Some people think history has nothing or little to tell us, but others think that studying past history can help us better understand the present. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Sample Response
While some argue that history has nothing significant to teach us, others insist that understanding the past help us better grasp the present. Personally, the second viewpoint is more reasonable since we may be better prepared for the present and future by learning from previous mistakes.
First, some individuals are skeptical of historical accounts because they believe they are biased. In most cases, physical and scientific evidence is insufficient to establish the knowledge. For this reason, many individuals dismiss historical trivia as legends or exaggerations that contribute nothing to modern life. In Vietnam, for instance, archaeologists have uncovered old remains in various locations, but they have yet to match this information with the proper knowledge provided in history books about the ancient kingdom. However, I cannot entirely agree with this idea since a lack of proof does not mean the past is not genuine and irrelevant.
On the other hand, knowledge of history is vital for comprehending the present and future. In reality, by studying the past, not only can we learn from our mistakes and improve our future actions, but we may also be inspired to work harder by hearing about the heroic efforts and personal sacrifices that our ancestors made. In Germany, for instance, educating children about World War II history is a must because of the many lessons and insights it provides for helping them learn from and prevent repeating past errors.
In conclusion, as a result of learning from past mistakes, it is essential to study history so that humans may be better equipped for the present and future.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Fix subject-verb agreement Original: help Suggested revision: helps Why it matters: The singular gerund phrase 'understanding the past' requires the verb 'helps'.
- 2. Use clearer reference Original: second Suggested revision: latter Why it matters: 'The latter viewpoint' identifies the second of the two previously stated positions more precisely.
- 3. Complete parallel phrase Original: prepared for the present and future Suggested revision: prepared for the present and the future Why it matters: Repeating the article makes the two coordinated time references fully parallel.
- 4. Improve collocation Original: establish the knowledge Suggested revision: establish historical facts Why it matters: Evidence can establish facts, while 'establish the knowledge' is not a natural collocation.
- 5. Use neutral term Original: trivia Suggested revision: accounts Why it matters: 'Historical accounts' accurately refers to records of the past without implying that they are trivial.
- 6. Use natural collocation Original: actions Suggested revision: decisions Why it matters: 'Improve our future decisions' is more natural and precise in the context of learning from mistakes.
- 7. Use natural phrasing Original: World War II history Suggested revision: the history of World War II Why it matters: The prepositional form is the standard way to refer to the history of an event.
- 8. Strengthen progression Original: In reality, Suggested revision: More importantly, Why it matters: This linker signals the addition of the paragraph's second benefit more accurately than a claim about reality.
- 9. Sentence rewrite Original: In Vietnam, for instance, archaeologists have uncovered old remains in various locations, but they have yet to match this information with the proper knowledge provided in history books about the ancient kingdom. Suggested revision: In Vietnam, for instance, archaeologists have uncovered ancient remains in various locations, but they have yet to reconcile these findings with accounts of the ancient kingdom in history books. Why it matters: The rewrite replaces vague and unnatural expressions while preserving the contrast between findings and written accounts.
- 10. Sentence rewrite Original: However, I cannot entirely agree with this idea since a lack of proof does not mean the past is not genuine and irrelevant. Suggested revision: However, I cannot entirely agree with this idea, since a lack of proof does not mean that accounts of the past are false or irrelevant. Why it matters: The rewrite removes the illogical double negative and coordinates the two intended adjectives clearly.
- 11. Sentence rewrite Original: In Germany, for instance, educating children about World War II history is a must because of the many lessons and insights it provides for helping them learn from and prevent repeating past errors. Suggested revision: In Germany, for instance, teaching children the history of World War II is essential because its lessons help them learn from past errors and avoid repeating them. Why it matters: The rewrite corrects the awkward complement structure and creates parallel verb phrases.
Suggested Rewrites
- help helps
- second latter
- prepared for the present and future prepared for the present and the future
- establish the knowledge establish historical facts
- trivia accounts
- actions decisions
Why this response received Band 7.5
The response is strongest in its clear position, purposeful paragraphing, and logical movement through both views, supported by relevant national examples. The main limitation is that the case against studying history is less convincingly explained and includes some imprecise phrasing. The highest-priority improvement is to articulate that opposing view more directly and connect its evidence more clearly to the claim that history has little present value.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
Both views and the writer's opinion are addressed, with relevant support, though the first view is less fully and convincingly developed.
Explain more directly why doubts about historical reliability might make historical study seem unhelpful in present-day decision-making.
Coherence and Cohesion
Ideas progress logically through clearly focused paragraphs, and cohesive devices generally guide the reader without disrupting the flow.
Strengthen the internal link between the Vietnamese example and the paragraph's central claim so the reasoning feels fully continuous.
Lexical Resource
The response uses a flexible range of topic-appropriate vocabulary, but several imprecise combinations occasionally blur the intended meaning.
Choose more exact phrases for evidence and historical interpretation instead of expressions such as establish the knowledge and proper knowledge.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex structures is used with strong control, and the occasional errors do not impede communication.
Refine subject-verb agreement and parallel verb patterns, especially in constructions such as understanding the past helps and prevent us from repeating.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Some people think history has nothing or little to tell us, but others think that studying past history can help us better understand the present. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.