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This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay from the real exam on the topic of foreign films and their impact on local culture.
Be sure that you check out my exclusive IELTS Ebooks and materials on Patreon here (and recommend a friend if you can!).
Dave
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Foreign Films & Culture
Some believe that it is beneficial to show foreign films while others feel this can have a negative impact on local culture.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Real Past IELTS Exam
Some believe cinemas should show a wide breadth of films from around the world, while others worry about the globalising effect on local culture. In my opinion, though reliance on domestic film can contribute greatly to the cultural development of a nation, it is too severe a restriction.
Those wary of the pernicious effects of films from other countries point to the importance of nationally produced films. When a country imports few films from abroad, they are forced into making more and better movies to attract audiences. For instance, in the 1980s immediately after the cultural revolution in China, few foreign films were shows. Studios instead funded ambitious Chinese film-makers like Zhang Yimou, who would later go on to lead the early 1990s ascent of Chinese new wave cinema. This same pattern has been repeated in South Korea, Japan, France, and numerous other countries at different periods in the 20th century. The sum effect on culture for each respective nation has been massive and, in many cases, represents their most recent defining cultural achievements.
Nonetheless, watching foreign films allows individuals to enjoy the best entertainment on offer. It would be cruel to ban foreign films and enforce a sub-par viewing experience in countries with under-developed film industries. Film is, after all, mainly an enjoyable form of relaxation. The most popular movies tend to come from Hollywood and include blockbuster superhero franchises, Oscar-worthy dramas, and comedies. Many local theatre chains would struggle to stay in business without foreign films and the new online streaming options mean that audiences would likely just subscribe to Netflix or download movies illegally. The actual cultural benefits of such restrictions might therefore be questionable while theatre-goers would surely be deprived of quality recreation.
In conclusion, the examples of isolated national film industries do not outweigh the diversionary value of film. There are other methods of preserving and encouraging culture besides censoring outside influences.
Analysis
1. Some believe cinemas should show a wide breadth of films from around the world, while others worry about the globalising effect on local culture. 2. In my opinion, though reliance on domestic film can contribute greatly to the cultural development of a nation, it is too severe a restriction.
- Paraphrase the overall topic for the whole essay.
- Give a clear opinion. Read more about introductions for IELTS here.
1. Those wary of the pernicious effects of films from other countries point to the importance of nationally produced films. 2. When a country imports few films from abroad, they are forced into making more and better movies to attract audiences. 3. For instance, in the 1980s immediately after the cultural revolution in China, few foreign films were shows. 4. Studios instead funded ambitious Chinese film-makers like Zhang Yimou, who would later go on to lead the early 1990s ascent of Chinese new wave cinema. 5. This same pattern has been repeated in South Korea, Japan, France, and numerous other countries at different periods in the 20th century. 6. The sum effect on culture for each respective nation has been massive and, in many cases, represents their most recent defining cultural achievements.
- Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea, if necessary.
- Give an example.
- Develop or extend the example to other countries.
- State the full results.
1. Nonetheless, watching foreign films allows individuals to enjoy the best entertainment on offer. 2. It would be cruel to ban foreign films and enforce a sub-par viewing experience in countries with under-developed film industries. 3. Film is, after all, mainly an enjoyable form of relaxation. 4. The most popular movies tend to come from Hollywood and include blockbuster superhero franchises, Oscar-worthy dramas, and comedies. 5. Many local theatre chains would struggle to stay in business without foreign films and the new online streaming options mean that audiences would likely just subscribe to Netflix or download movies illegally. 6. The actual cultural benefits of such restrictions might therefore be questionable while theatre-goers would surely be deprived of quality recreation.
- Write another topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Explain this main idea.
- Vary short and long sentences.
- Give specific examples to support your main idea.
- Continue developing the same main idea – don’t switch to a new one.
- Conclude with a strong statement.
1. In conclusion, the examples of isolated national film industries do not outweigh the diversionary value of film. 2. There are other methods of preserving and encouraging culture besides censoring outside influences.
- Repeat your opinion and summarise your main ideas.
- Add a final thought/detail.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
Some believe cinemas should show a wide breadth of films from around the world, while others worry about the globalising effect on local culture. In my opinion, though reliance on domestic film can contribute greatly to the cultural development of a nation, it is too severe a restriction.
Those wary of the pernicious effects of films from other countries point to the importance of nationally produced films. When a country imports few films from abroad, they are forced into making more and better movies to attract audiences. For instance, in the 1980s immediately after the cultural revolution in China, few foreign films were shows. Studios instead funded ambitious Chinese film-makers like Zhang Yimou, who would later go on to lead the early 1990s ascent of Chinese new wave cinema. This same pattern has been repeated in South Korea, Japan, France, and numerous other countries at different periods in the 20th century. The sum effect on culture for each respective nation has been massive and, in many cases, represents their most recent defining cultural achievements.
Nonetheless, watching foreign films allows individuals to enjoy the best entertainment on offer. It would be cruel to ban foreign films and enforce a sub-par viewing experience in countries with under-developed film industries. Film is, after all, mainly an enjoyable form of relaxation. The most popular movies tend to come from Hollywood and include blockbuster superhero franchises, Oscar-worthy dramas, and comedies. Many local theatre chains would struggle to stay in business without foreign films and the new online streaming options mean that audiences would likely just subscribe to Netflix or download movies illegally. The actual cultural benefits of such restrictions might therefore be questionable while theatre-goers would surely be deprived of quality recreation.
In conclusion, the examples of isolated national film industries do not outweigh the diversionary value of film. There are other methods of preserving and encouraging culture besides censoring outside influences.
Answers
wide breadth lots of different
globalising effect making the whole world the same
local culture the country in question
reliance dependence
domestic film film made in their country
contribute greatly add a lot to
cultural development the progress of art/culture
severe extreme
restriction regulation
wary suspicious about
pernicious effects bad impacts
point to argue
nationally produced films movies made in that country
imports what is brought into the country
abroad foreign
forced into must
attract audiences bring people in
immediately after right after, following
cultural revolution in China a program of restriction in China in the 1960s and 70s
studios film companies
funded ambitious gave money to promising
later go on after this would
ascent rise
Chinese new wave cinema early 1990s movement of good Chinese films
same pattern identical trend
repeated happened again
numerous many
different periods various times
20th century 1900-2000
sum effect total impact
respective nation country in question
massive huge
in many cases most of the time
represents total
most recent defining cultural achievements most important art made recently
nonetheless regardless
on offer available
cruel mean
ban restrict
enforce make sure it is followed
sub-par viewing experience bad time at the movies
under-developed not mature, not advanced
form make up
tend to usually
blockbuster superhero franchises Marvel and DC movies
Oscar-worthy dramas high-brow films
local theatre chains cinemas in your country
struggle have a tough time
stay in business continue to operate
streaming options online services for watching videos
audiences the people who watch
subscribe sign up to
download movies illegally steal films
actual cultural benefits real advantages for the culture
restrictions limits
questionable doubtful
theatre-goers people who watch movies
deprived of quality recreation taken away the fun
isolated alone
outweigh more important than
diversionary value important distractions
preserving keeping intact
encouraging helping
censoring outside influences restricting foreign films
Pronunciation
waɪd brɛdθ
ˌgləʊb(ə)laɪˈzeɪʃ(ə)n ɪˈfɛkt
ˈləʊkəl ˈkʌlʧə
rɪˈlaɪəns
dəʊˈmɛstɪk fɪlm
kənˈtrɪbju(ː)t ˈgreɪtli
ˈkʌlʧərəl dɪˈvɛləpmənt
sɪˈvɪə
rɪsˈtrɪkʃən
ˈweəri
pɜːˈnɪʃəs ɪˈfɛkts
pɔɪnt tuː
ˈnæʃnəli prəˈdjuːst fɪlmz
ˈɪmpɔːts
əˈbrɔːd
fɔːst ˈɪntuː
əˈtrækt ˈɔːdiənsɪz
ɪˈmiːdiətli ˈɑːftə
ˈkʌlʧərəl ˌrɛvəˈluːʃən ɪn ˈʧaɪnə
ˈstjuːdɪəʊz
ˈfʌndɪd æmˈbɪʃəs
ˈleɪtə gəʊ ɒn
əˈsɛnt
ˌʧaɪˈniːz njuː weɪv ˈsɪnəmə
seɪm ˈpætən
rɪˈpiːtɪd
ˈnjuːmərəs
ˈdɪfrənt ˈpɪərɪədz
ˈtwɛntɪəθ ˈsɛnʧʊri
sʌm ɪˈfɛkt
rɪsˈpɛktɪv ˈneɪʃən
ˈmæsɪv
ɪn ˈmɛni ˈkeɪsɪz
ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnts
məʊst ˈriːsnt dɪˈfaɪnɪŋ ˈkʌlʧərəl əˈʧiːvmənts
ˌnʌnðəˈlɛs
ɒn ˈɒfə
krʊəl
bæn
ɪnˈfɔːs
sʌb-pɑː ˈvjuːɪŋ ɪksˈpɪərɪəns
ˈʌndə-dɪˈvɛləpt
fɔːm
tɛnd tuː
ˈblɒkˌbʌstə ˈsuːpəˌhɪərəʊ ˈfrænʧaɪzɪz
ˈɒskə-ˈwɜːði ˈdrɑːməz
ˈləʊkəl ˈθɪətə ʧeɪnz
ˈstrʌgl
steɪ ɪn ˈbɪznɪs
ˈstriːmɪŋ ˈɒpʃənz
ˈɔːdiənsɪz
səbˈskraɪb
ˌdaʊnˈləʊd ˈmuːviz ɪˈliːgəli
ˈækʧʊəl ˈkʌlʧərəl ˈbɛnɪfɪts
rɪsˈtrɪkʃənz
ˈkwɛsʧənəbl
ˈθɪətəˌgəʊəz
dɪˈpraɪvd ɒv ˈkwɒlɪti ˌriːkrɪˈeɪʃən
ˈaɪsəleɪtɪd
aʊtˈweɪ
daɪˈvɜːʃənəri ˈvæljuː
prɪˈzɜːvɪŋ
ɪnˈkʌrɪʤɪŋ
ˈsɛnsərɪŋ ˌaʊtˈsaɪd ˈɪnflʊənsɪz
Vocabulary Practice
Remember and fill in the blanks:
Some believe cinemas should show a w___________h of films from around the world, while others worry about the g________________t on l______________e. In my opinion, though r____________e on d_______________m can c________________y to the c______________________t of a nation, it is too s________e a r____________n.
Those w_______y of the p____________________s of films from other countries p_________o the importance of n_________________________s. When a country i__________s few films from a_________d, they are f_____________o making more and better movies to a___________________s. For instance, in the 1980s i_______________________r the c_____________________________a, few foreign films were shows. S________s instead f________________s Chinese film-makers like Zhang Yimou, who would l____________n to lead the early 1990s a________t of C________________________a. This s___________n has been r__________d in South Korea, Japan, France, and n___________s other countries at d____________________s in the 2_______________y. The s____________t on culture for each r___________________n has been m__________e and, i____________s, r________________s their m____________________________________s.
N____________s, watching foreign films allows individuals to enjoy the best entertainment o________r. It would be c_______l to b___n foreign films and e__________e a s___________________________e in countries with u________________d film industries. Film is, after all, mainly an enjoyable f______m of relaxation. The most popular movies t________o come from Hollywood and include b____________________________________s, O_________________________s, and comedies. Many l_______________________s would s______________e to s_________________s without foreign films and the new online s_________________s mean that a______________s would likely just s_______________e to Netflix or d____________________________y. The a__________________________s of such r_______________s might therefore be q__________________e while t_______________s would surely be d____________________________________n.
In conclusion, the examples of i____________d national film industries do not o___________h the d________________________e of film. There are other methods of p_______________g and e_________________g culture besides c_______________________________s.
Listening Practice
Listen about some important Korean films below:
Reading Practice
Read about some Chinese directors below:
Speaking Practice
Answer the following questions from the real IELTS speaking:
Film/Movie Star
Who is your favourite film star?
Would you like to be a film star?
Have you ever met a film star in person?
Are film stars popular in your country?
Real Past IELTS Speaking Exam
Writing Practice
Write about the topic below then check with my sample answer:
Many people believe that film is a less important art than other forms such as literature and painting.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Writing Exam
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Hi Dave,
Could you please check my essay.
Many people feel that international movies should be streamed as it opens the window for communication whilst some think that it can lead to an unfavorable effect on the culture and tradition of the people as they believe that westernization would uproot their roots and civilization. In my opinion, even though, there would be apprehension among the people, it would widen people’s perspective and provides a platform for the international exchange of beliefs and ideas.
Those who believe that international movies are advantageous focus on the wide wider range of prospects. Having these international movies shown would allow people to peep into other’s cultures and language, moreover, it would be beneficial for the country’s economy. To illustrate, a movie named’ fast and furious’ was released all over the world which gave insight not only about the technology used by foreign movie makers but also about their clothing and lifestyle. Apart from that, it gave monetary gains to the country and thus stabilizes the economy.
Nonetheless, there is a segment, who believes that showing foreign movies has a downside too, as people are intrigued by western culture and tend to unfollow their own. Moreover, it has been seen that people are converting their religions to Christianity and changing their lifestyles. To illustrate, in many developing countries, such as Asian countries, people are following the western trend by imitating the foreign language and clothing styles. One recent remarkable change has been seen in celebrating foreign festivals such as Valentine’s day and Christmas day in underdeveloped nations.
To conclude, although bringing foreign movies into one’s own culture gives manifold benefits, people still believe that it can lead to disregard for one’s own values and culture. However, I believe that international movies should be shown globally, to share ideas globally and a better understanding of other nations.
Movie production is one of the biggest industries in society these days. While some people think that a particular country should not show international films, others are not advocating this belief. In my opinion, it is more advantageous to allow foreign films because it can bring individuals to a state of euphoria.
Those who argue in favor of the restriction of movies from abroad typically consider the potential drawbacks to local culture. When foreign movies introduce to a country, changes in the expectation of people is inevitable. Indeed, movies from first-world nations are incredibly entertaining and have a high standard. That is why the local movie industry could lose its support from the people because they appreciate more the movies from outside. This could be a contributing factor to the downturn of the local film-making industry, so the country’s population should be contented with nationally produced films.
However, international movies are essential to people’s happiness and excitement. It is undeniable that their way of producing films are more imaginative and sophisticated. These are the reasons why a particular nation’s viewers are attracted to their movies. Moreover, it could open the gate to an extraordinary experience because they are creating movies related to innovative and futuristic ideas. That is why it is more thrilling and enjoyable to watch. Thus, a particular country should allow movies from overseas, especially from a developed nation, because of the satisfaction that it can bring to the viewers.
In conclusion, although there are some negative impacts of permitting foreign films in a certain nation, these are beneficial in people’s overall well-being. I believe that allowing them is worth considering because of their favorable effects on individuals.
Good again – very accurate!
A specific example would help the 3rd paragraph.