IELTS Speaking Part 3: Should Governments Fund the Arts?

We've been talking about a piece of art you like.

我们刚才聊了一件你喜欢的艺术作品。

Now I'd like to ask you some broader questions.

现在我想问你一些更宽泛的问题。

Of course, I'd be glad to.

当然，很乐意。

Should governments spend public money on the arts?

政府应该把公共资金花在艺术上吗？

I believe they should, within reason.

我认为应该，但要在合理范围内。

The arts give a country its identity and its voice.

艺术赋予一个国家身份认同和自己的声音。

Theatres and museums rarely survive on ticket sales alone.

剧院和博物馆很少能只靠门票收入维持。

Without support, only the wealthy could enjoy culture.

没有扶持，就只有富人才能享受文化。

But isn't healthcare a more urgent priority?

但医疗不是更紧迫的优先事项吗？

To be fair, that's a reasonable objection.

说句公道话，这个质疑很有道理。

The real issue is balance, not either-or.

真正的问题在于平衡，而不是二选一。

Arts funding is a tiny fraction of most budgets.

艺术经费在大多数预算中只占很小一部分。

And it pays for itself through tourism and jobs!

而且它能通过旅游业和就业把钱赚回来！

So you'd fund a sculpture of a giant banana?

那你会出钱做一个巨型香蕉雕塑吗？

Ha, maybe not that one! But taste shouldn't be the test.

哈，那个可能就算了！但品味不该成为评判标准。

Should artists have complete creative freedom then?

那么艺术家应该拥有完全的创作自由吗？

Yes, otherwise it becomes propaganda, not art.

是的，否则那就成了宣传，而不是艺术。

How important is art education for children?

艺术教育对孩子有多重要？

Hugely important, and sadly it's often the first thing cut!

极其重要，可惜它往往是最先被砍掉的！

Art teaches children to experiment and tolerate failure.

艺术教会孩子去尝试，也教会他们接受失败。

My little brother found his confidence in a school choir.

我弟弟就是在学校合唱团里找到了自信。

Can private sponsors replace government funding?

私人赞助能取代政府资助吗？

Partly, but sponsorship is a double-edged sword.

能取代一部分，但赞助是把双刃剑。

Companies tend to back safe, popular projects only.

企业往往只愿意支持稳妥、受欢迎的项目。

Risky, experimental work still needs public money.

有风险的实验性作品仍然需要公共资金。

Will people value the arts more in the future?

未来人们会更重视艺术吗？

I think so, especially as automation takes over routine jobs.

我想会的，尤其当自动化接管那些常规工作之后。

Creativity may become our most valuable skill!

创造力可能会成为我们最宝贵的技能！

Thank you. That's the end of the speaking test.

谢谢。口语考试到此结束。

Oh, already? That went so quickly!

哦，已经结束了？过得真快！

It did. Thank you for your thoughtful answers.

是啊。谢谢你用心的回答。

Thank you! Have a lovely afternoon.

谢谢！祝您下午愉快。