______________________h many western European nations that f________________________________________e. In these countries, a person is c_______________________e that a trip to the hospital or c___________n with a doctor will be l____________________________t. T____________________________s that there is l__________________y in the c_________n to the wealthy and l__________________________n.

In conclusion, d___________________f s_____________________________________________s, t_________________________________________________________n the individual could r_____________________________________________s. In many countries, this is already the s_________n.

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic by watching from YouTube below and practice with these activities:

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:

https://www.proclinical.com/blogs/2021-6/the-top-10-medical-advances-in-history

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:

Health

Question 1: Do you have any unhealthy habits?

Question 2: In what ways do you try to stay healthy?

Question 3: Do you do any sports?

Question 4: Do you think more about your health now than when you were younger?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related IELTS essay topic:

Some people today prefer to get advice for medical problems and do not want to visit a doctor.

Why is this?

Is this a positive or a negative development?

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