TOEFL iBT Independent Writing History and literature or sicence and mathematics - rewrite -

Writing Topic

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? It is more important for students to study history and literature than it is for them to study science and mathematics.

 

 

☆Let’s Think

1.       If a statement says that A is more than B, and if you disagree with this statement, how would you demonstrate it?

 

$Note: You are to prove either A equals B or A is less than B:【A > B】⇔【A = B】or【A < B】.  If you disagree with the statement that it is more important for students to study history and literature than it is for them to study science and mathematics, you are to prove either both are equally important or the latter is more important than the former.

 

2.       Is studying science and mathematics equally important to or more important than studying history and literature? What if school taught neither science nor mathematics? Would there be any problems?

 

☆Hints for Points

Agree

1.       The humanities are related to all people while science is only for experts. A discovery of a 1-meter-long Cambrian shrimp fossil cannot be a common conversation topic while a Pyramid excavation can.

2.       An office worker without scientific knowledge is just boring, but a scientist without knowledge of human nature and historical lessons is dangerous.

 

Disagree

1.       Without basic knowledge of math and science, you could not lead a daily life with confidence. You would have no idea about how to use spreadsheet and neither would you understand the importance of vaccination or seat belts.

2.       Science and mathematics answer such important questions as what is life or what is universe.

3.       To have a good perception of current social problems, we need to have some basic knowledge of science and math. e.g. global warming, atomic energy, virus variants, etc.

 

 

☆Essay for Ideas and Expressions

While studying the humanities is essential for a fulfilling life as a human being and to make the world a better place to live, I do not think it is less important for students to study science and mathematics than for them to study history and literature. Without having some basic knowledge of science and mathematics, we cannot lead our daily lives, have better perception of ourselves and the universe, and face our future problems with determination.

   First of all, today’s world heavily depends on science. It is now difficult to survive or function well without knowing the meaning of basic scientific terms such as virus or electricity. Ignorance of these words will cause problems or even death. For an office worker, the fundamental idea of calculus is necessary to use the most prevalent computer programs like Excel. Science and math are now so finely woven into our lives that we do not even realize that we use them all the time. Even deniers of science cannot lead a life without basic knowledge of science and math.

   In addition, although it is generally believed that history and literature deal with humans while science and mathematics deal with the physical world, science and math help develop the study of the humanities in significant ways. For example, geology and chemistry help researches of human history, and astronomy, physics, and mathematics attempt to know the origin, the whole picture, and the future of the universe and life. Biology has made clear that all life is related (DNA, the theory of evolution, etc.), and zoology has questioned the conventional idea about the difference between man and animals (animals with behaviors that had been thought to be distinctively human). All these studies provide deeper understanding of who we are, where we are, and what will happen to us in the future, and these are the fundamental questions humans have always asked probably since primordial times. To understand the answers to these inquiries, we need at least the intermediate level of knowledge in science and mathematics.

   Moreover. science now plays the central role in predicting and saving our future. For example, global warming cannot be handled without initiatives of governments and general consensus, and to understand how serious the problem is, scientific knowledge is necessary. Another example is that, although we are in a hopeless situation in which politics is preventing politicians who are conscious of this problem from passing effective laws, perceptive business leaders have already started tackling the issue and many ordinary people have long been trying to help reduce CO2 emissions. This has been possible because most people can read graphs, know what CO2 is, and understand the significance of greenhouse effect. Another serious issue related to our future is the potential threat of nuclear weapons and nuclear power plants. Without spreading knowledge of how nuclear energy is dangerous, we cannot eliminate this negative legacy from the 20^th century that is moving the Doomsday Clock close to midnight, our end.

   In conclusion, science and mathematics cover not only materials but also humans. Therefore. it is as important for students to study them as for them to study history and literature for a better life.

 

 

☆Plans for Body Paragraphs

Body 1: Importance of history and literature

Body 2: Importance of science and mathematics

Body 3: My opinion

Body 1: Point 1

Body 2: Point 2

Body 3: Why the other choice is not so important.

 

Your plan for Body Paragraphs

Body 1:

 

Body 2:

 

Body 3: