Some people think that researching the past is a waste of time and money. We should instead focus on the issues of today's world. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
（重復(fù)2018年5月5日亞太考題）
話題相關(guān)雅思詞伙（20組）
1 historical research 歷史研究
2 contemporary issues 當(dāng)代問(wèn)題
3 squander resources 浪費(fèi)資源
4 pressing challenges 緊迫挑戰(zhàn)
5 invaluable insights 寶貴見(jiàn)解
6 learn from past mistakes 汲取歷史教訓(xùn)
7 shed light on 闡明，揭示
8 recurring patterns 重復(fù)出現(xiàn)的模式
9 informed decision-making 明智的決策
10 cultural heritage 文化遺產(chǎn)
11 sense of identity 認(rèn)同感
12 tackle present-day problems 解決當(dāng)今問(wèn)題
13 allocate limited funds 分配有限資金
14 immediate concerns 眼前關(guān)切
15 long-term perspective 長(zhǎng)遠(yuǎn)視角
16 empirical evidence 實(shí)證依據(jù)
17 contextual understanding 背景理解
18 sustainable solutions 可持續(xù)解決方案
19 interdisciplinary approach 跨學(xué)科方法
20 strike a balance 取得平衡
參考范文1（約320詞）
While it is understandable why some argue that resources should be diverted from historical studies to address pressing challenges of the modern era, I firmly believe that historical research remains indispensable and should not be dismissed as wasteful.
Admittedly, immediate concerns such as climate change, pandemics, and economic inequality demand urgent attention and substantial allocation of limited funds. Proponents of this view contend that dwelling on bygone eras squanders resources that could yield tangible benefits for society today. This argument holds merit when research becomes excessively esoteric with no practical application.
Nevertheless, the notion that studying the past offers little value is fundamentally flawed. History sheds light on recurring patterns in human behaviour, enabling informed decision-making and helping nations learn from past mistakes. For instance, understanding the socioeconomic factors behind the 2008 financial crisis has equipped policymakers with invaluable insights to prevent similar catastrophes. Furthermore, cultural heritage and sense of identity rooted in historical knowledge foster social cohesion—a prerequisite for addressing contemporary issues collectively.
A more nuanced approach is to strike a balance by adopting an interdisciplinary approach where historical analysis informs present-day strategies. Rather than viewing past and present as mutually exclusive, we should recognise that sustainable solutions often require long-term perspective and contextual understanding derived from empirical evidence accumulated over centuries.
In conclusion, while prioritising today's problems is necessary, abandoning historical inquiry would be shortsighted. The most effective way to tackle present-day problems is to harness the wisdom of history alongside innovative approaches to modern challenges.
中文譯文
盡管一些人主張應(yīng)將資源從歷史研究轉(zhuǎn)向應(yīng)對(duì)現(xiàn)代緊迫挑戰(zhàn)，這種看法可以理解，但我堅(jiān)信歷史研究仍然不可或缺，不應(yīng)被視為浪費(fèi)。
誠(chéng)然，氣候變化、疫情和經(jīng)濟(jì)不平等等眼前關(guān)切需要緊急關(guān)注和大量有限資金的分配。支持這一觀點(diǎn)的人認(rèn)為，沉溺于過(guò)往時(shí)代會(huì)浪費(fèi)資源，而這些資源本可為當(dāng)今社會(huì)帶來(lái)實(shí)際效益。當(dāng)研究變得過(guò)于深?yuàn)W而無(wú)實(shí)際應(yīng)用時(shí)，這一論點(diǎn)確實(shí)有其道理。
然而，認(rèn)為研究過(guò)去價(jià)值甚微的觀念從根本上說(shuō)是錯(cuò)誤的。歷史揭示了人類行為中重復(fù)出現(xiàn)的模式，使明智決策成為可能，并幫助各國(guó)汲取歷史教訓(xùn)。例如，理解2008年金融危機(jī)背后的社會(huì)經(jīng)濟(jì)因素，為政策制定者提供了寶貴見(jiàn)解，以防止類似災(zāi)難重演。此外，根植于歷史知識(shí)的文化遺產(chǎn)和認(rèn)同感能促進(jìn)社會(huì)凝聚力——這是共同應(yīng)對(duì)當(dāng)代問(wèn)題的先決條件。
更微妙的做法是通過(guò)跨學(xué)科方法取得平衡，讓歷史分析為當(dāng)今戰(zhàn)略提供參考。我們不應(yīng)將過(guò)去與現(xiàn)在視為互斥，而應(yīng)認(rèn)識(shí)到可持續(xù)解決方案往往需要源于數(shù)世紀(jì)積累的實(shí)證依據(jù)的長(zhǎng)遠(yuǎn)視角和背景理解。
總之，雖然優(yōu)先考慮當(dāng)今問(wèn)題是必要的，但放棄歷史探究將是短視的。解決當(dāng)今問(wèn)題最有效的方式，是將歷史智慧與創(chuàng)新方法相結(jié)合，共同應(yīng)對(duì)現(xiàn)代挑戰(zhàn)。
范文核心詞匯的同義替換詞
waste (v.) squander, misuse, fritter away
focus on concentrate on, prioritize, direct attention to
pressing urgent, critical, acute, compelling
challenges issues, problems, difficulties, crises
indispensable essential, vital, crucial, imperative
shed light on illuminate, clarify, elucidate, reveal
recurring repeating, cyclical, persistent
informed knowledgeable, well-founded, evidence-based
tackle address, combat, confront, grapple with
contemporary current, modern, present-day
allocate distribute, assign, apportion, designate
immediate instant, urgent, pressing, proximate
sustainable viable, enduring, lasting, feasible
strike a balance find a middle ground, reconcile, harmonise
shortsighted myopic, narrow-minded, imprudent
相關(guān)雅思詞伙 (20組)
Academic pursuit 學(xué)術(shù)追求
Cultural heritage 文化遺產(chǎn)
Historical context 歷史背景
Root causes 根本原因
Geopolitical tensions 地緣政治緊張
Social cohesion 社會(huì)凝聚力
Fiscal allocation 財(cái)政撥款
Opportunity cost 機(jī)會(huì)成本
Critical thinking 批判性思維
Informed citizens 有見(jiàn)識(shí)的公民
National identity 民族認(rèn)同
Learn from past mistakes 從過(guò)去的錯(cuò)誤中學(xué)習(xí)
Tangible benefits 切實(shí)利益
Pressing issues 緊迫問(wèn)題
Resource distribution 資源分配
Contemporary challenges 當(dāng)代挑戰(zhàn)
Myopic view 短視的觀點(diǎn)
Policy formulation 政策制定
Socio-economic development 社會(huì)經(jīng)濟(jì)發(fā)展
Preserve for posterity 為后代保存
參考范文2 (281 words)
Some argue that investing time and capital in historical research is an unproductive diversion from addressing the urgent problems of the present. While I agree that contemporary issues must be prioritized, I disagree that studying the past is a waste, as it provides indispensable insights for navigating today's world.
It is reasonable to assert that public funds and academic focus should be directed towards immediate concerns. Global challenges like climate change, public health crises, and economic inequality require substantial resources and innovative solutions. Allocating excessive finance to highly specialised historical projects, for instance, might seem difficult to justify when compared to investing in renewable energy technology or medical research, which offer more direct and tangible benefits to current societies. There is, therefore, a compelling argument for governments and institutions to ensure their fiscal allocation reflects the pressing issues of our time.
However, dismissing history as irrelevant is a profoundly myopic view. The past offers crucial lessons, helping us understand the root causes of many contemporary challenges. Conflicts, social structures, and even economic patterns often have deep historical roots. Effective policy formulation for issues like social cohesion or geopolitical tensions frequently depends on understanding this historical context. Furthermore, history is foundational to cultural heritage and national identity, fostering critical thinking and empathy in informed citizens. It teaches us to learn from past mistakes, preventing their repetition. For example, studying past pandemics informs current public health strategies. Thus, history is not a mere academic pursuit of the obscure, but a vital tool for sustainable socio-economic development.
In conclusion, while resource distribution should rightly favour solving today’s problems, historical research is far from a waste. A balanced approach is optimal: we must tackle present emergencies while valuing the study of the past as a guide that illuminates our path forward, helping to build a more thoughtful and resilient future.
參考譯文
誠(chéng)然，將大量公共資金和學(xué)術(shù)精力用于看似晦澀的歷史研究，可能會(huì)顯得脫離現(xiàn)實(shí)。當(dāng)今社會(huì)面臨緊迫問(wèn)題，如氣候變化、經(jīng)濟(jì)不平等和公共衛(wèi)生危機(jī)。在這些領(lǐng)域投入資源可以直接、切實(shí)地改善人民生活。例如，資助可再生能源研究顯然比詳細(xì)考證某個(gè)古代帝王的日常生活更能應(yīng)對(duì)當(dāng)前挑戰(zhàn)。因此，政府的預(yù)算分配和學(xué)術(shù)界的焦點(diǎn)應(yīng)合理向當(dāng)代議題傾斜。
然而，完全否定歷史研究的價(jià)值是短視且危險(xiǎn)的。歷史為我們提供了理解人類行為、社會(huì)發(fā)展和長(zhǎng)期風(fēng)險(xiǎn)的寶貴背景。許多當(dāng)代問(wèn)題，如民族沖突或地緣政治緊張，其根源深植于過(guò)去。不了解這些根源，解決方案就可能是膚淺和無(wú)效的。例如，在制定政策以促進(jìn)社會(huì)和解時(shí)，對(duì)歷史不公的認(rèn)識(shí)至關(guān)重要。此外，歷史培養(yǎng)了批判性思維和文化意識(shí)，這些技能對(duì)于培養(yǎng)見(jiàn)多識(shí)廣、有責(zé)任感的公民至關(guān)重要。歷史不是塵封的古董，而是一面鏡子，幫助我們避免重蹈覆轍，理解我們是誰(shuí)，以及我們社會(huì)制度的演變。
結(jié)論：雖然資源分配必須優(yōu)先考慮解決當(dāng)今的緊迫問(wèn)題，但將歷史研究視為純粹的浪費(fèi)則是錯(cuò)誤的。最佳方法是尋求平衡：確保對(duì)當(dāng)代問(wèn)題的投入，同時(shí)繼續(xù)支持那些能為當(dāng)下提供關(guān)鍵見(jiàn)解、幫助我們建設(shè)更美好未來(lái)的歷史研究。過(guò)去的知識(shí)不是負(fù)擔(dān)，而是指引我們前行的燈塔。
參考范文3（271詞）
Whether investing resources in historical research is meaningless when compared to solving pressing modern problems has become a widely debated issue. While tackling current social and environmental challenges is undoubtedly a top priority, I believe researching the past brings significant benefits that cannot be ignored.
Opponents of historical research argue that limited public funds should be allocated to urgent issues such as climate change, global poverty and healthcare shortages. They claim that studying ancient events or extinct civilizations provides no direct help to people suffering from hunger or natural disasters. From their perspective, every dollar spent on archaeological excavations or archival studies could be better used to build affordable housing or develop clean energy technologies, improving people's living standards immediately.
However, historical research offers essential guidance to address current problems effectively. For example, reviewing past economic crises helps governments formulate more appropriate policies to avoid repeating similar mistakes, reducing the negative impact on ordinary people. Furthermore, studying historical events and cultural traditions strengthens national identity and social cohesion, which are key to uniting citizens to overcome shared challenges. Understanding how previous generations dealt with epidemics also provides valuable experience for modern public health systems, as demonstrated during the global COVID-19 pandemic.
In conclusion, although solving present-day problems is extremely important, investing in historical research is not a waste of resources. It provides practical solutions for current issues and builds a strong sense of social unity, contributing to long-term social development.
參考譯文
相較于解決緊迫的現(xiàn)代問(wèn)題，投入資源開(kāi)展歷史研究是否毫無(wú)意義，這已經(jīng)成為一個(gè)廣受爭(zhēng)議的話題。盡管應(yīng)對(duì)當(dāng)前的社會(huì)與環(huán)境挑戰(zhàn)無(wú)疑是首要任務(wù)，但我認(rèn)為研究歷史能帶來(lái)不可忽視的重要價(jià)值。
歷史研究的反對(duì)者提出，有限的公共資金應(yīng)當(dāng)用于應(yīng)對(duì)氣候變化、全球貧困、醫(yī)療資源短缺等緊迫問(wèn)題。他們認(rèn)為，研究古代事件或已消失的文明，對(duì)遭受饑餓或自然災(zāi)害的民眾沒(méi)有直接幫助。在他們看來(lái)，花在考古發(fā)掘或檔案研究上的每一分錢(qián)，都可以更好地用于建設(shè)保障房或開(kāi)發(fā)清潔能源技術(shù)，直接提升民眾的生活水平。
然而，歷史研究為有效解決當(dāng)前問(wèn)題提供了重要指導(dǎo)。例如，回顧過(guò)往的經(jīng)濟(jì)危機(jī)，能幫助政府制定更合理的政策，避免重蹈覆轍，減少對(duì)普通民眾的負(fù)面影響。此外，研究歷史事件與文化傳統(tǒng)能增強(qiáng)國(guó)家認(rèn)同與社會(huì)凝聚力，這是團(tuán)結(jié)民眾共同應(yīng)對(duì)挑戰(zhàn)的關(guān)鍵。了解前輩如何應(yīng)對(duì)流行病，也能為現(xiàn)代公共衛(wèi)生體系提供寶貴經(jīng)驗(yàn)，這一點(diǎn)在全球新冠疫情期間已經(jīng)得到了印證。
總的來(lái)說(shuō)，盡管解決當(dāng)下問(wèn)題極其重要，但投資歷史研究并非資源浪費(fèi)。它既能為當(dāng)前問(wèn)題提供可行方案，也能構(gòu)建強(qiáng)烈的社會(huì)團(tuán)結(jié)意識(shí)，助力社會(huì)長(zhǎng)期發(fā)展。
相關(guān)雅思詞伙（20組）
1. historical research 歷史研究
2. pressing modern problems 緊迫的現(xiàn)代問(wèn)題
3. public funds 公共資金
4. climate change 氣候變化
5. global poverty 全球貧困
6. healthcare shortages 醫(yī)療資源短缺
7. extinct civilizations 已消失的文明
8. natural disasters 自然災(zāi)害
9. archaeological excavations 考古發(fā)掘
10. archival studies 檔案研究
11. affordable housing 保障房
12. clean energy technologies 清潔能源技術(shù)
13. living standards 生活水平
14. economic crises 經(jīng)濟(jì)危機(jī)
15. formulate policies 制定政策
16. national identity 國(guó)家認(rèn)同
17. social cohesion 社會(huì)凝聚力
18. public health systems 公共衛(wèi)生體系
19. social development 社會(huì)發(fā)展
20. long-term benefits 長(zhǎng)期效益
