Topic 1: Does increasing travels between countries enable people to learn different cultures or to

Topic 91: Some people argue that history is of little or no use to us. Others believe that 
studying history gives many benefits. Discuss those views and give your own opinion.
 
(a summary of antecedents) (draw on the empirical knowledge of the generations before us), (avoid 
taking a wrong path) (make a wiser decision at the present time);
(cultural identity), (preserve ethnic dignity), ( social solidarity); 
(emphasis on historical trend and context). (observe how and why change occurs within societies and 
cultures), (the origins, evolution and decline of values and ideas) ;
(quality of surviving documents and artifacts) 
( undergo dramatic changes),
(distort the truth),
History has long been recognized as a discipline, but it seems to be a fact that few 
students have a clear concept of why they should study it. Many people even argue that 
studying history is meaningless, considering the past differs in many important ways from the 
present. In my opinion, there are many facts to show the importance of history as a subject.
Despite the skeptism over the relevance of historical events to today's society, 
understanding the past contributes to people's decision making in today's social context. By 
studying history, people can draw on the experience of the generations before them, taking a 
similar path to success and avoiding a dead-end. Besides, they understand how and why 
people (e. g., Hitler, Napoleon) behaved as they did. They are aware that people are neither 
good nor bad but motivated in complex ways. Instead of being misguided by stereotypes or 
historians, one learns to analyze issues or subjects based on historical context and perspective, 
take a dispassionate view toward today's political and social problems and trace origins and 
causes objectively.
To students, studying history is not only to seek self-knowledge, but also to enhance their 
skills and make themselves all-round individuals. The study of history requires independent 
research as well as coherent explanations. Students are encouraged to do as much work 
independently as they can and to read widely and extensively. In addition to widening their 
experience, it helps students develop qualities of perception and judgments. Students are 
increasingly capable to analyze and compare conflicting views. All these improvements can 
foster a student's intellectual independence, sharpness and maturity. These strengths are 
transferable across occupations and careers.
Although studying history is beneficial, its importance should not be overstated. The 
world is changing so rapidly that the lesson from the past might be applicable in particular 
circumstances only. For instance, imperialism is now occurring in business or culture, rather 
than in colonies. Taking the same approaches to combat imperialism might be counter 
effective. Studying history should not be taken as a demanding job but preferably as a pastime 
that satisfies people's curiosity over the past. In addressing real-life issues, current events give 
people more hints and advice than historical events do.
From what has been discussed, studying history is very important, particularly in 
increasing one's knowledge and enhancing one's intellectual abilities. However, it should not 
be attached with unjustified importance because its applications in today's society are not 
known with certainty.
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1. Meaningless=insignificant=worth less=unimportant
2. Skeptism=doubt
3. Motivate=inspire=encourage=stimulate
4. Misguide=mislead
5. Dispassionate=unbiased=objective=impartial
6. Coherent=consistent
7. Sharpness=acuteness
8. Transferable=conveyable=convertible
9. Overstate=exaggerate=over-emphasize
10. Curiosity=inquisitiveness=interest
11. Unjustified=groundless
12. With certainty=certainly
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