This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of arts and education funding from the real exam.

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IELTS Essay: Arts & Education Funding

The government should lower the budget on the arts in order to allocate more money to education.

To what extent do you agree?

Due to the limits of national budgets, many today are fiercely debating the proper level of funding for the arts and education. While some argue that the arts have important historic value, I side with those who recognize the societal value of education.

On the one hand, many insist that the arts are an important reminder of national history. A good example of this would be the countless paintings of historic events and key figures that became prominent and fashionable during the Renaissance. These pictures now deepen not only our understanding of those events but also the psychology and values of the individuals producing and becoming patrons of art at that time. It is therefore likely that art made today will also give important clues to future generations as to the history and character of their ancestors.

On the other hand, education is the key for the progress of a nation. This can be most clearly seen in developing countries. After World War II, for instance, South Korea’s economy was decimated and there were few pathways to a stable nation. The government invested massively in education and the result is some of the most important companies in the world were founded ranging from Samsung to LG to Hyundai. These companies contribute to the economy and have greatly raised the standard of living for all citizens. I believe efforts to fund education like the one detailed above have a clear and tangible impact.

In conclusion, art is important for its value in terms of history but education is by far more important for its economic effects. Governments should strike some balance but prioritise education.

Analysis

1. Due to the limits national budgets, many today are fiercely debating the proper level of funding for the arts and education. 2. While some argue that the arts have important historic value, I side with those who recognize the societal value of education.

  1. Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
  2. Write a clear opinion. Learn more about introductions here.

1. On the one hand, many insist that the arts are an important reminder of national history. 2. A good example of this would be the countless paintings of historic events and key figures that became prominent and fashionable during the Renaissance. 3. These pictures now deepen not only our understanding of those events but also the psychology and values of the individuals producing and becoming patrons of art at that time. 4. It is therefore likely that art made today will also give important clues to future generations as to the history and character of their ancestors.

  1. Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
  2. Begin a specific example.
  3. Develop the example.
  4. Draw conclusions or generalise from your example.

1. On the other hand, education is the key for the progress of a nation. This can be most clearly seen in developing countries. 2. After World War II, for instance, South Korea’s economy was decimated and there were few pathways to a stable nation. 3. The government invested massively in education and the result is some of the most important companies in the world were founded ranging from Samsung to LG to Hyundai. 4. These companies contribute to the economy and have greatly raised the standard of living for all citizens. 5. I believe efforts to fund education like the one detailed above have a clear and tangible impact.

  1. Write another topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
  2. Begin another specific example.
  3. Develop it and don’t switch to a new example.
  4. State the results.
  5. Conclude with a strong statement.

1. In conclusion, art is important for its value in terms of history but education is by far more important for its economic effects. 2. Governments should strike some balance but prioritise education.

  1. Repeat your main ideas and your opinion.
  2. Include a final thought/detail. Read more about conclusions here.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean?

Due to the limits of national budgets, many today are fiercely debating the proper level of funding for the arts and education. While some argue that the arts have important historic value, I side with those who recognize the societal value of education.

On the one hand, many insist that the arts are an important reminder of national history. A good example of this would be the countless paintings of historic events and key figures that became prominent and fashionable during the Renaissance. These pictures now deepen not only our understanding of those events but also the psychology and values of the individuals producing and becoming patrons of art at that time. It is therefore likely that art made today will also give important clues to future generations as to the history and character of their ancestors.

On the other hand, education is the key for the progress of a nation. This can be most clearly seen in developing countries. After World War II, for instance, South Korea’s economy was decimated and there were few pathways to a stable nation. The government invested massively in education and the result is some of the most important companies in the world were founded ranging from Samsung to LG to Hyundai. These companies contribute to the economy and have greatly raised the standard of living for all citizens. I believe efforts to fund education like the one detailed above have a clear and tangible impact.

In conclusion, art is important for its value in terms of history but education is by far more important for its economic effects. Governments should strike some balance but prioritise education.

Answers

limits of national budgets constraints of money available

fiercely debating hotly arguing about

proper level of funding correct amount of money

important historic value key to understanding the past

side with agree with

recognize understand

societal value of education importance of schools

insist feel strongly about

reminder makes one remember

national history history of a country

countless paintings of historic events many pictures of events from the past

key figures important people

prominent common

fashionable in vogue

Renaissance period of artistic and scientific growth in Europe around the 1500s

deepen understand more

psychology how people think

becoming patrons of contributing money for

clues hints

future generations people in the future, our grandchildren, etc.

character personality

ancestors people who came before us

progress how the world gets better

most clearly seen obvious in

decimated destroyed

pathways means

stable nation prosperous country

invested massively put a lot of money into

ranging from including

contribute give to

raised the standard of living for all citizens make life better for all

efforts attempts

detailed above listed before

clear and tangible impact real effect

strike some balance find a middle way

prioritise make more important

Pronunciation

ˈlɪmɪts ɒv ˈnæʃənl ˈbʌʤɪts 
ˈfɪəsli dɪˈbeɪtɪŋ 
ˈprɒpə ˈlɛvl ɒv ˈfʌndɪŋ 
ɪmˈpɔːtənt hɪsˈtɒrɪk ˈvæljuː 
saɪd wɪð 
ˈrɛkəgnaɪz 
səˈsaɪətl ˈvæljuː ɒv ˌɛdju(ː)ˈkeɪʃən 
ɪnˈsɪst 
rɪˈmaɪndə 
ˈnæʃənl ˈhɪstəri 
ˈkaʊntlɪs ˈpeɪntɪŋz ɒv hɪsˈtɒrɪk ɪˈvɛnts 
kiː ˈfɪgəz 
ˈprɒmɪnənt 
ˈfæʃnəbl 
rəˈneɪsəns 
ˈdiːpən 
saɪˈkɒləʤi 
bɪˈkʌmɪŋ ˈpeɪtrənz ɒv 
kluːz 
ˈfjuːʧə ˌʤɛnəˈreɪʃənz 
ˈkærɪktə 
ˈænsɪstəz 
ˈprəʊgrəs 
məʊst ˈklɪəli siːn 
ˈdɛsɪmeɪtɪd 
ˈpɑːθweɪz 
ˈsteɪbl ˈneɪʃən 
ɪnˈvɛstɪd ˈmæsɪvli 
ˈreɪnʤɪŋ frɒm 
kənˈtrɪbju(ː)t 
reɪzd ðə ˈstændəd ɒv ˈlɪvɪŋ fɔːr ɔːl ˈsɪtɪznz 
ˈɛfəts 
ˈdiːteɪld əˈbʌv 
klɪər ænd ˈtænʤəbl ˈɪmpækt 
straɪk sʌm ˈbæləns 
praɪˈɒrɪˌtaɪz 

Vocabulary Practice

Remember and fill in the blanks:

Due to l_____________________________s, many today are f________________g the p__________________________g for the arts and education. While some argue that the arts have i__________________________e, I s_______________h those who r_____________e the s____________________________n.

On the one hand, many i_________t that the arts are an important r__________r of n________________y. A good example of this would be the c_______________________________s and k____________________s that became p________________t and f_______________e during the R______________e. These pictures now d___________n not only our understanding of those events but also the p_____________y and values of the individuals producing and b____________________f art at that time. It is therefore likely that art made today will also give important c_______s to f___________________s as to the history and c_____________r of their a_____________s.

On the other hand, education is the key for the p___________s of a nation. This can be m_________________n in developing countries. After World War II, for instance, South Korea’s economy was d______________d and there were few p____________s to a s______________n. The government i_________________y in education and the result is some of the most important companies in the world were founded r_________________m Samsung to LG to Hyundai. These companies c________________e to the economy and have greatly r___________________________________s. I believe e__________s to fund education like the one d_______________e have a c_________________________t.

In conclusion, art is important for its value in terms of history but education is by far more important for its economic effects. Governments should s____________________e but p______________e education.

Listening Practice

Learn more about the Renaissance below:

Reading Practice

Learn more about the importance of art below:

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/22/opinion/david-zwirner-museums-coronavirus.html

Speaking Practice

Talk about the following questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:

Art

  1. Have you ever been to an art gallery?
  2. Would you like to learn more about art?
  3. Do you hang any art in your home?
  4. Do people in your country enjoy making art?

Writing Practice

Write about the following related topic then check with my sample answer:

Many people believe that film is a less important art than other forms such as literature and painting.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

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