Here is a recent question that appeared in IELTS writing exam. In this article we will provide you the model answer to the question along with the important vocabulary and phrases in the passage.

The question as quoted in the Writing Section II in the IELTS Writing Exam

‘Education is not a luxury but a basic human right & as such should be free for everyone irrespective of personal wealth. Do you agree or disagree?’

Analyzing the question, we see that it is about Education being a luxury or a necessity. Since the question mentions Do you agree or disagree? you must take a viewpoint clearly and speak why you have chosen to take that side.

Before going ahead to read the model answer, we would recommend you to write the answer to the question yourself. Then go ahead to read the model answer to get a better idea.

Band 7 Answer:

Education is widely recognized as the foundation of a nation’s development. While I partially agree that primary education should be provided free of charge to all individuals, I believe that higher education should be made more accessible rather than completely free.

To begin with, when something is made freely available, its value often diminishes. The same can be true for education. The reason why higher education is held in high regard is the significant effort required to attain it. If higher education were free, many students may not invest the same level of dedication and commitment. Additionally, making higher education free could reduce the motivation levels of professors and faculty members, potentially compromising the overall quality of education. This, in turn, may lead to an increase in failure rates as students would no longer bear the financial burden of tuition fees.

However, there are various ways to expand educational opportunities and improve access for people from all sections of society. This can be achieved through measures such as providing easy-to-access education loans with reduced interest rates, implementing effective scholarship programs for meritorious students at the school level, and increasing funding for colleges and universities. For instance, the Swami Vivekanand scholarship, designed for single girls from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, has contributed significantly to India’s progress in the field of education and research. To support this further, it has been reported that the number of school dropouts decreased from 25 million in 2003 to 8.1 million in 2009.

In conclusion, I believe that primary education should be made freely accessible to all individuals. However, when it comes to higher education, it should be made more accessible rather than completely free. By implementing measures to increase access and support students financially, we can strike a balance between affordability and maintaining the value and quality of education.

Important Vocabulary and Phrases:

– Foundation of a nation

– Prominent indicator

– Significant

– Outstanding/Deserving