SANDRA 9.

0 IELTS MASTERY SCIENCE

Article
🔬 Why Science Matters (Even If It’s Not Always Popular)
Imagine a world without electricity, medicine, or the internet. No smartphones, no clean water
systems, no weather forecasts. That’s what life would be like without science. Yet strangely,
even though science has transformed our world, it’s not always seen as important—especially
when it comes to education or government funding. Why is that? And what are the real
consequences when science is ignored?

Let’s dig into this question, and like Freakonomics, explore the surprising truths behind what
people think—and don’t think—about science.

What Science Has Done for Us

First, let’s be clear: modern life is powered by science. From the vaccine that saved your life to
the satellite that sends your GPS signal, science is behind almost everything we use. It’s the
reason we live longer, healthier lives than any generation before us. It’s how we discovered
electricity, cured diseases, invented airplanes, and built the internet.

Science also drives economic growth. Countries that invest in research and innovation usually
have stronger industries, better technology, and more global influence. Think about South Korea
and Germany—two nations that have turned science and engineering into a national strength.
Their universities are well-funded, and their economies are built on high-tech exports like cars,
electronics, and medical equipment.

So Why Isn’t Everyone Excited About Science?

That’s the surprising part. Despite all these benefits, science is not always loved.

First, it can be hard to understand. Subjects like physics or chemistry often feel boring, abstract,
or “too difficult” to many students. It doesn’t help that in some countries, science is taught in a
dry way—just formulas and facts, with no real-world connection. As a result, students lose
interest early, and parents may push their children toward “safer” options like business or law.

Second, science doesn’t always give quick results. Scientific research takes time, money, and
patience. Governments often prefer to invest in short-term projects that produce immediate
results. A politician can build a road in a year and take credit for it. But funding a science lab
may take 10 years before any visible result appears.

And finally, science sometimes challenges people’s beliefs. Climate change, evolution, or
vaccines can become political or emotional topics. When science says something uncomfortable
or unpopular, people may choose to ignore it—even if the evidence is strong.

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The Cost of Ignoring Science

So what happens when science is ignored?

Take the COVID-19 pandemic as an example. Countries that listened to scientists—like New
Zealand, South Korea, or Germany—responded faster, with better planning and fewer deaths.
Others that delayed action or didn’t trust the science paid a much higher price—in lives and in
economic damage.

Or look at climate change. Countries that refuse to reduce carbon emissions may save money in
the short term. But in the long run, they face rising sea levels, droughts, and extreme weather.
These problems cost far more than investing in clean energy or environmental research early on.

Ignoring science doesn’t just slow down progress—it can actually reverse it.

Why Some Countries Value Science More Than Others

Let’s compare two examples: the United States and a low-income country where science is less
prioritized.

The U.S. spends billions on research through universities and organizations like NASA or the
National Institutes of Health. This investment has led to discoveries in medicine, space, and
technology. It has also created thousands of high-paying jobs and made the U.S. a global leader
in innovation.

In contrast, countries that invest very little in science often struggle to develop new industries.
They rely on imports, lack competitive technology, and miss out on global opportunities. Young
people in these places may not even consider science as a career because they don’t see a future
in it.

What Can We Do About It?

So how do we make science more popular—and more powerful?

1. Change how it’s taught: Make science education more engaging, practical, and
connected to real life. Let students do experiments, solve problems, and ask big
questions.
2. Support young scientists: Offer scholarships, research grants, and mentorship programs
for students who want to pursue science careers.
3. Invest for the long term: Governments need to think beyond election cycles and see
research as a national investment, not a luxury.
4. Celebrate science: Highlight scientists in the media, show success stories, and make
them role models for the next generation.

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Final Thoughts

Science isn’t just for nerds in lab coats—it’s the engine behind progress, health, and innovation.
It helps us understand the world and improve it. Ignoring science because it’s difficult, slow, or
inconvenient is like refusing to fix a broken engine while driving up a mountain.

So the next time someone says science is “boring” or “not useful,” ask them: do you like using
your phone? Drinking clean water? Living past 70?
Because without science, none of that would be possible.

Science & Society – questions for discussion

1. Why do you think science is often underappreciated, even though

it has shaped modern life?
2. In what ways does poor science education affect students’ attitudes
toward science?
3. Do you agree that countries which invest in science tend to be
more developed? Why or why not?
4. Why do you think some parents or governments choose to invest
more in business or law education than in science?
5. How can scientists communicate their ideas better to the general
public?
6. Do you think most people understand how science affects their
daily lives? Can you give examples?
7. What are the risks for a society that sees science as “too
complicated” or irrelevant?
8. Why do you think science can feel disconnected from real life,
especially in school settings?
9. Can you think of a country that is not investing enough in science?
What consequences might that have for its future?
10. What are some simple ways schools or communities could
make science more exciting and meaningful to young people?

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ILETS Speaking Questions

Part 1

1. Did you enjoy learning science at school? Why or why not?

2. What branch of science did you find most interesting as a student—biology, physics,
chemistry, or something else?
3. Do you think science is more useful for daily life than other school subjects?
4. Have you ever done a science experiment at school? What was it about?
5. Would you ever consider a career in science? Why or why not?

Part 2
Cue Card 1: Describe a scientist you Cue Card 2: Describe an area of science
admire. you are interested in.
You should say: You should say:
– who the scientist is – what area it is
– what they are known for – when and how you became interested in it
– what you find interesting about their work – what you know about it
And explain why you admire this person. And explain why you find it interesting or
important.

Part 3
Science & Education

6. Why do you think some students lose interest in science as they grow older?
7. Should science be made more practical and fun at school? Why or why not?
8. Do you think science subjects are more difficult than others? What can schools do to help
students with this?
9. How important is it for countries to invest in scientific research and education?

Science & Society

10. In your opinion, why do some people distrust science or scientists?

11. How can science be used to solve major global problems, such as climate change or
pandemics?
12. What could happen to a country or society that ignores science or underfunds research?

Science & the Future

13. Do you think artificial intelligence and space exploration are the future of science?
14. What kinds of scientific discoveries do you think we’ll see in the next 20–30 years?
15. How can we make science more appealing to young people, especially in countries where
it's not popular?

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Sample answers:

PART 1

1. Did you enjoy learning science at school? Why or why not?

Well, I wish I could say that I did, because as a student I was actually quite inquisitive by nature.
I loved learning and asking questions. But sadly, our science classes were nowhere near
engaging. I remember how we’d just copy definitions and rules from the textbook, and that was
it. There was almost no experimentation or real-world application, so science started to feel
pointless and boring. Looking back, I still think science is fascinating—but unfortunately, the
way it was taught just didn’t reflect that at all.

2. What branch of science did you find most interesting as a student?

I remember finding physics really intriguing—at least in theory. The idea that you could
understand how everything around us works through formulas and laws was just mind-blowing.
Like, why does something fall, or how do waves travel? Those questions really got me thinking.
I also found biology meaningful, especially when we talked about the human body. Chemistry,
though? I had no idea what was going on—it felt like another language. But overall, physics
stood out the most because it connected to so many real-life things.

3. Do you think science is more useful for daily life than other school subjects?
That’s a bit tricky. I mean, science is definitely important, but I wouldn’t say it’s more
useful than every other subject. For most of us, daily life doesn’t require doing experiments or
applying formulas—we just use tools that were created by scientists. So in that sense, we’re
lucky—we don’t need to know how electricity works to turn on a light. But at the same time,
people who know science often approach problems differently. I know someone who’s really
into science, and their way of thinking is so logical and creative—it makes you realize how
valuable scientific thinking really is.

4. Have you ever done a science experiment at school? What was it about?
Honestly, I must’ve done one or two, but nothing really stuck with me. I vaguely remember
something with a balloon and perfume in fifth grade—we were trying to demonstrate some kind
of scientific principle, maybe about air or particles? But the truth is, we didn’t understand what
we were doing. It was just a demonstration for the sake of ticking a box, not an actual learning
experience. So no, I wouldn’t say I had any meaningful experiments at school, unfortunately.

5. Would you ever consider a career in science? Why or why not?

To be honest, probably not. It’s not because I dislike science—I actually find it really interesting
when explained well—but I’ve never felt like I had a scientific mind. I also didn’t receive the
kind of guidance or encouragement that would make me consider it seriously. That said, if I had
been taught differently or had someone show me the practical value of science in real life, maybe
I would’ve considered it. I think with the right support, I could’ve developed that curiosity into
something more

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PART 2

Describe a scientist you admire

Well, I actually know a few scientists I really admire—one of them is Mayim Bialik, who’s
quite a unique figure. She’s not only a neuroscientist with a PhD from UCLA, but also a well-
known actress and public speaker. Most people know her from the TV show The Big Bang
Theory, where she plays Amy Farrah Fowler—a neuroscientist, ironically! But in real life, she’s
just as impressive as her character.

What makes her stand out to me is how she managed to combine science with entertainment,
which is honestly something very rare. It’s not easy to succeed in one field, let alone two
completely different ones. While acting gave her a platform, she used it to talk about mental
health, women in science, and education, which I find really inspiring. I’ve seen her speak in
interviews and podcasts, and she’s always calm, thoughtful, and incredibly articulate. She has
this way of making complex scientific topics sound human and personal.

Another thing I really respect about her is that she never tried to fit into a perfect image. She’s
open about her own struggles, including raising kids as a single mother, navigating Hollywood,
and staying true to her scientific values. That honesty makes her feel very real.

So yeah, I admire her not just as a scientist, but as a role model who shows that being smart and
being creative can go hand in hand. If more scientists were like her—visible, relatable, and
open—I think more young people would be inspired to explore science without feeling like they
have to choose between intellect and personality.

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Describe an area of science you're interested in

So, the area of science I’m most curious about is physics, although I wouldn’t claim to know
much about it in technical terms. My interest in physics actually started in a very unexpected
way—not through school or books, but by watching a comedy series called The Big Bang
Theory. One of the main characters, Sheldon Cooper, is a theoretical physicist, and the way he
talks about the universe with so much passion and precision really caught my attention.

At first, I just found him funny and weird, but over time, I realized he was saying some pretty
deep things—about time, space, gravity, and even black holes. The idea that everything in our
world, from the way light travels to how sound waves move, can be explained by physics—it just
blew my mind. I started seeing the world a little differently, like even simple things like dropping
a ball or turning on a light switch had some science behind them.

Now, I’m not studying physics seriously or anything, but I’ve become more curious. I sometimes
watch YouTube videos or listen to short talks explaining basic physics concepts. And I’ve got to
say, the more I learn, the more questions I have—it’s like the deeper you go, the more
mysterious it becomes.

What I really like about physics is that it connects everyday life with the biggest questions about
the universe. It’s not just about numbers or equations—it’s about understanding reality. And
honestly, that’s kind of beautiful.

PART 3

[Link] do some students lose interest in science as they grow older?

That’s a really sad reality, but I think it happens for a couple of reasons. First of all, science
often isn’t taught in a way that feels meaningful. It’s usually just facts and theories, with no
connection to daily life. If students don’t see the point, they naturally lose interest. Another
reason is that we live in a world where we already have access to ready-made solutions—like
we don’t need to know how the internet works to use it. That convenience makes science feel
distant. And if students grow up thinking science is only for labs or geniuses, it stops feeling
relevant.

7 Should science be made more practical and fun at school?

Oh, absolutely. Science should be something that sparks curiosity, not fear. I think the key is
having teachers who are passionate about their subject. If a science teacher loves what they
teach, that energy spreads. But if they’re just reading from a book, students will check out
mentally. Practical lessons—like experiments, real-life case studies, or field trips—could
completely change how students see science. If we made it hands-on and fun, I truly believe
more young people would get excited about it and even consider careers in science.

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8 Do you think science subjects are more difficult than others? What can schools do to
help students with this?

Yes, I think they can be more difficult for many students, especially because science often
involves both abstract thinking and technical detail. You need to understand complex concepts,
and sometimes it feels like you’re just memorizing words you don’t really get. But that doesn’t
mean it has to stay difficult. If schools invested more in making lessons visual, interactive, and
well-explained—maybe through videos, models, or real-life examples—it would be easier for
students to grasp the ideas. And of course, good teachers make all the difference. If they believe
students can understand, most of the time, students start to believe it too.

9. How important is it for countries to invest in scientific research and education?

Oh, it’s absolutely crucial. If a country wants long-term progress—not just economic but also
social and environmental—it has to invest in science. Research leads to innovation, and
innovation drives industries, creates jobs, and solves real-life problems. Just look at countries
like South Korea or Germany—they’ve made science and engineering national priorities, and
now they’re global leaders in technology. Also, investing in science education means you’re
preparing the next generation to think critically and solve problems. Without that foundation, a
country might end up just consuming what others create, instead of leading its own development.

10. In your opinion, why do some people distrust science or scientists?

That’s a really interesting question. I think one reason is that science doesn’t always
give easy answers—it changes over time, and people sometimes mistake that for being
unreliable. For example, with COVID, recommendations kept changing as more research came
in, and that confused or frustrated people. Another reason is that scientific language can feel too
complex or “out of reach,” so people feel disconnected. When scientists don’t explain things
clearly—or when the media distorts their message—it creates mistrust. Sadly, we live in a time
where misinformation spreads faster than facts, and science often gets caught in that mess.

11. How can science be used to solve major global problems, such as climate change or
pandemics?

Well, science is already playing a huge role in both of those areas. During the pandemic, for
example, vaccines were developed at record speed thanks to years of research in medicine and
technology. That was science saving lives in real time. As for climate change, science helps us
understand what’s happening and predict future outcomes. It also gives us the tools to fight
back—through renewable energy, green technology, or more efficient ways to manage resources.
The problem isn’t that we lack solutions—it’s that we’re too slow to act on them. But science is
definitely the starting point for any real change.

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12. What could happen to a country or society that ignores science or underfunds
research?

Honestly, the consequences can be serious. First of all, if a country stops investing in science, it
risks falling behind technologically and economically. It might have to rely on other countries
for basic things like medicine, energy, or even food innovation. Secondly, without scientific
research, you don’t have the knowledge to prepare for or respond to major problems—like
natural disasters, public health crises, or environmental damage. In the worst-case scenario, a
country could become less competitive, less resilient, and even less safe. Science is not a
luxury—it’s a foundation for stability and progress.

13. Do you think artificial intelligence and space exploration are the future of science?

Definitely—they’re not just the future, they’re already happening. Artificial intelligence is being
used in almost everything—from healthcare and education to business and communication. It’s
reshaping how we live and work. And as it develops further, we’ll need strong ethics and smart
scientists to guide its use. As for space exploration, I think it’s one of the most exciting areas of
science. It pushes the limits of what humans can do and brings countries together to solve big
challenges. Plus, a lot of inventions we use today—like GPS and satellite tech—actually came
from space programs. So yeah, both AI and space are opening doors we’ve only just started to
walk through.

14. What kinds of scientific discoveries do you think we’ll see in the next 20–30 years?

Wow, that’s a fun one to imagine. I think we’ll see huge breakthroughs in medicine—maybe
cures for diseases that are untreatable today, like certain cancers or neurological conditions. We
might also see major progress in brain science and mental health, which is already happening
thanks to researchers like Andrew Huberman. I also believe we’ll have smarter technology that
blends with our bodies—like wearable devices that track our health in real time, or even brain-
computer interfaces. And hopefully, we’ll discover better, cleaner ways to live on this planet—
especially when it comes to energy and food production.

15. How can we make science more appealing to young people, especially in countries
where it’s not popular?

That’s a really important question. I think first we need to stop making science feel like it’s only
for “geniuses.” It should be something that everyone can connect with, and that starts with how
it’s taught. If schools use more real-life examples, experiments, and even popular culture—like
science in movies or games—it could really change the vibe. We also need role models. When
young people see scientists like Andrew Huberman explaining complex things in simple,
relatable ways, they realize science isn’t boring—it’s powerful and even cool. Finally,
governments and schools should support science clubs, workshops, and hands-on learning
opportunities. When science becomes something you can do, not just read about, it starts to come
alive.