Band 7 Example

Question: Should governments provide financial support to start-ups?

Idea 1

Yes
Model Answer
Yes, I think governments should help start-ups financially. Start-ups are important because they create jobs and help the economy grow. Many new businesses have trouble getting loans from banks, so government support can really make a difference. Also, if these start-ups become successful, they will pay more taxes in the future, which is good for the country.
Yes, I do believe governments should provide financial support to start-ups. Start-ups are a major source of new jobs and can really drive economic growth. They also bring fresh ideas and innovation, which is essential for any country to stay competitive. Since it's often hard for new businesses to get funding from banks, government support can help reduce the risk for entrepreneurs. Plus, if these start-ups succeed, they’ll contribute more in taxes, which benefits everyone in the long run.
Grammar Analysis
1. Modal verbs: The use of "should" in "governments should provide financial support" shows ability to express opinions and recommendations, which is important in IELTS Speaking Part 3. 2. Present simple tense: Most of the answer uses present simple (e.g., "Start-ups are a major source of new jobs," "They bring fresh ideas") to state general truths and facts, which is appropriate for this type of question. 3. Conditional clause: "If these start-ups succeed, they’ll contribute more in taxes" is a first conditional sentence, showing the ability to discuss possible future outcomes. 4. Infinitive of purpose: "to get funding from banks," "to stay competitive"—these show why something is done, adding clarity and detail to the answer.
Vocabulary
  • drive economic growth
  • fresh ideas and innovation
  • stay competitive
  • reduce the risk
  • entrepreneurs
  • contribute more in taxes
  • benefits everyone in the long run

Idea 2

No
Model Answer
No, I don't think it's a good idea for governments to give money to start-ups. There are more important things to spend public money on, like healthcare and education. Also, not all start-ups are successful, so a lot of money could be wasted. Sometimes, people might just use the money without really planning to start a proper business.
Personally, I don't think governments should provide financial support to start-ups. Public funds are limited and should be prioritized for essential services like healthcare and education. There's also a high failure rate among start-ups, so investing in them can be quite risky and might end up wasting taxpayers' money. On top of that, it could create unfair competition for established businesses, and some individuals might exploit the system without any real intention of building a sustainable company.
Grammar Analysis
1. Modal verbs for expressing opinion: "I don't think governments should provide..." uses 'should' to express a personal opinion, which is a natural and appropriate way to answer IELTS Part 3 questions. 2. Passive voice: "Public funds are limited and should be prioritized..." uses the passive voice to focus on the action rather than the actor, which adds variety to sentence structure. 3. Conditional structure: "...so investing in them can be quite risky and might end up wasting taxpayers' money." The use of 'might' and 'can' shows possibility and risk, which is a good way to discuss potential outcomes. 4. Complex sentences with conjunctions: "On top of that, it could create unfair competition for established businesses, and some individuals might exploit the system..." This sentence uses conjunctions to link multiple ideas, showing the ability to handle more complex grammar.
Vocabulary
  • public funds
  • prioritized
  • essential services
  • healthcare and education
  • high failure rate
  • risky
  • wasting taxpayers' money
  • unfair competition
  • established businesses
  • exploit the system
  • sustainable company