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Opinion (Agree / Disagree) Culture and tradition Task 2

Public celebrations (such as national days, festivals, etc) are held in most countries. They are often quite expensive, and some people say that the government should spend money on more useful things. Do you agree or disagree?

A full IELTS Writing Task 2 answer to this question, with a paragraph plan and what this question type is asking you to do.

The question

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Public celebrations (such as national days, festivals, etc) are held in most countries. They are often quite expensive, and some people say that the government should spend money on more useful things. Do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

How to read this question

You are given one statement and asked how far you agree. The examiner is checking that you take a clear position in the introduction and hold it consistently to the conclusion — a partial agreement is fine, an unclear one is not.

Paragraph plan

Introduction — Clear paraphrase with balanced position

Body 1 — Main agreement with prioritizing essential services

Body 2 — Acknowledging benefits but maintaining position

Conclusion — Restating balanced position

Model answer

Model answer

259 words

Most nations organize public celebrations such as national holidays and cultural festivals, which often require substantial government funding. While critics argue that these resources would be better allocated to essential services, I agree with this view, although such events do provide certain social benefits that should be acknowledged.

Government spending should primarily focus on fundamental services that directly impact citizens' daily lives. Healthcare systems, educational institutions, and infrastructure development provide long-term benefits that improve quality of life for entire populations. For instance, investing in hospital equipment or school facilities creates lasting value that serves communities for decades, whereas celebration expenses typically provide only temporary enjoyment. When countries face budget constraints, directing funds toward building roads, upgrading medical facilities, or training teachers represents a more responsible use of taxpayer money.

Admittedly, public celebrations do serve important social functions that justify some government investment. National festivals can strengthen cultural identity, promote social cohesion, and boost tourism revenue that benefits local economies. Countries like Brazil demonstrate how carnival celebrations attract millions of international visitors, generating significant economic returns. However, even these benefits do not require extravagant spending on elaborate displays. Governments can organize meaningful cultural events while maintaining reasonable budgets, ensuring that celebration costs do not compromise funding for essential public services.

In conclusion, while public celebrations offer social and cultural value, I believe governments should prioritize spending on healthcare, education, and infrastructure over expensive festival events. A balanced approach that maintains cultural traditions through cost-effective celebrations while directing the majority of resources toward essential services would better serve citizens' long-term interests.

Model answers written and reviewed by The English All-in-One IELTS team. They are teaching models showing what each band looks like, not real candidate scripts.

This is an opinion (agree / disagree) question. The model answer above shows you what a strong answer looks like when it is finished. What it cannot show you is how to get there from a blank page in forty minutes.

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