Important historical objects in museums around the world should be returned to their countries of origin.

Practice this IELTS Writing Task 2 question on IELTSX. Important historical objects in museums around the world should be returned to their countries of origin.

Historical Objects Museums Returned Countries of Origin - IELTS Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Write at least 250 words.

A student's answer to this task, and the feedback on it

Written by an IELTSX user under exam conditions and published unedited and anonymously. Band 7.5 ยท 320 words.

The question of who should claim responsibility for historical artefacts in museums has sparked considerable debate in recent years, with some emphasizing that those artefacts should be returned to the country they came from. I subscribe to this notion to a large extent, as those pieces represent a particular nation's history and heritage, thus should be reclaimed by the country they originated from.

On the one hand, there are compelling arguments advocating the preservation of ancient pieces in museums, since museums implement all the necessary measures ensuring that all historical pieces are well-preserved. For instance, with expert knowledge, government funding, and certain technologies, ancient artefacts, paintings, and tapestries can be well maintained; otherwise, they would disappear without a trace. Secondly, museums are vital in showcasing a country's traditions and values throughout the world and enhancing its global image, as millions of tourists and history lovers visit those museums just to gain more insights into different cultures, ultimately creating an opportunity for global exposure.

Conversely, I firmly believe that museums should return those ancient objects to the country of origin immediately. A main reason for this can be that they are of paramount importance to a nation that formerly owned those artefacts, depicting the history, way of life, cultural heritage, and customs of that nation. Thus, those historical items play a pivotal role in preserving a country's cultural identity and traditions, thereby guaranteeing that they pass down from generation to generation. Furthermore, the majority of those items were removed during wars, colonizations, or sieges, often in unfair ways; that is why returning them would be a reflection of high regard and justice towards a certain country.

To conclude, while museums play a vital role in protecting historical artefacts and the provision of education and knowledge about a country, I am more convinced that historically important items should be returned to their owners, because they are closely tied with culture and history.

Examiner feedback

This is a high-quality essay that demonstrates a strong command of the English language. The arguments are logical, the vocabulary is sophisticated and thematic, and the structure allows for a clear progression of ideas. The score is primarily determined by the consistent clarity of the position and the flexible use of complex language.

Task Response - 8

- The response sufficiently addresses all parts of the task and presents a well-developed position. - Ideas are well-supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of preservation technologies and the historical context of colonization. - The conclusion clearly restates the writer's position, though a more nuanced exploration of the 'return' logistics could have pushed this to a 9.

Coherence & Cohesion - 8

- Information and ideas are sequenced logically with a very clear progression throughout the response. - Cohesive devices such as 'Conversely', 'Furthermore', and 'To conclude' are used accurately to manage the flow of the argument. - Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each body paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the debate.

Lexical Resource - 8

- A wide range of vocabulary is used fluently to convey precise meanings (e.g., 'paramount importance', 'pivotal role', 'cultural identity'). - Less common lexical items like 'tapestries', 'sieges', and 'global exposure' are used with an awareness of style and collocation. - Spelling and word formation are highly accurate throughout the text.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 7

- A variety of complex structures are used, including relative clauses and conditional-style reasoning ('otherwise, they would...'). - The majority of sentences are error-free, though some minor punctuation choices (semi-colons) and phrasing could be more fluid. - Good control of grammar is demonstrated, with only very minor slips that do not affect clarity.

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