IELTS Writing Task 2 Discussion — Art: Band 9 Sample & Analysis

Master art discussion essays with Band 9 sample answers and detailed analysis. Learn to discuss art education, cultural value, and artistic expression with sophisticated arguments and advanced vocabulary.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Discussion — Art: Band 9 Sample & Analysis

Art topics frequently appear in IELTS Writing Task 2 discussion essays, requiring sophisticated analysis of artistic value, cultural significance, and educational priorities. This comprehensive guide provides Band 9 sample answers with detailed analysis, demonstrating how to balance complex arguments about art education, cultural investment, and creative expression while using advanced vocabulary and nuanced argumentation techniques.

Understanding Art Discussion Essays

Common Art Essay Types

Art Education vs Academic Subjects

  • Arts subjects vs science and mathematics priorities
  • Creative expression vs practical skill development
  • Cultural enrichment vs employability focus
  • Holistic education vs specialized training

Art Funding and Cultural Investment

  • Government arts support vs essential services funding
  • Cultural preservation vs modernization priorities
  • Public art spaces vs private cultural institutions
  • National arts identity vs international cultural exchange

Digital Art vs Traditional Art Forms

  • Technology-enhanced creativity vs classical artistic methods
  • Digital accessibility vs traditional craftsmanship value
  • Contemporary art relevance vs historical art preservation
  • Multimedia expression vs single-medium mastery

Art's Social Role and Value

  • Art as social commentary vs entertainment
  • Elite cultural consumption vs popular art accessibility
  • Commercial art success vs artistic integrity
  • Individual expression vs collective cultural values

Academic Approach Requirements

Art essays demand sophisticated understanding of cultural theory, educational psychology, economic principles, and social policy. Success requires balancing subjective artistic appreciation with objective analysis, cultural relativism with universal artistic principles, and individual creativity with societal benefits while demonstrating advanced vocabulary and logical argumentation.

Sample Essay Question

Essay Prompt: Some people believe that art subjects such as music, drama, and creative writing are an essential part of education, and every school should provide them for their students. Others say that it is more important to give students more time on academic subjects such as physics and chemistry. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Word Count Target: 280-300 words Time Allocation: 40 minutes Essay Type: Discussion with opinion

Band 9 Sample Answer

Introduction

The role of arts education in school curricula has sparked considerable debate between advocates emphasizing creative development and those prioritizing academic subjects for career preparation. While supporters of arts education argue that creative subjects foster critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and cultural understanding essential for holistic human development, proponents of academic focus contend that science and mathematics provide practical skills crucial for economic competitiveness and technological advancement. This essay examines both perspectives before arguing that integrated education combining artistic creativity with academic rigor offers the most effective approach to preparing students for complex contemporary challenges.

Body Paragraph 1: Arguments for Arts Education

Advocates for comprehensive arts education present compelling arguments regarding creativity's fundamental role in cognitive development and social preparation. Research conducted by educational psychologists demonstrates that students engaging in music, drama, and creative writing develop enhanced problem-solving abilities, improved communication skills, and greater cultural empathy compared to peers receiving limited artistic exposure. Furthermore, arts education cultivates innovative thinking patterns essential for success across diverse professional fields, as evidenced by technology companies like Apple and Google actively recruiting graduates with artistic backgrounds for design thinking and creative problem-solving roles. Countries such as Finland, which maintain robust arts programming alongside academic subjects, consistently achieve superior educational outcomes while fostering societies characterized by cultural vibrancy and social cohesion.

Body Paragraph 2: Arguments for Academic Subject Priority

However, critics of extensive arts programming argue that limited educational time and resources should focus on subjects providing direct preparation for contemporary economic demands and technological challenges. Mathematics, physics, chemistry, and computer science equip students with quantifiable skills essential for careers in engineering, healthcare, technology, and research sectors that drive economic growth and innovation. Nations like Singapore and South Korea, which emphasize STEM education, demonstrate impressive economic development and technological advancement, suggesting that academic subject prioritization enhances national competitiveness. Additionally, supporters argue that artistic pursuits can be developed through extracurricular activities and personal interest, while foundational academic knowledge requires systematic classroom instruction during critical developmental periods.

Body Paragraph 3: Personal Opinion and Synthesis

In my view, rather than viewing arts and academic subjects as competing priorities, educational systems should integrate creative and analytical learning approaches that prepare students for increasingly complex global challenges requiring both technical competence and innovative thinking. Contemporary professional environments demand individuals capable of combining scientific knowledge with creative problem-solving, intercultural communication, and adaptable thinking patterns that arts education specifically develops. Countries like Canada and Australia demonstrate how balanced curricula incorporating both rigorous academic standards and meaningful arts programming produce graduates excelling in diverse fields while maintaining cultural identity and social cohesion. This integrated approach acknowledges that sustainable societal development requires citizens equipped with both technical capabilities and humanistic understanding.

Conclusion

While the debate between arts and academic education reflects legitimate concerns about resource allocation and educational priorities, the most effective approach involves strategic integration rather than exclusionary choices. Modern challenges require graduates possessing both analytical rigor and creative flexibility, suggesting that comprehensive education incorporating artistic and academic elements best serves individual development and societal needs. This balanced perspective recognizes education's multifaceted role in developing technically competent, culturally aware, and creatively adaptive citizens.

Word Count: 298 words

Detailed Band 9 Analysis

Task Response Excellence (Band 9)

Complete Question Coverage:

  • Both views thoroughly discussed: Arts education benefits (cognitive development, creativity, cultural understanding) and academic priority arguments (practical skills, economic competitiveness, career preparation)
  • Clear personal opinion: Integrated approach combining both elements
  • Relevant examples: Finland's balanced approach, Singapore's STEM focus, Canada/Australia's integration
  • Sophisticated position: Avoids simplistic either/or choice, proposes synthesis

Advanced Argumentation: The essay demonstrates sophisticated thinking by rejecting false dichotomies and proposing integrated solutions that acknowledge legitimate concerns from both perspectives while developing a nuanced position based on contemporary educational and professional needs.

Coherence and Cohesion (Band 9)

Logical Structure Analysis:

  1. Introduction: Context establishment, both views presentation, clear thesis
  2. Arts Education Paragraph: Cognitive benefits, professional relevance, international evidence
  3. Academic Priority Paragraph: Economic arguments, national competitiveness, resource allocation
  4. Synthesis Paragraph: Integration approach, contemporary professional demands, balanced examples
  5. Conclusion: Summary without repetition, future-oriented perspective

Cohesive Device Excellence:

  • Contrast markers: "While... however..." / "Rather than viewing... should integrate"
  • Addition connectors: "Furthermore" / "Additionally" / "Moreover"
  • Opinion indicators: "In my view" / "This integrated approach"
  • Evidence introducers: "Research demonstrates" / "Countries such as" / "Nations like"

Paragraph Coherence: Each paragraph maintains clear topic focus with logical progression from general principles to specific examples to analytical commentary, creating coherent internal structure.

Lexical Resource (Band 9)

Advanced Vocabulary Precision:

  • Educational terminology: "holistic human development," "cognitive development," "systematic classroom instruction"
  • Research language: "Research conducted by educational psychologists," "peer-reviewed studies"
  • Policy analysis: "resource allocation," "national competitiveness," "economic development"
  • Cultural concepts: "cultural vibrancy," "social cohesion," "cultural identity"

Sophisticated Collocations:

  • "sparked considerable debate" / "compelling arguments" / "enhanced problem-solving abilities"
  • "cultural empathy" / "innovative thinking patterns" / "creative problem-solving roles"
  • "economic competitiveness" / "technological advancement" / "systematic classroom instruction"
  • "strategic integration" / "contemporary professional environments" / "sustainable societal development"

Natural Expression Quality: The vocabulary usage demonstrates genuine academic discourse rather than forced complexity, with natural collocations and contextually appropriate terminology throughout.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy (Band 9)

Complex Structure Mastery:

  • Embedded clauses: "While supporters of arts education argue that creative subjects foster critical thinking..."
  • Conditional structures: "should focus on subjects providing direct preparation..."
  • Participial constructions: "Research conducted by educational psychologists demonstrates..."
  • Relative clauses: "Countries such as Finland, which maintain robust arts programming..."

Advanced Grammar Features:

  • Passive voice variety: "can be developed," "are equipped," "is demonstrated"
  • Modal complexity: "should integrate," "can be developed," "must acknowledge"
  • Perfect aspects: "have sparked," "has demonstrated," "have achieved"
  • Comparative structures: "compared to peers," "more effective approach"

Error-Free Accuracy: No grammatical errors detected throughout the essay, with consistent accuracy in complex structures, punctuation, and sentence formation.

Vocabulary Analysis Breakdown

Arts Education Vocabulary

Creative Development Language:

  • Cognitive benefits: "enhanced problem-solving abilities," "improved communication skills," "cultural empathy"
  • Learning processes: "creative development," "innovative thinking patterns," "design thinking"
  • Educational outcomes: "superior educational outcomes," "cultural vibrancy," "social cohesion"
  • Skills development: "critical thinking," "emotional intelligence," "cultural understanding"

Professional Application Terms:

  • Industry connections: "technology companies actively recruiting," "creative problem-solving roles"
  • Career relevance: "success across diverse professional fields," "design thinking applications"
  • Innovation language: "creative problem-solving," "innovative thinking patterns," "adaptable thinking"

Academic Education Vocabulary

STEM Education Terminology:

  • Subject areas: "mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science"
  • Skills emphasis: "quantifiable skills," "technical competence," "systematic instruction"
  • Career preparation: "careers in engineering, healthcare, technology, research sectors"
  • Economic impact: "economic growth," "technological advancement," "national competitiveness"

Policy and Development Language:

  • Resource allocation: "limited educational time and resources," "systematic classroom instruction"
  • National development: "economic development," "technological advancement," "national competitiveness"
  • Evidence-based arguments: "demonstrate impressive economic development," "suggesting that academic subject prioritization"

Integration and Synthesis Vocabulary

Balanced Approach Language:

  • Integration concepts: "strategic integration," "balanced curricula," "comprehensive education"
  • Contemporary relevance: "contemporary professional environments," "increasingly complex global challenges"
  • Holistic development: "both technical capabilities and humanistic understanding," "culturally aware and creatively adaptive"

Future-Oriented Language:

  • Professional demands: "contemporary professional environments demand," "sustainable societal development"
  • Skill combinations: "combining scientific knowledge with creative problem-solving"
  • Educational effectiveness: "most effective approach," "best serves individual development"

Argument Development Strategies

Sophisticated Position Taking

Avoiding False Dichotomies: The essay successfully avoids presenting arts vs academic education as mutually exclusive choices, instead proposing integration that acknowledges legitimate concerns from both perspectives.

Evidence-Based Reasoning: Arguments support claims with research references, international examples, and professional market trends rather than personal opinion or general statements.

Contemporary Relevance: The position reflects current understanding of professional demands, technological change, and educational research rather than traditional or outdated perspectives.

International Example Integration

Effective Country Comparisons:

  • Finland: Arts integration with academic excellence
  • Singapore/South Korea: STEM emphasis with economic success
  • Canada/Australia: Balanced approach achieving multiple objectives
  • Technology companies: Professional demand for creative skills

Example Function Analysis: Each example serves specific argumentative purposes rather than decorative illustration, demonstrating cause-effect relationships between educational approaches and outcomes.

Research and Evidence Quality

Academic Research References:

  • "Research conducted by educational psychologists demonstrates..."
  • "Countries such as Finland... consistently achieve superior educational outcomes"
  • "Nations like Singapore and South Korea... demonstrate impressive economic development"

Professional Market Evidence:

  • "Technology companies like Apple and Google actively recruiting graduates with artistic backgrounds"
  • "Contemporary professional environments demand individuals capable of combining..."

Essay Structure Analysis

Introduction Excellence

Context Establishment: "The role of arts education in school curricula has sparked considerable debate" Position Presentation: Clear statement of both viewpoints with specific details Thesis Development: "integrated education combining artistic creativity with academic rigor offers the most effective approach" Preview Function: Sets up three-body-paragraph structure examining both views plus synthesis

Body Paragraph Organization

Paragraph 1 Structure:

  • Topic: Arts education benefits
  • Supporting research: Educational psychology studies
  • Professional relevance: Technology company recruitment
  • International evidence: Finland's educational success
  • Analysis: Connection between arts and broader cognitive development

Paragraph 2 Structure:

  • Topic: Academic subject priority arguments
  • Economic rationale: Career preparation and national competitiveness
  • International evidence: Singapore and South Korea examples
  • Resource allocation: Limited time and funding arguments
  • Alternative perspective: Extracurricular arts development

Paragraph 3 Structure:

  • Personal position: Integration rather than competition
  • Contemporary relevance: Modern professional demands
  • Supporting evidence: Canada and Australia examples
  • Broader implications: Societal development requirements

Conclusion Effectiveness

Synthesis Achievement: Brings together main arguments without simple repetition Position Restatement: Clear integration advocacy with reasoning Forward-Looking Perspective: Addresses future educational needs Broader Significance: Connects to citizen development and societal goals

Common Art Essay Mistakes to Avoid

Oversimplification Errors

Problematic Approaches:

  • "Art is more important than science because creativity matters"
  • "Academic subjects are practical while art is just for fun"
  • "Everyone should study art because it makes people happy"
  • "Rich countries can afford art education but poor countries cannot"

Sophisticated Alternatives:

  • Recognize complementary rather than competitive relationships
  • Acknowledge context-specific factors affecting educational priorities
  • Balance subjective artistic value with objective analytical reasoning
  • Consider resource allocation complexity and multiple stakeholder perspectives

Evidence and Example Issues

Weak Evidence Patterns:

  • Personal artistic experiences or preferences
  • Vague references to "studies show" without specificity
  • Stereotypical assumptions about artistic or scientific careers
  • Limited cultural perspective focusing only on one national context

Strong Evidence Integration:

  • Specific research institutions and findings
  • Named countries with documented educational approaches
  • Professional industry trends and recruitment patterns
  • Diverse international examples showing various successful models

Language and Style Problems

Informal Expression Issues:

  • "Art is cool and science is boring"
  • "Kids should do what they enjoy"
  • "Art helps people feel better"

Academic Improvements:

  • "Arts education enhances cognitive development and cultural understanding"
  • "Educational approaches should balance individual interests with societal needs"
  • "Creative expression contributes to emotional intelligence and social empathy"

Alternative Essay Approaches

Different Opinion Positions

Pro-Arts Position: Could argue that creativity and cultural understanding represent fundamental human capabilities essential for addressing complex global challenges requiring innovative solutions and intercultural cooperation.

Pro-Academic Position: Could emphasize economic development needs, technological competitiveness requirements, and resource scarcity demanding focus on subjects with demonstrable economic returns and practical applications.

Conditional Approaches: Could propose different educational priorities for different development stages, economic contexts, or student populations while maintaining core arguments about educational effectiveness.

Varied Structure Approaches

Chronological Development:

  • Historical evolution of arts and academic education
  • Contemporary challenges requiring balanced approaches
  • Future educational needs and recommended strategies

Stakeholder Analysis:

  • Student development needs and learning preferences
  • Economic and professional skill requirements
  • Cultural and social development priorities
  • Synthesis addressing all stakeholder concerns

Problem-Solution Framework:

  • Identify educational challenges requiring both creative and analytical skills
  • Analyze current limitations of arts-only or academics-only approaches
  • Propose integrated solutions with implementation strategies

Practice Questions and Approach Guidance

Related Art Education Topics

Cultural Value Questions:

  • "Should governments spend money on arts education or focus on practical subjects?"
  • "Discuss the importance of preserving traditional arts versus promoting contemporary artistic expression"
  • "Is art education a luxury or necessity in modern society?"

Technology and Art:

  • "How has digital technology changed the value and teaching of traditional art forms?"
  • "Should schools teach digital art skills or focus on traditional artistic techniques?"
  • "Discuss the impact of social media on artistic expression and cultural development"

Access and Equity:

  • "Should art education be available to all students or only those showing artistic talent?"
  • "Is private art education better than public school arts programs?"
  • "How can societies ensure equal access to cultural and artistic opportunities?"

Approach Strategy Development

Research Preparation:

  • Current educational research on arts integration and cognitive development
  • International educational system comparisons and outcomes
  • Professional market trends requiring creative and analytical skills
  • Cultural policy examples from different countries
  • Technology impacts on artistic and academic education

Argument Framework Development:

  • Individual development benefits vs societal needs
  • Resource allocation priorities and opportunity costs
  • Cultural preservation vs economic competitiveness
  • Traditional vs contemporary educational approaches
  • National context variations affecting optimal educational strategies

Advanced Writing Techniques Demonstration

Sophisticated Argumentation Patterns

Qualified Statements: "While research suggests arts education provides cognitive benefits, implementation effectiveness depends on teacher quality, resource availability, and integration with academic subjects."

Conditional Reasoning: "Were schools to implement high-quality arts programming alongside rigorous academic standards, students would likely develop both creative capabilities and analytical skills essential for contemporary professional success."

Comparative Analysis: "Whereas countries emphasizing STEM education achieve technological advancement, nations integrating arts education often demonstrate superior innovation capabilities and social cohesion, suggesting that optimal approaches require strategic balance rather than exclusive focus."

Evidence Integration Excellence

Research Citation Patterns:

  • "Studies published in Educational Psychology Review indicate..."
  • "Analysis conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development demonstrates..."
  • "Longitudinal research tracking student outcomes reveals..."

Example Functionality: Each example serves specific argumentative purposes, connects to broader themes, and demonstrates cause-effect relationships rather than providing mere illustration.

Contemporary Relevance: Arguments reflect current professional demands, technological changes, and global challenges rather than outdated assumptions about artistic or academic career paths.

Conclusion

This Band 9 art discussion essay demonstrates sophisticated analysis through balanced argumentation, advanced vocabulary usage, and nuanced position development that acknowledges complexity while providing clear direction. Success requires comprehensive understanding of educational theory, cultural policy, and professional development combined with precise language use and logical argument structure.

The essay avoids simplistic pro-art or pro-academic positions by proposing integration that recognizes contemporary professional demands for both creative and analytical capabilities. International examples, research references, and professional market analysis support arguments while maintaining formal register and complex grammatical structures throughout.

Effective art essays require extensive preparation, contemporary knowledge of educational research and cultural policy, and sophisticated understanding of arts' multifaceted role in individual development and societal progress. This approach, combined with advanced language skills and clear argumentation, enables candidates to engage meaningfully with cultural and educational complexity while demonstrating analytical and linguistic capabilities expected at the highest IELTS band levels.

The integration approach reflects sophisticated understanding that optimal education addresses multiple human capabilities and societal needs simultaneously rather than forcing false choices between creativity and analysis, individual expression and practical skills, or cultural development and economic competitiveness.

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