This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of live performances for the real past IELTS exam.

The topic is really common so this can really help you if there is a similar question on your IELTS exam.

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Live Performances (Real Past IELTS Exam/Test)

Watching a live performance such as a play, concert, or sporting event is more enjoyable than watching the same event on television.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Exam/Test

Many believe that watching live entertainment is better than watching it on television. In my opinion, though the experience of attending a performance in person can be exhilarating, television provides the best viewing experience these days.

Live performances are unique. A good example of this would be in the sporting world. Most would jump at the chance to watch the greats of the game like Messi, Federer and Lebron ply their craft by attending one of their matches in person. The recorded versions of those events will last forever but there is a limited window to catch them in person. Experiencing the best players live highlights the speed, precision, and high-level talent required to dominate other professional athletes. This indelible memory of seeing a genius performing in person also applies to varying degrees for concerts, plays, and speeches.

Nonetheless, advances in broadcasting have elevated the home-viewing experience above the live version. The advent of HD televisions in the last two decades and the expansion of channels are the principle causes. These days, an individual watching a basketball game can hear play-by-play and colour commentary, see close-ups of the players, follow the action from the ideal view, and enjoy all this within the comforts of their own home. The memory may be less distinct but the experience itself is more enjoyable. This collective shift away from most major live events and towards home entertainment is evidenced in lower attendance numbers and ticket prices.

In conclusion, the best way to watch a live event is on television. There may be certain exceptions depending on the kind of event and how often it occurs but this holds true for most live performances.

Analysis

1. Many believe that watching live entertainment is better than watching it on television. 2. In my opinion, though the experience of attending a performance in person can be exhilarating, television provides the best viewing experience these days.

Your first sentence should paraphrase the overall idea for the whole essay.
The second sentence should be your opinion. You don’t have to include your main ideas yet (though you can, like I did).

1. Live performances are unique. 2. A good example of this would be in the sporting world. 3. Most would jump at the chance to watch the greats of the game like Messi, Federer and Lebron ply their craft by attending one of their matches in person. 4. The recorded versions of those events will last forever but there is a limited window to catch them in person. 5. Experiencing the best players live highlights the speed, precision, and high-level talent required to dominate other professional athletes. 6. This indelible memory of seeing a genius performing in person also applies to varying degrees for concerts, plays, and speeches.

Write a short, simple topic sentence.
Begin to develop your main idea with an example.
Keep developing it with specific details – notice the real athletes I include.
Talk about the result/implication of your example.
Continue developing the same main idea.
Here I generalise it to examples beyond sports.

1. Nonetheless, advances in broadcasting have elevated the home-viewing experience above the live version. 2. The advent of HD televisions in the last two decades and the expansion of channels are the principle causes. 3. These days, an individual watching a basketball game can hear play-by-play and colour commentary, see close-ups of the players, follow the action from the ideal view, and enjoy all this within the comforts of their own home. 4. The memory may be less distinct but the experience itself is more enjoyable. 5. This collective shift away from most major live events and towards home entertainment is evidenced in lower attendance numbers and ticket prices.

Another topic sentence with a main idea at the end.
Beging developing your main idea.
The more specific details, the better!
Draw conclusions based on your example.
Conclude your paragraph with more support.

1. In conclusion, the best way to watch a live event is on television. 2. There may be certain exceptions depending on the kind of event and how often it occurs but this holds true for most live performances.

Repeat your opinion.
Add a final thought at the end.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean?

Many believe that watching live entertainment is better than watching it on television. In my opinion, though the experience of attending a performance in person can be exhilarating, television provides the best viewing experience these days.

Live performances are unique. A good example of this would be in the sporting world. Most would jump at the chance to watch the greats of the game like Messi, Federer and Lebron ply their craft by attending one of their matches in person. The recorded versions of those events will last forever but there is a limited window to catch them in person. Experiencing the best players live highlights the speed, precision, and high-level talent required to dominate other professional athletes. This indelible memory of seeing a genius performing in person also applies to varying degrees for concerts, plays, and speeches.

Nonetheless, advances in broadcasting have elevated the home-viewing experience above the live version. The advent of HD televisions in the last two decades and the expansion of channels are the principle causes. These days, an individual watching a basketball game can hear play-by-play and colour commentary, see close-ups of the players, follow the action from the ideal view, and enjoy all this within the comforts of their own home. The memory may be less distinct but the experience itself is more enjoyable. This collective shift away from most major live events and towards home entertainment is evidenced in lower attendance numbers and ticket prices.

In conclusion, the best way to watch a live event is on television. There may be certain exceptions depending on the kind of event and how often it occurs but this holds true for most live performances.

Answers

live entertainment real time shows

attending going to

in person in real life

exhilarating exciting

best viewing experience these days better for watching nowadays

unique special

the sporting world sports

jump at the chance to eager to

greats of the game best players

ply their craft play

recorded versions taped broadcasts

limited window to catch them in person not much time to see them in real life

highlights best plays from a game

precision exactness

dominate be better than

indelible memory unforgettable experience

applies holds true for

varying degrees depends

nonetheless regardless

broadcasting showing

elevated rising above

home-viewing experience watching at home

advent beginning

HD televisions high definition TVs

last two decades last 20 years

expansion getting larger

principle causes main reasons for

play-by-play what is happening in a game

colour commentary anaylsis of a game

close-ups see the players up close on screen

follow the action from the ideal view see if from the best vantage point

within the comforts of their own home conveniently at home

less distinct not as memorable

collective shift away from everyone no longer

evidenced supported by

certain exceptions some cases outside this view

holds true applies also

Pronunciation

lɪv ˌɛntəˈteɪnmənt
əˈtɛndɪŋ
ɪn ˈpɜːsn
ɪgˈzɪləreɪtɪŋ
bɛst ˈvjuːɪŋ ɪksˈpɪərɪəns ðiːz deɪz
juːˈniːk
ðə ˈspɔːtɪŋ wɜːld
ʤʌmp æt ðə ʧɑːns tuː
greɪts ɒv ðə geɪm
plaɪ ðeə krɑːft
rɪˈkɔːdɪd ˈvɜːʃənz
ˈlɪmɪtɪd ˈwɪndəʊ tuː kæʧ ðɛm ɪn ˈpɜːsn
ˈhaɪˌlaɪts
prɪˈsɪʒən
ˈdɒmɪneɪt
ɪnˈdɛlɪbl ˈmɛməri
əˈplaɪz
ˈveəriɪŋ dɪˈgriːz
ˌnʌnðəˈlɛs
ˈbrɔːdkɑːstɪŋ
ˈɛlɪveɪtɪd
həʊm-ˈvjuːɪŋ ɪksˈpɪərɪəns
ˈædvənt
eɪʧ-diː ˈtɛlɪˌvɪʒənz
lɑːst tuː ˈdɛkeɪdz
ɪksˈpænʃən
ˈprɪnsəpl ˈkɔːzɪz
pleɪ-baɪ-pleɪ
ˈkʌlə ˈkɒməntəri
ˈkləʊsˈʌps
ˈfɒləʊ ði ˈækʃ(ə)n frɒm ði aɪˈdɪəl vjuː
wɪˈðɪn ðə ˈkʌmfəts ɒv ðeər əʊn həʊm
lɛs dɪsˈtɪŋkt
kɒˈlɛktɪv ʃɪft əˈweɪ frɒm
ˈɛvɪdənst
ˈsɜːtn ɪkˈsɛpʃənz
həʊldz truː

Listen and repeat:

Vocabulary Practice

Remember and fill in the blanks:

Many believe that watching l________________________t is better than watching it on television. In my opinion, though the experience of a______________g a performance i______________n can be e____________g, television provides the b_____________________________________s.

Live performances are u__________e. A good example of this would be in t________________________________d. Most would j_________________________o watch the g________________________e like Messi, Federer and Lebron p__________________________t by attending one of their matches in person. The r___________________s of those events will last forever but there is a l___________________________________n. Experiencing the best players live h______________________s the speed, p______________n, and high-level talent required to d____________________e other professional athletes. This i_____________________y of seeing a genius performing in person also a________________s to v_______________s for concerts, plays, and speeches.

N________________s, advances in b__________________g have e___________d the h_______________________________e above the live version. The a_________t of H_______________________s in the l________________s and the e_____________n of channels are the p__________________s. These days, an individual watching a basketball game can hear p___________________y and c_____________________y, see c_______________s of the players, f____________________________________w, and enjoy all this w_____________________________________e. The memory may be l_______________t but the experience itself is more enjoyable. This c________________________________m most major live events and towards home entertainment is e____________________d in lower attendance numbers and ticket prices.

In conclusion, the best way to watch a live event is on television. There may be c_____________________s depending on the kind of event and how often it occurs but this h______________e for most live performances.

Listen and check:

Listening Practice

Take a look at this guy’s home entertainment system!

Reading Practice

Here is an example of how Coronavirus has impacted live performances:

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/03/musicians-coronavirus-second-cataclysm/608074/

Speaking Practice

Practice with the speaking part 2 question from the real IELTS speaking exam:

Architecture

Are there a lot of buildings where you live?
What kind of architecture do you like the most?
Where would you live, if you could live in any home in the world?
Is architecture an important part of a city’s identity?

Writing Practice

Write about the following related essay then read my sample answer:

Some believe technology has made our lives too complex and the solution is to lead a simpler life without technology.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Exam/Test

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Technology (Real Past Exam/Test)