ESSAY OUTLINE ( FOR IELTS )

Topic 7. Food –Drink -health-Welfare

SECTION 3: WELFARE

1. Topic33: A government''s role is only to provide defence
capability and urban infrastructure (roads, water supplies, etc.).
All other services (education, health, social security) should be
provided by private groups or individuals in the community. To
what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion – prepare
for ielts –124.
- Governments can only provide a limited range of services for
citizens. Certain types of service, however, must be provided by
governments, whereas both governments and private groups or
individuals can share the responsibility to provide other services.
- A government must provide those services which are essentila to a
country. These include defence capabilities and social security.
Private enterprise and the profit motive should not form part of these
essential services. On the other hand, some services could be
provided by either governments or private groups or both. Education
and health care are examples of such services. A government must
provide at least a basic level of education and health care so all
citizens can have access to them. Private enterprise, though, could
also provide services in these areas for those who wish to pay for
them.
- Urban infrastructure is another area where governments and private
groups or individuals can share responsibility. Governments must
build and maintain a system of roads, but toll roads can be built and
road maintenance carried out by private contractors. Similarly, other
infrastructure, such as water or electricity supply, can be operated by

the disabled, and the sick. Moreover, the unemployed have the right
to an income, too. They are not always at fault for not having a job,
and in most cases the tax they have paid in the past entitles them to
assistance.
- The second reason is that crime increases when people have no
means of support. The desperately poor inevitably turn to crime,
which is not only dangerous but costly. Policing the streets is more
expensive than providing welfare. A policeman’s wage is four or five
times higher than a “dole” payment.
- Certain members of society believe that people should look after
themselves. They point out that welfare increases depandency on
others and destroys dignity. This may be true, but in the case of the
unemployed, the relief payments are usually temporary. It is surely
the fault of the government if there are long – term unemployed.
Welfare critices also believe that it is the responsibility of a victim’s
family to provide financial assistance. However, it is too expensive to
provide complete help for a severely disabled person.
- To conclude, it is vital to understand the need for welfare in a
modern democratic society. Without welfare payments the poor are
destined to become poorer. The first duty of a government is to
provide a financial safety net for all disadvantaged persons, and that
includes those without work.
5. The welfare state makes people less self-reliant: above
question
6. A much debated issue these days is whether citizens should
take out private health insurance or not
- A much debated issue these days is whether citizens should take
out private health insurance or not. The cost of providing free medical
care for both the wealthy and the poor is far too great for any
government, and most people agree that if you can pay for insurance,