Question: It is important for the governments to provide money to things that are beautiful and not  

just for things that are practical.  

 sample answer：  

 There is no doubt that modern technology has brought with it tremendous improvements in the way we  

 live. Accompanied with such improvements, however, are the changes in people’s attitudes and values  

 towards the world. One significant change is that people nowadays increasingly value things that are  

 material, practical and functional, rather than things that are beautiful, spiritual or purely aesthetical. I  

 think this is an unfortunate trend and that the government can reverse it by investing money in arts as  

 well as in the look of the city.  

 By spending money in the arts, such as subsidizing artists and financing art projects, the government is  

 creating a society full of vitality, creativity and free expression. Appreciation of art is one of the things  

 that makes life worthwhile. Humans do not need just shelter and food. Creative people have always  

 tried to look at things in a new way and to make the world a better place through painting, music,  

 poetry, calligraphy, sculpture, dance, and numerous other forms of expression. While art may not make  

 us immortal, it does make the world a richer place for future generations. Furthermore, access to the  

arts also makes the young aware of their national heritage and helps to enhance their national identity  

 and thus patriotism.   

 Another area which is in urgent need of government funding is the improvement of a city’s look. City  

 construction in many countries is characterized by careless planning. When there is a conflict, beauty  

always gives way to functionality. A typical example is many CBD(central business district) areas in  

 big cities. Often you see sky-rocketing buildings clustered in a densely populated area. Here, fresh air  

 and green space is a luxury. People seem to be used to this, but is this “cement forest”, with its  

 countless buildings and facilities that are by all means practical, really an advancement in human  

 civilization?  

 Therefore, I think that increased government funding for the arts, as well as for making our cities,  

 towns, and countryside more beautiful will inspire more people to spend more time enjoying nature and  

 remind us all to make use of and appreciate the priceless blessing of our beautiful land.