Progress Test 12. Use of English B2

Dear Editor,

I am writing in response to the recent article in your publication about government … of the arts.

Despite an … persuasive argument, believe that the ideas presented were perhaps somewhat oversimplistic.

While I would not dispute the figure quoted of £900 million, this actually represents no more than £14 per head, which means that it is far from the enormous personal investment … by the author.

To use figures in this way is at the very least … , if not outright manipulative.

I would also take issue with the notion that there is no …. for this kind of investment in the arts.

On the contrary, there are clearly many benefits. The arts often play a vital role not only in our own self-expression, but also in the way they can … us to experience someone else's reality.

Art is a … language, which can have an enormous impact on someone's life.

The author mentions spending on education as a priority, but surely the arts are a … component of a well-rounded education?

Nor can it be argued that the creative industries do not contribute to the economy. In point of fact, these industries are … to have generated around $250 billion worldwide last year, hardly a small contribution.

Finally, the author … the opinion that patronage of the arts should be the responsibility of those who already enjoy and can afford to support the arts.

Were we to take this approach, we would ultimately risk excluding many people from something which might otherwise …. their lives.

To summarise, I feel strongly that there are in fact many arguments in favour of government funding of the arts, and that the article could probably have done more to …. a balanced picture of the situation.