TASK 2:
ESSAY INFORMATION:
Written by: IELTS I-Ready, 14/4/2024
Marked by: Ex-BC Examiner
(IELTS Academic – 13/4/2024)
Question: Some people say that when deciding how taxes should be spent, the government should prioritise health care. Others think that there are more important priorities for tax-payers’ money. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
ANSWER:
Opinions diverge on whether tax revenue should be mainly diverted to healthcare expenditure or alternatively, governments should leverage this resource more wisely on other critical sectors. I advocate that a more balanced approach to the allocation of money collected from taxation is necessary to develop a nation.
There are specific arguments to support the substantial investment in the healthcare system using the state budget. One of which is that healthcare is often championed as an unalienable right of citizens. Taxpayers hope that their contributions can be converted into quality healthcare services, ensuring more equitable and accessible medical care for the citizenry, particularly those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Moreover, a healthier populace can increase productivity and drive economic progress. Due to improved health outcomes, people may remain in the workforce longer, which can reduce work absenteeism and contribute more to the economy.
However, critics of a sole emphasis on the medical system argue that the authorities should spend tax more justifiably on other purposes. Foremost among these priorities is the focus on education to unlock human potential to contribute to a prosperous nation which empowers residents with essential skills and knowledge to find more lucrative jobs and escape financial suffering, resulting in long-term national prosperity. Furthermore, governments should also channel pecuniary resources to national security measures. This can equip them with powerful tools to safeguard their citizens from external threats and apply swift responses to natural catastrophes.
In conclusion, while I acknowledge that allocating substantial tax revenue to public healthcare is crucial to uphold human rights and pivotal for economic growth, I believe governments should not underestimate the equally pressing needs of education and national security. Therefore, a holistic reformation to budget allocation, which considers the interplay between these sectors, is essential for promoting sustainable development and fostering a healthier and more affluent society. (312 words)
Highlight Vocabulary:
English | Vietnamese |
Leverage | Tận dụng |
Wisely | Một cách khôn ngoan |
Taxation | Đánh thuế |
Championed | Được coi |
Unalienable | Bất khả xâm phạn |
Unlock | Khai thác |
Empowers | Trao quyền |
Pecuniary resources | Nguồn tài chính |
Safeguard | Bảo vệ |
Catastrophes | Thảm hoạ |
Holistic | Toàn diện |