Part 3 (Discussion) Health & Society

Universal Free Healthcare

Question

Do you think healthcare should be free for everyone?

Model Answer

From my perspective, access to basic healthcare is a fundamental human right, and I firmly believe that governments should ensure it is available to all citizens regardless of their financial situation. In countries with universal healthcare systems, such as the United Kingdom and Canada, people can receive treatment without the fear of crippling medical debt, which I think is how a civilised society should function. On the other hand, providing free healthcare on a large scale is enormously expensive, and funding it requires significant taxation. Having said that, I would argue that the long-term benefits far outweigh the costs. When people have access to preventive care and early diagnosis, it actually reduces the burden on the healthcare system overall because conditions are treated before they become severe and costly. Furthermore, a healthy population is a more productive population, which benefits the economy as a whole. I do acknowledge that pharmaceutical companies and medical professionals need fair compensation, so the system must be carefully designed to balance accessibility with quality. Ultimately, I believe healthcare should not be a luxury that only the wealthy can afford.

Key Vocabulary

universal healthcare
A system where all residents of a country are provided with health coverage
pharmaceutical
Relating to the production and sale of medicines and drugs
accessibility
The quality of being easy to reach, use, or obtain by all people
preventive care
Medical services aimed at preventing illness rather than treating it after onset
taxation
The system by which a government collects money from citizens to fund public services
fundamental right
A basic entitlement or freedom regarded as belonging to every person

Pronunciation Guide

pharmaceutical /ˌfɑːməˈsjuːtɪkəl/
Stress on the third syllable: far-muh-SOO-tih-kul. The 'ceu' makes a 'soo' sound, not 'kew'.
accessibility /əkˌsesɪˈbɪləti/
Stress on the fourth syllable: ak-ses-ih-BIL-ih-tee. Six syllables — practise breaking it down slowly.
universal /ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsəl/
Stress on the third syllable: yoo-nih-VUR-sul. The 'uni' sounds like 'yoo-nih', not 'oo-nih'.

Practice these words with per-word pronunciation scoring to see exactly how you sound.

Speaking Tips

For opinion-based questions on social policy, take a clear stance but acknowledge the counterarguments. Using phrases like 'I firmly believe' shows conviction, while 'I do acknowledge that...' demonstrates you can consider opposing views. This balanced assertiveness is characteristic of Band 7-8 speaking.

Practice This Question

Record your answer and get instant AI feedback with per-word pronunciation scoring.

Practice Speaking

Related Speaking Topics

← Browse all speaking topics