This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of whether or not television programmes should be aimed at educating viewers about important social issues from the real IELTS exam.
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Dave
IELTS Essay: Watching TV
Some people say that all popular TV entertainment programmes should aim to educate viewers about important social issues.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Critics of the quality of televisions shows these days argue that more educational programming related to key social issues is needed. In my opinion, though there are legitimate reasons to support such reforms, I believe television should be mainly for entertainment.
Those in favour of raising awareness of social problems claim that television is not currently serving a socially viable purpose. The most popular shows are dramas, comedies, and reality TV, all of which are purely for entertainment. If the time wasted on such shows was diverted towards educational programs, this would have a ripple effect on society at large. For example, more informed news shows about underprivileged segments of society could lead to outpourings of empathy and encourage a nuanced understanding of the causes of poverty. This greater awareness would translate to real action in many cases. Powerful figures and small activists alike could contribute to socially beneficial causes.
Nonetheless, the actual impact of the proposed changes is questionable and most people do not watch TV out of altruism. Raising awareness of social issues, depending on how it is handled and the self-righteousness of the programs, is just as likely to provoke a negative backlash and hinder progress. Moreover, people watch TV in order to relax and let their minds rest or to experience a feeling of excitement. Forcing viewers to think about complex societal problems would simply discourage them and they would instead watch videos on YouTube or Netflix. It would be impossible to regulate all media and there would be public uproar at the attempt.
In conclusion, though it would be ideal for television to inform citizens of social problems, this solution is not practical. Individuals will always seek out the pastimes that entertain, not educate, them the most.
Analysis
1. Critics of the quality of televisions shows these days argue that more educational programming related to key social issues is needed. 2. In my opinion, though there are legitimate reasons to support such reforms, I believe television should be mainly for entertainment.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. Those in favour of raising awareness of social problems claim that television is not currently serving a socially viable purpose. 2. The most popular shows are dramas, comedies, and reality TV, all of which are purely for entertainment. 3. If the time wasted on such shows was diverted towards educational programs, this would have a ripple effect on society at large. 4. For example, more informed news shows about underprivileged segments of society could lead to outpourings of empathy and encourage a nuanced understanding of the causes of poverty. 5. This greater awareness would translate to real action in many cases. 6. Powerful figures and small activists alike could contribute to socially beneficial causes.
- Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea.
- Develop it with specific examples.
- Continue to develop it.
- State the result.
- Develop it fully.
1. Nonetheless, the actual impact of the proposed changes is questionable and most people do not watch TV out of altruism. 2. Raising awareness of social issues, depending on how it is handled and the self-righteousness of the programs, is just as likely to provoke a negative backlash and hinder progress. 3. Moreover, people watch TV in order to relax and let their minds rest or to experience a feeling of excitement. 4. Forcing viewers to think about complex societal problems would simply discourage them and they would instead watch videos on YouTube or Netflix. 5. It would be impossible to regulate all media and there would be public uproar at the attempt.
- Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
- Explain your new main idea.
- Include specific details and examples.
- The more specific, the better.
- Develop the example fully by stating the result.
1. In conclusion, though it would be ideal for television to inform citizens of social problems, this solution is not practical. 2. Individuals will always seek out the pastimes that entertain, not educate, them the most.
- Summarise your main ideas.
- Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
Critics of the quality of televisions shows these days argue that more educational programming related to key social issues is needed. In my opinion, though there are legitimate reasons to support such reforms, I believe television should be mainly for entertainment.
Those in favour of raising awareness of social problems claim that television is not currently serving a socially viable purpose. The most popular shows are dramas, comedies, and reality TV, all of which are purely for entertainment. If the time wasted on such shows was diverted towards educational programs, this would have a ripple effect on society at large. For example, more informed news shows about underprivileged segments of society could lead to outpourings of empathy and encourage a nuanced understanding of the causes of poverty. This greater awareness would translate to real action in many cases. Powerful figures and small activists alike could contribute to socially beneficial causes.
Nonetheless, the actual impact of the proposed changes is questionable and most people do not watch TV out of altruism. Raising awareness of social issues, depending on how it is handled and the self-righteousness of the programs, is just as likely to provoke a negative backlash and hinder progress. Moreover, people watch TV in order to relax and let their minds rest or to experience a feeling of excitement. Forcing viewers to think about complex societal problems would simply discourage them and they would instead watch videos on YouTube or Netflix. It would be impossible to regulate all media and there would be public uproar at the attempt.
In conclusion, though it would be ideal for television to inform citizens of social problems, this solution is not practical. Individuals will always seek out the pastimes that entertain, not educate, them the most.
Answers
critics those who argue against it
quality how good it is
these days recently
educational programming shows that are informative
key social issues imprtant problems related to society
legitimate reasons good justifications
reforms changes
those in favour of raising awareness supporters of this opinion
claim argue
not currently serving not helping
socially viable purpose good for society
reality TV shows without scripts about real people
purely entirely
wasted not used properly
diverted towards pushed in a different direction
ripple effect trickle down impact
at large in general
more informed news shows TV shows that report well
underprivileged segments poor parts
lead to outpourings of empathy cause people to feel bad
encourage motivate
nuanced understanding complex understanding of
poverty being poor
greater awareness know more about
translate means
powerful figures famous, rich people
small activists alike individuals as well
contribute add to
socially beneficial causes helps society
nonetheless regardless
actual impact real effect
proposed changes what they want to reform
questionable dubious
out of altruism not for personal gain
depending on has to do with
handled dealt with
self-righteousness feeling superior to others
provoke instigate
negative backlash overreaction
hinder progress hurt the movement
let their minds rest relax
experience watch
forcing have to
complex societal problems nuanced issues in society
discourage not motivate
instead in fact
regulate make laws about
public uproar people angry
attempttry
ideal perfect
inform give information about
not practical impractical, not realistic
pastimes hobbies
Pronunciation
ˈkrɪtɪks
ˈkwɒlɪti
ðiːz deɪz
ˌɛdju(ː)ˈkeɪʃənl ˈprəʊgræmɪŋ
kiː ˈsəʊʃəl ˈɪʃuːz
lɪˈʤɪtɪmɪt ˈriːznz
ˌriːˈfɔːmz
ðəʊz ɪn ˈfeɪvər ɒv ˈreɪzɪŋ əˈweənəs
kleɪm
nɒt ˈkʌrəntli ˈsɜːvɪŋ
ˈsəʊʃəli ˈvaɪəbl ˈpɜːpəs
ri(ː)ˈælɪti ˌtiːˈviː
ˈpjʊəli
ˈweɪstɪd
daɪˈvɜːtɪd təˈwɔːdz
ˈrɪpl ɪˈfɛkt
æt lɑːʤ
mɔːr ɪnˈfɔːmd njuːz ʃəʊz
ˌʌndəˈprɪvɪlɪʤd ˈsɛgmənts
liːd tuː ˈaʊtˌpɔːrɪŋz ɒv ˈɛmpəθi
ɪnˈkʌrɪʤ
nju(ː)ˈɑːnst ˌʌndəˈstændɪŋ
ˈpɒvəti
ˈgreɪtər əˈweənəs
trænsˈleɪt
ˈpaʊəfʊl ˈfɪgəz
smɔːl ˈæktɪvɪsts əˈlaɪk
kənˈtrɪbju(ː)t
ˈsəʊʃəli ˌbɛnɪˈfɪʃəl ˈkɔːzɪz
ˌnʌnðəˈlɛs
ˈækʧʊəl ˈɪmpækt
prəˈpəʊzd ˈʧeɪnʤɪz
ˈkwɛsʧənəbl
aʊt ɒv ˈæltrʊɪzm
dɪˈpɛndɪŋ ɒn
ˈhændld
sɛlf-ˈraɪʧəsnɪs
prəˈvəʊk
ˈnɛgətɪv ˈbæklæʃ
ˈhaɪndə ˈprəʊgrəs
lɛt ðeə maɪndz rɛst
ɪksˈpɪərɪəns
ˈfɔːsɪŋ
ˈkɒmplɛks səˈsaɪətl ˈprɒbləmz
dɪsˈkʌrɪʤ
ɪnˈstɛd
ˈrɛgjʊleɪt
ˈpʌblɪk ˈʌprɔː
əˈtɛmpt
aɪˈdɪəl
ɪnˈfɔːm
nɒt ˈpræktɪkəl
ˈpɑːstaɪmz
Vocabulary Practice
Remember and fill in the blanks:
C_________s of the q_________y of televisions shows t___________s argue that more e____________________________g related to k__________________s is needed. In my opinion, though there are l______________________s to support such r________s, I believe television should be mainly for entertainment.
T_____________________________________s of social problems c_____m that television is n__________________________g a s___________________e. The most popular shows are dramas, comedies, and r_________V, all of which are p________y for entertainment. If the time w________d on such shows was d__________________s educational programs, this would have a r_______________t on society a_________e. For example, m______________________s about u__________________________s of society could l__________________________________y and e_____________e a n___________________________g of the causes of p__________y. This g____________________s would t________________e to real action in many cases. P____________________s and s_______________________e could c______________e to s_____________________________s.
N________________s, the a________________t of the p____________________s is q____________________e and most people do not watch TV o__________________m. Raising awareness of social issues, d____________________n how it is h_____________d and the s______________________s of the programs, is just as likely to p___________e a n_______________________h and h_____________________s. Moreover, people watch TV in order to relax and l________________________t or to e____________e a feeling of excitement. F___________g viewers to think about c___________________________s would simply d___________e them and they would i__________d watch videos on YouTube or Netflix. It would be impossible to r___________e all media and there would be p_______________r at the a_____________t.
In conclusion, though it would be i_________l for television to i__________m citizens of social problems, this solution is n__________________l. Individuals will always seek out the p__________s that entertain, not educate, them the most.
Listening Practice
Learn more about this topic in the video below and practice with these activities:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uSHsac_-gI&ab_channel=linguamarina
Reading Practice
Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1955/11/educational-television/305080/
Speaking Practice
Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:
Sports
- Which sport do you like to play?
- Have you ever been on a sports team?
- Do you like watching sports on TV?
- Which sport are popular to watch on TV in your country?
Writing Practice
Practice with the related topic below and then check with my sample answer:
Nowadays children watch much more television than they did in the past and spend less time being active or creative.
What is the reason for this?
What measures should be taken to encourage children to be more active?
you guys are doing an amazing job. may of us give blessings to you for your hard work. i am actually out of words right now. Thank you so so so much.
you guys are doing an amazing job. may of us give blessings to you for your hard work. i am actually out of words right now. Thank you so so so much.
what changes should be there in the essay after the corona changes
What do you mean exactly, Sam?