GT Writing Task 2 / Essay Sample # 117
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Many museums charge for admission while others are free.
Do you think the advantages of charging people for admission to museums outweigh the disadvantages?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Model Answer: [View- advantages outweigh the disadvantages]
Many museums charge admission fees to visitors while others do not. In my opinion, the downside of an entrance fee is outstripped by its benefits in the sense that the museums can plough back their income into development and operation.
The real drawback of charging people to visit a museum is that such museums do not attract many visitors unless they have a great collection and offer an impressive experience. In this age of information and technology with many cutting-edge technologies, people can easily obtain information about historic relics and artefacts on the Internet, even watch it live by gear VR, the groundbreaking technology. For instance, if people want to see the Nike of Samothrace, they can see it and gain detailed information about it simply by using Samsung Gear VR, which is more convenient and economical. Besides, in many least developing nations, people are struggling to earn a modest living, so if museums charge an admission fee, it will reduce the number of spectators.
However, it is difficult for museums to operate smoothly without the money they earn from ticket sales. In fact, money enables these museums to remain open and renovate them for the next few years. Apart from it, museums very often organize educational exhibitions. To do this, they need a great sum of money so as to purchase equipment and hire professionals. The Centre Pompidou, for example, features regular exhibitions on various issues and professional docents are hired to usher visitors on a guided tour across the museum. This example indicates how a modest entrance fee is beneficial to operate a museum and offer an exciting experience of observers.
To conclude, the drawbacks of an admission charge to museums are eclipsed by the benefits reaped from a regular source of income. Therefore museums should impose a reasonable admission charge for the sake of continual operation and refinement.