This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay from the new IELTS Cambridge 18 book of past tests on the topic of the most important aim of science.
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IELTS Cambridge 18: The Most Important Aim of Science
The most important aim of science ought to be to improve people’s lives.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Some have argued the most crucial aim of science is to improve the lives of ordinary people. In my opinion, though science might have grander aims at times, this simple goal is in fact its primary purpose.
Those who contend that science is not simply a means to improving ordinary life point out scientific inquiry can be a goal in itself. Many scientists do not imagine how their discoveries will benefit the general populace and are instead concerned with discovery and exploration. A standout example of this would be the theories of Charles Darwin, which had little immediate practical purpose other than to understand the origins of the human species. For the average researcher, concentrating solely on learning more about the natural world is a valid and potentially productive mindset. However, this interpretation of science does not reflect the real-world demands placed on science.
Historically, science has always been a platform to improve the daily lives of average individuals. This can be understood in a number of different senses. In terms of medicine, procedures and pharmaceuticals are designed with the explicit purpose of lengthening and elevating quality of life. When it comes to technology, science can be seen as subordinate to the arts and the enjoyment of the average person. The entire purpose of developing technologies such as mobile phones and computers is to allow users to listen to music, watch movies and televisions shows, edit their own videos, engage in word processing, and so on. Therefore, the highest aim of science is ultimately only to provide humans with the means to express themselves and reach others.
In conclusion, since improving life can be interpreted widely, it is decidedly the main aim of science. Those who argue for a more idealistic interpretation are not considering the pragmatism that should be the foundation of all scientific endeavor.
Analysis
1. Some have argued the most crucial aim of science is to improve the lives of ordinary people. 2. In my opinion, though science might have grander aims at times, this simple goal is in fact its primary purpose.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. Those who contend that science is not simply a means to improving ordinary life point out scientific inquiry can be a goal in itself. 2. Many scientists do not imagine how their discoveries will benefit the general populace and are instead concerned with discovery and exploration. 3. A standout example of this would be the theories of Charles Darwin, which had little immediate practical purpose other than to understand the origins of the human species. 4. For the average researcher, concentrating solely on learning more about the natural world is a valid and potentially productive mindset. 5. However, this interpretation of science does not reflect the real-world demands placed on science.
- Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea.
- Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
- Keep developing it fully.
- Vary long and short sentences.
1. Historically, science has always been a platform to improve the daily lives of average individuals. 2. This can be understood in a number of different senses. In terms of medicine, procedures and pharmaceuticals are designed with the explicit purpose of lengthening and elevating quality of life. 3. When it comes to technology, science can be seen as subordinate to the arts and the enjoyment of the average person. 4. The entire purpose of developing technologies such as mobile phones and computers is to allow users to listen to music, watch movies and televisions shows, edit their own videos, engage in word processing, and so on. 5. Therefore, the highest aim of science is ultimately only to provide humans with the means to express themselves and reach others.
- Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
- Explain your new main idea.
- Include specific details and examples.
- Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
- Finish the paragraph strong.
1. In conclusion, since improving life can be interpreted widely, it is decidedly the main aim of science. 2. Those who argue for a more idealistic interpretation are not considering the pragmatism that should be the foundation of all scientific endeavor.
- Summarise your main ideas.
- Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
Some have argued the most crucial aim of science is to improve the lives of ordinary people. In my opinion, though science might have grander aims at times, this simple goal is in fact its primary purpose.
Those who contend that science is not simply a means to improving ordinary life point out scientific inquiry can be a goal in itself. Many scientists do not imagine how their discoveries will benefit the general populace and are instead concerned with discovery and exploration. A standout example of this would be the theories of Charles Darwin, which had little immediate practical purpose other than to understand the origins of the human species. For the average researcher, concentrating solely on learning more about the natural world is a valid and potentially productive mindset. However, this interpretation of science does not reflect the real-world demands placed on science.
Historically, science has always been a platform to improve the daily lives of average individuals. This can be understood in a number of different senses. In terms of medicine, procedures and pharmaceuticals are designed with the explicit purpose of lengthening and elevating quality of life. When it comes to technology, science can be seen as subordinate to the arts and the enjoyment of the average person. The entire purpose of developing technologies such as mobile phones and computers is to allow users to listen to music, watch movies and televisions shows, edit their own videos, engage in word processing, and so on. Therefore, the highest aim of science is ultimately only to provide humans with the means to express themselves and reach others.
In conclusion, since improving life can be interpreted widely, it is decidedly the main aim of science. Those who argue for a more idealistic interpretation are not considering the pragmatism that should be the foundation of all scientific endeavor.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
argued made the point that
most crucial aim of science key goal of chemistry, biology, technology, physics, astronomy, engineering, etc.
improve the lives of ordinary people make average people have better lives
grander aims at times bigger goals sometimes
simple goal basic aim
in fact actually
primary purpose real reason for it
Those who contend that the people who argue that
improving ordinary life making life better for normal people
scientific inquiry learning about and researching through science
goal in itself no other goal needed
imagine think of
discoveries what they uncover about the world, inventions
general populace people
instead concerned with discovery and exploration in fact caring about learning
A standout example of this would be a clear instance of this is
theories ideas about the world
little immediate practical purpose no real effect in the real world to start
the origins of the human species where people came from, evolution
average researcher a normal scientist
concentrating solely on focusing just on
natural of course
valid and potentially productive mindset legitimate and possible useful way of seeing the world
interpretation of way of seeing something
reflect the real-world demands placed on science show the actual way science exists in the world
Historically in the past
platform place for
daily lives of average individuals how normal people live, standard of living
This can be understood in a number of different senses there’s more than one way to interpret this
In terms of medicine when it comes to health
procedures operations
pharmaceuticals drugs
designed with the explicit purpose of lengthening and elevating quality of life made just to help people living longer and live better
When it comes to concerning
subordinate to the arts serve artistic purposes
The entire purpose of developing technologies the only reason to have different kinds of tech
users people using services such as websites
edit their own videos cut up movies
engage in word processing write things
and so on etc.
Therefore thus
the highest aim of the best goal of
ultimately only in the end just
express themselves be artistic
reach distribute to the world at large
interpreted widely understand in many ways, broadly
decidedly definitely
main aim of science the primary reason to do science
more idealistic interpretation lofty way of seeing it
considering given that
pragmatism related to being practical, real life
foundation basis
scientific endeavor learning about and practicing science
Pronunciation
Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:
ˈɑːɡjuːd
məʊst ˈkruːʃəl eɪm ɒv ˈsaɪəns
ɪmˈpruːv ðə lɪvz ɒv ˈɔːdnri ˈpiːpl
ˈɡrændər eɪmz æt taɪmz
ˈsɪmpl ɡəʊl
ɪn fækt
ˈpraɪməri ˈpɜːpəs
ðəʊz huː kənˈtɛnd ðæt
ɪmˈpruːvɪŋ ˈɔːdnri laɪf
ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk ɪnˈkwaɪəri
ɡəʊl ɪn ɪtˈsɛlf
ɪˈmæʤɪn
dɪsˈkʌvəriz
ˈʤɛnərəl ˈpɒpjələs
ɪnˈstɛd kənˈsɜːnd wɪð dɪsˈkʌvəri ænd ˌɛksplɔːˈreɪʃᵊn
ə ˈstændaʊt ɪɡˈzɑːmpl ɒv ðɪs wʊd biː
ˈθɪəriz
ˈlɪtl ɪˈmiːdiət ˈpræktɪkəl ˈpɜːpəs
ði ˈɒrɪʤɪnz ɒv ðə ˈhjuːmən ˈspiːʃiːz
ˈævərɪʤ rɪˈsɜːʧə
ˈkɒnsəntreɪtɪŋ ˈsəʊlli ɒn
ˈnæʧrəl
ˈvælɪd ænd pəʊˈtɛnʃəli prəˈdʌktɪv ˈmaɪndsɛt
ɪnˌtɜːprəˈteɪʃᵊn ɒv
rɪˈflɛkt ðə rɪəl-wɜːld dɪˈmɑːndz pleɪst ɒn ˈsaɪəns
hɪsˈtɒrɪkəli
ˈplætfɔːm
ˈdeɪli lɪvz ɒv ˈævərɪʤ ˌɪndɪˈvɪʤuəlz
ðɪs kæn biː ˌʌndəˈstʊd ɪn ə ˈnʌmbər ɒv ˈdɪfrənt ˈsɛnsɪz
ɪn tɜːmz ɒv ˈmɛdsɪn
prəˈsiːʤəz
ˌfɑːməˈsjuːtɪkəlz
dɪˈzaɪnd wɪð ði ɪksˈplɪsɪt ˈpɜːpəs ɒv ˈlɛŋθənɪŋ ænd ˈɛlɪveɪtɪŋ ˈkwɒləti ɒv laɪf
wɛn ɪt kʌmz tuː
səˈbɔːdnɪt tuː ði ɑːts
ði ɪnˈtaɪə ˈpɜːpəs ɒv dɪˈvɛləpɪŋ tɛkˈnɒləʤiz
ˈjuːzəz
ˈɛdɪt ðeər əʊn ˈvɪdɪəʊz
ɪnˈɡeɪʤ ɪn wɜːd ˈprəʊsɛsɪŋ
ænd səʊ ɒn
ˈðeəfɔː
ðə ˈhaɪɪst eɪm ɒv
ˈʌltɪmɪtli ˈəʊnli
ɪksˈprɛs ðəmˈsɛlvz
riːʧ
ɪnˈtɜːprɪtɪd ˈwaɪdli
dɪˈsaɪdɪdli
meɪn eɪm ɒv ˈsaɪəns
mɔːr aɪˌdɪəˈlɪstɪk ɪnˌtɜːprəˈteɪʃᵊn
kənˈsɪdərɪŋ
ˈpræɡmətɪzᵊm
faʊnˈdeɪʃᵊn
ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk ɪnˈdɛvə
Vocabulary Practice
Some have a_________d the m_______________________________e is to i________________________________________e. In my opinion, though science might have g______________________s, this s________________l is i_________t its p_______________________e.
T______________________________t science is not simply a means to i_____________________e point out s____________________y can be a g______________f. Many scientists do not i________-_e how their d____________s will benefit the g_______________e and are i___________________________________n. A_________________________________e the t_________s of Charles Darwin, which had l_______________________________e other than to understand t___________________________s. For the a______________________r, c_________________________-n learning more about the n___________l world is a v_____________________________________________________t. However, this i_________________f science does not r_______________________________________________e.
H_______________y, science has always been a p________m to improve the d____________________________s. T__________________________________________________________________s. I_______________________e, p___________s and p_______________s are d____________________________________________________________________________e. W________________o technology, science can be seen as s______________________s and the enjoyment of the average person. T____________________________________________s such as mobile phones and computers is to allow u_______s to listen to music, watch movies and televisions shows, e_______________________s, e__________________________g, a___________n. T__________e, t________________f science is u_______________y to provide humans with the means to e____________________s and r_______h others.
In conclusion, since improving life can be i_________________y, it is d____________y the m____________________e. Those who argue for a m____________________________n are not c_______________g the p_____________m that should be the f_______________n of all s__________________r.
Listening Practice
Reading Practice
https://theconversation.com/five-lesser-known-scientists-who-deserve-a-place-on-the-50-note-106376
Speaking Practice
Science
- Were you good at science when you were in school?
- What was your favorite scientific subject?
- How do you use science in your life now?
- Are science majors common in your country?
Writing Practice
Nowadays, not enough students choose science subjects at university in many countries.
Why is this?
What effects does this have on society?
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