Is History the Most Important Subject Schools Teach?
A complete IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 question with a model answer of 308 words, plus a breakdown of the sentence structures, cohesive devices and vocabulary that answer uses. Write your own version first, then compare.
Written by Manish Sharma · CELTA and DELTA qualified · 8 years teaching IELTS
Score my answer to this questionThe question
You have 40 minutes. Write at least 250 words.
Some people believe that history is the most important subject schools teach, as it helps students understand the world and avoid repeating past mistakes. Others disagree, arguing that subjects such as science, mathematics or practical skills are more valuable. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Write at least 250 words.
How to approach it
- 01Acknowledge both perspectives in separate body paragraphs before stating your own view
- 02Support each side with specific examples — fields of study, professions, or real-world applications
- 03Avoid extreme positions; a measured stance that recognises strengths on both sides usually scores higher
- 04Use precise academic vocabulary: 'sits at the apex', 'tangible benefits', 'pride of place'
- 05Vary sentence openings and use cohesive devices: 'On the other hand', 'In my view', 'In conclusion'
- 06Frame the conclusion as a synthesis rather than a mere repetition of earlier points
Model answer
308 words in 5 paragraphs. Read it after you have written your own, not before: the point of a model answer is to show you what you missed, and you cannot miss anything you have not attempted.
Debates over which school subjects deserve the greatest weight in the curriculum have long divided educators and policymakers. Some argue that history sits at the apex of intellectual education because it explains how the modern world came into being, while others maintain that fields such as science and mathematics offer more tangible benefits. While I recognise the unique value of historical study, I believe no single subject should be elevated above all others.
Supporters of giving history pride of place make a persuasive case. Historical knowledge cultivates critical thinking by teaching students to evaluate sources, weigh evidence, and recognise bias. It also offers a long view of human affairs that helps citizens understand current conflicts, political ideologies, and social movements. The familiar adage that "those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it" carries genuine weight; without an awareness of past atrocities and revolutions, communities risk drifting back into them.
On the other hand, those who prioritise sciences and practical subjects raise equally compelling points. Mathematics underpins virtually every modern profession, from engineering and medicine to data science and finance. Scientific literacy is essential for addressing pressing challenges such as climate change, pandemics, and artificial intelligence. Practical skills such as financial planning, coding, and language learning equip young people with tools they can apply immediately in their adult lives.
In my view, framing education as a contest between subjects is misleading. A well-rounded curriculum should balance historical understanding with scientific rigour and practical competence, because each discipline cultivates different but complementary capacities. History teaches us why; science teaches us how; practical skills teach us what to do next.
In conclusion, while history is undoubtedly an essential pillar of a serious education, treating it as the single most important subject undervalues the contributions of other fields. The strongest school systems integrate them rather than rank them.
What this answer actually does
Measured from the text above, and compared against the other 69 answers of the same type in this library. These are counts, not band scores: they describe what the writing does, which is the part you can copy.
17 more than the median answer for this task type
10 words at the shortest, 35 at the longest
5 more than the median answer for this task type
carry a subordinate or relative clause
Sentence rhythm
Sentences average 19.3 words and vary by 7 words either side of that, running from 10 words to 35. Variation is the point. Grammatical Range and Accuracy rewards a mix of simple and complex sentences, and an answer where every sentence is the same length reads as flat no matter how correct it is. 8 of the 16 sentences here carry a subordinate or relative clause.
The cohesive devices it uses
11 in total, spread across 5 different functions. Range matters more than count: an answer that opens every paragraph with a sequencer signals its structure but never signals a relationship between ideas, and Coherence and Cohesion is marked on both.
on the other hand, while
because
such as
next
in conclusion
Vocabulary and repetition
Ignoring grammar words, 80 per cent of the content words in this answer are distinct, and 65 per cent appear exactly once. Lexical Resource is where repetition costs the most marks, and the usual cause is not a small vocabulary but reaching for the same noun every time the topic is named.
The longest run of words copied straight from the question is 3 words. Examiners discount wording lifted from the question, so a short run here is the right outcome: the answer restates the topic in its own words rather than borrowing the question's.
What you are marked on
All four criteria carry equal weight, and your Writing band is their average rounded to the nearest half band.
Task Response
Address both views fully and offer a clear, consistent personal opinion supported by reasons and examples.
Coherence & Cohesion
Use a logical four or five paragraph structure with effective topic sentences and linking devices.
Lexical Resource
Use precise academic vocabulary related to education, knowledge, and society with strong collocations.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy
Use a range of complex grammatical structures, conditionals, relative clauses, and parallel structures, with accuracy.
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