Band 9 model answer
Despite the steadily rising standard of female competition, women's sport is still allotted only a fraction of the media attention routinely lavished on the men's game. Understanding precisely why this imbalance persists is the essential first step towards correcting it effectively.
Several mutually reinforcing factors explain the disparity. Historically, sport was marketed almost exclusively to and by men, embedding the lazy assumption that male competition is inherently more compelling to watch. Broadcasters, perpetually chasing the largest possible audiences, then point to lower viewing figures to justify minimal coverage, while sponsors naturally invest only where existing exposure is greatest. The result is a self-perpetuating cycle: scant coverage suppresses interest, low interest deters investment, and limited investment guarantees yet further neglect. The problem, in other words, is fundamentally structural rather than any reflection of genuine sporting quality.
Breaking this entrenched cycle requires deliberate intervention. Broadcasters could commit to guaranteed minimum airtime for women's events, giving them the consistent visibility that builds loyal audiences over time. Schools and the press might prominently profile female athletes as role models, gradually normalising their achievements for an entire new generation. Crucially, sponsors and governing bodies should treat investment as a long-term wager that actively creates demand rather than a mere reward for demand that already exists, recognising that visibility and popularity invariably grow hand in hand.
In conclusion, the marginalisation of women's sport stems chiefly from historical bias and a stubborn commercial feedback loop rather than any genuine lack of talent. With sustained airtime, positive role models and patient sponsorship, this entrenched imbalance can gradually be dismantled, allowing female athletes to receive the recognition their considerable accomplishments unquestionably deserve.
Examiner’s notes
- Task Response: both the 'reasons' and 'measures' elements are answered in depth, and the analysis of a 'self-perpetuating cycle' shows the causal insight examiners reward.
- Cohesion: the phrase 'in other words' reframes the argument, while 'Breaking this cycle' links the solutions paragraph directly to the problem just diagnosed.
- Lexical resource: advanced collocations like 'self-perpetuating cycle', 'long-term wager' and 'entrenched imbalance' reflect flexible, precise lexis.