This sample IELTS writing is on the arts.
A common topic in IELTS is whether you think it is a good idea for government money to be spent on the arts, i.e., the visual arts (as you see in art galleries), literary arts (books), and the performing arts (music, theatre, dance, and film), or whether it should be spent elsewhere, usually on other public services such as education, health, policing,g, etc.
Take a look at the question:
| Government investment in the arts, such as music and theatre, is a waste of money. Governments must invest this money in public services instead. To what extent do you agree with this statement? |
Partly Agreeing
In this question, you are given the opinion that spending money on the arts is a waste of money and it would be better spent on public services.
You then have to say if you agree or disagree. So you would need to decide what you think and give reasons to support your decision.
The sample IELTS writing model answer presented here is a balanced argument that partly agrees with this opinion.
This is made clear in the thesis statement:
- “Although I agree that it is important to spend money on public services, I do not think spending additionally on the arts is a waste of money”.
So the writer does not think it is a ‘waste of money’; however, he/she does think the majority of money should go on public services.
The essay, therefore, needs to explain this, and so is organized as follows:
- Body 1: Support for spending most money on public services
- Body 2: Support for spending some on the arts
Of course if you completely agree or disagree, you can still present the other side of the argument to yours – that’s optional. But if you are specifically saying you partly agree (in other words, you can see both sides), you must present both.
Sample IELTS Writing
| You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic: Government investment in the arts, such as music and theatre, is a waste of money. Governments must invest this money in public services instead. To what extent do you agree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own experience or knowledge. Write at least 250 words. |
Model Answer
These days, the government spends a large part of its budget not only on public services but also on the arts. Although I agree that it is important to spend money on public services, I do not think spending additionally on the arts is a waste of money.
There are several reasons for spending a significant amount of the government budget on public services. First and foremost, public services are things such as hospitals, roads, and schools, and these things determine the quality of life that most of us will have. For example, if the government does not spend enough money on hospitals, the health of our society may decline. Similarly, if not enough money is spent on schools, our children may not be properly educated. Also, it will be the poor in our society that will be affected more if we do not spend enough on these things because they are the ones more dependent on such services.
However, this does not mean that the arts should be completely neglected. To begin, it is difficult for many arts institutions to generate much profit, so without some help from the government, many theatres and other such places may have to close. Moreover, the arts also have an important impact on our quality of life. Many people get great pleasure in going to see music and theatre performances so it is important that the government assists such institutions so that they can continue to provide entertainment to the public.
To sum up, there are clear benefits of ensuring a large amount of investment goes into public services as this influences the quality of life for nearly all of us. That said, I do not believe spending money on the arts is a waste of money as this, too, provides important benefits.
(299 words)
Evaluation:
Task Achievement: Band 8
- The response clearly addresses the prompt, presenting a balanced view on government spending in public services and the arts.
- The essay offers valid reasons for investment in both areas and provides examples to support its arguments.
- It effectively answers the “to what extent” part of the question, making the stance clear: public services should take priority, but arts funding is also essential.
- The explanation could benefit from more specific examples, such as naming a successful government-funded arts program.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8
- The essay is logically structured with an introduction, body paragraphs addressing both perspectives, and a conclusion that restates the main argument.
- Cohesive devices such as “first and foremost,” “similarly,” “however,” and “to sum up” help connect ideas effectively.
- Minor improvements could be made to the transitions between public services and arts funding to enhance flow.
Lexical Resource: Band 7.5
- The vocabulary is appropriate and varied, with terms like “significant amount,” “generate much profit,” and “quality of life.”
- However, there is room for more advanced expressions and synonyms for frequently repeated words like “important” and “money.” For instance, “crucial” or “essential” could replace “important,” and “funding” or “investment” could replace “money.”
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8
- The essay demonstrates a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex and compound sentences.
- Errors are minimal but present, such as:
- “public services are things such as hospitals, roads, and schools” (could be rephrased for formality: “public services include essential infrastructure like hospitals, roads, and schools”).
- “so without some help from the government” (should be “so, without government support”).
Word Count: 294 words
- The word count is within the required range, and the essay covers all aspects of the question.
Overall Band: 8
This essay is well-developed, balanced, and effectively addresses the prompt. To improve further:
- Incorporate specific examples of government-funded arts programs or public services.
- Use a wider range of advanced vocabulary.
- Refine some phrasing to achieve greater formality and precision.
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