Giải chi tiết đề thi thật IELTS Writing 2024 – Từ Band 6.0 đến 8.5
TASK 2: Students should pay the ful cost for their own study, because university education benefits individuals rather than society. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Band 6.0-6.5
Many people believe that students should bear the full cost of their university education because it primarily benefits them individually. While this argument has merit, I believe that university education benefits both individuals and society, and therefore, it should not be fully funded by students.
On the one hand, it is true that individuals gain significant personal advantages from higher education. A university degree can lead to better career opportunities, higher salaries, and personal development. As a result, some argue that since students directly benefit from their education, they should be responsible for paying its full cost. This would also reduce the financial burden on governments and taxpayers, allowing public funds to be spent on other sectors such as healthcare or infrastructure.
However, higher education also has many positive effects on society. University graduates contribute to the development of a skilled workforce, which is essential for the growth of industries and innovation. Moreover, educated individuals tend to be more aware of social issues, more likely to participate in civic activities, and contribute to the overall well-being of the country. If students are required to pay the full cost of their education, many might be discouraged from attending university, especially those from low-income backgrounds.
In conclusion, while individuals do gain personal benefits from higher education, society as a whole also profits from a well-educated population. Therefore, it is unfair to expect students to pay the full cost of their education. Instead, a balance between government funding and student contributions should be established.
Band 7.0-7.5
There is a growing belief that students should cover the full cost of their university education, as the primary beneficiaries are the individuals themselves. Although this viewpoint has some validity, I strongly believe that the benefits of higher education extend beyond the individual and also contribute to the wider society. Therefore, the financial burden should not rest solely on students.
Proponents of this idea argue that since students reap the most direct rewards from university education, such as better job prospects, higher incomes, and personal growth, they should be the ones to bear the financial responsibility. This would alleviate pressure on government budgets and allow funds to be redirected to essential areas such as healthcare and social services. Moreover, some suggest that students who are aware of the financial investment they are making may take their studies more seriously and work harder to achieve success.
However, this approach overlooks the broader societal benefits of higher education. Educated individuals are essential to the development of a thriving economy and an innovative workforce. They contribute to research, scientific advancements, and problem-solving in various fields. Furthermore, university graduates are generally more informed citizens who are more likely to engage in civic activities, volunteer work, and social causes, thereby enhancing the fabric of society. If students were required to pay the full cost of their education, many from disadvantaged backgrounds might be excluded, leading to an increase in inequality.
In conclusion, while students undoubtedly benefit personally from university education, the advantages for society are equally significant. Therefore, it is unjust to place the entire financial burden on students, and a shared responsibility between governments and individuals is more appropriate.
Band 8.0-8.5
It is often argued that students should bear the entire cost of their university education, as the primary beneficiaries are the individuals themselves. While this argument may seem logical on the surface, I believe that higher education provides substantial benefits to both individuals and society, and therefore, the costs should not be entirely borne by students.
On the one hand, there is no doubt that individuals gain significant personal advantages from pursuing higher education. A university degree often leads to better career prospects, higher earning potential, and greater personal development. Advocates of full student funding argue that since students directly benefit from these outcomes, they should be responsible for covering the costs. Additionally, transferring the financial burden to students would reduce pressure on government budgets, allowing public funds to be allocated to other critical sectors such as healthcare, infrastructure, and social welfare programs.
However, this viewpoint overlooks the fact that higher education also serves as a public good, contributing to the advancement of society as a whole. University graduates play a crucial role in driving economic growth, fostering innovation, and addressing societal challenges through research and development. Educated individuals are also more likely to participate in civic engagement, volunteerism, and social activism, thereby enhancing the overall well-being of their communities. By requiring students to cover the full cost of their education, many talented individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds may be excluded from higher education, leading to greater social inequality and a less diverse workforce.
In conclusion, while students undoubtedly benefit from higher education, society also gains substantially from a well-educated population. Therefore, it is neither fair nor practical to expect students to bear the full cost of their education. A balanced approach, where both governments and students share the financial responsibility, is a more equitable solution.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of what makes each IELTS Task 2 essay different in terms of band level:
Band 6.0-6.5:
- Vocabulary: Basic and functional vocabulary is used to convey ideas. Words like “career opportunities,” “higher salaries,” and “personal development” are simple and common. There’s little to no use of less common or advanced vocabulary.
- Sentence Structures: Mostly simple and compound sentences are used. Complex sentences appear but are not varied or sophisticated. For example, “A university degree can lead to better career opportunities, higher salaries, and personal development” is a straightforward structure.
- Idea Development: The ideas are clear but not deeply explored. The essay mentions individual and societal benefits but does not delve into specific examples or broader consequences. There is also less analysis or elaboration on how these benefits affect individuals or society.
- Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is easy to follow but lacks sophisticated linking words or phrases. It uses basic connectors like “on the one hand” and “in conclusion,” but these are standard and not varied.
- Tone: The tone is neutral and formal but does not use any specialized or academic expressions.
Band 7.0-7.5:
- Vocabulary: The essay uses a broader range of vocabulary. Words like “alleviate pressure on government budgets,” “financial responsibility,” and “disadvantaged backgrounds” show a more diverse lexicon. The vocabulary is more topic-specific and formal.
- Sentence Structures: There is a good mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences. More complex ideas are introduced, such as “Proponents of this idea argue that since students reap the most direct rewards from university education…”. The essay also uses relative clauses, conditional structures, and some passive constructions to vary the style.
- Idea Development: The arguments are more developed and include specific examples of benefits for individuals and society. There is more depth in explaining how education influences civic engagement, economic growth, and innovation. However, it still lacks some highly analytical insight seen in Band 8.0-8.5.
- Coherence and Cohesion: The essay uses a wider range of cohesive devices, such as “however,” “moreover,” and “on the other hand,” to link ideas. There is more fluency in connecting points, and transitions are smoother, making the essay easier to read.
- Tone: The tone is more academic, with expressions like “it is unjust to place the entire financial burden on students.” The writer demonstrates a better grasp of formal tone and appropriate word choice for academic writing.
Band 8.0-8.5:
- Vocabulary: Advanced and precise vocabulary is used consistently. Phrases such as “substantial benefits,” “university graduates play a crucial role in…,” and “societal challenges through research and development” show a sophisticated and nuanced command of the language. There is a clear use of topic-specific language and less common lexical items.
- Sentence Structures: The essay demonstrates complex sentence structures with ease. Sentences are often layered and demonstrate advanced grammar: “While this argument may seem logical on the surface, I believe that higher education provides substantial benefits to both individuals and society, and therefore, the costs should not be entirely borne by students.” Such sentences show the writer’s ability to manage long, complex ideas.
- Idea Development: There is in-depth analysis of both sides of the argument. The writer explores how education is not only beneficial to individuals but also provides a detailed look at how it benefits society, including long-term effects like economic growth, innovation, and addressing societal challenges. The analysis is critical and well-developed, demonstrating deeper insight into the topic.
- Coherence and Cohesion: The essay has excellent flow and cohesion, with a variety of linking devices: “On the one hand,” “Furthermore,” “Moreover,” and “In conclusion.” Ideas are smoothly connected, and the reader can easily follow the logical progression of the argument.
- Tone: The tone is highly academic and formal, with appropriate expressions for an IELTS essay. There is a clear use of evaluative language, showing a command of higher-level thinking and analysis. Phrases like “it is neither fair nor practical” and “a balanced approach” show a more sophisticated grasp of how to convey nuanced arguments.
Summary of Differences:
- Vocabulary:
- Band 6.0-6.5: Basic and functional.
- Band 7.0-7.5: Broader range, more formal and specific.
- Band 8.0-8.5: Advanced, topic-specific, and nuanced.
- Sentence Structures:
- Band 6.0-6.5: Simple and compound.
- Band 7.0-7.5: Mix of simple, compound, and some complex.
- Band 8.0-8.5: Varied complex structures with relative clauses, conditionals, and passive voice.
- Idea Development:
- Band 6.0-6.5: Clear ideas but less developed.
- Band 7.0-7.5: More detailed and balanced arguments.
- Band 8.0-8.5: In-depth analysis with strong critical thinking and specific examples.
- Coherence and Cohesion:
- Band 6.0-6.5: Basic linking devices.
- Band 7.0-7.5: A wider range of connectors, smoother transitions.
- Band 8.0-8.5: Excellent flow with a variety of cohesive devices.
- Tone:
- Band 6.0-6.5: Neutral, simple tone.
- Band 7.0-7.5: More formal and academi
- Band 8.0-8.5: Highly formal, nuanced, and evaluative.
Each level shows improvement in depth of analysis, vocabulary sophistication, sentence complexity, and overall fluency in presenting ideas, which leads to the different band scores.
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