Community health programs have become an increasingly common topic in IELTS Writing Task 2, appearing in various forms over the past few years. Based on analysis of recent exam patterns, questions about The benefits of community-based healthcare have appeared approximately 3-4 times annually since 2019.
Let’s examine a recent task question:
Some people believe that community health programs focusing on preventive care are more beneficial than building new hospitals. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Task Analysis
This question requires candidates to:
- Take a clear position on preventive community health vs. hospital infrastructure
- Compare and evaluate both approaches
- Support arguments with relevant examples
- Provide a balanced discussion while maintaining their stance
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8.5)
Preventive community health initiatives have gained significant traction as an alternative to traditional hospital-based healthcare delivery. While both approaches have their merits, I strongly agree that The benefits of community-based health initiatives often surpass those of constructing new hospitals.
The primary advantage of community health programs lies in their ability to prevent diseases before they require expensive hospital treatment. For instance, regular health screenings and educational workshops can help identify and address health issues at early stages, significantly reducing the need for costly hospital interventions. Moreover, these programs often incorporate The benefits of community engagement programs, fostering a culture of health consciousness and preventive care.
Furthermore, community health initiatives are typically more cost-effective and accessible than hospital-based care. While building and maintaining hospitals requires substantial financial investment, preventive programs can operate with lower overhead costs while reaching a broader population. For example, mobile health units in rural India have successfully provided basic healthcare services to remote communities at a fraction of the cost of building new hospitals.
However, it would be shortsighted to completely dismiss the importance of hospital infrastructure. Acute care facilities remain essential for managing serious illnesses and emergencies that preventive care cannot address. The ideal approach would be to strike a balance, with a greater emphasis on preventive community programs while maintaining adequate hospital facilities.
In conclusion, while hospitals play a crucial role in healthcare delivery, the superior cost-effectiveness and preventive benefits of community health programs make them a more beneficial investment for overall public health improvement.
Community health workers conducting educational workshop
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6.5)
I agree that community health programs are more useful than building new hospitals because they help prevent diseases before they become serious. These programs have many good points that make them better than just having more hospitals.
First, community health programs teach people how to stay healthy. When people learn about good health habits, they don’t get sick as often. This means they don’t need to go to hospitals so much. For example, in my country, when health workers teach people about washing hands and eating healthy food, fewer people get sick.
Second, these programs cost less money than building hospitals. A hospital needs lots of money to build and run, but community programs can help many people with less money. Also, these programs can reach people in villages and far places where there are no hospitals.
But hospitals are also important because some people need special treatment that only hospitals can give. So we need both community programs and hospitals, but maybe we should spend more money on community programs.
In conclusion, I think community health programs are better because they stop people from getting sick and cost less money, but we still need some hospitals too.
Score Analysis
Band 8.5 Essay:
- Task Response (9): Clear position, fully developed arguments, relevant examples
- Coherence/Cohesion (8): Logical organization, effective paragraphing, varied linking devices
- Lexical Resource (8): Sophisticated vocabulary use, natural collocations
- Grammar (9): Complex structures, error-free writing
Band 6.5 Essay:
- Task Response (7): Clear position but simpler development
- Coherence/Cohesion (6): Basic organization, simple linking
- Lexical Resource (6): Limited but adequate vocabulary
- Grammar (7): Mix of simple and complex structures
Key Vocabulary
- preventive care (n.) /prɪˈventɪv keər/ – healthcare focused on prevention
- traction (n.) /ˈtrækʃən/ – acceptance or popularity
- intervention (n.) /ˌɪntərˈvenʃən/ – action taken to improve a situation
- overhead costs (n.) /ˈoʊvərhed kɒsts/ – ongoing business expenses
- shortsighted (adj.) /ˌʃɔːrˈsaɪtɪd/ – lacking foresight
Advanced Sentence Structures
- “While both approaches have their merits, I strongly agree that…” (Concession + Main Clause)
- “The primary advantage of community health programs lies in their ability to…” (Complex Subject + Infinitive)
- “Not only do community programs prevent diseases, but they also promote…” (Inverted Negative + Parallel Structure)
For practice, write your own essay addressing this topic and share it in the comments section for feedback and discussion.
