History

1. Why are historic monuments important to a city?

   역사 기념물이 왜 도시에 중요한가요?

2. Is it better to preserve old buildings, or to build new ones?

   오래된 건물을 그대로 두는 것이 나은가요 아니면 건물을 새로 짓는 것이 나은가요?

3. What can we learn from studying the events of the past?

    역사적 사건을 공부하면 어떤 것들을 배울 수 있나요?

4. What's the most effective way to learn about history?

   역사를 배우는 가장 효과적인 방법은 무엇인가요?

5. What do you think the government should do to protect historical buildings?

   여러분은 정부가 역사적 건물을 보호하기 위해 무엇을 해야 한다고 생각하나요?

< Sample answer >

1. Why are historic monuments important to a city?

Erm… There could be several reasons… Like… In modern, fast-paced city life, it’s easy to lose track of the past… But historic monuments can remind us of our past and our heritage, and link us to it, which can give us a greater sense of identity and connect us to people who share the same history. On top of that… historic statues tend to attract hordes of tourists, which can boost the economy. So there are a few reasons.

2. Is it better to preserve old buildings, or to build new ones?

Oh, I reckon a mixture of both is good. Old buildings should be preserved because they can inform us about how our ancestors lived and what designs were considered aesthetically pleasing, and they can also give us a sense of shared identity by connecting us to our past and to those who share that heritage. But we can’t constantly look at the past – we have to look forward, too, and continue to build new things that reflect our own tastes and lifestyles. So we should erect new buildings and preserve ancient ones, too.

3. What can we learn from studying the events of the past?

Wow… that’s a tough one… Well… I think that by studying history, we can learn about historical mistakes, and avoid making the same errors in the future. For instance, in Europe… we can learn from events like the Holocaust and see the horrors of discriminating against people… in theory, at least. Also… I guess studying history and our heritage gives us a greater sense of who we are and where we came from, and a greater sense of belonging with people who share that heritage. So… those are a few things we can learn, I suppose/

4. What’s the most effective way to learn about history?

I’d say the most effective way is to incorporate a variety of methods and material, because different people learn in different ways, and also a variety of stimuli helps to keep everyone interested. I mean, textbooks can be factual and straightforward, but they can also get dull. Films can be visually stimulating, but they don’t always follow the facts. And field trips can really bring history to life. So… the best way would be to incorporate all of these methods into history classes.

5. What do you think the government should do to protect historical buildings?

Well, there are a few measures that could be taken… I think the government could subsidise some historical sites so that management can fund maintenance and upkeep by employing cleaners, especially if the building has free admission. Also…. I guess the government could also launch a campaign to educate the public about the importance of historical sites so that people don’t vandalise or litter historical places. So those are a few solutions.

- 제주도 유일한 off-line 아이엘츠 -