Some Say that Music, Art and Drama Are as Important- IELTS Writing Task 2

Some say that music, art and drama are as important as other school subjects, especially at the primary level. Do you agree or disagree?

Outline

Essay Type

Opinion Essay

Introduction

Sentences 1&2 – Summarise the topic using synonyms to create a basic understanding.

Sentence 3 – Mention that this topic has both aspects to discuss.

Body paragraphs

Paragraph 1 – Talk about how extracurricular activities are as important as other academic subjects.

Paragraph 2 – Mention the importance of art, music and drama in a child’s life.

Paragraph 3 – Acknowledge the flip side of the argument.

Conclusion

Restate your views.

Sample Essay

Many people often advocate what subjects or courses should be educated in schools. A section of these people insists that subjects like art, music and drama should be made as imperative as other subjects from the elementary level. Learning these practical subjects improves students’ intellectual skills and hones their skills for a bright future.

Firstly, elementary school students can benefit significantly from performance art to improve their self-confidence and open their way to a world of fascination. An explanation for this is that children from a tender age have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and are more susceptible to adapting to new skills. As a result, they should be motivated to apply their brains beyond textbooks and practice their creativity to innovate and invent. Furthermore, students often work in a team as part of a team which helps develop their personalities. Consequently, children studying acting are intended to speak in front of large audiences, which allows them to overcome public speaking fears. Therefore, these subjects are essential to creating dynamic personalities.

In addition, not everybody can become a successful doctor, engineer, businessman or lawyer. Different students have different learning abilities. Some students lack academic interest but have a great hold on extra-curricular subjects. Therefore, at an early age, getting hands-on experience in these subjects assists learners in developing proficiency which might prove to be lucrative in future.

Others would disagree with this point of view and say that art refrains young children from devoting enough time to the more ”serious” subjects to pass their essential academic examinations. Notwithstanding, until children get to high school, it is more critical to have a good relationship and attitude towards education than passing tests. But if those children have capabilities, their talent can be harnessed. It will help the progenies grow up to be successful only if they are provided with an opportunity to study these subjects from a very young age.

Finally, it may be concluded that painting, dance and acting should be given equal footing in the primary classroom because they allow artistically talented children to learn more effectively. It is unwise to pressure children to pass maths and science exams at such a young age.

Vocabulary

• Imperative

Meaning – of vital importance; crucial.
Example – It is imperative to remove the weeds and lawn from the bed before planting.

• Intellectual

Meaning – a person who places a high value on or pursues things of interest to the intellect or the more complex forms and fields of knowledge
Example – You might argue that he is an exception, but intellectual innovations usually come from the younger, less established, less qualified people.

• Fascination

Meaning – the power to fascinate someone; the quality of being fascinating.
Example – Perhaps now you can appreciate my earlier fascination with large libraries.

• Unquenchable

Meaning – not capable of being satisfied, quelled or discouraged
Example – Sometimes people have dry skin and unquenchable thirst even though they drink lots of water.

• Dynamic

Meaning – (of a process or system) characterized by constant change, activity, or progress.
Example –Our notions of order and disorder contrast the dynamic artistry of the integral beauty of natural things.

• Lucrative

Meaning – producing a great deal of profit.
Example – The job that she was offered had lucrative facilities.

• Refrains

Meaning – stop oneself from doing something.
Example – The management should refrain from allowing students to bring cell phones to school.

• Critical

Meaning – expressing adverse or disapproving comments or judgements.
Example – This amount of critical energy is known as the activation energy of the reaction.

• Harnessed

Meaning – control and make use of (natural resources), especially to produce energy.
Example – Americans, by and large, view nature as a treasure trove of useful resources waiting to be harnessed for productive ends.

• Pressure

Meaning – continuous physical force exerted on or against an object by something in contact with it.
Example – The needle is withdrawn slowly, with slight pressure pulling back on the syringe.