PDF worksheet
Lesson
Writing Task 2: "Discuss both views" at Band 7+
What separates Band 6 from Band 7+: a clear position throughout, developed ideas, subtle cohesion and careful hedging. Analyse a model, then write a full essay.
The Band 7 checklist
- Task Response: your own opinion is clear from the introduction to the conclusion, and every idea is extended (explained, supported and evaluated).
- Coherence and Cohesion: ideas connect through referencing (this policy, such measures, the latter), not a linking word at the start of every sentence.
- Lexical Resource: precise, less common vocabulary used naturally: widen access, a disproportionate burden.
- Grammar: a mix of complex structures with few errors.
Structure for "Discuss both views and give your opinion"
| Paragraph | Content |
|---|---|
| Introduction | Paraphrase the issue and state your position |
| Body 1 | The first view: point, explanation, example, your evaluation |
| Body 2 | The second view, developed the same way, leading to your position |
| Conclusion | Summarise both views and restate your position |
Band 6 vs Band 7+
Band 6: Firstly, free education is good. Secondly, it helps poor students. Moreover, it is fair.
Band 7+: Free tuition is likely to widen access for students from low-income families, although it may not, on its own, guarantee that they complete their degrees.
Band 7+: Free tuition is likely to widen access for students from low-income families, although it may not, on its own, guarantee that they complete their degrees.
Band 6: Free tuition costs a lot of money. Free tuition must be paid for by taxpayers.
Band 7+: Free tuition is expensive, and this cost ultimately falls on taxpayers.
Band 7+: Free tuition is expensive, and this cost ultimately falls on taxpayers.
Hedging: don't overclaim
is likely to, tends to, may well, in many cases, arguably, to some extent. Use them when a claim isn't true in every case. It is a sign of academic maturity, not weakness.
Practise freely
Questions 1–4
Choose the best answer, A, B or C.
-
Which introduction sentence states a clear position?
-
Which sentence uses hedging appropriately?
-
Which best avoids repetition? "Free tuition costs a lot of money. Free tuition must be paid for by taxpayers."
-
Which sentence shows the most natural cohesion?
Questions 5–8
These sentences make up one body paragraph. What job does each one do? Choose A–D.
-
Those who favour free tuition argue that higher education benefits society as a whole, not only the individual graduate.
-
In other words, if the whole community gains from a graduate's skills, it seems fair that the whole community should help to fund them.
-
Doctors, teachers and engineers trained at public expense go on to provide services that everyone relies on.
-
This argument is persuasive, particularly for professions that face serious shortages.
Questions 9–13
Complete each sentence with a word or phrase from the box. Use each one once.
whereasAdmittedlythe latterSuchThis
-
Some graduates earn high salaries, others struggle to find well-paid work.
-
, free tuition would place a heavy burden on public finances.
-
Governments could fund either universities or vocational colleges, but are often neglected.
-
a policy would need to be introduced gradually.
-
Many countries offer loans that are repaid only once graduates earn above a certain income. approach shares the cost more fairly.
Your turn: write the essay
Some people believe that university education should be free for all students. Others think that students should pay for it themselves.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words. Spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Check your answer
Model answer
Whether university tuition should be funded by the state or by students themselves is a long-standing debate. While both positions have merit, I believe that the fairest solution lies between them: higher education should be free at the point of use, but graduates who go on to earn well should repay part of the cost.
Those who favour free tuition argue that higher education benefits society as a whole, not only the individual graduate. Doctors, teachers and engineers trained at public expense go on to provide services that everyone relies on, so it seems reasonable for the community to share the cost of their training. Free tuition is also likely to widen access, since talented students from low-income families may otherwise be deterred by the prospect of large debts. This argument is persuasive, particularly for professions that face serious shortages.
On the other hand, many people point out that graduates tend to earn considerably more than non-graduates over their lifetimes. From this perspective, it would be unfair to ask a factory worker, through taxation, to pay for the degree of someone who will later earn twice as much. Admittedly, a fully state-funded system would also place a heavy burden on public finances, particularly in developing countries where schools and hospitals compete for the same resources.
In my view, an income-contingent loan system combines the strengths of both approaches. Students would pay nothing while studying, which protects access, but would repay a proportion of their fees once their salary rose above a certain threshold. Such a scheme ensures that those who benefit most contribute most, while no one is excluded because of their background.
In conclusion, although society undeniably gains from an educated workforce, graduates also gain personally. Sharing the cost through deferred, income-related repayments is, I believe, the most equitable answer.
More writing practice
PDF worksheet
64 academic collocations for Writing Task 2
PDF worksheet