This blog will answer an IELTS essay question from Cambridge IELTS 10 Test 4 Writing Task 2. The Essay response is aimed at an IELTS band 8 and is around 300 words. You will gain an Understanding of the question, learn how to Plan this essay, and also find a Sample IELTS Essay below.
Cambridge 10 Test 4 Essay
Essay Question
Many museums charge for admission while others are free.
Do you think the advantages of charging people for admission to museums outweigh the disadvantages?
Simple steps for writing an IELTS essay
Step 1: Understanding the Question
Step 3: Framing the sentences.
Understanding the Question
As always, our first step is to understand the question, this is best done by Identifying Keywords. The statement in the question has the following keywords – Museum, charge admission fee, others free. The question is asking us if the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Hence, there are two types of museums, one which charges a fee and the other which is free. We need to compare these and state our own opinion.
One way of answering this essay is by discussing both types of museums. But, before that, you need to take a stand, or in simple terms, choose one side. In my case, I feel that charging a fee is more advantageous. Thus, in my essay, the first body paragraph would discuss the disadvantages of charging fees, the second body paragraph would list a few advantages of collecting fees. Finally, I will close the essay by stating that there are more advantages than disadvantages.
Planning an IELTS essay
Once you are done with understanding the question, the next step is to plan an essay. Now, this is a process where you will form the different elements in your essay. As you would already know, in an essay the body paragraphs follow a structure, it includes elements such as a Topic sentence, arguments, explanations, closure. The purpose of planning an essay is to define these elements, or in simple terms, frame a rough idea of what you are going to include in the essay.
In fact, I could go on and write a booklet on how to plan an essay, or you can watch the video below and get hands-on experience in the process of planning. Please bear in mind that the video below discusses a different IELTS essay question, nevertheless, the process of planning an essay remains the same.
Once you have watched the video and understood how to plan an essay, you would want to go through the plan for this essay. The image below shows the plan. You may read it in the order of points –
1 to 6
Framing the sentences
After planning your essay, you need to frame sentences. Now, you need to form sentences from the ideas formed during the last step (planning an essay). While you do so, you need to include a few linking words (However, Moreover, etc…). This is done so that there is a level of coherence and cohesion within the essay. As a tip, while you frame a sentence, make sure that it aligns with the tone, tense and verb form of the previous sentences. The sentences you frame should not sound disconnected from each other. It should rather flow like a river.
Below you can see how I have framed each element of the essay. Here, I have shown you each element separately, but in the IELTS test, you should not write these elements on a separate line. I have shown you this, only for your understanding.
Introduction Paragraph
Paraphrase – Nowadays, while the majority of museums do not charge a dime, few other have started a practice of collecting an entrance fee.
Thesis – Ideally, a public facility such as a museum is supposed to be free for entry; however, the expenses associated with running a museum might deter the management from doing so.
Body 1 Paragraph
Topic Sentence – There are not many disadvantages in collecting a fee for visiting such institutions.
Argument 1 – Nevertheless, one such prominent drawback is that it might limit the number of visitors.
Explanation 1 – This is especially true for students, who as it seems, would benefit a ton from such trips. Instead of sharing knowledge, such places would serve as a business centre.
Argument 2 – Besides, the backward sections of the society would also steer away from such places.
Explanation 2 – A family of five would rather choose to visit a public park or even a shopping mall than running into a building filled with artifacts and history.
Close – Thus, an immediate aftereffect of selling entry tickets would be a slight dip in the number of guests.
Body 2 Paragraph
Topic Sentence – On the other hand, there are numerous benefits of charging customers.
Argument 1 – Firstly, any facility which houses valuable articles requires some form of maintenance and security.
Explanation 1 – From repainting walls to upgrading security systems, the list of maintenance activities is never-ending. Thus, the cost of running these errands may be substituted by collecting a tariff.
Argument 2 – Moreover, if a museum is self-sufficient in its upkeep, then the collected fees may be used in charity and other social service projects.
Explanation 2 – For instance, in Kerala, the fees collected by the Museum of Aviation History was completely utilised in setting up a solar power plant for the local airport.
Close – Understandably, collecting fees can not only support an institution of historical value but also emancipate other related businesses.
Conclusion Paragraph
To conclude, it seems museums would greatly benefit from levying a price for entry.
It took me 30 mins to run through the above steps and build this essay. It, usually, takes 5 minutes to understand the question, 10 minutes to plan the ideas, and 15 minutes to frame the sentences. In your case, you might take 40-50 minutes, but that’s just in the beginning. As you practice this technique, you would be able to limit the time taken for framing an essay.
SAMPLE IELTS ESSAY ON MUSEUMS
The final draft, 300 WORDS, BAND 8-9
Nowadays, while the majority of museums do not charge a dime, few other have started a practice of collecting an entrance fee. Ideally, a public facility such as a museum is supposed to be free for entry; however, the expenses associated with running a museum might deter the management from doing so.
There are not many disadvantages in collecting a fee for visiting such institutions. Nevertheless, one such prominent drawback is that it might limit the number of visitors. This is especially true for students, who as it seems, would benefit a ton from such trips. Instead of sharing knowledge, such places would serve as a business centre. Besides, the backward sections of the society would also steer away from such places. A family of five would rather choose to visit a public park or even a shopping mall than running into a building filled with artifacts and history. Thus, an immediate aftereffect of selling entry tickets would be a slight dip in the number of guests.
On the other hand, there are numerous benefits of charging customers. Firstly, any facility which houses valuable articles requires some form of maintenance and security. From repainting walls to upgrading security systems, the list of maintenance activities is never-ending. Thus, the cost of running these errands may be compensated with a tariff. Moreover, if a museum is self-sufficient in its upkeep, then the collected fees may be used in charity and other social service projects. For instance, in Kerala, the capital collected by the Museum of Aviation History was completely utilised in setting up a solar power plant for the local airport. Understandably, collecting fees can not only support an institution of historical value but also emancipate other related businesses.
To conclude, it seems museums would greatly benefit from levying an entry price.
P.S. – Most people, including native speakers of English, need some sort of training in IELTS Writing for scoring a band 7 or above!
As such, you need to be able to use different grammatical styles, have an apt vocabulary, learn to build coherence and use natural linking between sentences. Let me stop here, the list is exhaustive!
If you do need to score above a band 7 + in IELTS writing, I would suggest you find yourself a trainer. If you wish, you can Join my IELTS Writing Course.
Justus Joseph