PTE Essay of the Week: A High-Scoring Model Answer and the Structure You Can Reuse
A full worked PTE essay model answer (agree or disagree), annotated paragraph by paragraph, plus the reusable structure, the linking phrases that lift your score, and the word-count rule that can zero your essay. Free, with a Write Essay drill.
Published 27 June 2026 · 8 min read · PTE Mocks editorial team
What this gives you
The Write Essay task asks for 200 to 300 words in 20 minutes, scored on content, structure, grammar and vocabulary range. Below is one exam-style prompt, a full model answer that would sit in the top band, and the four-paragraph structure you can adapt to any topic on test day.
This week's prompt
Some people believe that governments should spend public money on essential services, such as healthcare and transport, rather than on the arts, such as music and theatre. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
This is the “to what extent do you agree or disagree” type, one of the two essay patterns PTE uses (the other asks you to “discuss both views and give your opinion”). Both reward the same thing: a clear position, defended in an organised way. You do not need specialist knowledge, only a sensible argument and the language to express it.
The model answer (268 words)
It is sometimes argued that public funds are better spent on essential services, such as healthcare and transport, than on cultural activities like music and theatre. While I agree that basic services must take priority, I do not believe that the arts should be abandoned, and in this essay I will explain why a balanced approach is the wisest one.
The strongest case for prioritising essential services is that they meet needs no citizen can do without. A reliable hospital or a functioning transport network protects health, supports employment, and keeps the wider economy running. When budgets are limited, a government that funds a new concert hall before repairing an overstretched health service has clearly chosen poorly, because the consequences of failing services, whether longer waiting times or unsafe roads, affect everyone, including those who never set foot in a theatre.
Nevertheless, withdrawing all support from the arts would be short-sighted. Culture is not a luxury reserved for the wealthy: public museums, free concerts, and community theatres give ordinary people access to experiences they could not otherwise afford, and they often attract the tourism that returns money to the local economy. A modest level of arts funding is therefore a kind of public service in its own right, one that improves the quality of life rather than mere survival.
In conclusion, while I firmly agree that essential services deserve the larger share of public spending, I believe the arts should still receive enough support to remain open to all. The fairest policy is not to choose one over the other, but to fund essentials first and culture sensibly.
How the model is built, paragraph by paragraph
- Introduction. The first sentence paraphrases the prompt (it does not copy it), and the second states a clear position with a hint of nuance (“basic services must take priority, but the arts should not be abandoned”). The reader knows your view before the body begins.
- Body paragraph 1. One main reason, stated in a topic sentence, then explained, then made concrete with a scenario (the concert hall versus the health service). One idea, fully developed, beats three ideas listed.
- Body paragraph 2. The other side of the argument, opened with a contrast signal (“Nevertheless”). This is what lifts a balanced essay above a one-sided one: you show you can see more than one angle, then still hold your position.
- Conclusion. No new ideas. It restates the position and ends on a clear recommendation, which gives the essay a sense of completion that the Coherence trait rewards.
The structure you can reuse on any topic
Keep the four-paragraph shape and adapt these stems to the prompt in front of you. Change every sentence so it fits the topic: an essay that is clearly a memorised template will lose marks on Content and Development, so use this as a skeleton, not a script.
- Introduction: “It is sometimes argued that [paraphrase the prompt]. While I [agree / disagree] that [one side], I [believe / do not believe] that [your nuance], and in this essay I will explain why.”
- Body 1: “The strongest case for [your position] is that [reason]. [One or two sentences of explanation]. For example, [a concrete example or scenario].”
- Body 2: “Nevertheless, [the counter-argument or a second reason]. [Explanation]. [Example].”
- Conclusion: “In conclusion, while I [agree / disagree] that [main point], I believe [balanced restatement]. The fairest approach is [your recommendation].”
Linking phrases that lift your score
A short, reliable set of connectors keeps your ideas flowing and supports the Development, Structure and Coherence trait. Rotate them rather than repeating “and” or “also”:
- Adding a point: moreover, in addition, furthermore
- Contrasting: however, nevertheless, on the other hand
- Giving reasons: because, since, as a result
- Giving examples: for example, for instance, such as
- Concluding: in conclusion, to sum up, overall
Our full guide to linking words for PTE lists these by function with example sentences, and our vocabulary by topic decks widen the precise word choice that the Vocabulary trait rewards.
The word-count rule that can zero your essay
Write between 200 and 300 words. This is the band the task asks for, and staying inside it protects your Form score. The hard limits matter even more: an essay under 120 words or over 380 words is scored zero on Form, which drags down the whole task however good the ideas are. Aim for roughly 250 to 280 words, which is comfortably long enough to develop two paragraphs without rushing or padding. You have 20 minutes and write only one essay, so spend two minutes planning, fifteen writing, and three checking length, spelling and grammar.
What the scorer actually rewards
The Write Essay task is marked on seven traits: Content (did you answer the question with a clear position), Development, Structure and Coherence (four linked paragraphs that build an argument), Grammar, General Linguistic Range and Vocabulary Range (varied sentence patterns and precise words), Spelling, and Form (length and paragraphing). It is one of the tasks that receives a human Content review alongside the AI score, so a genuine, on-topic argument matters more than a clever-looking template. See how the traits roll up into your overall result on our PTE score chart.
How to practise this
Set a 20-minute timer and write a full essay on this week's prompt before you read the model again. Then drill more prompts free in our Write Essay practice, which scores your response on the same traits, and reuse the structure above across five or six topics until the shape becomes automatic. When you can plan and write a clear, balanced essay inside 20 minutes, sit a full mock test so you practise it under real exam pressure.
Frequently asked
How long should a PTE essay be?
Between 200 and 300 words. An essay shorter than 120 words or longer than 380 words is scored zero on Form, so aim for roughly 250 to 280 words to stay safely inside the range.
How many essays are in the PTE exam?
There is one Write Essay task in the Speaking and Writing part, and you have 20 minutes to plan, write and check it.
What are the two types of PTE essay?
The agree or disagree type (often phrased as “to what extent do you agree or disagree”) and the discuss-both-views type (“discuss both views and give your own opinion”). Both use the same four-paragraph structure with a clear position.
Can I use a memorised essay template in PTE?
A reusable structure helps, but copying a template word for word can lower your Content and Development scores, because the essay receives a human review. Use a skeleton and adapt every sentence to the exact prompt.
How is the PTE essay scored?
On seven traits: Content, Development/Structure/Coherence, Grammar, General Linguistic Range, Vocabulary Range, Spelling and Form. Scoring is partial credit, with an AI score and a human review of Content.
What topics come up in PTE essays?
Everyday social issues: technology, education, the environment, work, the media, and government spending. You never need specialist knowledge, only a clear argument and the language to express it.
Put it to the test
Free, full-length PTE mock tests, scored by AI. See where you really stand.