How to read the question

• This is a discussion essay: you must explain both views fairly, in separate paragraphs, and also give your own opinion clearly, ideally in the introduction and the conclusion.
• The first view says History is one of the most important subjects, not the most important, so supporters only need to show that it deserves a central place.
• The second view is comparative: Science and Technology are more important than History in today's world, so arguments should refer to modern conditions such as the job market and technological change.
• The topic is school subjects, so keep the focus on what children should study and why, not on history or science in general.
• A balanced opinion is acceptable, for example that Science and Technology deserve more time but History should remain compulsory, as long as it is stated clearly and consistently.
• Avoid presenting your own opinion only in the last sentence; the examiner needs to see it develop through the essay.

Suggested position

Although Science and Technology deserve a large share of the timetable because of their importance for future careers, I believe History remains essential, as it teaches the critical thinking and understanding of society that citizens need in a technological age.

Paragraph plan

1. 1

   Introduction

   Paraphrase the two views about the relative importance of History and of Science and Technology at school, and state your opinion: both matter, and History should stay a core subject even if Science and Technology receive more time.

2. 2

   Body paragraph 1: why Science and Technology are seen as more important

   Explain the link to employment and the economy, the demand for engineers, programmers and medical professionals, and the need for every citizen to understand issues such as climate change and digital privacy.

3. 3

   Body paragraph 2: why History is important

   Argue that History explains how societies, borders and conflicts came about, builds national and cultural identity, and trains students to evaluate sources and detect bias, a skill that is even more necessary in an age of online misinformation.

4. 4

   Conclusion

   Restate your opinion that a modern curriculum needs both, and that technological knowledge without historical understanding is incomplete.

Ideas and arguments

• Science and Technology skills are directly linked to well-paid jobs in fields such as engineering, medicine and software development.
• Countries compete economically through innovation, so governments want more students to study science.
• Citizens need scientific literacy to make informed decisions about issues such as vaccines, energy and climate change.
• History shows how present-day institutions, conflicts and borders came about, helping students understand current events.
• Studying History teaches students to compare sources and recognise bias, a vital defence against fake news online.
• Learning from past mistakes, such as economic crashes or wars, can help societies avoid repeating them.
• History builds a sense of identity and connects young people to their culture and community.
• History also includes the history of science, showing how discoveries were made and how technology changed societies.

Band 8+ model answer

298 words · An original model answer written for ieltswrites, not an official answer. It stays in English, as in the exam.

Why this answer scores highly

Task Response

Both views are presented fully with relevant reasons and examples, and the writer's own opinion is stated in the introduction, supported in the second body paragraph and confirmed in the conclusion.

Coherence and Cohesion

The essay follows a clear discussion structure, with one paragraph for each view, and uses linking such as furthermore, nevertheless and for these reasons to show the relationship between ideas.

Lexical Resource

Precise education vocabulary such as core subject, scientific literacy, evaluate sources and well-rounded education is used naturally, and the subjects are paraphrased to avoid repetition.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

The answer uses a mix of complex sentences, including relative clauses, comparative structures, passive forms and the it would be a serious error to construction, with very few errors.

Useful vocabulary

the school curriculum

all the subjects and content taught in schools

core subject

a subject that all students must study

STEM subjects

science, technology, engineering and mathematics

scientific literacy

basic understanding of scientific ideas and methods

the job market

the jobs that are available and the people looking for them

technological innovation

the development of new technology

historical perspective

the ability to see present events in the light of the past

evaluate sources

judge how reliable and accurate a piece of information is

misinformation

false or misleading information

cultural identity

a sense of belonging to a particular culture or group

informed citizens

people who understand public issues and can make sensible decisions about them

repeat the mistakes of the past

make the same errors as earlier generations

a well-rounded education

an education that develops a wide range of knowledge and skills

allocate more time to

give more lessons or hours to something

Common mistakes

• Discussing only one view in detail, or giving one view a single sentence, which does not meet the requirement to discuss both.
• Forgetting to give your own opinion, or mentioning it only in the final sentence.
• Writing about the history of science or the dangers of technology instead of comparing school subjects.
• Using vague claims such as History is important because it is about the past without explaining what students actually gain.
• Presenting your own opinion inside the paragraph about other people's views, which makes it unclear which ideas belong to whom.
• Repeating History and Science many times instead of using phrases such as the study of the past, STEM subjects and scientific disciplines.

Frequently asked questions

Which Cambridge book is this question from?

This question about whether History or Science and Technology is the more important school subject is Writing Task 2 of Test 3 in Cambridge IELTS 13 Academic, published in 2018.

Where should I give my opinion in a discussion essay?

State it briefly in the introduction, develop it in the body, and confirm it in the conclusion. It can come after you present the view you agree with most.

Can I say both subjects are equally important?

Yes, but explain exactly why and in what way, for example that Science and Technology deserve more time while History should stay compulsory. A vague both are important answer will score lower.

How many words should I write for this Task 2?

Write at least 250 words; about 270-310 words is usually enough to discuss both views and your opinion in 40 minutes.