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Academic Discussion prompt

Should governments provide funding for arts and cultural programs, or should the arts be self-sustaining through private support?

Every scored sample answer Reach120 publishes for this prompt, banded so you can see the range rather than one version of "good".

2 sample answersArts culture

The prompt

As it appears in practice

Arts funding debates center on whether taxpayer money should support cultural institutions, museums, and artists, or if market forces should determine their survival.

Sample answers, by band

2 published

Reach120 practice band estimate — not an official ETS score How we estimate

Strong response

Band 5.04.0/5 rubric
I believe that providing funding for the arts and cultural programs is more beneficial. Although some people might think that it has drawbacks, I am convinced that this approach offers numerous advantages. To begin with, I strongly agree with Ines’s perspective that providing funding for the arts offers students far-reaching benefits. Additionally, I would like to point out that investing in artistic initiatives enhances students’ knowledge of cultural heritage, allowing them to better understand their past and present and stay engaged in learning. For instance, unlike traditional classroom learning, undergraduate students can explore cultural heritage through visual records and cultural institutions. For these reasons, allocating funds to the arts is beneficial not only for current undergraduates but also for future generations.
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Middle response

Band 4.53.5/5 rubric
I believe that governments should provide funding for arts and cultural programs. Although some people might argue that this approach has several drawbacks, I am convinced that this approach has numerous advantages. To begin with, I strongly agree with Ines's perspective that arts and culture promote the local economy. For example, museums attract tourists, which allows local residents to run small businesses and earn income. Additionally, visual records aid pupils in understanding history. As a result, students and pupils can develop a deeper understanding of their cultural heritage. Moreover, instead of studying history from books, students can see historical events through visual records. In conclusion, I believe that governments should support arts and cultural programs because they can strengthen the local economy and help students understand their cultural heritage.

What worked

  • Clear position statement
  • Connection to local economy
  • Educational benefits

What cost points

  • Generic examples
  • Repetitive ideas
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