IELTS Writing Task 2: The role of government in healthcare – Sample Essays

Introduction

Healthcare routinely appears in IELTS Writing Task 2 because it touches daily life, public finance, and ethics. Questions on the role of the state versus individuals are frequent across test versions, so preparing strong arguments, examples, and flexible structures is essential. In this guide, you will study three graded sample essays (Band 6, 7, and 8-9), see how they are scored, learn high-value vocabulary and sentence patterns, and use checklists to self-assess quickly and effectively.

Verified past exam-style questions from trusted sources:

• Reported by IELTS Liz and IELTS-Blog: “Prevention is better than cure. Governments should spend more money on health education and prevention than on treatment. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”
• Reported by IELTS-Blog: “Some people think the government is responsible for public health, while others believe individuals should be responsible for their own health. Discuss both views and give your opinion.”
• British Council-style prompt: “In many countries, more money is spent on treating illness than on health education. Do you agree or disagree?”

For readers who want broader context on policymaking, you can explore a related discussion in The role of government in providing healthcare: 2. The role of government in providing healthcare.

IELTS Writing Task 2 healthcare topic with banded essays and tips

1. Question & Analysis: The role of government in healthcare

Prevention is better than cure. Governments should spend more money on health education and prevention than on treatment. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

• Question type: Opinion (Agree/Disagree). You must present a clear stance and support it logically.
• Requirements:
  • Address both “prevention/education” and “treatment” to avoid one-sided coverage.
  • Provide clear reasons, examples, and acknowledge potential trade-offs.
• Key terms:
  • “Health education” includes school curricula, public campaigns, and awareness programs.
  • “Prevention” ranges from vaccinations and screening to regulation (e.g., tobacco tax).
  • “Treatment” refers to clinical care in hospitals and clinics.
• Common pitfalls:
  • Overgeneralizing (“Prevention eliminates all disease”).
  • Ignoring urgent treatment needs for critical conditions.
  • Listing ideas without explaining how they answer the question.
• Strategic approach:
  • State a balanced or strong position in the introduction.
  • Structure: Para 1 (prevention benefits), Para 2 (why treatment still matters), Para 3 (proportionate policy with examples).
  • Use policy-relevant examples (vaccines, anti-smoking laws, screenings) familiar to international readers.
  • Conclude with a proportional funding recommendation.

To understand how public spending priorities can mirror other sectors, consider how cultural budgets are evaluated in The role of governments in arts funding: The role of governments in arts funding

2. Band 8-9 Sample Essay: The role of government in healthcare

Band 8-9 essays present a clear, nuanced position, develop arguments comprehensively, and maintain precision with advanced cohesion and lexis.

While treatment will always be indispensable, I strongly agree that governments should prioritise prevention and health education. Prevention addresses root causes, reduces long-term costs, and ultimately protects more citizens than reactive care can. By funding vaccinations, nationwide screening, and school-based health literacy, authorities can curb the incidence of chronic disease before it burdens families and hospitals.

The fiscal logic is compelling. Every prevented case of Type 2 diabetes or smoking-related illness saves years of expensive treatment, not to mention lost productivity. Countries that have invested in anti-tobacco legislation, plain packaging, and public campaigns have recorded measurable declines in smoking prevalence, freeing up beds and budgets. Moreover, early detection programs—such as mammograms and colon cancer screenings—cost far less per life-year saved than late-stage interventions.

That said, prevention is not a panacea. Governments must preserve robust treatment capacity for unpredictable emergencies, rare diseases, and conditions that prevention cannot avert, such as genetic disorders. An ethical healthcare system cannot deprioritise the critically ill in the name of long-term savings. Therefore, the argument is not prevention versus treatment, but a rational rebalancing toward prevention while safeguarding essential hospital services.

In practical terms, I would allocate a larger share to prevention—particularly evidence-based campaigns, vaccinations, preventive check-ups, and regulations that make healthy choices easier—while modernising hospitals with data systems and triage protocols. This dual-track approach improves population health, stabilises budgets, and protects the vulnerable when prevention fails. Thus, prevention deserves priority, but never exclusivity.

Band Score Analysis

Criteria	Band	Justification
Task Response	8.5	Clear stance from start; fully addresses prevention and treatment; strong, relevant examples and a nuanced policy recommendation.
Coherence & Cohesion	8.0	Logical progression; precise referencing; varied cohesive devices without overuse; clear paragraphing.
Lexical Resource	8.5	Wide range: “health literacy,” “late-stage interventions,” “rebalancing,” “triage protocols”; natural collocations; accurate and precise.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	8.5	Flexible complex structures, conditionals, and non-defining clauses; virtually error-free with varied sentence forms.

Why this essay excels:

• Clear, consistent position signposted throughout.
• Balanced treatment of both sides without losing the main claim.
• Policy-specific examples (vaccinations, screening, anti-tobacco laws).
• High-level but natural vocabulary and collocations.
• Sophisticated cohesion (contrastive framing, evaluative language).
• Strong concluding recommendation that aligns with arguments.

Band 9 healthcare essay annotated with key features

3. Band 6.5-7 Sample Essay: The role of government in healthcare

Band 6.5-7 essays are clear and relevant with generally good organization, some flexibility in lexis and grammar, and occasional slips.

I agree that governments should spend more on prevention and education, although treatment must still be funded adequately. Prevention works on causes and can save money for the health system in the long term. For example, anti-smoking campaigns and higher taxes on cigarettes reduce the number of new smokers, which means fewer people need expensive treatment later.

Another reason to support prevention is that health education in schools can build lifelong habits, such as exercising and eating vegetables instead of fast food. If governments invest in check-ups and vaccination programs, many illnesses can be avoided or discovered earlier. In addition, screening for cancer is often cheaper and more effective than treating advanced disease.

However, some diseases cannot be prevented, like certain genetic conditions, and accidents always happen. Therefore, hospitals still need modern equipment and trained staff to help patients immediately. If we cut treatment budgets too much, waiting times will increase and people might suffer serious consequences.

In conclusion, governments should prioritise prevention and education because they improve public health and reduce long-term costs, but they should also maintain strong hospital services for people who need urgent care. The best policy is a balanced one: more funds to prevention than before, but not at the expense of essential treatment.

Band Score Analysis

Criteria	Band	Justification
Task Response	7.0	Clear opinion; addresses both aspects with relevant examples; could develop costs/ethics more deeply.
Coherence & Cohesion	7.0	Logical organization; effective paragraphing; some repetition of linking phrases.
Lexical Resource	7.0	Appropriate range (“screening,” “vaccination,” “waiting times”); a few basic collocations and limited paraphrase.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	6.5	Mix of simple and complex sentences; minor errors and some repetitive structures.

Direct comparison with Band 8-9:

• Thesis: Band 8-9 uses “rebalancing toward prevention” nuance; Band 7 states balance but with simpler phrasing.
• Evidence: Band 8-9 cites “life-year saved,” “triage protocols”; Band 7 uses more general examples.
• Cohesion: Band 8-9 employs contrastive signposting and evaluative lexis; Band 7 repeats basic transitions.
• Grammar: Band 8-9 features varied complex clauses; Band 7 has fewer advanced patterns and occasional slips.

To see how policy trade-offs recur outside healthcare, examine how governments weigh technology risks in The role of governments in tech ethics: The role of governments in tech ethics

4. Band 5-6 Sample Essay

Band 5-6 essays present a position but often lack clear development, precise vocabulary, and grammatical control. Errors may impede clarity at times.

Many people think government should pay more for prevention and less for treatment, and I mostly agree with this idea. First, prevention is cheaper than cure and it stop diseases before they start. For example, if people know smoking is dangerous and see pictures on packets, they will not smoking. Also, vaccination can avoid many diseases that cost a lot in hospitals.

However, I think some sickness cannot be prevented, like old people problems, so hospitals must be ready for everyone. If the government put too much into education, then patients cannot get enough treatment when they need it urgent. This will make longer waiting and people become more worse. Treatment is necessary for emergencies like traffic accidents that happen everyday.

In my opinion, the best idea is spend more on prevention but not cutting too much treatment. Health classes in school, TV programs to teach healthy diet, and free check-ups could help peoples to live better. Then hospitals can focus on serious conditions instead of basic problems. In conclude, governments should focus on prevention but still keep strong hospitals for everybody.

Band Score Analysis

Criteria	Band	Justification
Task Response	6.0	Clear opinion and some relevant points; limited depth and generalised claims.
Coherence & Cohesion	6.0	Basic organization; ideas sometimes underdeveloped; simple linking and some repetition.
Lexical Resource	5.5	Limited range; collocation errors (“become more worse”); word form errors.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	5.5	Frequent subject-verb agreement and article errors; some awkward phrases that affect clarity.

Learning from Mistakes

Mistake	Error Type	Correction	Explanation
it stop diseases	Subject-verb agreement	it stops diseases	Third-person singular verb requires -s.
they will not smoking	Verb form	they will not smoke	After “will,” use base form.
old people problems	Noun phrase	problems of old age / age-related problems	Use natural collocation and precise phrasing.
need it urgent	Adjective vs adverb	need it urgently	Use adverb to modify the verb.
more worse	Comparative form	worse / much worse	“Worse” is already comparative; do not add “more.”
help peoples	Countable noun	help people	“People” is already plural; “peoples” refers to ethnic groups.
In conclude	Fixed phrase	In conclusion	Use the correct discourse marker.

How to improve from Band 6 to 7:

• Develop examples with specifics (e.g., vaccination schedules, screening outcomes).
• Upgrade collocations (“allocate funding,” “early detection,” “health literacy”).
• Vary sentence structures (relative clauses, conditionals, participle phrases).
• Proofread for agreement, verb forms, and prepositions.

For a global lens on equity and access, those interested can read The need for global healthcare access: The need for global healthcare access

Improving from Band 6 to 7 on healthcare essays with examples

5. Essential Vocabulary for The role of government in healthcare

Word/Phrase	Type	Pronunciation	Definition	Example	Collocations
health literacy	noun	/ˈhɛlθ ˌlɪtərəsi/	Ability to understand health information	Health literacy empowers patients to follow treatment plans.	improve health literacy; community health literacy
preventive care	noun	/prɪˈvɛntɪv kɛər/	Services to prevent illness	Preventive care reduces hospital admissions.	preventive screening; preventive program
early detection	noun	/ˈɜːli dɪˈtɛkʃən/	Finding disease at an early stage	Early detection of cancer saves lives.	early detection program; early detection rate
vaccination rollout	noun	/ˌvæksɪˈneɪʃən ˈrəʊlaʊt/	Distribution of vaccines	A fast vaccination rollout curbed infections.	nationwide rollout; phased rollout
cost-effective	adj	/ˌkɒst ɪˈfɛktɪv/	Giving good results for the amount spent	Screening is cost-effective for high-risk groups.	cost-effective intervention; cost-effective policy
public campaign	noun	/ˈpʌblɪk kæmˈpeɪn/	Government information drive	A public campaign reduced sugar consumption.	nationwide campaign; awareness campaign
allocate funding	verb phrase	/ˈæləkeɪt ˈfʌndɪŋ/	Assign money to a purpose	Governments should allocate funding to prevention.	allocate resources; allocate budget
healthcare burden	noun	/ˈhɛlθkeə ˈbɜːdən/	Pressure on the system	Lifestyle diseases increase the healthcare burden.	financial burden; system burden
long-term savings	noun	/ˌlɒŋ ˈtɜːm ˈseɪvɪŋz/	Money saved over time	Prevention yields long-term savings.	generate savings; realise savings
triage protocols	noun	/ˈtriːɑːʒ ˈprəʊtəkɒlz/	Rules for prioritising care	Triage protocols improved emergency response.	implement protocols; clinical protocols
on the one hand / on the other hand	transition	—	Shows contrast	On the one hand, prevention saves money; on the other hand, treatment is essential.	—
notwithstanding	transition	/ˌnɒtwɪθˈstændɪŋ/	In spite of	Notwithstanding these savings, hospitals need funds.	notwithstanding the fact; notwithstanding concerns
prioritise	verb	/praɪˈɒrɪtaɪz/	Treat as most important	We should prioritise prevention.	prioritise spending; prioritise patients
robust capacity	noun phrase	/rəʊˈbʌst kəˈpæsɪti/	Strong ability to perform	Hospitals must maintain robust capacity.	build capacity; capacity planning
regulatory measures	noun	/ˈrɛgjʊlətəri ˈmɛʒəz/	Government rules/laws	Regulatory measures reduced alcohol abuse.	adopt measures; enforce measures

6. High-Scoring Sentence Structures

1. Complex subordination (cause and consequence)

• Formula: Because/As/Since + clause, main clause
• Example: Because prevention addresses root causes, it protects more citizens than reactive care can.
• Why it scores well: Clear logical link; avoids repetition; precise meaning.
• Additional examples:
  • Since late-stage interventions are expensive, early screening is preferable.
  • As budgets are limited, prioritisation is inevitable.
• Common mistakes: Comma splices; using “because” with fragments.

2. Non-defining relative clauses

• Formula: Main clause, which/whose + clause, main clause
• Example: Early detection programs, which cost far less per life-year saved, deserve priority.
• Why: Adds precise detail without breaking flow.
• Additional examples:
  • Vaccination, which prevents severe illness, should be universal.
  • Hospitals, whose resources are finite, must triage.
• Mistakes: Omitting commas; using “that” in non-defining clauses.

3. Participle phrases (reason or condition)

• Formula: -ing phrase, main clause
• Example: Investing in health education, governments can reduce long-term costs.
• Why: Concision and advanced style.
• Additional examples:
  • Targeting high-risk groups, policymakers maximise impact.
  • Enforcing regulations, authorities discourage harmful habits.
• Mistakes: Dangling modifiers; unclear subject reference.

4. Cleft sentences for emphasis

• Formula: It is/was + X + that/who + clause
• Example: It is prevention that delivers the greatest long-term savings.
• Why: Focuses the reader on the key idea.
• Additional examples:
  • It is sustained funding that keeps hospitals resilient.
  • It was effective messaging that changed public behaviour.
• Mistakes: Overuse leading to unnatural style.

5. Advanced conditionals

• Formula: If + present, modal + base; If + were to + base, would + base
• Example: If governments were to rebalance budgets toward prevention, hospitals would face fewer avoidable admissions.
• Why: Shows hypothesis and policy impact.
• Additional examples:
  • If screening is universal, mortality will fall.
  • If taxes on sugar rose, consumption would likely drop.
• Mistakes: Tense mismatch; using “would” in both clauses.

6. Inversion for emphasis

• Formula: Only by/Not until/Hardly + auxiliary + subject + verb
• Example: Only by safeguarding essential hospital services can a prevention-first policy remain ethical.
• Why: Stylistic sophistication; controlled emphasis.
• Additional examples:
  • Not until budgets are transparent will trust improve.
  • Hardly had the campaign launched when awareness spiked.
• Mistakes: Forgetting auxiliary; awkward word order.

To see how technology complicates public welfare debates, you may explore The role of technology in public welfare: The role of technology in public welfare

7. Self-Assessment Checklist

Before writing

• Underline keywords; identify question type (opinion/discuss/problem-solution).
• Decide your angle and 2-3 main supports with examples.
• Plan paragraph topics and a proportional recommendation.

While writing

• Keep a clear thesis in the introduction.
• Topic sentence first; develop with explanation + example.
• Maintain balance: prevention benefits + treatment necessity.

After writing

• Check that every paragraph answers the question.
• Replace vague words with precise collocations.
• Fix common errors: agreement, articles, prepositions, punctuation.

Time management tips

• 3–4 mins planning; 30 mins writing; 3–4 mins checking.
• Use a mini-outline: P1 Thesis, P2 Prevention, P3 Treatment, P4 Recommendation.
• If stuck, write the example first, then explain and generalise.

Conclusion

The role of government in healthcare is a recurring IELTS Task 2 theme because it naturally invites debate about efficiency, ethics, and equity. You’ve seen how Band 8-9 writing balances prevention with treatment, uses policy-specific examples, and leverages advanced grammar for clarity and emphasis. Your path to improvement is straightforward: plan tightly, argue both sides with relevant evidence, refine topic vocabulary, and master a few high-scoring structures. With weekly practice and targeted feedback, many learners can move up half a band to a full band in 6–10 weeks.

To deepen your understanding of state responsibilities, you may compare priorities discussed in The role of government in providing healthcare with global equity themes in The need for global healthcare access: 2. The role of government in providing healthcare. and The need for global healthcare access. Share your own essay in the comments: write the introduction and one body paragraph, and time yourself to simulate test conditions.