Some people think that studying history is a waste of time while others think it is essential for us to learn history. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Sample Response
In today's fast-paced world, where time is highly valuedwhere every minute counts, some people argue that studying history is a waste of time, while others believe it is crucial for us to learn about the past. In this essay, we will discuss both viewpoints and present an argument in favour of learning and understanding history.
Those who claim that studying history is a waste of time argue that it is a subject with little practical value, unlike mathematicsmath, science, and technology, which have direct applications in the real world. They also contendargue that studying history can be monotonoushistory is monotonous, and students are often forced to memorize a list of names, dates, and events withoutevents, without fully understanding their significance.
On the other hand, some peopleOn the other hand, others think that there are compelling reasons to study historycompelling reasons why history is an essential subject to learn. Firstly, history provides rich knowledge and understanding ofa rich source of knowledge and understanding about our past and how societies reached their present statehow we got to where we are today. It helps us understandIt helps us to understand the origins of political, social, and cultural institutions and howinstitutions, and how they have evolved over time. I believe that studying history teaches us critical thinking and analytical skills, which are essential for success in manyall areas of life. We learn to evaluate evidence, identify bias, and develop our own perspectives on events.
In conclusion, while some may argue that studying history is a waste of time, it is clear that learning about our past has many benefits. History provides us with a deeper understanding of the world around us and helps us to develop critical thinking skills. Therefore, it is essential for students to learn about history, and educators must make every effort to present the subject in a way that engages and inspires students.
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response is strongest in its clear, consistently maintained support for studying history, with fluent organization and a strong range of accurate language. Its main limitation is that the case against history is treated more briefly and generally than the benefits. The highest-priority improvement is to deepen that opposing view with a concrete illustration before explaining why the benefits ultimately outweigh it.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
Both views are addressed directly, and a clear opinion is maintained with relevant explanation throughout.
Develop the argument against studying history with a specific illustration so that the discussion is more fully substantiated.
Coherence and Cohesion
The response progresses logically through distinct viewpoints, with clear paragraphing and generally unobtrusive linking.
Use a slightly more explicit transition between the benefits of historical knowledge and the development of critical-thinking skills.
Lexical Resource
A wide and precise vocabulary conveys abstract ideas naturally, with only minor repetition of central task terms.
Vary repeated words such as "history," "learn," and "understand" where a precise alternative would preserve meaning.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A broad range of complex structures is used accurately, and errors are rare and non-impeding.
Refine occasional heavy comma use so that complex sentences read even more cleanly.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Some people think that studying history is a waste of time while others think it is essential for us to learn history. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.