Space Exploration vs Funding Earthly Problems
A complete IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 question with a model answer of 282 words, plus a breakdown of the sentence structures, cohesive devices and vocabulary that answer uses. Write your own version first, then compare.
Written by Manish Sharma · CELTA and DELTA qualified · 8 years teaching IELTS
Score my answer to this questionThe question
You have 40 minutes. Write at least 250 words.
Some people think that governments should fund space exploration programmes. Others believe that this money would be better spent on solving problems here on Earth. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Write at least 250 words.
How to approach it
- 01Discuss BOTH perspectives in separate body paragraphs before giving your opinion
- 02Use concrete examples — name specific space spin-offs like GPS or water purification
- 03Make your opinion clear in the introduction and reinforce it in the conclusion
- 04Avoid extreme positions; a balanced stance often scores higher
- 05Use formal academic phrases: 'a compelling case', 'a false dichotomy'
- 06Reference figures or proportions to add credibility (e.g., percentage of budget)
Model answer
282 words in 5 paragraphs. Read it after you have written your own, not before: the point of a model answer is to show you what you missed, and you cannot miss anything you have not attempted.
The question of whether national budgets should support ambitious space programmes or be redirected to terrestrial concerns has become increasingly contentious as the cost of space missions rises. While I appreciate the case for investing in pressing Earth-bound issues, I believe a balanced approach that continues to fund space research yields the greatest long-term benefit for humanity.
Those who advocate spending money on Earth raise compelling arguments. Domestic challenges such as poverty, healthcare access, climate change, and crumbling infrastructure affect millions of people every day. Critics of space spending point out that the budget of a single Mars mission could fund clean drinking water for entire regions or provide vaccinations to vulnerable populations. From this perspective, sending probes to distant planets feels like a luxury when basic human needs remain unmet at home.
On the other hand, supporters of space exploration argue that the benefits extend well beyond the headline missions themselves. Many technologies that now improve daily life — including GPS navigation, weather forecasting, water purification systems, and medical imaging — originated as spin-offs from space research. Furthermore, observing Earth from orbit has proven essential for tracking deforestation, monitoring sea-level rise, and predicting natural disasters, which directly serves humanitarian goals.
In my opinion, framing the issue as space versus Earth presents a false dichotomy. Space programmes typically consume less than half a percent of national budgets, yet they generate scientific knowledge, drive innovation, and inspire young people to pursue STEM careers. Cutting them would scarcely solve poverty but would significantly weaken our long-term capacity to tackle global problems.
In conclusion, while addressing immediate human needs must remain a priority, modest investment in space exploration delivers technological and inspirational returns that justify its continuation.
What this answer actually does
Measured from the text above, and compared against the other 69 answers of the same type in this library. These are counts, not band scores: they describe what the writing does, which is the part you can copy.
9 fewer than the median answer for this task type
10 words at the shortest, 29 at the longest
1 more than the median answer for this task type
carry a subordinate or relative clause
Sentence rhythm
Sentences average 21.7 words and vary by 5.7 words either side of that, running from 10 words to 29. Variation is the point. Grammatical Range and Accuracy rewards a mix of simple and complex sentences, and an answer where every sentence is the same length reads as flat no matter how correct it is. 8 of the 13 sentences here carry a subordinate or relative clause.
The cohesive devices it uses
7 in total, spread across 4 different functions. Range matters more than count: an answer that opens every paragraph with a sequencer signals its structure but never signals a relationship between ideas, and Coherence and Cohesion is marked on both.
on the other hand, while, yet
furthermore
such as
in conclusion
Vocabulary and repetition
Ignoring grammar words, 87 per cent of the content words in this answer are distinct, and 78 per cent appear exactly once. Lexical Resource is where repetition costs the most marks, and the usual cause is not a small vocabulary but reaching for the same noun every time the topic is named.
The longest run of words copied straight from the question is 2 words. Examiners discount wording lifted from the question, so a short run here is the right outcome: the answer restates the topic in its own words rather than borrowing the question's.
What you are marked on
All four criteria carry equal weight, and your Writing band is their average rounded to the nearest half band.
Task Response
Address both views fully and present a clear, consistent personal opinion supported by reasons.
Coherence & Cohesion
Use a clear four or five paragraph structure with effective topic sentences and linkers.
Lexical Resource
Use precise academic vocabulary on technology, governance, and economics with collocations.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy
Demonstrate a range of complex structures including conditionals and relative clauses with accuracy.
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