This is an IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer on the topic of medical testing on animals. Here is the question:

Some people say that it is acceptable to test medicine intended for people on animals. Others, however, believe that it is not right to use animals in this research.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Real Past IELTS Exams

The question type is discuss both views and give your opinion (you can read more about this structure here.)

You should write one paragraph about why it is not right to test medicine on animals and another about the reasons why it is right.

Then give your opinion.

Simple! Just make sure that you stick to that structure and focus on your language!

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Dave

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Medical Testing (Real Test)

Many believe that using animals for scientific testing purposes is fundamentally immoral, while others see it as a necessary evil. In my opinion, even though it is decidedly unethical, the overall impact on human progress justifies its continuance.

Detractors of animal testing often point out that animals have rights. We would never condone this type of testing on a human, even with one with a low IQ and it follows that we should treat animals with some measure of respect. The strongest argument supporting this is the level of cruelty involved in animal testing. Many drugs that are tested on animals have painful side-effects and the test subjects may die slow, painful deaths. This is undeniably unjustifiable regarding testing in non-essential medical fields such as cosmetics.

Despite the moral quagmire detailed above, I believe animal testing does enough to advance medical testing to warrant its use. Some cursory research will reveal the importance of animal testing in fields such as diabetic medicine, cancer research, experimental surgery, and stem cells. Testing insulin for diabetics on dogs may be the most well-known example of this kind of impactful research. Many other advances in medicine often attributed to animal testing have saved countless human lives to an extent that would be impossible if researchers were working under the moral constraints of human test subjects.

In conclusion, animal testing is the best way to make breakthroughs in medicine and should be strongly encouraged. Governments should work with medical institutions to implement more medical testing on animals across the board.

Word Count: 255

Analysis

1. Many believe that using animals for scientific testing purposes is fundamentally immoral, while others see it as a necessary evil. 2. In my opinion, even though it is decidedly unethical, the overall impact on human progress justifies its continuance.

1. The first sentence paraphrases the whole topic for the essay – don’t spend too much time on this sentence!
2. Give your opinion in the introduction and the conclusion and make it 100% clear!

1. Detractors of animal testing often point out that animals have rights. 2. We would never condone this type of testing on a human, even with one with a low IQ and it follows that we should treat animals with some measure of respect. 3. The strongest argument supporting this is the level of cruelty involved in animal testing. 4. Many drugs that are tested on animals have painful side-effects and the test subjects may die slow, painful deaths. 5. This is undeniably unjustifiable regarding testing in non-essential medical fields such as cosmetics.

1. My first sentence is a topic sentence that shows what the paragraph will be about – why animals have rights.
2. The second sentence explains my main idea for the paragraph.
3. My third sentence continues to develop this same idea – don’t switch over to a new main idea!
4. The fourth sentence develops it with specific effects – be as specific as possible!
5. My fifth sentence concludes the paragraph by stating that in the case of testing for makeup it is unacceptable.

1. Despite the moral quagmire detailed above, I believe animal testing does enough to advance medical testing to warrant its use. 2. Some cursory research will reveal the importance of animal testing in fields such as diabetic medicine, cancer research, experimental surgery, and stem cells. 3. Testing insulin for diabetics on dogs may be the most well-known example of this kind of impactful research. 4. Many other advances in medicine often attributed to animal testing have saved countless human lives to an extent that would be impossible if researchers were working under the moral constraints of human test subjects.

1. My first sentence is a topic sentence that gives my other main idea – animal testing helps to advance medical science.
2. The next sentence develops my main idea by listing the specific medical fields that it helps.
3. My third sentence gives a specific example of the kind of medical advances that animal testing can lead to.
4. The final sentence concludes my paragraph by reiterating the importance of testing on animals to advance medical science.

1. In conclusion, animal testing is the best way to make breakthroughs in medicine and should be strongly encouraged. 2. Governments should work with medical institutions to implement more medical testing on animals across the board.

1. My first sentence repeats my opinion – be sure that you choose a side and don’t sit in the middle!
2. The last sentence gives a suggestion/extra detail than lots of examiners will require for band 7+ for task achievement.

Word Count: 255 (aim for around 275 – 300 words, maximum)

Vocabulary

Many believe that using animals for scientific testing purposes is fundamentally immoral, while others see it as a necessary evil. In my opinion, even though it is decidedly unethical, the overall impact on human progress justifies its continuance.

Detractors of animal testing often point out that animals have rights. We would never condone this type of testing on a human, even with one with a low IQ and it follows that we should treat animals with some measure of respect. The strongest argument supporting this is the level of cruelty involved in animal testing. Many drugs that are tested on animals have painful side-effects and the test subjects may die slow, painful deaths. This is undeniably unjustifiable regarding testing in non-essential medical fields such as cosmetics.

Despite the moral quagmire detailed above, I believe animal testing does enough to advance medical testing to warrant its use. Some cursory research will reveal the importance of animal testing in fields such as diabetic medicine, cancer research, experimental surgery, and stem cells. Testing insulin for diabetics on dogs may be the most well-known example of this kind of impactful research. Many other advances in medicine often attributed to animal testing have saved countless human lives to an extent that would be impossible if researchers were working under the moral constraints of human test subjects.

In conclusion, animal testing is the best way to make breakthroughs in medicine and should be strongly encouraged. Governments should work with medical institutions to implement more medical testing on animals across the board.

Answers

fundamentally immoral: completely evil

necessary evil: can’t avoid doing something bad

decidedly unethical: clearly wrong

human progress: the advancement of mankind

justifies its continuance: should be allowed to continue

detractors: critics

point out: argue

condone: allow/encourage

low IQ: unintelligent

treat animals: handle animals

some measure of respect: a certain amount of consideration

level of cruelty: some meanness

painful side-effects: unintended effects from the drugs that hurt them

slow, painful deaths: dying slowly in pain

undeniably unjustifiable: no one can argue it is right

regarding: concerning

non-essential: does not have to be done

cosmetics: makeup

moral quagmire: difficult right/wrong questions

warrant: justify

cursory research: quick bit of research

reveal: show

diabetic medicine: medicine for people with diabetes

cancer research: research into cancer

experimental surgery: new types of surgery

stem cells: a type of cell important in medicine

insulin: used to help diabetics

well-known example: famous example

impactful: lots of impact

attributed to: can be traced back to

countless: lots of

to an extent: to some degree

moral constraints: help back by ethical concerns

test subjects: candidates drugs/medicine is tested on

make breakthroughs: make big discoveries/progress

strongly encouraged: lots of support

implement: put into place

across the board: everywhere

Listen and repeat:

Practice

Fill in the gaps:

Many believe that using animals for scientific testing purposes is __________________, while others see it as a __________________. In my opinion, even though it is __________________, the overall impact on __________________.

__________________ of animal testing often __________________ that animals have rights. We would never __________________ this type of testing on a human, even with one with a __________________ and it follows that we should __________________ with __________________. The strongest argument supporting this is the __________________ involved in animal testing. Many drugs that are tested on animals have __________________ and the test subjects may die __________________. This is __________________ testing in __________________ medical fields such as __________________ .

Despite the __________________ detailed above, I believe animal testing does enough to advance medical testing to __________________ its use. Some __________________ will __________________ the importance of animal testing in fields such as __________________, __________________, __________________, and __________________. Testing __________________ for diabetics on dogs may be the most __________________ of this kind of __________________ research. Many other advances in medicine often __________________ animal testing have saved __________________ human lives __________________ that would be impossible if researchers were working under the __________________ of human __________________.

In conclusion, animal testing is the best way to __________________ in medicine and should be __________________. Governments should work with medical institutions to __________________ more medical testing on animals __________________.

Listen and check:

Listening Practice

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkNS86O6kDE

Reading Practice

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/06/how-much-pain-should-animals-endure-for-science/562268/