BAND 7.5 IELTS ESSAY SAMPLE: DISCUSSING GOVERNMENT PRIORITIES - PUBLIC SERVICES VS ARTS INVESTMENT

All General Writing Task 1 Samples / Band 7.5

Some people believe that the government should prioritize investments in public services, such as education and healthcare, over spending on the arts. Others, however, argue that investing in the arts is equally important. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. Provide relevant examples from your own experience or knowledge to support your answer.

Essay Sample

It has been argued that it would be a waste of financial resources for the government to invest in arts, such as music and theater. Instead, this money has to be invested in public services. Although it is quite important to spend money on different types of public services, I do not agree that allocating national budget to the arts is a waste of money.
There are several areas of public services on which the government’s budget can be spent. First and foremost, health care services can be considered an integral part of determining people’s quality of life. If the government does not spend sufficient money on hospitals and its relevant services, such as subsidizing treatment expenses or providing well-equipped clinics, the society’s health level may decline, which will in turn have a direct effect on people’s quality of life as a whole. For another, educating students properly at any level requires government’s support. By funding a larger number of schools and universities, a flourishing society where educational cost is of less concern can be expected.
Despite the importance of financing public services, the significance of supporting the arts should not be overlooked at all. To begin, art institutions can easily generate much profit by encouraging people to attend concerts, visit museums or watch a live performance in theater halls. Without any help from the government, these places may have to close, leading to substantial financial losses. Moreover, different types of arts have an unparalleled role in entertaining individuals and improve their quality of life. Many people get great pleasure from going to see music and theatre performances. This means that it is crucial for the government to assist such institutions, so as they can continue to provide entertainment to the public.
To conclude, there are clear benefits in ensuring that a large amount of investment goes into public services as this can influence people’s quality of life. However, I do not believe that spending money on the arts is a waste of money as it can provide important financial and psychological benefits.