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IELTS Writing Task 2
Essay Question: University Fees
Example Answer by Jeenn Lee Hsieh
谢振礼 ielts360toefl@hotmail.com
IELTS Prompt (类似真题 20130817 China)
In some countries, governments pay the costs for students' higher education; while in other countries students have to pay the university or college fees for themselves. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of both views and give your opinion.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your knowledge or experience to support your opinion.
Sample Essay by 谢振礼Jeenn Lee Hsieh
Referring to the current climate of public funding, free university with its obvious advantages is only a great dream but is actually not feasible. Admitting that everyone would have equal access to higher education, most countries cannot afford it. However, the government should ensure that students from low-income and middle-income families to get the education first and pay later.
For good reasons, some people think that governments should be responsible for university fees, without asking question. To begin with, it may be considered politically right as this practice can benefit both individuals and the society as a whole. Socially speaking, such is one good way to gradually and steadily narrow the rich-poor gap. Individually, university graduates are free from being saddled with loan-related debts, up and rising. This view likens the need of free higher education to the demands of medical care programs, public housing projects, crime prevention, national security, and of course the compulsory basic education--all of which always being high priorities on the government's financial agenda. In other words, it could be justified that the government should pay for university fees, only if or when a country has extremely deep pockets.
Unfortunately, that 'easier-said-than-done' policy is neither plausible in budget planning nor fair to taxpayers. In fact, the idea of free college is far from being realistic because it is the individual's responsibility to pay for expensive college fees rather than the duty taxpayers (who may or may not enjoy such educational benefits). For one thing, higher education is an option and not an obligation. Further, considering it is fair that university graduates have higher salaries than those with a lower education, it must be fair, too, that all degree holders are obliged to pay for getting through the university--not up front, but much later. This means that the government will lend students the money for university fees which will be paid back when they graduate and begin working. Under this practice, the government can then recycle students' loans and maintain the financial health.
On the whole, it is not that the government paying for higher-education fees is a bad idea but that it is difficult for a democratic government to make free college happen. Means-tested, financially disadvantaged students ought to be be assisted in their pursuit of university degrees. However, at the end of the day, there are no 'free lunches'. (Essay created by ielts360toefl@hotmail.com 通信讲座 改写作文 谢振礼Jeenn Lee Hsieh)
Timed Essays: Writing IELTS Under Pressure
IELTS Essay 40 minutes (handwriting)
>Planning 8 minutes (4 paragraphs: introduction, body A, body B, conclusion)
>Writing 27 minutes (18 sentences; 90 seconds/1 sentence on average)
>Proofreading 5 minutes (grammar and spellings)
*Word Count>Write as much as you can; target length 18 sentences.
IELTS Essay (at least 250 words)
>introduction 3 sentences: thesis, focus, 2 signposts A/B
>body A 6 sentences: topic sentence A, + 5 supporting sentences
>body B 6 sentences: topic sentence B, + 5 supporting sentences
>conclusion 3 sentences: 2 signposts A/B, focus, thesis
