This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic ofuniversity education and whether or not governments should make it free for students of all financial backgrounds.
IELTS Essay: University Education
Some people believe that everyone has a right to have access to university education and that governments should make it free for all students no matter what financial background they have.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Many today would argue that higher education is a basic right that should extend to all, regardless of socioeconomic background. In my opinion, I largely disagree since there is more value in improving the relationships between social classes.
Supporters of this policy point out that every taxpayer is entitled to equal treatment. Those who are wealthy typically receive little financial support from the government unless if they have earned a prestigious scholarship. However, such families pay taxes at far higher rates than the average citizen. They have contributed greatly to the federal budget and it is only just that they should receive an equal allocation of their share of government disbursement for university. Without financial aid, these individuals may feel they are being unfairly treated simply because they are more successful.
Although I recognize the legitimate merits to the argument above, I would generally side with those who believe a system that takes into account financial differences is more sustainable. If average families are not allocated the majority of funding for higher education, then they may not be able to attend these schools at all. This risk does not exist for the more affluent. Over time, this could have dire ramifications on society. The general populace might feel that upward social mobility is nearly impossible and become demotivated. They may also begin to resent the government and higher classes, creating the conditions for social unrest.
In conclusion, despite calls for fairness under the law, certain distinctions should be made for the betterment of society on the whole. Government policy should be aimed at equality of opportunity rather than a reductive understanding of equality.
Analysis
1. Many today would argue that higher education is a basic right that should extend to all, regardless of socioeconomic background. 2. In my opinion, I largely disagree since there is more value in improving the relationships between social classes.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. Supporters of this policy point out that every taxpayer is entitled to equal treatment. 2. Those who are wealthy typically receive little financial support from the government unless if they have earned a prestigious scholarship. 3. However, such families pay taxes at far higher rates than the average citizen. 4. They have contributed greatly to the federal budget and it is only just that they should receive an equal allocation of their share of government disbursement for university. 5. Without financial aid, these individuals may feel they are being unfairly treated simply because they are more successful.
- Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea.
- Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
- Keep developing it fully.
- Vary long and short sentences.
1. Although I recognize the legitimate merits to the argument above, I would generally side with those who believe a system that takes into account financial differences is more sustainable. 2. If average families are not allocated the majority of funding for higher education, then they may not be able to attend these schools at all. 3. This risk does not exist for the more affluent. 4. Over time, this could have dire ramifications on society. 5. The general populace might feel that upward social mobility is nearly impossible and become demotivated. 6. They may also begin to resent the government and higher classes, creating the conditions for social unrest.
- Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
- Explain your new main idea.
- Include specific details and examples.
- Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
- Develop the example fully.
- State the results as well.
1. In conclusion, despite calls for fairness under the law, certain distinctions should be made for the betterment of society on the whole. 2. Government policy should be aimed at equality of opportunity rather than a reductive understanding of equality.
- Summarise your main ideas.
- Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
Many today would argue that higher education is a basic right that should extend to all, regardless of socioeconomic background. In my opinion, I largely disagree since there is more value in improving the relationships between social classes.
Supporters of this policy point out that every taxpayer is entitled to equal treatment. Those who are wealthy typically receive little financial support from the government unless if they have earned a prestigious scholarship. However, such families pay taxes at far higher rates than the average citizen. They have contributed greatly to the federal budget and it is only just that they should receive an equal allocation of their share of government disbursement for university. Without financial aid, these individuals may feel they are being unfairly treated simply because they are more successful.
Although I recognize the legitimate merits to the argument above, I would generally side with those who believe a system that takes into account financial differences is more sustainable. If average families are not allocated the majority of funding for higher education, then they may not be able to attend these schools at all. This risk does not exist for the more affluent. Over time, this could have dire ramifications on society. The general populace might feel that upward social mobility is nearly impossible and become demotivated. They may also begin to resent the government and higher classes, creating the conditions for social unrest.
In conclusion, despite calls for fairness under the law, certain distinctions should be made for the betterment of society on the whole. Government policy should be aimed at equality of opportunity rather than a reductive understanding of equality.
Answers
argue claim
higher education university
basic right fundamental ability
extend also include
regardless of nonetheless
socioeconomic background where you come from and how rich or poor you are
largely disagree since mostly not in agreement because
value importance
improving getting better
relationships between social classes interpersonal bonds in society
supporters people who think this is true
policy reform
point out argue
taxpayer citizen
entitled to are allowed to
equal treatment fair handling
wealthy rich
typically receive usually get
financial support money given
unless in the case that
earned made
prestigious scholarship money to go to school
taxes money paid to the government
far higher rates much bigger figures
average citizen normal person
contributed greatly added a lot to
federal budget money for the government to spend
just fair (justice)
equal allocation the same for all
share amount for each person/group
disbursement sending out of money
without financial aid no support
unfairly treated not given the same consideration
recognize understand
legitimate merits real benefits
argument ideas
generally side with overall agree with
system how things are run, organized
takes into account considers
financial differences class differences
sustainable can continue in the future
allocated given to each area
majority most of
funding money
higher education university
attend go to
risk the threat of
affluent rich
dire ramifications bad effects
general populace people
upward social mobility rising in society
nearly impossible can’t happen
demotivated discouraged
resent be angry about
higher classes richer people
conditions circumstances
social unrest people unhappy
despite calls regardless of people asking for
fairness everything equal and according to the rules
certain distinctions some differences
betterment making better
on the whole overall
government policy what the government decides to do
aimed focused on
equality of opportunity same chances at success
rather than instead of
reductive too simplistic
Pronunciation
ˈɑːgjuː
ˈhaɪər ˌɛdju(ː)ˈkeɪʃən
ˈbeɪsɪk raɪt
ɪksˈtɛnd
rɪˈgɑːdlɪs ɒv
ˌsəʊsɪəʊˌɛkəˈnɒmɪk ˈbækgraʊnd
ˈlɑːʤli ˌdɪsəˈgriː sɪns
ˈvæljuː
ɪmˈpruːvɪŋ
rɪˈleɪʃənʃɪps bɪˈtwiːn ˈsəʊʃəl ˈklɑːsɪz.
səˈpɔːtəz
ˈpɒlɪsi
pɔɪnt aʊt
ˈtæksˌpeɪə
ɪnˈtaɪtld tuː
ˈiːkwəl ˈtriːtmənt
ˈwɛlθi
ˈtɪpɪk(ə)li rɪˈsiːv
faɪˈnænʃəl səˈpɔːt
ənˈlɛs
ɜːnd
prɛˈstɪʤəs ˈskɒləʃɪp
ˈtæksɪz
fɑː ˈhaɪə reɪts
ˈævərɪʤ ˈsɪtɪzn
kənˈtrɪbju(ː)tɪd ˈgreɪtli
ˈfɛdərəl ˈbʌʤɪt
ʤʌst
ˈiːkwəl ˌæləʊˈkeɪʃ(ə)n
ʃeə
dɪsˈbɜːsmənt
wɪˈðaʊt faɪˈnænʃəl eɪd
ʌnˈfeəli ˈtriːtɪd
ˈrɛkəgnaɪz
lɪˈʤɪtɪmɪt ˈmɛrɪts
ˈɑːgjʊmənt
ˈʤɛnərəli saɪd wɪð
ˈsɪstɪm
teɪks ˈɪntuː əˈkaʊnt
faɪˈnænʃəl ˈdɪfrənsɪz
səsˈteɪnəbl
ˈæləʊkeɪtɪd
məˈʤɒrɪti
ˈfʌndɪŋ
ˈhaɪər ˌɛdju(ː)ˈkeɪʃən
əˈtɛnd
rɪsk
ˈæflʊənt
ˈdaɪə ˌræmɪfɪˈkeɪʃənz
ˈʤɛnərəl ˈpɒpjʊləs
ˈʌpwəd ˈsəʊʃəl məʊˈbɪlɪti
ˈnɪəli ɪmˈpɒsəbl
diː-ˈməʊtɪveɪtɪd
rɪˈzɛnt
ˈhaɪə ˈklɑːsɪz
kənˈdɪʃənz
ˈsəʊʃəl ʌnˈrɛst
dɪsˈpaɪt kɔːlz
ˈfeənɪs
ˈsɜːtn dɪsˈtɪŋkʃənz
ˈbɛtəmənt
ɒn ðə həʊl
ˈgʌvnmənt ˈpɒlɪsi
eɪmd
i(ː)ˈkwɒlɪti ɒv ˌɒpəˈtjuːnɪti
ˈrɑːðə ðæn
rɪˈdʌktɪv
Vocabulary Practice
Many today would a______e that h____________________n is a b___________t that should e_________d to all, r________________f s____________________________d. In my opinion, I l_________________e s_______e there is more v_______e in i___________g the r_________________________n s_____________s.
S______________s of this p_________y p_____________t that every t___________r is e_____________o e_________________t. Those who are w_______y t________________e little f___________________t from the government u_______s if they have e______d a p_______________________p. However, such families pay t________s at f__________________s than the a______________n. They have c_____________________y to the f___________________t and it is only j_____t that they should receive an e___________________n of their s______e of government d____________________t for university. W____________________d, these individuals may feel they are being u_______________d simply because they are more successful.
Although I r____________e the l____________________s to the a___________t above, I would g___________________h those who believe a s________m that t_______________________t f______________________s is more s_____________e. If average families are not a____________d the m__________y of f__________g for h________________n, then they may not be able to a____d these schools at all. This r___k does not exist for the more a__________t. Over time, this could have d___________________s on society. The g____________________e might feel that u____________________y is n_________________e and become d___________________d. They may also begin to r_________t the government and h_______________s, creating the c_____________s for s___________t.
In conclusion, d____________s for f____________s under the law, c_______________s should be made for the b____________t of society o_____________e. G__________________y should be a_____d at e______________________y r__________n a r________e understanding of equality.
Listening Practice
Speaking Practice
Practice with the following topics below from IELTS speaking:
School
- Did you like your school when you were a child?
- What did you learn about?
- Did you have a favorite teacher?
- Are there many rules in schools in your country?
Reading Practice
Writing Practice
Competition for university study is becoming increasingly strong.
Why are universities becoming more competitive?
Is this a positive or negative development?
Exceptionally exclusive version appeared- l’m an ielts and language instructor—- appreciate it wholeheartedly— thnx in anticipation
You’re welcome, Manjeet!
Hello Dave!
Can you check my essay on this topic? I’m so nervous because I will have the real test next month. Please tell me whether my essay get a band of 7. Thank you so much, Dave
It is true that there are some opinions that entering university is a basic right for everyone so that tertiary education should be made free for all students. From my perspective, I strongly agree with the opposite view that tuition fee should be imposed properly as both academic institutions and students would benefit from this development.
Those in favor of a tuition-free education would argue the financial burden that undergraduates could confront. Students who just finish high school, especially those coming from regions that are considerably far from their university, could be in charge of paying for numerous relevant expenses such as the costs for accommodation and transportation. As a result, additional costs from education would exacerbate their burden to some extent, causing debts and even discouraging them from further study.
On the other hand, financial pressure is not always negative. Resilient students would consider this pressure to be a chance to challenge themselves. Indeed, having to cope with inadequate sources of money force them to participate in part-time jobs and seek scholarships, which promote the improvement of many essential skills. For instance, students who work for coffee shops will gain valuable experiences in terms of communication, financial management and patience that serve as prerequisites for their future success. Furthermore, there should be the presence of tuition fee in order to maintain and engender the accessibility of necessary facilities. Despite the sponsorship from governments, internal fees still remain the chief source of money to improve the quality of educational environment and allow the additional constructions of utility areas such as laboratories and swimming pools.
In conclusion, while small proportion of students would find it hard to confront with the adversity of lacking money, the majority will be given an incentive to comprehensively develop and most universities could spend the tuition fee on upgrading the educational conditions. Thus, university costs should not be made free but compulsory for all learners.