IELTS Writing Task 2: Top-Scoring Sample Essays on Government Support for Artists

In recent years, the question “Should The Government Provide Financial Support To Artists?” has become increasingly prevalent in IELTS Writing Task 2 examinations. This topic touches on the intersection of art, culture, and governmental responsibility, making it a rich subject for discussion and analysis. Based on trends observed in past IELTS exams and the current global focus on arts and culture, it’s highly likely that this theme will continue to appear in future tests.

Let’s examine a specific question that has appeared in recent IELTS exams:

Some people think that governments should provide financial support to creative artists such as painters and musicians. Others believe that creative artists should be funded by alternative sources. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Analyzing the Question

This question requires candidates to:

1. Discuss arguments for government funding of artists
2. Explore alternative funding sources for artists
3. Present 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, followed by detailed analyses.

Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)

Art is often considered the soul of a society, reflecting its values, aspirations, and challenges. The debate over whether governments should financially support artists or if alternative funding sources should be sought is a complex one with valid arguments on both sides. This essay will explore both perspectives before presenting my own view.

Proponents of government funding for artists argue that state support is crucial for preserving and promoting national culture. They contend that without public funding, many forms of art might disappear, particularly those that are not commercially viable but hold significant cultural value. For instance, traditional folk music or avant-garde visual arts often struggle to find a market but are essential for maintaining cultural diversity. Moreover, government support can provide a stable environment for artists to create without the pressure of commercial success, potentially leading to more innovative and thought-provoking work.

On the other hand, those who advocate for alternative funding sources argue that reliance on government support can lead to a lack of artistic independence. They fear that state-funded art may become a tool for propaganda or lose its critical edge. Additionally, in times of economic hardship, art funding is often one of the first budget items to be cut, leaving artists vulnerable. Alternative sources such as private patronage, crowdfunding, or corporate sponsorship can provide more diverse and potentially more substantial funding. These sources might also encourage artists to be more entrepreneurial and responsive to public tastes.

In my opinion, a balanced approach combining both government and alternative funding sources would be most beneficial. Government support is vital for maintaining art forms that are culturally significant but not commercially viable. It can also provide a safety net for emerging artists and fund public art projects that enhance community spaces. However, this should be complemented by alternative funding sources to ensure artistic independence and encourage innovation. A mixed funding model could involve government grants for specific cultural preservation projects, tax incentives for private art donations, and platforms for crowdfunding artistic ventures.

In conclusion, while both government support and alternative funding have their merits, a hybrid model that leverages the strengths of both approaches would be most effective in fostering a vibrant and diverse artistic landscape. This balanced strategy would ensure the preservation of cultural heritage while also promoting artistic freedom and innovation.

(Word count: 369)

Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay

This essay demonstrates excellence in several key areas:

1. Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the question, discussing both views and clearly stating the writer’s opinion.

2. Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphing. It uses a range of cohesive devices effectively (e.g., “On the other hand”, “Moreover”, “However”).

3. Lexical Resource: The essay uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control (e.g., “avant-garde”, “proponents”, “culturally significant”).

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy. Complex sentences are used effectively throughout.

5. Development of Ideas: Each main point is well-developed with relevant examples and explanations.

Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)

The question of whether governments should provide financial support to artists or if they should seek alternative funding sources is a topic of debate. This essay will discuss both views and give my opinion.

Some people believe that governments should give money to artists. They think this is important because art is part of a country’s culture. If the government doesn’t help, some types of art might disappear. For example, traditional music might not be popular enough to make money, but it’s important for the country’s history. Also, when the government gives money, artists can focus on making good art instead of worrying about selling it.

However, other people think artists should find money from other places. They worry that if the government pays for art, it might try to control what the artists create. This could make the art less creative or honest. Another problem is that when countries have money problems, they often stop giving money to artists first. Some people think artists should get money from rich people, companies, or even from lots of normal people online.

In my opinion, I think both the government and other sources should help pay for art. The government can help protect important cultural art that might not make money. But artists should also try to get money from other places so they can be more independent. This way, there can be different types of art, and artists can have more freedom to create what they want.

To conclude, while government support for artists is important, a mix of funding sources is probably the best solution. This can help keep cultural art alive while also allowing for new and different types of art to develop.

(Word count: 292)

Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay

This essay demonstrates competence in several areas but lacks the sophistication of a higher band score:

1. Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the question, but the ideas are less fully developed compared to the Band 8-9 essay.

2. Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is organized logically, but the use of cohesive devices is less sophisticated (e.g., frequent use of “Also” and “However”).

3. Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is adequate but lacks the precision and sophistication of higher band scores. There is some attempt at using less common vocabulary (e.g., “traditional”, “independent”).

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with generally good control. However, it lacks the full flexibility seen in higher band scores.

5. Development of Ideas: Main points are relevant and supported, but the level of detail and explanation is less than in the Band 8-9 essay.

Key Vocabulary to Remember

1. Patronage (noun) /ˈpætrənɪdʒ/: Financial support given to an artist or writer.

2. Avant-garde (adjective) /ˌævɒ̃ˈɡɑːd/: New and experimental ideas in art, music, or literature.

3. Cultural heritage (noun phrase) /ˈkʌltʃərəl ˈherɪtɪdʒ/: Traditions or artifacts passed down from previous generations.

4. Entrepreneurial (adjective) /ˌɒntrəprəˈnɜːriəl/: Characterized by innovation and risk-taking in business.

5. Innovative (adjective) /ˈɪnəveɪtɪv/: Featuring new methods or ideas.

6. Viable (adjective) /ˈvaɪəbl/: Capable of working successfully; feasible.

7. Crowdfunding (noun) /ˈkraʊdfʌndɪŋ/: The practice of funding a project by raising small amounts of money from a large number of people.

8. Diverse (adjective) /daɪˈvɜːs/: Showing a great deal of variety.

Government support for artists

Conclusion

The topic of government support for artists is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2. To prepare, practice writing essays on related themes such as:

1. The role of art in society
2. Public funding for cultural institutions
3. The economic impact of the arts
4. Balancing tradition and innovation in art

Remember, the key to success in IELTS Writing Task 2 is to fully address the question, organize your ideas clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and develop your arguments with relevant examples. Practice writing your own essay on this topic and consider sharing it in the comments section for feedback and discussion.

For more IELTS preparation resources, you might find these articles helpful:

• Describe a Place in Your Country Famous for Its Art
• Describe a Famous Artist or Painter in Your Country

These resources can provide additional context and vocabulary related to art and culture, which can be valuable for tackling questions about government support for artists.