This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of museums and art galleries from the real IELTS exam.
I’ve actually written about this same topic before but it just came up again on IELTS recently so I decided to write about it a second time!
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Dave
IELTS Essay: Museums and Art Galleries
Museums and art galleries should show local history and culture instead of work from different countries.
Discuss both views and give opinion.
Some feel that museums and art galleries ought to primarily focus on showcasing local, rather than international, works. In my opinion, despite the importance of domestic pieces for national cohesion, there is greater value in international items.
Those who advocate for domestic art in national museums and exhibition halls point out the unifying effect. Students in every country are expected to learn their national history but these lessons can often feel impersonal and abstract. The chance to visit a museum and see authentic documents from the past revitalises history and can inspire patriotism. A standout example of this would be The Smithsonian in the United States, which houses key historic and cultural artifacts. Visitors from different parts of the country and disparate ethnic groups can potentially find common ground by reflecting on the struggles and achievements of their forefathers.
Regardless, the citizenry as a whole can learn more from international artworks. Most people have learned their own nation’s history well but possess limited understanding of other cultures. Going to a museum featuring items from around the world is therefore an enlightening experience. For example, The British Museum in London famously contains one of the world’s largest collections of culturally significant artifacts from around the world. By seeing and reading the plaques for a variety of artworks both young students and adults alike have the opportunity to broaden their understanding of the traditions, cultures, and events that underpin the modern world. Over time, this can lead to a more inclusive, culturally diversified society.
All in all, the patriotic positives of locally themed collections are outweighed by the educational benefits of globally sourced institutions. There must be a degree of balance but those in positions of authority should emphasise cultural diversity.
Analysis
1. Some feel that museums and art galleries ought to primarily focus on showcasing local, rather than international, works. 2. In my opinion, despite the importance of domestic pieces for national cohesion, there is greater value in international items.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. Those who advocate for domestic art in national museums and exhibition halls point out the unifying effect. 2. Students in every country are expected to learn their national history but these lessons can often feel impersonal and abstract. 3. The chance to visit a museum and see authentic documents from the past revitalises history and can inspire patriotism. 4. A standout example of this would be The Smithsonian in the United States, which houses key historic and cultural artifacts. 5. Visitors from different parts of the country and disparate ethnic groups can potentially find common ground by reflecting on the struggles and achievements of their forefathers.
- 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.
- Stay focused on the same main idea.
1. Regardless, the citizenry as a whole can learn more from international artworks. 2. Most people have learned their own nation’s history well but possess limited understanding of other cultures. 3. Going to a museum featuring items from around the world is therefore an enlightening experience. 4. For example, The British Museum in London famously contains one of the world’s largest collections of culturally significant artifacts from around the world. 5. By seeing and reading the plaques for a variety of artworks both young students and adults alike have the opportunity to broaden their understanding of the traditions, cultures, and events that underpin the modern world. 6. Over time, this can lead to a more inclusive, culturally diversified society.
- 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…
- as fully as possible!
- Any extra statement of the result will help.
1. All in all, the patriotic positives of locally themed collections are outweighed by the educational benefits of globally sourced institutions. 2. There must be a degree of balance but those in positions of authority should emphasise cultural diversity.
- 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 feel that museums and art galleries ought to primarily focus on showcasing local, rather than international, works. In my opinion, despite the importance of domestic pieces for national cohesion, there is greater value in international items.
Those who advocate for domestic art in national museums and exhibition halls point out the unifying effect. Students in every country are expected to learn their national history but these lessons can often feel impersonal and abstract. The chance to visit a museum and see authentic documents from the past revitalises history and can inspire patriotism. A standout example of this would be The Smithsonian in the United States, which houses key historic and cultural artifacts. Visitors from different parts of the country and disparate ethnic groups can potentially find common ground by reflecting on the struggles and achievements of their forefathers.
Regardless, the citizenry as a whole can learn more from international artworks. Most people have learned their own nation’s history well but possess limited understanding of other cultures. Going to a museum featuring items from around the world is therefore an enlightening experience. For example, The British Museum in London famously contains one of the world’s largest collections of culturally significant artifacts from around the world. By seeing and reading the plaques for a variety of artworks both young students and adults alike have the opportunity to broaden their understanding of the traditions, cultures, and events that underpin the modern world. Over time, this can lead to a more inclusive, culturally diversified society.
All in all, the patriotic positives of locally themed collections are outweighed by the educational benefits of globally sourced institutions. There must be a degree of balance but those in positions of authority should emphasise cultural diversity.
Answers
primarily mainly
focus on concentrate
showcasing displaying
local from that country
international from around the world
domestic local, from your country
national cohesion uniting a country
value importance
advocate support
exhibition halls art galleries
point out argue
unifying effect how it brings people together
expected predicted
national history past of a country
impersonal no personal, removed
abstract far away, not concrete
authentic documents real items
revitalises brings life back to
inspire patriotism make you feel for your country
A standout example of this would be a good instance is
houses contains
artifacts old items
disparate ethnic groups different demographics in society
potentially possibly
find common ground have something in common
reflecting thinking back on
struggles difficulties
achievements what you get done in life
forefathers ancestors
regardless nonetheless
citizenry people in a country
as a whole all together
possess have
limited understanding not much knowing
featuring having
enlightening experience insightful time
famously well known
culturally significant artifacts important art/historic objects
plaques information about the items
alike both
broaden widen
traditions past ways of doing things
underpin serve as the foundation for
modern world the world today
over time as time goes on
inclusive accepting and open
culturally diversified society world with lots of different cultures
all in all in conclusion
patriotic caring about your country
locally themed collections items taken from one’s own country
outweighed stronger than
globally sourced institutions items taken from around the world
a degree of balance some equality
positions of authority high up, policymakers
emphasise focus on
Pronunciation
Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:
ˈpraɪmərɪli
ˈfəʊkəs ɒn
ˈʃəʊkeɪsɪŋ
ˈləʊkəl
ˌɪntə(ː)ˈnæʃənl
dəʊˈmɛstɪk
ˈnæʃənl kəʊˈhiːʒən
ˈvæljuː
ˈædvəkɪt
ˌɛksɪˈbɪʃən hɔːlz
pɔɪnt aʊt
ˈjuːnɪfaɪɪŋ ɪˈfɛkt
ɪksˈpɛktɪd
ˈnæʃənl ˈhɪstəri
ɪmˈpɜːsnl
ˈæbstrækt
ɔːˈθɛntɪk ˈdɒkjʊmənts
ˌriːˈvaɪtəlaɪzɪz
ɪnˈspaɪə ˈpætrɪətɪzm
ə ˈstændaʊt ɪgˈzɑːmpl ɒv ðɪs wʊd biː
ˈhaʊzɪz
ˈɑːtɪˌfækts
ˈdɪspərɪt ˈɛθnɪk gruːps
pəʊˈtɛnʃəli
faɪnd ˈkɒmən graʊnd
rɪˈflɛktɪŋ
ˈstrʌglz
əˈʧiːvmənts
ˈfɔːˌfɑːðəz
rɪˈgɑːdlɪs
ˈsɪtɪznri
æz ə həʊl
pəˈzɛs
ˈlɪmɪtɪd ˌʌndəˈstændɪŋ
ˈfiːʧərɪŋ
ɪnˈlaɪtnɪŋ ɪksˈpɪərɪəns
ˈfeɪməsli
ˈkʌlʧərəli sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt ˈɑːtɪˌfækts
plɑːks
əˈlaɪk
ˈbrɔːdn
trəˈdɪʃənz
ˌʌndəˈpɪn
ˈmɒdən wɜːld
ˈəʊvə taɪm
ɪnˈkluːsɪv
ˈkʌlʧərəli daɪˈvɜːsɪfaɪd səˈsaɪəti
ɔːl ɪn ɔːl
ˌpætrɪˈɒtɪk
ˈləʊkəli θiːmd kəˈlɛkʃənz
aʊtˈweɪd
ˈgləʊbəli sɔːst ˌɪnstɪˈtjuːʃənz
ə dɪˈgriː ɒv ˈbæləns
pəˈzɪʃənz ɒv ɔːˈθɒrɪti
ˈɛmfəsaɪz
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 feel that museums and art galleries ought to p___________y f__________n s_____________g l______l, rather than i_____________l, works. In my opinion, despite the importance of d_____________c pieces for n____________________n, there is greater v_____e in international items.
Those who a____________e for domestic art in national museums and e_______________s p___________t the u______________t. Students in every country are e___________d to learn their n_______________y but these lessons can often feel i___________l and a_________t. The chance to visit a museum and see a____________________s from the past r__________s history and can i__________________m. A________________________________e The Smithsonian in the United States, which h_________s key historic and cultural a_________s. Visitors from different parts of the country and d_________________________s can p_____________y f_____________________d by r_____________g on the s____________s and a________________s of their f_____________s.
R___________s, the c_____________y a____________e can learn more from international artworks. Most people have learned their own nation’s history well but p_________s l______________________g of other cultures. Going to a museum f___________g items from around the world is therefore an e__________________________e. For example, The British Museum in London f____________y contains one of the world’s largest collections of c__________________________s from around the world. By seeing and reading the p__________s for a variety of artworks both young students and adults a______e have the opportunity to b_________n their understanding of the t__________s, cultures, and events that u____________n the m_____________d. O____________e, this can lead to a more i____________e, c________________________y.
A___________l, the p_________c positives of l______________________________s are o___________d by the educational benefits of g_________________________s. There must be a____________________e but those in p_________________y should e_____________e cultural diversity.
Listening Practice
Learn more about this topic in the video below and practice with these activities:
https://www.youtube.com/user/smithsonianchannel
Reading Practice
Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:
Speaking Practice
Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:
Art
- Should kids be taught art from a young age?
- Is it important for all people to get the opportunity to make art?
- Should art be sold or kept in museums for the public to see?
- Why is art sold for such large sums of money?
- What is the attitude to art in your country?
Writing Practice
Practice with the same basic topic below and then check with my sample answer:
Museums and art galleries should focus on works that show the history and culture of their own country rather than works of other parts of the world.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Yes
Yep!
Hello Sir, could you please let me know what you think of my essay? Thank you!
In today’s society, there are contradicting views on whether or not international works should be displayed alongside local works at art galleries and museums. From my perspective, I firmly believe that this will have many merits and is a positive tendency.
On the one hand, the main purpose of museums and galleries is to provide and raise awareness to the public about the nation’s culture and connect them to their roots and heritage. To illustrate this, growing up I had always visited the national Indian museum, and through those visits, I had a much better grasp and understanding of India’s traditions and history. In addition to this, the moral values and beliefs of countries tend to vary a lot, therefore in order to avoid confusion, it would be easier to solely focus on the local culture.
On the other hand, it ought not to be forgotten that all countries have had an impact on the human race. If this were to be neglected and not taken into consideration, then it would be more challenging to understand mankind accurately. Furthermore, having international collections will not only attract locals but also a huge number of tourists. This will be beneficial to the country because it will boost their economy and create job opportunities for the citizens.
To conclude, although views tend to differ regarding this matter, I would reiterate that governments should try to present a similar number of local and international objects in museums and art galleries. If appropriate steps were to be taken to find and maintain that right balance, then a desirable outcome would be reached for all.
Sure!
Really nice paraphrasing though you could be more specific with your ideas at times. Especially in the 3rd paragraph you could spend a little more time developing each idea to get a really high mark for task achievement.
Keep working hard!
I remember when a student got this question a long while back. At the time, I thought it was a bit silly as the only possible defense of not showing works from other countries would be some misguided belief that they are shown at the expense of domestic works.
Then, I talked to a british friend (also IELTS teacher) and he was like, ‘oh yeah, this is actually an issue in the the UK given that many our museums are chock full of plundered artifacts from former colonies’. So given that perspective, i guess this question makes sense.
Haha, yeah, good point Sean!
A lot of questions are written from a UK perspective – it’s also fine to have a main idea that doesn’t really make that much sense as long as you can support it well enough.
Thanks for sharing that story!
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