Some people believe that the government should pay for arts and culture in cities and towns to make them more attractive.

Practice this IELTS Writing Task 2 question on IELTSX. Some people believe that the government should pay for arts and culture in cities and towns to make them more attractive.

Government Funding Arts Culture Cities Towns Attractive - IELTS Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Write at least 250 words.

A student's answer to this task, and the feedback on it

Written by an IELTSX user under exam conditions and published unedited and anonymously. Band 6.5 · 267 words.

Art is claimed to be government-sponsored to develop the appearance of cities. Similarly, I strongly agree with this point of view because investment in culture can boost the economy through tourism and enrich the cultural lives of local people. This essay will unfold my opinion in the following paragraphs.

First and foremost, a large number of people will be able to access the country's cultural heritage. Nowadays, many cities are becoming urbanized and globalized; therefore, their identity has been lost. Architecture plays a significant role in the appearance and perception of cities. To illustrate, unlike the metropolises, which resemble one another, Saint Petersburg has preserved its historical and cultural values due to the government’s financial support in maintaining its unique and recognizable image. Thus, cities with a rich cultural atmosphere are usually considered more attractive to visit and live in. Moreover, the financial support from the government is necessary (essential) because of its remarkable economic value. Cultural attractions such as museums, theatres, and galleries attract a large number of tourists, generating revenue. As a result, many European countries invest in art to preserve their national identity and attract tourists. For example, the French government provides funding for the Louver, one of the symbols of Paris, to preserve famous artworks that attract visitors to the capital of France. Therefore, the government’s spending on art can be viewed as a contribution to economic growth. To take into account all the given arguments, before I can conclude that the government should invest in art and culture to enhance the visual appeal of the cities and bring social and economic benefits.

Examiner feedback

The essay demonstrates a clear understanding of the prompt and provides relevant, well-supported examples. The score is primarily supported by a strong command of vocabulary and generally accurate grammar, though it is slightly limited by a flawed concluding sentence structure and mechanical transitions.

Task Response - 7

- The response addresses all parts of the task and presents a clear position throughout. - Main ideas are extended with relevant examples (Saint Petersburg and the Louvre). - The argument about 'attractiveness' is well-linked to both visual appeal and economic viability.

Coherence & Cohesion - 6

- Information is organized logically with a clear progression from social identity to economic benefits. - Cohesive devices like 'First and foremost', 'To illustrate', and 'Moreover' are used effectively but somewhat mechanically. - Paragraphing is used, though the second body paragraph is merged with the first in the provided text, and the conclusion is not separated.

Lexical Resource - 7

- A sufficient range of vocabulary is used to allow for some flexibility and precision (e.g., 'urbanized', 'globalized', 'metropolises'). - Uses less common lexical items like 'cultural heritage' and 'recognizable image' with good awareness of collocation. - Spelling is accurate throughout the response.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 7

- A variety of complex structures are used, such as relative clauses ('which resemble one another') and subordinate clauses. - Frequent error-free sentences are produced throughout the essay. - There is a significant grammatical slip in the final sentence ('before I can conclude that...'), which functions as a fragment rather than a complete sentence.

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