This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of children visiting museums to learn about history from the real IELTS exam.
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Dave
IELTS Essay: Children Visiting Museums
Some people think that children can learn about history by visiting museums, while others feel that there are better ways to learn about history.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Some believe that visiting museums is the best method for learning about the past. I am in agreement with this sentiment, although such trips cannot become the most common approach.
The long-term study of history must remain in the classroom. This is due to logistical concerns and the efficiency of textbooks and lectures. The average student at high school, for example, might be assigned several pages of reading which are then reviewed in class. The teacher can next move on to covering topics in greater depth or proceed with the curriculum to other historical periods. This regular pattern ensures steady progress. Traveling to and learning in a museum is more interactive but there are tradeoffs related to the amount of material that can be learned. A museum visit, in contrast to the classroom, involves travel time and its focus is limited to the specific items on display.
However, museum learning promises greater depth of learning. A good example of this would be the many museums in urban areas such as New York City. Students who visit and view real artifacts from the past at The American Museum of Natural History are likely to remember not only the objects, but also their significance to history. Researchers have demonstrated that the human brain learns retains more information visually and the combination of readings before and after a trip, conversations with other students, and commentary from teachers contributes to a formidable and memorable lesson. There is thereby a greater chance that students who spend time learning at museums will internalize facts and dates for both standardized tests and later in life.
In conclusion, museum visits are a memorable and ideal approach to the instruction of history, though the classroom must remain standard practice. Whenever possible, school systems should fund field trips to museums.
Analysis
1. Some believe that visiting museums is the best method for learning about the past. 2. I am in agreement with this sentiment, although such trips cannot become the most common approach.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. The long-term study of history must remain in the classroom. 2. This is due to logistical concerns and the efficiency of textbooks and lectures. 3. The average student at high school, for example, might be assigned several pages of reading which are then reviewed in class. 4. The teacher can next move on to covering topics in greater depth or proceed with the curriculum to other historical periods. 5. This regular pattern ensures steady progress. Traveling to and learning in a museum is more interactive but there are tradeoffs related to the amount of material that can be learned. 6. A museum visit, in contrast to the classroom, involves travel time and its focus is limited to the specific items on display.
- Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea.
- Develop it with specific examples.
- Keep developing it fully.
- Relate it back to the overall topic.
- Conclude with a strong statement.
1. However, museum learning promises greater depth of learning. 2. A good example of this would be the many museums in urban areas such as New York City. 3. Students who visit and view real artifacts from the past at The American Museum of Natural History are likely to remember not only the objects, but also their significance to history. 4. Researchers have demonstrated that the human brain learns retains more information visually and the combination of readings before and after a trip, conversations with other students, and commentary from teachers contributes to a formidable and memorable lesson. 5. There is thereby a greater chance that students who spend time learning at museums will internalize facts and dates for both standardized tests and later in life.
- Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
- Explain your new main idea.
- Include specific details and examples.
- Continue developing it fully!
- Vary short and long sentences.
1. In conclusion, museum visits are a memorable and ideal approach to the instruction of history, though the classroom must remain standard practice. 2. Whenever possible, school systems should fund field trips to museums.
- Summarise your main ideas.
- Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.
Some believe that visiting museums is the best method for learning about the past. I am in agreement with this sentiment, although such trips cannot become the most common approach.
The long-term study of history must remain in the classroom. This is due to logistical concerns and the efficiency of textbooks and lectures. The average student at high school, for example, might be assigned several pages of reading which are then reviewed in class. The teacher can next move on to covering topics in greater depth or proceed with the curriculum to other historical periods. This regular pattern ensures steady progress. Traveling to and learning in a museum is more interactive but there are tradeoffs related to the amount of material that can be learned. A museum visit, in contrast to the classroom, involves travel time and its focus is limited to the specific items on display.
However, museum learning promises greater depth of learning. A good example of this would be the many museums in urban areas such as New York City. Students who visit and view real artifacts from the past at The American Museum of Natural History are likely to remember not only the objects, but also their significance to history. Researchers have demonstrated that the human brain learns retains more information visually and the combination of readings before and after a trip, conversations with other students, and commentary from teachers contributes to a formidable and memorable lesson. There is thereby a greater chance that students who spend time learning at museums will internalize facts and dates for both standardized tests and later in life.
In conclusion, museum visits are a memorable and ideal approach to the instruction of history, though the classroom must remain standard practice. Whenever possible, school systems should fund field trips to museums.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
best method main way
the past history
I am in agreement with this sentiment I agree with this idea
although however
trips visits
most common approach way to be done most of the time
long-term over a long time
remain stay
classroom studying in a class
this is due to this is because of
logistical concerns pragmatic issues
efficiency not wasting time
textbooks books students study from
lectures talking to all the students
average student normal kid
assigned given to do
reviewed revised
move on go forward
covering going over
greater depth more detail
proceed go along
curriculum what you study over the course of a year
historical periods times in the past
regular pattern repeating trend
ensures guarantees
steady progress stable development
interactive more active and engaged
tradeoffs bad sides
related to concerning
amount number of
in contrast to compared to
focus emphasis
limited kept within bounds
specific items actual artifacts
on display being shown
promises greater depth leads to more learning
urban areas cities
view real artifacts see actual objects from the past
objects items
significance importance
researchers have demonstrated that scientists have shown that
retains keeps
visually what you can see
combination mix
readings textbook chapters
conversations talking with
commentary lecture
contributes adds to
formidable impressive, meaningful
memorable lesson easy to remember class
thereby therefore
greater chance more probability
internalize commit deeply
standardized tests exams in school
ideal approach best way
instruction of teaching of
remain standard practice still be the normal way of doing it
whenever possible at times
school systems school administrators
fund field trips give money for trips
Pronunciation
Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:
bɛst ˈmɛθəd
ðə pɑːst
aɪ æm ɪn əˈgriːmənt wɪð ðɪs ˈsɛntɪmənt
ɔːlˈðəʊ
trɪps
məʊst ˈkɒmən əˈprəʊʧ
ˈlɒŋtɜːm
rɪˈmeɪn
ˈklɑːsrʊm
ðɪs ɪz djuː tuː
ləʊˈʤɪstɪkəl kənˈsɜːnz
ɪˈfɪʃənsi
ˈtɛkstbʊks
ˈlɛkʧəz
ˈævərɪʤ ˈstjuːdənt
əˈsaɪnd
rɪˈvjuːd
muːv ɒn
ˈkʌvərɪŋ
ˈgreɪtə dɛpθ
prəˈsiːd
kəˈrɪkjʊləm
hɪsˈtɒrɪkəl ˈpɪərɪədz
ˈrɛgjʊlə ˈpætən
ɪnˈʃʊəz
ˈstɛdi ˈprəʊgrəs
ˌɪntərˈæktɪv
treɪd ɒfs
rɪˈleɪtɪd tuː
əˈmaʊnt
ɪn ˈkɒntrɑːst tuː
ˈfəʊkəs
ˈlɪmɪtɪd
spɪˈsɪfɪk ˈaɪtəmz
ɒn dɪsˈpleɪ
ˈprɒmɪsɪz ˈgreɪtə dɛpθ
ˈɜːbən ˈeərɪəz
vjuː rɪəl ˈɑːtɪˌfækts
ˈɒbʤɪkts
sɪgˈnɪfɪkəns
rɪˈsɜːʧəz hæv ˈdɛmənstreɪtɪd ðæt
rɪˈteɪnz
ˈvɪzjʊəli
ˌkɒmbɪˈneɪʃən
ˈriːdɪŋz
ˌkɒnvəˈseɪʃənz
ˈkɒməntəri
kənˈtrɪbju(ː)ts
ˈfɔːmɪdəbl
ˈmɛmərəbl ˈlɛsn
ˈðeəˈbaɪ
ˈgreɪtə ʧɑːns
ɪnˈtɜːnəˌlaɪz
ˈstændədaɪzd tɛsts
aɪˈdɪəl əˈprəʊʧ
ɪnˈstrʌkʃən ɒv
rɪˈmeɪn ˈstændəd ˈpræktɪs
wɛnˈɛvə ˈpɒsəbl
skuːl ˈsɪstɪmz
fʌnd fiːld trɪps
Vocabulary Practice
I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:
Some believe that visiting museums is the b___________d for learning about t_________t. I__________________________________________t, a________h such t______s cannot become the m______________________________h.
The l____________m study of history must r_________n in the c____________m. T_________________o l______________________s and the e_______________y of t______________s and l___________s. The a_______________t at high school, for example, might be a____________d several pages of reading which are then r____________d in class. The teacher can next m_________n to c____________g topics in g___________________h or p___________d with the c_____________m to other h___________________s. This r__________________n e__________s s___________________s. Traveling to and learning in a museum is more i_____________e but there are t____________s r____________o the a_________t of material that can be learned. A museum visit, i______________o the classroom, involves travel time and its f_________s is l_____________d to the s______________s o_____________y.
However, museum learning p_____________________h of learning. A good example of this would be the many museums in u______________s such as New York City. Students who visit and v____________________s from the past at The American Museum of Natural History are likely to remember not only the o____________s, but also their s______________e to history. R_______________________________t the human brain learns r__________s more information v__________y and the c_______________n of r___________s before and after a trip, c_______________s with other students, and c_______________y from teachers c______________s to a f_______________e and m__________________n. There is t____________y a g_______________e that students who spend time learning at museums will i______________e facts and dates for both s____________________s and later in life.
In conclusion, museum visits are a memorable and i________________h to the i_________________f history, though the classroom must r_______________________________e. W_________________e, s_______________s should f___________________s to museums.
Listening Practice
Learn more about this topic in the video below and practice with these activities:
Reading Practice
Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/online-features/met-360-project
Speaking Practice
Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:
History
- Do you like reading books about history?
- Which country’s history is most interesting to you?
- Which historical event or period do you find most interesting?
- Why is it important to read about history?
Writing Practice
Practice with the related IELTS essay topic below:
Museums and art galleries should show local history and culture instead of work from different countries.
Discuss both views and give opinion.
I love this topic, thanks
You’re welcome, Maureen!