IELTS Writing Task 2 often explores the intersection of art and society. The topic of “the role of art in expressing social issues” has appeared in various forms over the years and is likely to remain relevant in future exams. This subject allows candidates to demonstrate their understanding of art’s impact on society and their ability to articulate complex ideas. Let’s examine a recent question that exemplifies this theme:
Some people think that art (e.g. painting, music, poetry) can have an important influence on social issues. Others think that art has no effect on social issues. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Analyzing the Question
This question requires candidates to:
- Discuss the view that art can significantly influence social issues
- Explore the opposing view that art has no impact on social issues
- Present and justify their own opinion on the matter
It’s crucial to address all parts of the question to achieve a high band score. Let’s look at sample essays for different band scores to understand how to approach this topic effectively.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Art has long been a powerful medium for expressing societal concerns and catalyzing change. While some argue that artistic expressions have a profound impact on social issues, others contend that art is ineffective in this realm. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own viewpoint.
Proponents of art’s social influence argue that artistic works can raise awareness, evoke empathy, and inspire action on pressing issues. For instance, Picasso’s “Guernica” powerfully depicted the horrors of war, becoming an enduring symbol of peace. Similarly, protest songs of the 1960s, such as Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind,” became anthems for the civil rights movement, mobilizing people against racial injustice. These examples demonstrate art’s capacity to reach people emotionally and intellectually, potentially shifting public opinion and driving social change.
Conversely, skeptics maintain that art has minimal real-world impact on social issues. They argue that artistic works often preach to the converted, rarely reaching or convincing those with opposing views. Furthermore, they contend that concrete policy changes and grassroots activism are more effective in addressing social problems than symbolic artistic gestures. This perspective suggests that while art may be aesthetically pleasing or personally moving, it fails to translate into tangible societal improvements.
In my opinion, while art alone may not solve complex social issues, it plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse and inspiring action. Art can serve as a catalyst, bringing attention to overlooked problems and humanizing abstract concepts. For example, The role of art in expressing social issues has been evident in recent years with powerful murals addressing climate change, prompting communities to engage with environmental concerns. Moreover, art can provide a voice to marginalized groups, fostering understanding and empathy across societal divides.
In conclusion, while the direct impact of art on social issues may be difficult to quantify, its ability to provoke thought, inspire empathy, and initiate conversations makes it an indispensable tool for social commentary and change. The power of art lies not in providing solutions, but in compelling us to confront and grapple with the complexities of our society.
(Word count: 345)
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Art has been a way for people to express themselves for a long time. Some people think it can change society, while others don’t. I will talk about both sides and give my opinion.
Those who believe art is important for social issues say it can make people think differently. For example, songs about war can make people want peace. Paintings showing poor people can make others want to help. Art can touch people’s feelings and make them care about problems in the world.
On the other hand, some people think art doesn’t really change anything. They say that looking at a painting or listening to a song doesn’t solve real problems like hunger or violence. These people believe that only actions, like giving money or changing laws, can really help society.
In my opinion, art can be useful for social issues, but it’s not the only solution. I think art can make people more aware of problems and sometimes inspire them to act. For instance, importance of public art in fostering community identity shows how art can bring people together and make them think about their community. However, art alone cannot fix everything. It needs to work together with other efforts to make real changes in society.
To conclude, while art may not directly solve social problems, it can play an important role in making people aware and encouraging them to take action. Art and other forms of addressing social issues should work together for the best results.
(Word count: 261)
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
Art is something people make like paintings and music. Some people think it can help with social problems, but others don’t agree. I will talk about both ideas.
People who think art is good for social issues say it can make people feel things. When someone sees a sad painting, they might want to help others. Music can make people happy or angry about things happening in the world. This way, art can make people care about problems.
But some people don’t think art helps with social issues. They say looking at art doesn’t give food to hungry people or stop wars. These people think only real actions can help, not just making art.
I think art can be a little bit helpful for social issues. It can make people think about problems they didn’t know about before. But I also think art alone is not enough to fix big problems in the world. People need to do more than just make or look at art to really help.
In the end, art can be good for making people think about social issues, but it’s not the only thing that’s important. We need both art and other ways to help make the world better.
(Word count: 189)
Analysis of Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay:
- Fully addresses all parts of the task with a well-developed response
- Presents a clear position throughout the essay
- Uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features
- Uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy
- Organizes information coherently and uses a range of cohesive devices effectively
- Demonstrates awareness of style and tone throughout
IELTS Writing Task 2 scoring criteria
Band 6-7 Essay:
- Addresses all parts of the task, though some parts may be more fully covered than others
- Presents a clear overall position, but conclusions may be repetitive
- Uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, with some errors in word choice and collocation
- Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms
- Arranges information coherently and uses cohesive devices, although not always appropriately
- Shows awareness of style and tone, but not consistently
Band 5-6 Essay:
- Addresses the task only partially; the format may be inappropriate in places
- Expresses a position but the development is not always clear
- Uses a limited range of vocabulary, with some repetition and inappropriate word choice
- Uses a limited range of structures with some attempts at complex sentences
- Presents information with some organization but there may be a lack of overall progression
- Uses some basic cohesive devices but these may be inaccurate or repetitive
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Catalyst (noun) /ˈkætəlɪst/ – something that causes an important event to happen
- Evoke (verb) /ɪˈvoʊk/ – to bring a feeling, memory, or picture into the mind
- Tangible (adjective) /ˈtændʒəbl/ – clear and definite; real
- Marginalized (adjective) /ˈmɑːrdʒɪnəlaɪzd/ – treated as insignificant or peripheral
- Discourse (noun) /ˈdɪskɔːrs/ – written or spoken communication or debate
- Empathy (noun) /ˈempəθi/ – the ability to understand and share the feelings of another
- Grassroots (adjective) /ˈɡræsruːts/ – of or involving ordinary people, especially in politics
- Mobilizing (verb) /ˈmoʊbəlaɪzɪŋ/ – organizing people or resources to achieve a particular goal
- Aesthetic (adjective) /esˈθetɪk/ – concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty
- Provoke (verb) /prəˈvoʊk/ – to stimulate or give rise to a reaction or emotion
Conclusion
The topic of art’s role in expressing social issues is a complex and nuanced one that allows IELTS candidates to showcase their critical thinking and writing skills. By examining different perspectives and providing thoughtful analysis, you can craft a compelling essay that demonstrates your language proficiency and understanding of societal dynamics.
To prepare for similar topics, consider practicing with questions that explore the relationship between art and society, such as:
- To what extent can public art influence a community’s identity and values?
- Should governments fund controversial art that addresses social issues?
- How effective is social media art activism compared to traditional forms of artistic expression?
Remember to structure your essay clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and support your arguments with relevant examples. Good luck with your IELTS preparation!
We encourage you to practice writing an essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This active practice is an excellent way to improve your writing skills and receive feedback from others preparing for the IELTS exam.