Who Decides What Matters?
Real Article: What Should Governments Fund?
Every year, governments make decisions that shape society.
Hospitals or missiles? Museums or military? Education or expansion?
Government spending is more than a budget. It’s a reflection of values. Some argue that healthcare and education should always come first — they build a healthy, skilled population. Others believe national security and infrastructure demand more urgent investment. And what about the arts? Are they luxuries — or essential to a nation’s identity?
The challenge isn’t choosing between good and bad. It’s choosing between good and good enough.
So next time you hear “we can’t afford it,” ask — “what are we affording instead?”
Vocabulary Deep Dive
| Word | Synonym | Nuance |
|---|---|---|
| Government spending | Public funding | Used in economics and policy contexts |
| Allocation of resources | Budget priorities | Formal phrase for how money is distributed |
| Social services | Public welfare programs | Includes healthcare, education, pensions, etc. |
| National defence | Military spending | Formal term often used in strategic planning |
These terms don’t just describe the issue — they place you in the decision-making mindset.
Article 2: Balancing Protection and Progress
During economic downturns, debates over allocation of resources intensify. Should a nation invest more in social services or strengthen its national defence?
In South Korea, for example, education receives a significant share of the budget — a choice that reflects the country’s long-term vision. In contrast, other nations allocate more to military expansion, citing threats or regional instability.
Support for the arts often fluctuates. While critics call them unnecessary, supporters argue they preserve culture, support mental health, and boost tourism.
IELTS Reading Test
- What are two sectors mentioned as competing for government funds?
- Complete the sentence:
“Support for the arts often ______ depending on political priorities.” - True / False / Not Given:
Every country spends more on healthcare than the military. - Multiple Choice:
What does “allocation of resources” refer to?
A. Emergency planning
B. Spending habits of citizens
C. How governments divide public funds
D. International aid - Matching Headings (Article 2):
- A. Budget Challenges
- B. Arts and Identity
- C. Case Studies in Education
- D. National Strategy vs. Social Need
- E. Funding in Crisis
Suggested Answer:
- Education and national defence
- fluctuates
- False
- C. How governments divide public funds
- D, C, B, E, A
IELTS Speaking Challenge
Focus Vocabulary: government spending | social services | national defence | allocation of resources
Warm-Up:
- What should governments prioritise in your country?
- Is military spending necessary in peacetime?
- How can public spending improve education or health?
Band 6 Style:
“I think the government should spend more on schools. Military is less important. Also, people like art and health care.”
Band 7 Style:
“While national defence plays a role in security, I believe government spending should focus more on social services such as education and healthcare, which provide long-term national strength.”
Try This Frame:
“In my opinion, ______ should be the top priority in government budgets. Although sectors like ______ have importance, the long-term benefit of investing in ______ cannot be ignored.”
IELTS Writing Challenge
Task 2 Prompt:
Some people believe governments should prioritise spending on healthcare and education. Others think defence and security are more important.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Band 7 Sample:
“Supporters of social service investment argue that education and healthcare create a stable, productive society. However, others point out that national defence ensures safety and sovereignty. In my view, while security is essential, long-term allocation of resources should favour services that improve citizens’ daily lives.”
Structure Plan:
- Intro – outline both views
- Para 1 – benefits of spending on health/education
- Para 2 – arguments for defence/security funding
- Conclusion – support for balance, with priority on people-focused sectors
Use These Words: government spending, allocation of resources, social services, national defence
Grammar Focus: Conditional Sentences for Policy Impact
Structure:
• If + past simple, would + base verb
• Used for hypothetical planning or suggestions
Examples:
• “If governments invested more in healthcare, public health would improve rapidly.”
• “If less money were spent on defence, more could be allocated to education.”
Practice:
- Rewrite: The government spends on military. People get less education.
→ If the government spent less on defence, more citizens would benefit from education. - Try your own with:
- arts funding
- hospital budgets
- school improvement
These sentences turn opinion into policy. That’s how academic writing works.
Rewrite Challenge
Question:
What should governments prioritise?
Plan:
- Education and healthcare are essential for long-term national development.
- National defence is important but should not dominate the budget.
- If more funds were directed to social services, inequality would decrease.
- I believe resource allocation must reflect human needs, not just military strength.
Write 4 sentences using today’s vocabulary and conditional grammar.
Final Reflection
✔️ You’ve just:
• Learned powerful vocabulary for policy, economy, and ethics
• Read and written about real national dilemmas
• Spoken with structured clarity about budget priorities
• Used conditional grammar to express real-world hypotheticals
You’re not just answering IELTS prompts.
You’re shaping policy — with insight, empathy, and strength.
To master how to write and speak like a future leader in education, politics, or international development — join the full course now.
This topic connects to another essential IELTS lesson—check it out here: