This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of art from the real exam.
Art is a really common topic on IELTS and could come up on the listening, reading, writing, or speaking parts.
Read below to get some experience with this topic!
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Dave
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Film as Art (Real Past IELTS Exam/Test)
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?
Real Past IELTS Exam/Test
Film is often looked down on as a less important art form in comparison with more elevated mediums like painting and literature. In my opinion, though the blatant commercialisation of film often undermines its claim to be art at all, it is a clearly more important art form for the 21st century.
Those who would minimise the importance of film, can point out its primary purpose is to make money. This has become increasingly true in the last several decades as studios have assumed greater power. It used to be common for auteurs like Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, and Robert Altman to make modestly budgeted films that earned decent returns. The advent of blockbuster films generally and superhero movies in particular makes it much harder for studios catering to their shareholders to justify anything other than tentpole franchises. The artistic merits of these big movies tend to be low as they are often made by committee and strive only for escapism and fan service.
However, film has clearly overtaken other forms of art in the popular imagination. Hundreds of years ago, composers, playwrights, novelists, and painters were held in higher esteem and their works were the centre of popular culture. Music and film have now displaced them. Someone who would have become a great writer in the 19th century, would now opt to make films as they can reach the greatest number of people and the medium is newer and more open to possibility. A good example of this would be a young filmmaker like P.T. Anderson who creates thoughtful, explorative works that also have a degree of mass appeal.
In conclusion, film as an art form is ascendant today. It is, however, still important for audiences to tune in to a wide breadth of genres in order to encourage the film industry to remain vibrant and innovative.
Analysis
1. Film is often looked down on as a less important art form in comparison with more elevated mediums like painting and literature. 2. In my opinion, though the blatant commercialisation of film often undermines its claim to be art at all, it is a clearly more important art form for the 21st century.
- Paraphrase the overall topic for the whole essay.
- Write your opinion – choose one side!
1. Those who would minimise the importance of film, can point out its primary purpose is to make money. 2. This has become increasingly true in the last several decades as studios have assumed greater power. 3. It used to be common for auteurs like Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, and Robert Altman to make modestly budgeted films that earned decent returns. 4. The advent of blockbuster films generally and superhero movies in particular makes it much harder for studios catering to their shareholders to justify anything other than tentpole franchises. 5. The artistic merits of these big movies tend to be low as they are often made by committee and strive only for escapism and fan service.
- Write a topic sentence with a main idea at the end of the sentence.
- Begin developing or explaining your main idea.
- Use specific examples – real filmmakers or films.
- Develop your example – don’t run away from it.
- Conclude the paragraph with the results or draw conclusions.
1. However, film has clearly overtaken other forms of art in the popular imagination. 2. Hundreds of years ago, composers, playwrights, novelists, and painters were held in higher esteem and their works were the centre of popular culture. 3. Music and film have now displaced them. 4. Someone who would have become a great writer in the 19th century, would now opt to make films as they can reach the greatest number of people and the medium is newer and more open to possibility. 5. A good example of this would be a young filmmaker like P.T. Anderson who creates thoughtful, explorative works that also have a degree of mass appeal.
- Another topic sentence with a main idea for the other side.
- Explain or give background for your main idea.
- Vary long and short sentences.
- Here I use a hypothetical example.
- And I conclude the paragraph with a real example.
1. In conclusion, film as an art form is ascendant today. 2. It is, however, still important for audiences to tune in to a wide breadth of genres in order to encourage the film industry to remain vibrant and innovative.
- Repeat your opinion.
- Add in a final thought/extra detail.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
Film is often looked down on as a less important art form in comparison with more elevated mediums like painting and literature. In my opinion, though the blatant commercialisation of film often undermines its claim to be art at all, it is a clearly more important art form for the 21st century.
Those who would minimise the importance of film, can point out its primary purpose is to make money. This has become increasingly true in the last several decades as studios have assumed greater power. It used to be common for auteurs like Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, and Robert Altman to make modestly budgeted films that earned decent returns. The advent of blockbuster films generally and superhero movies in particular makes it much harder for studios catering to their shareholders to justify anything other than tentpole franchises. The artistic merits of these big movies tend to be low as they are often made by committee and strive only for escapism and fan service.
However, film has clearly overtaken other forms of art in the popular imagination. Hundreds of years ago, composers, playwrights, novelists, and painters were held in higher esteem and their works were the centre of popular culture. Music and film have now displaced them. Someone who would have become a great writer in the 19th century, would now opt to make films as they can reach the greatest number of people and the medium is newer and more open to possibility. A good example of this would be a young filmmaker like P.T. Anderson who creates thoughtful, explorative works that also have a degree of mass appeal.
In conclusion, film as an art form is ascendant today. It is, however, still important for audiences to tune in to a wide breadth of genres in order to encourage the film industry to remain vibrant and innovative.
Answers
looked down on deride
in comparison with compared to / in contrast with
elevated mediums more well-regarded forms
blatant commercialisation obviously just for money
undermines hurts
claim contention
art form kind of art
minimise make lesser
point out argue
primary purpose main reason
increasingly true more and more the case
assumed greater power become more powerful
auteurs skilled professionals
modestly budgeted films movies made for little money
earned decent returns made enough money
advent of blockbuster films generally beginning of big movies overall
in particular specifically
catering aimed at
shareholders investors in a company
justify give a reason for
tentpole franchises big-name movies
artistic merits not simply for money
tends to be low not usually high
made by committee many people’s voices
strive try
escapism pure entertainment
fan service just looking to appease fans
overtaken overcome by
popular imagination what captivates most people
composers people who write classical music
playwrights writers of plays
novelists writers of novels/books
held in higher esteem held in high regard
centre of popular culture culturally relevant
displaced taken over by
opt choose
medium form
open to possibility lots can happen
thoughtful carefully considere
explorative works experimental films
a degree of mass appeal some popularity
ascendant in power
tune in watch
wide breadth of genres lots of types of movies
remain vibrant still be alive
innovative pushing the envelope
Pronunciation
lʊkt daʊn ɒn
ɪn kəmˈpærɪsn wɪð
ˈɛlɪveɪtɪd ˈmiːdiəmz
ˈbleɪtənt kəˌmɜːʃəlaɪˈzeɪʃ(ə)n
ˌʌndəˈmaɪnz
kleɪm
ɑːt fɔːm
ˈmɪnɪmaɪz
pɔɪnt aʊt
ˈpraɪməri ˈpɜːpəs
ɪnˈkriːsɪŋli truː
əˈsjuːmd ˈgreɪtə ˈpaʊə
ɒd ˈæmətə(ː)z
ˈmɒdɪstli ˈbʌʤɪtɪd fɪlmz
ɜːnd ˈdiːsnt rɪˈtɜːnz
ˈædvənt ɒv ˈblɒkˌbʌstə fɪlmz ˈʤɛnərəli
ɪn pəˈtɪkjʊlə
ˈkeɪtərɪŋ
ˈʃeəˌhəʊldəz
ˈʤʌstɪfaɪ
tɛnt pəʊl ˈfrænʧaɪzɪz
ɑːˈtɪstɪk ˈmɛrɪts
tɛndz tuː biː ləʊ
meɪd baɪ kəˈmɪti
straɪv
ɪsˈkeɪpɪzm
fæn ˈsɜːvɪs
ˌəʊvəˈteɪkən
ˈpɒpjʊlər ɪˌmæʤɪˈneɪʃən
kəmˈpəʊzəz
ˈpleɪraɪts
ˈnɒvəlɪsts
hɛld ɪn ˈhaɪər ɪsˈtiːm
ˈsɛntər ɒv ˈpɒpjʊlə ˈkʌlʧə
dɪsˈpleɪst
ɒpt
ˈmiːdiəm
ˈəʊpən tuː ˌpɒsəˈbɪlɪti
θɔːtfʊl
ɛksˈplɔːrətɪv wɜːks
ə dɪˈgriː ɒv mæs əˈpiːl
əˈsɛndənt
tjuːn ɪn
waɪd brɛdθ ɒv ˈ(d)ʒɑːŋrəz
rɪˈmeɪn ˈvaɪbrənt
ɪnˈnɒvətɪv
Listen and repeat:
Vocabulary Practice
Remember and fill in the blanks:
Film is often l__________________n as a less important art form i_____________________h more e____________________s like painting and literature. In my opinion, though the b_______________________n of film often u____________________s its c_______m to be art at all, it is a clearly more important a_____________m for the 21st century.
Those who would m_______________e the importance of film, can p__________t its p____________________e is to make money. This has become i________________e in the last several decades as studios have a______________________r. It used to be common for a_________s like Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, and Robert Altman to make m___________________________s that e________________________s. The a_____________________________________y and superhero movies i__________________r makes it much harder for studios c_____________g to their s____________________s to j___________y anything other than t_____________________s. The a__________________s of these big movies t_______________________w as they are often m_______________________e and s________e only for e_____________m and f_______________e.
However, film has clearly o___________n other forms of art in the p____________________n. Hundreds of years ago, c__________________s, p______________s, n______________s, and painters were h______________________m and their works were the c_______________________e. Music and film have now d____________d them. Someone who would have become a great writer in the 19th century, would now o____t to make films as they can reach the greatest number of people and the m__________m is newer and more o_______________________y. A good example of this would be a young filmmaker like P.T. Anderson who creates t__________________l, e________________________s that also have a_________________________l.
In conclusion, film as an art form is a______________t today. It is, however, still important for audiences to t__________n to a w_______________________s in order to encourage the film industry to r__________________t and i_______________e.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Learn more about P.T. Anderson here:
Reading Practice
Read more about film on The Atlantic here:
https://www.theatlantic.com/category/film/
Speaking Practice
Answer the questions from the real IELTS speaking exam below:
Film/Movie Star
- Who is your favourite film star?
- Would you like to be a film star?
- Have you ever met a film star in person?
- Are film stars popular in your country?
Writing Practice
Write about a similar art topic below and then check with my sample answer:
The number of people who are interested in and wearing fashionable clothes is increasing.
Is this a positive or negative development?
Real Past IELTS Exam/Test
Quite difficult topic, but trying to write it. Need feedback from you and thanks!
Among a wide range of art forms, it is often said that written and painted arts are much more vital than film. In my opinion, I completely agree that film is a form of art with less significant benefits in terms of reliable sources of history.
Books and paintings contain enormous details and last for the long term. Many authors in history wrote groundbreaking books including specific information and it became great sources to impart knowledge throughout the ages. For example, ‘The Origin of Species’ by Charles Darwin provides his previous journey to Galapagos Island and analysis of natural selection of species. Because of Charles Darwin’s wrote detailed explanation through a book, it can be read, learned and tracked by people across the world until these recent years. Similarly, paintings also important to picture specific conditions of the artists’s era so people might know previous histories visually without losing any detail information throughout the years.
Compared to literature and painting, film has disadvantages in generating information. Although it provides picture lively with motions, the information or messages from films are not long-lasting. People tend to forget the exact story and cannot explain the exact details after hours of watching it. Consequently, the film is not a reliable source to be cited by academic people throughout the period. Moreover, most films are made in limited duration, range from 30 minutes to 3 hours, so it should leave other detail of events.
In conclusion, I believe that books and paintings are better and more crucial in imparting specific information for ages compared to films.
Good effort on a tough one!
I’m not so sure about the first main idea though because it is about art – some books are not art but science such as the ones you mention… That makes it a bit irrelevant.
I can also think of films – like reels of WW2 that preserve history well.
Overall I think you have to change that first idea and also your reason for being down on films is that they do not tell history well. That’s not really an artistic aim so it is also a bit irrelevant.
Can you think of a couple of new main ideas?
Oh my.. I’ve misinterpreted the question.
Is it ok to say that the artistic content of literature (such as poem and poetry ) and painting since it consists of different characteristics of eras when they were made. These make us more unique to learn art movement in detail than films.
Meanwhile, films, in terms of imparting art interpretation, mostly rely on first sources like books and paintings and convert it into different medium involving motions and sounds. That’s why without writings and drawings, maybe films are not an effective art form.
How about that?
Hmm that is an interesting idea but would need to be developed right.
I think you want to say that there is a varied tradition in painting, clear movements, and most paintings are original.
Films sometimes are but more often they are adapted from other sources.
That’s good! But don’t make it too unconditional – many paintings are reproductions and most are derived from the Bible and there are many writer/directors who make original works. You’re just arguing in general to make that one work…
Hi Dave,
This topic really piqued my interest. Since I was not an English literature graduate, I approached the question from a normal TV viewer’s perspective and only discussed the significance of film in daily life and business. Do you think it is still workable for this topic? Here is my sample writing:
“Many people regard that film has less significance compared to other art forms. I would argue that this is a false belief; film should be one of the most crucial art forms due to its’ unmatched popularity and profitability.
It is hard to deny the prevalence of film in daily life. Most people watch at least one movie or television series in their lives. The moment that the whole family gathers and watches movies has become an indispensable part of many households. Even cinemas have become a perfect dating place for couples. Evidently, film has appeared at every corner of life and become a necessity for human minds. Therefore, it would be questionable if people regard that film is less significant than other art forms.
Film is also a profitable business for both individuals and the economy. Each successful blockbuster can generate not only fame but also millions or billions of dollars for the film crew within a few months of broadcasting. Except for music, there is seemingly no art form that can yield the same revenue in such a relatively short time as film can. Furthermore, a part of film revenue will contribute to the betterment of a country’s economy through taxes. Hence, the importance of film in business and the economy is undisputed and far superior to that of most other art forms.
In conclusion, film should be considered as one of the most crucial art forms in human life due to its undeniable prevalence and financial benefits. Along with other art forms, film will always live in human life and there is hardly anything can alter this truth.”
Looking forward to your response. Thank you for all of your great sharings,
Duy Anh
Great and thanks for the questions Duy Anh!
I think both main ideas are strong – prevalence and financial importance.
Some would recommend that you write about both sides but you did well just disagreeing in this essay.
‘Many believe that… should be considered… its … in their lifetime a bit odd – most people watch a lot more than 1 in their lifetime! … indispensible and central element of’
Keep it up!