Monday 23 August 2010

Model Answer - Ielts Writing (Task 2)

Prevention is better than cure. Out of a country’s health budget, a large proportion should be diverted from treatment to spending on health education and preventative measures.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?


Medical science has progressed to such a stage where it is possible to understand the outcomes of many illnesses. Millions of dollars are spend on medical services to cater to the needs of the sick. However, what is really required is an investment in health education and preventative measures.

It often takes years of neglect or bad health habits before problems appear. People avoid going for check-ups, in most cases, until they notice some obvious symptoms or experience pain. Health education and preventative measures may be regarded as long-term solutions to a nation’s sufferings. A simple government campaign which promotes healthy lifestyles could go a long way in preventing future illnesses. Health education could become part of the school curriculum as well. Knowing what causes terminal illnesses like heart disease in the first place, will help individuals be more responsible for their health instead of overburdening the existing health system.

Naturally, tackling immediate health problems in the form of treatment is important and a substantial amount of a country’s budget is allocated to this sector. Hospitals in many countries are overcrowded, the staff work long hours and patients don’t receive the medical attention they deserve. By allocating the necessary funds to preventative measures, this gloomy image of current hospitals can be eliminated as can a patient’s suffering.

I think it is a good idea for the government to take an interest in promoting healthy living so that in the long-run, fewer people will be visiting hospitals, the nation will feel better and budgets can be reduced or allocated elsewhere.

Cambridge, Ielts 2 past papers.

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