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!
Consider supporing my efforts to write these essays but signing up for my exclusive IELTS Ebooks here on Patreon.
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.
- The first sentence paraphrases the whole topic for the essay – don’t spend too much time on this sentence!
- 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.
- My first sentence is a topic sentence that shows what the paragraph will be about – why animals have rights.
- The second sentence explains my main idea for the paragraph.
- My third sentence continues to develop this same idea – don’t switch over to a new main idea!
- The fourth sentence develops it with specific effects – be as specific as possible!
- 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.
- My first sentence is a topic sentence that gives my other main idea – animal testing helps to advance medical science.
- The next sentence develops my main idea by listing the specific medical fields that it helps.
- My third sentence gives a specific example of the kind of medical advances that animal testing can lead to.
- 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.
- My first sentence repeats my opinion – be sure that you choose a side and don’t sit in the middle!
- 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
Hi Dave. This essay has 255 words, which is a far cry from the 400+ colossuses you used to write. Why have you adopted this shorter word count style?
Thanks so much for asking! I wrote some longer essays because I wanted to fully develop my main ideas and examples but I realise those are unrealistic for students so I have tried to write reduced, more realistic models. I think that you can learn a lot from both styles. My reasoning is just to challenge myself and make sure that I give a range of styles to learn from!
hello dave
would please take a look at my writing and say what would be its score?
A group of people believes that examining humans’ medications and treatments on animals is an allowable method to discover side effects and safety reasons while other group reckons animals have right to live and it is not ethical to misuse them in such investigations. Although it is considered ruthless to involve animals in these criteria, I believe that using them is inevitable and there is no better option to be taken into account.
Animals’ rights activists tend to fight for stopping animal testing as they believe that animals have the rights to live and running such tests on them might get them killed which is not morally right. In addition, it doesn’t ensure that either medication or treatment is safe for humans. Not to mention that it can be costly, too. For instance, numerous rabbits and mice are getting killed annually as a result of many types of research that have been running for finding a promising medication for cancer which has not been successful so far. Therefore, they would believe that animals should not be the victims of human’s ambitious character.
On the other hand, many people are of the opinion that using animals for the scientific research is crucial as it is the best available choice since animals suffering is of less importance than people actually die. It takes many steps and years before medicine comes from strategical stage to drug stores’ shelves and marketing phase because it needs many tests with the aim of discovering side effects and safety reasons. As a result, there should be an option to examine these medications and animal testing is the least harmful method as animals suffering also can be kept to a minimum level. For instance, despite of few failed procedures for finding new medicines, there are countless examples of medications and treatments that either have been found or improved to deal with diseases. Many years ago, children would have died of poliomyelitis, if they hadn’t been vaccinated, while nowadays many people are not even familiar with the symptoms of this disease as neither themselves nor anyone they know have never experienced it. Therefore, it is vital to sacrifice some creatures in order to develop scientific achievements.
To sum up, it is necessary to have a reliable source for testing new medicines no matter how much cruel it looks. protesters have to understand that achievements never come easy and require sacrifices. Activists themselves are alive today due to previous examinations that have been done on animals. In conclusion, animal testing is inevitable for the sake of human survival.
Sure, I’ll give you some feedback on your writing here! This is much better than the other writings of yours that I have seen and is more in the range of band 6.5 because of tons of great vocabulary and the specificity and quality of your examples. Keep it up and band 7 is achievable for you (try to stay under 300 words though!)