HealthDiscussion (Both Views + Opinion)
IELTS Essay: Health — Individual vs Government (Band 9 vs 6.5)
In short
Below is a full Band 9 model answer to this IELTS Writing Task 2 question, the same question written at Band 6.5, and a criterion-by-criterion breakdown of exactly what separates them — so you can see what to change in your own writing. Then check your essay with the free tool.
The question
Some people think that individuals are responsible for their own health, while others believe that maintaining public health is the duty of governments. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
How to approach a Discussion (Both Views + Opinion) question
A discussion question asks you to do two distinct things: present both views fairly, and give your own opinion. Devote one body paragraph to each view, then make sure your position is clear — either woven through or stated plainly in the conclusion. The classic mistake is discussing both sides but forgetting to give an opinion at all, which directly costs Task Response marks.
The plan
- 01Introduction: outline the debate and state the opinion that responsibility is shared but tilts towards government.
- 02Body 1: present the personal-responsibility view, since individuals choose their diet, exercise and habits.
- 03Body 2: present the government view and support the opinion, as the state shapes the conditions for healthy living.
- 04Conclusion: reaffirm that government bears the primary duty while individuals and the state act as partners.
Band 9 model answer
Opinions differ over whether looking after our health is fundamentally a personal duty or one that falls to the state. While I recognise that individuals must take ownership of their daily choices, I will argue that governments ultimately bear the greater responsibility, because they shape the conditions in which those choices are made.
Those who emphasise personal responsibility make a persuasive case. Nobody forces an individual to smoke, overeat or lead a sedentary life, and in the end it is each person who reaps the benefits of exercise or suffers the consequences of neglect. From this perspective, treating adults as helpless victims of their circumstances is patronising; a healthy society depends on citizens who are willing to take sensible precautions and moderate their own behaviour.
Nevertheless, individual willpower operates within limits that only governments can set. A person can hardly eat well if fresh food is unaffordable, nor exercise safely if their neighbourhood lacks parks or pavements. By regulating harmful products, funding hospitals, ensuring clean water and running public-awareness campaigns, the state creates the very framework that makes healthy living feasible. Because these levers are far more powerful than any single person's resolve, the balance of responsibility, in my view, tips towards government.
In conclusion, although personal choices undeniably matter, I believe the primary duty for safeguarding health lies with governments, since they alone can build an environment in which the healthy choice is also the easy one. The most sensible approach treats the two not as rivals but as partners.
The same question at Band 6.5
People have different opinion about who is responsible for the health. Some people think that individual should take care of their own health, but other people believe that it is the job of the government. In this essay I will discuss both views and give my opinion.
On one hand, some people think that health is the responsibility of the individual. This is because every person can decide what they eat and how much they exercise. If a person smoke or eat too much fast food, it is their own choice and they must accept the result. Nobody can force them to be healthy, so they should take care of themself.
On the other hand, other people think that the government is responsible for public health. The government have more power and money, so they can build hospital, make clean water and control the price of healthy food. Also they can make campaign to teach people about health. Without the help of government, it is very difficult for normal people to stay healthy.
In my opinion, I think both the individual and the government are responsible for the health. The individual should make good choice in their life, but the government should also help them by making good policy and building hospital. If they work together, the health of the society will become better.
What separates them, criterion by criterion
| Criterion | Band 9 | Band 6.5 |
|---|---|---|
| Task Response | Discusses both views fully and carries a single, clear opinion (government bears the greater duty) from introduction to conclusion. | Covers both sides, but the ideas stay general and the opinion only appears at the end, simply saying that 'both' are responsible. |
| Coherence & Cohesion | Connects ideas with natural cohesion ('Those who emphasise... make a persuasive case', 'Nevertheless', 'Because these levers...'). | Uses mechanical framing ('On one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Also') to separate the views. |
| Lexical Resource | Employs precise phrasing such as 'take ownership of their choices', 'reaps the benefits' and 'individual willpower operates within limits'. | Adequate but repetitive, reusing 'take care', 'responsible' and 'government have power'. |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | Handles complex conditionals accurately, e.g. 'A person can hardly eat well if fresh food is unaffordable, nor exercise safely if...'. | Mostly simple sentences with visible but non-impeding errors ('government have', 'a person smoke', 'take care of themself'). |
Examiner's note
The Band 9 response discusses both views fairly and carries a single, clear opinion from introduction to conclusion, controlling complex conditional sentences with ease. The Band 6.5 answer covers both sides but only reaches an opinion at the end, relies on 'On one hand / On the other hand', and repeats basic vocabulary while making errors like 'government have' and 'themself'.
Vocabulary from the Band 9 answer
| Word / phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| take ownership of | accept full responsibility for something |
| reap the benefits | enjoy the good results of an action |
| lead a sedentary life | live in a way that involves very little physical activity |
| take sensible precautions | do reasonable things to avoid harm |
| moderate their behaviour | control or limit what they do |
| operates within limits | works only up to a certain boundary and no further |
| public-awareness campaigns | organised efforts to inform the public about an issue |
| the balance of responsibility tips towards | most of the responsibility falls to a particular party |
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to give my own opinion in a discussion essay?
Yes, if the question says 'give your own opinion'. State it clearly in the introduction and again in the conclusion, and keep it consistent throughout.
Should I give equal space to both views?
Roughly, yes. Devote a developed paragraph to each view so the examiner sees you have discussed both fairly, even if you personally favour one side.
Can my opinion agree with one of the two views?
Absolutely. Your opinion can side with one view, sit between them, or add a nuance. What matters is that it is clear and supported.