TOEFL iBT Independent Writing, Do you think it is more worthwhile for the government to spend money on primary education or on college education? - revised-

Writing Topic

Do you think it is more worthwhile for the government to spend money on primary education or on college education? Support your response by including specific reasons and examples.

☆Let’s think

1       What does the expression “worthwhile for the government” mean?

-       The expression “worthwhile for the government” means that the government will benefit.

2       What kind of people will benefit a government?

-       Productive people will benefit the government.

3       Which will make a government have a more productive population, spending money on children or college students?

Note: College is the first four years of university education. It does not mean the research and development conducted by the professors and graduate students, one of the two main functions of a university.

☆Ideas and Expressions

Primary education

1.    Spending money on children would benefit the government in the long run because it raises the intelligence level of the whole population, who will make good workforce. Primary education is crucial to later education, so good teachers and facilities are essential there especially in developing countries, where access to education is limed, and small countries without resources other than humans like Japan.

2.    Good primary education will narrower the gap between the rich and the poor, which is one of the major factors of health and social problems. It will increase the number of children who finish primary education and continue to middle school. It will also narrower the educational gap because it is the largest in the opportunity of receiving a good primary education.

3.    To find more talents, primary education should be subsidized more. Many people who are as good as any successful people are dosing menial jobs because of the bad environment of their primary school. They could have contributed to the country if they had received a proper primary education.

College education

1.    If the country needs good ideas as soon as possible, it seems more worthwhile to spend money on college education than it is to do it on primary education. It is efficient to support those who have shown the best aptitude. Smart people pay the money back quickly with great inventions and innovations.

2.    To revolutionize the whole education system, a government should start with the higher education. To produce teachers and leaders who can help others learn to think instead of trying to teach unilaterally, governments should subsidize universities to help them change their educational concept and put their ideas into practice.

☆Sample Body Structures

Sample Body Structure 1

【Merits of supporting primary education】

【Merits of subsidizing college education】

【Your choice】

Sample Body Structure 2

【Merit of Supporting Primary/college Education 1】

【Merit of Supporting Primary/college Education 2】

【Why merits of the other choice does not matter】

Your Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction = Outline】

【                    】

【                    】

【                    】

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】