Pre-TOEFL writing, Learning about the past has no value for those of us living in the present.

Writing Topic

Learning about the past has no value for those of us living in the present. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

☆Let’s Think

The first sentence has the word “no”, which means zero. There are not so many things that have zero value in this world. Scientists value past data. Also, if it is simply put, the phrase “learning about the past” is learning history, and we have history classes at school. Therefore, there must be some value in learning about the past. For what purposes do we learn history and analyze the past data?

☆Hints for Points

By learning about the past, you can …

1.    increase knowledge.

2.    understand something more deeply.

3.    find some laws and relations of some phenomena.

4.    learn about the present.

5.    predict the future.

6.    learn lessons from the past mistakes.

7.    know yourself.

☆Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction = Outline】I disagree with the opinion that learning about the past has no value for those of us living in the present.

【Point 1】You can learn about the present and forecast the future by learning about the past   e.g. world history and today’s geopolitical situation, past earthquakes and the future of plate tectonics

【Point 2】Learning lessons from the past mistakes is another aspect of learning about the past.  e.g. wars

【Point 3】Past records tell you who you are.  e.g. Out of Africa theory, invasion to other countries

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】 Since learning about the past teaches us many important things, I do not think that it is useless for modern people to do it.

Your Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction = Outline】

【Point 1】

【Point 2】

【Point 3】

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】

☆Sample Paragraph Developments

Sample Paragraph Development 1

You can learn about the present and forecast the future by learning about the past because the present is the result of the past and history repeats itself. Without learning Japanese history, for example, you will never know why there is a huge palace in the middle of Tokyo and why there are so may U.S. military bases throughout Japan. In history classes, we learn that we have had a long history centered around the royal family and that we lost WWII. Then we can see clearly the situation we are in now and predict what can or cannot happen in the future.

Sample Paragraph Development 2

Learning lessons from the past mistakes is another aspect of learning about the past. For example, we try to avoid big wars because they make everyone, including the rich, become poor and have at least one family or friend killed. Also, writers warn us when economic deregulation occurs because past records show economic deregulation-crisis cycles. By learning from the past, we humans have evolved little by little.

Sample Paragraph Development 3

Past records tell you who you are. Learning about where we came from and what kind of beings we are is one of the main purposes of studies. History tells you that we all humans originate from Africa, and we understand that all humans are brothers and sisters. We Japanese learn from history not only our interesting history, tradition, and culture but also our invasion to other countries, and we realize that we cannot be totally proud of ourselves and have to watch ourselves as a people. To correctly see what past generations did is to know ourselves well because our ancestors are part of us. Thus, to learn about the past is valuable for us to live well.