Page 14 - Journeys C1 (Workbook)

1 ART AND CRAFT

Art lessons should not be mandatory in school.

Most children enjoy colours and making things Secondly, art lessons are also expensive, not only
to take home, and most schools offer children the for the school, which has to provide paper, paints,
opportunity to draw and paint. 1 , the brushes and so on, 5 also to individual
creative and liberal nature of art lessons leads students who often also have to contribute to the
to a number of problems, while the academic costs of producing art. Often, only wealthy students
requirements in a child’s education often mean can afford the best art supplies, which creates a
that art has low priority in a school curriculum. This sense of inequality in the classroom.
leads education experts to question the value of art Thirdly, art has limited educational value. 6
lessons and whether art should be a necessary part subjects, such as science, English and maths, art
of the curriculum at secondary school. This essay does not teach valuable skills that are applicable to
will 2 that art should not be a mandatory other subjects. 7 , students who do not have
subject, due to its disruptive elements, cost and any artistic talent do not acquire it by attending
limited academic value. those classes. They would spend their time better by
3 , art lessons are often messy, time- focusing on subjects with more academic value.
consuming and disruptive. It takes a long time to set 8 art is messy, disruptive, expensive and
up art tools and even longer to clear up afterwards. has limited academic value, it would be better for
4 children are working more freely and it to be available only to students with artistic talent
creatively, there are more opportunities for them who would benefit from the classes. They could be
to talk, play and be disobedient, which means available as an after-school activity, for example,
that some children produce nothing at all in these where motivated pupils would be able to work on
classes, and just waste time. projects without being disturbed by less motivated
students. Secondary school students with other
priorities should not be forced to take part.

C. Fill in the blanks in the text with the words below.
You will not need all of them.
1. Furthermore However Thus
2. argue explain discuss
3. At first Firstly Initially

4. Because Although Due to
5. and because but
6. As Unlike Despite
7. And Addition Moreover
8. Since Although While

D. Study the first sentences of paragraphs 2–4 and answer the questions.

1. What is the purpose of these sentences?
2. How do the three sentences connect together?
3. How do they connect to the last sentence in the introduction?
4. Is all the information in each of the three paragraphs related to the paragraph’s opening sentence?
5. What is this type of sentence called?

E. Write an essay entitled: Should art lessons be mandatory in schools? Change the stance to support
mandatory art lessons in schools. Use the structure and phrases of the sample essay.

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