Is scientific research a waste?: IELTS Task 2 essay #14, band 6.5
A student’s answer to this repeated IELTS question, shared without their name and marked by Axiom on the four criteria. Select a highlighted passage to see how it could be revised, and why.
478 words. Marked by Axiom on 14 October 2026. Estimated by AI. It isn’t an official IELTS score.
Task 2478 words
Some people think that scientific research is a waste of time and money. To what degree do you agree or disagree?
In today's modern world, some people believe that scientific research wastes time and money. I strongly disagree with this view, because research brings better opportunities. In this essay, I will explain why research is valuable and give some reasonable examples to prove my opinions.
To explain, without reliable knowledge, people can only guess, and guessing often leads to costly mistakes. Research replaces guesswork with evidence, so solutions become faster and more effective. Thereby, research leads to better decision-making, better tools and better system. For instance, scientific research in Antarctica illustrates that ice cores reveal Earth's climate over hundreds of thousands of years, it has helped governments make decisions about carbon emissions. When it comes to better system, reasech can create and set better systems. The brilliant example for this is Japan's network system. Japan setting early-warning network in its regions thanks to happening more earthquakes. It gives people signal and vital seconds to take cover or leave their apartments or flats. As a result of this, dwellers can easily detect earthquakes and protect themselves or have enough time to leave homes. Also, in Europe and other developed countries, AI-based systems now help hospitals and doctors to diagnose fatal disease such as cancer faster and more accurately.
Coherence & cohesion
RevisedTo begin with, spending more time on research is valuable as it can significantly impact our world and allow us to seize every opportunity.
The revised sentence is more concise and clear.
Coherence & cohesion
RevisedOne main reason is that every problem, every situation, everything requires knowledge before it can be solved.
The revised sentence is more concise and uses the singular form 'reason' to agree with the singular form 'is' used in the main clause.
Another reason why I disagree is that research does not need to produce a successful result to be valuable. One of the major reasons is that failures teach us, which path is correct and which is not. For example, one researcher is taking a scientific research and he need to use formula to solve it. Then he try to take another formula or way to solve this issue. For instance, the first steam engines were inefficient and often unsafe, but each failed design showed engineers what to improve. Over time, these lessons produced reliable engines that powered factories and railways. Similarly, many modern drugs were found only after hundreds of unsuccessful trials showed which compounds did not work. Therefore, even unsuccessful research is a worthwhile investment, because its lessons lead to do not take this mistake again and try by another path.
Grammar & accuracy
RevisedHe took one formula and tested it as part of the research.
The revised sentence corrects the verb tense.
Lexical resource
RevisedHowever, the result is inefficient and unuseful.
The word 'unuseful' is not standard English. The correct term would be 'useless'.
Grammar & accuracy
RevisedI say, each failed experiment narrows the search and saves future researchers from repeating the same mistakes.
The revised sentence corrects the tense and provides a more formal tone.
Moreover, even failed experiments are useful because they show which paths to avoid.
Coherence & cohesion
RevisedIn conclusion, scientific research is a valuable investment, providing the knowledge needed for better decisions, tools, and systems.
The revised sentence is more concise and clear.
Select a highlighted passage to see its suggested revision.
What Axiom wrote for each criterion: why the answer earned its band, and what to work on next.
Coherence & cohesion
Band 6.0/ 9
The essay is logically organized and the progression of ideas is clear. However, there are some issues with the flow of ideas and the use of linking words. The essay is well-structured, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The use of transition words and phrases helps to guide the reader through the text. However, there are a few instances where the flow of ideas could be improved. For example, in the second paragraph, the transition between the general point about the value of research and the specific example of scientific research in Antarctica is a bit abrupt. More linking words or phrases could help to smooth the transition and make the connection between the general point and the specific example clearer.
Suggestions
- Try to use a wider range of linking words to improve the flow of ideas.
- Make sure that the conclusion is a clear summary of the main points in the essay.
Sentence revisions 3
RevisedTo begin with, spending more time on research is valuable as it can significantly impact our world and allow us to seize every opportunity.
The revised sentence is more concise and clear.
RevisedOne main reason is that every problem, every situation, everything requires knowledge before it can be solved.
The revised sentence is more concise and uses the singular form 'reason' to agree with the singular form 'is' used in the main clause.
RevisedIn conclusion, scientific research is a valuable investment, providing the knowledge needed for better decisions, tools, and systems.
The revised sentence is more concise and clear.
Grammar & accuracy
Band 7.0/ 9
The essay demonstrates a good control of a wide range of grammatical structures, with only minor errors. The essay demonstrates a good command of complex sentence structures and a variety of grammatical forms. However, there are a few minor errors that could be corrected for clarity and precision. For example, in the first paragraph, the phrase "reaseches" should be "research" to be grammatically correct. Additionally, in the second paragraph, the phrase "he need to use formula" should be "he needs to use a formula" to be grammatically correct.
Sentence revisions 3
RevisedOne of the main reasons is that every problem, every situation, everything requires knowledge before it can be solved.
The revised sentence corrects the singular/plural disagreement and the awkward phrasing.
RevisedHe took one formula and tested it as part of the research.
The revised sentence corrects the verb tense.
RevisedI say, each failed experiment narrows the search and saves future researchers from repeating the same mistakes.
The revised sentence corrects the tense and provides a more formal tone.
Lexical resource
Band 7.0/ 9
The essay demonstrates a good command of a broad lexical repertoire. However, there are a few instances of awkward or incorrect word choice. The essay demonstrates a good command of a varied vocabulary, with appropriate use of academic language. However, there are a few instances where word choice could be improved for clarity and precision. For example, in the first paragraph, the phrase "more sufficient impacts to us" is awkward and could be rephrased for clarity. Additionally, the term "reasech" is a misspelling of "research" and should be corrected.
Sentence revisions 3
Revisedinvesting time in research is valuable as it can have a significant impact on our world and lead to meaningful outcomes
The revised sentence uses more appropriate and precise language.
RevisedOne of the main reasons is that every problem, every situation, everything requires knowledge before it can be addressed.
The revised sentence uses more precise language and corrects the plural form of 'reason'.
RevisedHowever, the result is inefficient and unuseful.
The word 'unuseful' is not standard English. The correct term would be 'useless'.
Task response
Band 7.0/ 9
The essay addresses the task effectively, presenting a clear position throughout the response. The essay effectively addresses the prompt by clearly stating a position that scientific research is not a waste of time and money, but a valuable investment. The essay provides a clear introduction, two body paragraphs that each discuss a different reason or example, and a conclusion that restates the position. The use of specific examples, such as the Antarctic research and AI-based systems in medicine, helps to support the position effectively. However, the essay could be improved by providing more specific examples and evidence to support the arguments.
Suggestions
- Provide more specific examples and evidence to support your arguments.
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