the arts and sciences

This one is on the theme of the arts and science and technology and is based on a recent exam question.. Here I give you help in:  analysing the question  avoiding a problem  structur

the arts and sciences

This is the latest in my series of downloadable sample IELTS essays This one is on the theme of the arts and science and technology and is based on a recent exam question Please note though that the question was itself probably asked in a slightly different format The best advice is always to read the question very carefully and answer that question Here

I give you help in:

 analysing the question

 avoiding a problem

 structuring your essay

Analysing the question

Advances in science and technology have made great changes to lives of ordinary people, but artists such as musicians, painters and writers are still highly valued What can the arts tell us about life that science and technology cannot?

notes

This is a question that asks you a direct question: What can the arts tell us about life that science and technology cannot? Make sure you offer a direct answer to that question

1 It is not enough to write about the value of the arts You have not answered the question You need to writ about the things that the arts offer that science and technology

do not

2 Note the wording of “the arts” This is not the same as “art” ”The arts” include painting, music and writing etc”

3 There is no doubt that the quality of our lives in the 21st century has been greatly improved by various scientific and technological advances Despite this, the arts and

humanities too still have much to teach us about ourselves and life in general

Problem area

This is quite a “philosophical” question If you try and give a very philosophical answer, you may write very complex English and so make more mistakes I suggest:

1 keep your ideas clear and simple

2 use plenty of examples to explain your ideas: examples are easy to write and you should get to use some varied topic vocabulary In my sample essay, I get to use phrases such as ”attend a concert”, “art gallery”, “author” and “stay in to read” This is the clear and simple type of topic vocabulary you should aim to include in all your essays

Essay structure

I have chosen a simple structure

Introduction

 Highlight the task

 Suggest there are two ways the arts have something different to teach us

Topic 1

 Point in topic sentence: concepts such as beauty come from the arts

 Explain: sciences limited to practicality

 Example: Mozart shows us harmony

 Re-explain: sciences do not show us this

Topic 2

 Point in topic sentence: arts make us think about ourselves

 Explain with art gallery example

 Re-explain how this makes us think about others too

Conclusion

 Reflect introduction: science makes us comfortable but the arts teach us about spiritual aspects (topic 1) and reflection (topic 2)

The essay

There is no doubt that the quality of our lives in the 21st century has been greatly improved

by various scientific and technological advances Despite this, the arts and humanities too still have much to teach us about ourselves and life in general.

One area in which we can learn from the arts is that concepts such as beauty matter in and

of themselves In the world of science and technology, the only true measure is whether something works or not This is a limited view of the world and the arts differ in that they

offer us an alternative and more spiritual outlook For example, if we listen to Mozart we can learn about harmony and joy through the medium of music or if even we read an author like

PG Wodehouse we learn about the value of humour These essential aspects of life are absent from the clinical world of science and technology.

The other way in which artists can teach us about more about life is that enjoying art

encourages the habit of self-reflection If you walk into an art gallery, attend a concert or even just stay in to read a book, you will almost certainly begin to think about your inner values For me, this is a invaluable lesson in life as if we begin to reflect about ourselves, we begin not just to become more human, but also consider the lives of others too.

So while science and technology may have made our physical lives more comfortable in the 21st century It remains true that the arts and humanities are still absolutely necessary for ordinary people as they promote a more spiritual and reflective view of life that is essential

to our humanity.

(290 words)