IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Essays: The Role of Public Funding in Education – Band 6.5 to Band 8.5 Examples

The role of governments in supporting education has been a recurring topic in IELTS Writing Task 2, appearing approximately 3-4 times annually over the past 5 years. This high frequency suggests it will likely continue to be tested regularly.

Modern classroom with students using technology funded by public education system

Task Analysis

Some people believe that governments should spend more money on education than on recreation and sports. Do you agree or disagree?

This question requires:

• Clear position on government spending priorities
• Comparison between education and recreation/sports funding
• Supporting arguments with specific examples
• Balanced consideration of both aspects

Sample Essay 1 (Band 8.5)

Governments face crucial decisions regarding budget allocation, and I strongly agree that education should receive greater financial priority than recreational and sporting facilities. This stance is based on education’s fundamental role in societal development and economic growth.

Firstly, investing in education yields long-term societal benefits that far outweigh those of recreational facilities. Quality education equips citizens with essential skills and knowledge required for economic productivity and innovation. For instance, South Korea’s remarkable economic transformation can be largely attributed to its substantial investment in education, which has created a highly skilled workforce driving technological advancement and economic growth.

Moreover, education serves as a powerful tool for social mobility and reducing inequality. When governments prioritize educational funding, they ensure broader access to quality education regardless of socioeconomic background. This approach has been successfully demonstrated in Finland, where extensive public education funding has resulted in consistently high academic performance across all social classes.

While recreational and sports facilities certainly contribute to public well-being, their impact is relatively limited compared to education. Although sports and recreation promote physical health and community engagement, these benefits can still be achieved through well-planned school physical education programs and community initiatives that don’t require extensive government funding.

The benefits of community-based education systems demonstrate that focused educational investment creates multiplier effects across society. Therefore, while governments should maintain reasonable support for recreational facilities, education should receive priority in budget allocation to ensure sustainable societal development.

Sample Essay 2 (Band 6.5)

I agree that governments should give more money to education than sports and recreation because education is more important for people’s future.

The main reason is that education helps people get better jobs. When students can study in good schools with good teachers and equipment, they learn more and can find work more easily. For example, in my country, people who finish university usually earn more money than those who don’t.

Also, education is important for the country’s development. If people are well-educated, they can help make their country better. They can become doctors, engineers, and teachers who help other people. Sports and recreation are good for health, but they don’t help people get jobs or make the country richer.

However, sports and recreation are still important. They help people stay healthy and happy. But governments can spend less money on these things because private companies can build gyms and sports centers. Education is different because it needs more government support to help poor students.

In conclusion, I think governments should spend more money on education because it helps both people and the country more than sports and recreation do.

Scoring Analysis

Band 8.5 Essay:

• Task Response: Clear position, fully developed arguments
• Coherence: Logical organization, effective paragraphing
• Lexical Resource: Sophisticated vocabulary (economic transformation, socioeconomic background)
• Grammar: Complex structures accurately used

Band 6.5 Essay:

• Task Response: Clear position but simpler development
• Coherence: Basic organization, some repetition
• Lexical Resource: Adequate but limited range
• Grammar: Mix of simple and complex structures

Key Vocabulary

1. allocation (n) /ˌæləˈkeɪʃən/ – the distribution of resources
2. fundamental (adj) /ˌfʌndəˈmentl/ – basic, essential
3. innovation (n) /ˌɪnəˈveɪʃən/ – new ideas, methods
4. socioeconomic (adj) /ˌsoʊsioʊˌekəˈnɑːmɪk/ – relating to social and economic factors
5. multiplier effect (n) /ˈmʌltɪplaɪər ɪˈfekt/ – chain reaction of economic benefits

Advanced Sentence Structures

1. Conditional: “If governments prioritize educational funding, they ensure broader access…”
2. Complex with relative clause: “Quality education equips citizens with essential skills and knowledge that drive economic growth.”
3. Although + contrast: “Although sports promote health, their impact is relatively limited…”

The role of governments in supporting SMEs shows similar patterns of public investment priorities that we see in education funding.

Share your practice essays in the comments below for feedback and discussion with fellow IELTS candidates.