IELTS essay sample | Our achievements are bigger than those of ancient cultures

Some people think that human history has been a journey from ignorance to knowledge. Others argue that this underestimates the achievements of ancient cultures, and overvalues our achievements. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Sample essay

Some people argue that the contemporary world is a lot more sophisticated than the ancient world with lots of technological advancements and illustrious minds. Others, however, argue that we are emphasizing too much on our achievements and underestimating the achievements of our ancestors. I agree with this opinion.

There is not even an iota of doubt that the modern world has witnessed much advancement. Take, for instance, the medical field. We are seeing robots being employed to perform minor surgical procedures and treatments being provided by some artificial intelligent systems. Similar automation and technological innovations are seen in almost all facets of life, which directly or indirectly benefit the mankind. Such developments make us think that our generation is more gifted than and superior to people of the past.

However, one should not forget that whatever that is available today is actually a progressive evolution of what was sowed in the past. To delineate with an example, the present day computers are an extension of the microprocessor chips invented half a century ago and microprocessors were invented to overcome the difficulties in maintaining too many ledgers which existed since the 18th century. This analogy applies to all facilities enjoyed by the current generations. Moreover, there will always be a void in knowledge until someone unleashes it, which later on becomes a stepping stone for several sensational inventions and discoveries.

To conclude, in my view, it is unfair to compare modern world’s achievements to yester years’ achievements. Without the inventions and discoveries of yesterday, we wouldn’t be where we are today.