Unit 6: Exercise 1 In IELTS Writing Task 2, you may be asked to write an agree/disagree essay. For example: Some people believe the mass media have too much influence over people. To what extent do you agree or disagree? In this essay, you will have to write about the influence of the media on people. Which types of media do people like to get the news from? Complete the media words. The first letter of each word is given. N --------- 1. i------- 2.
m-------- 3. r---- 4. t--------- 5. Unit 6: Exercise 2
Planning your essay in IELTS Writing Task 2 is very important. This makes sure that your ideas are relevant and answer the question. Look at the essay question again. Some people believe the mass media have too much influence over people. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Select the ideas that are not relevant. Agree Disagree Owners of media groups force their own Newspapers have lots of gossip ideas on people TV is boring and has too many ads Freedom of choice is important Stops creativity as we always follow fashion Helps us understand different issues Too many people play computer games Gives us a common interest Stops individual thought – we are told what Radio and TV can stop loneliness to think Unit 6: Exercise 3 Put the paragraphs in the correct order to complete the essay. There are several key reasons why the influence of mass media is negative. The first reason is political; the owners of newspapers, television stations, etc. are very rich and powerful and only give news and opinions which support their political view. I believe this can be very dangerous for people’s freedom because different opinions are not discussed and we receive only one side of an argument. The second main problem is that mass media destroy creativity. It is a fact that everybody wants to copy what is fashionable, but if only one view of the world is presented in the media, there is no room for different cultures and ideas. This leads to a further problem in that we may lose independent thought which could lead to a society full of people who behave like robots. Therefore, in my opinion, the world becomes a much more boring place. Some people will argue that the influence of mass media is positive because people obviously feel good sharing the same experience with millions of others. It is my belief, however, that the negative aspects are much greater than the positive because if everybody does and thinks the same thing, all the richness and variety of life will be lost. As communications technology improves, there is no doubt that mass media like television, radio and internet have an increasing influence on the lives of everybody. Some people think this influence is positive as it allows freedom of choice, but many people worry that this
situation has a negative impact on society. I strongly agree with the second opinion and will discuss below the reasons why. 1. 2. 3. 4. Unit 6: Exercise 4 Look at the essay question again. Some people believe the mass media have too much influence over people. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Then read the student’s essay. Which ideas did the student include in his/her answer? Choose the correct answers. As communications technology improves, there is no doubt that mass media like television, radio and internet have an increasing influence on the lives of everybody. Some people think this influence is positive as it allows freedom of choice, but many people worry that this situation has a negative impact on society. I strongly agree with the second opinion and will discuss below the reasons why. There are several key reasons why the influence of mass media is negative. The first reason is political; the owners of newspapers, television stations, etc. are very rich and powerful and only give news and opinions which support their political view. I believe this can be very dangerous for people’s freedom because different opinions are not discussed and we receive only one side of an argument. The second main problem is that mass media destroy creativity. It is a fact that everybody wants to copy what is fashionable, but if only one view of the world is presented in the
media, there is no room for different cultures and ideas. This leads to a further problem in that we may lose independent thought which could lead to a society full of people who behave like robots. Therefore, in my opinion, the world becomes a much more boring place. Some people will argue that the influence of mass media is positive because people obviously feel good sharing the same experience with millions of others. It is my belief, however, that the negative aspects are much greater than the positive because if everybody does and thinks the same thing, all the richness and variety of life will be lost. Agree 1. Owners of media groups force their own ideas on people o Yes o No 2. TV is boring and has too many ads o Yes o No 3. Stops creativity as we always follow fashion o Yes o No 4. Too many people play computer games o Yes o No 5. Stops individual thought – we are told what to think o Yes o No Disagree 6. Newspapers have lots of gossip o Yes o No 7. Freedom of choice is important o Yes o No 8. Helps us understand different issues
o Yes o No 9. Gives us a common interest o Yes o No 10. Radio and TV can stop loneliness o Yes o No Unit 6: Exercise 5 Look at the notes. Then put the words in the correct order to complete the sentences. TV, etc. becoming more important Every body. Have an increasing lives the that mess media of on doubt influence 1. There is no _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ good – lots of options for people It as this allows positive influence is freedom of choice. 2. Some people think _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ support one political position Support news and which political opinions view. their 3. They only give _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ only get one opinion from mass media Discussed not are side receive only of and we an argument one
4. Different opinions _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ people like to follow new trends To wants what is fashionable. Copy every body that 5. It is a fact _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ life is less interesting Becoming more much place. A boring 6. The world is _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ people like mass media The millions same others. Sharing good experience with of 7. People obviously feel ________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ Unit 6: Exercise 6 Complete the essay. Use the phrases in the box. I believe this in my opinion it is my belief, however the first reason is the second main problem there are several key reasons why As communications technology improves, there is no doubt that mass media like television, radio and internet have an increasing influence on the lives of everybody. Some people think this influence is positive as it allows freedom of choice, but many people worry that this situation has a negative impact on society. I strongly agree with the second opinion and will discuss below the reasons why. __________________________ the influence of mass media is negative. __________________________ political; the owners of newspapers, television stations, etc. are very rich and powerful and only give news and opinions which support their political view. __________________________ can be very dangerous for people’s freedom because different opinions are not discussed and we receive only one side of an argument.
__________________________ is that mass media destroy creativity. It is a fact that everybody wants to copy what is fashionable, but if only one view of the world is presented in the media, there is no room for different cultures and ideas. This leads to a further problem in that we may lose independent thought which could lead to a society full of people who behave like robots. Therefore, __________________________ , the world becomes a much more boring place. Some people will argue that the influence of mass media is positive because people obviously feel good sharing the same experience with millions of others. __________________________ , that the negative aspects are much greater than the positive because if everybody does and thinks the same thing, all the richness and variety of life will be lost. Unit 6: Exercise 7 Complete the sentences. Use the words and phrases in the box. You should use each word or phrase only once. Agree belief believe connected key reasons main problem opinion 1. I strongly ______________ with this opinion. 2. There are several ________________ why this is not correct. 3. The first reason is ______________ with politics. 4. I __________________ these people are wrong. 5. The second ______________is with people’s opinions. 6. In my _______________ , we must do something about it. 7. It is my _______________ that governments should make stricter laws. Unit 6: Exercise 8 An agree/disagree essay should contain both facts and opinions. Read the information. Then read the student’s essay again and decide if the points in bold are facts or opinions. Facts and opinions can be shown by using specific language. Facts are general statements which cannot be argued. Example: It has been shown that more people find out about the news through the internet. This is a fact. We use words such as ‘think’ and ‘believe’ to express opinions. These ideas are personal. Example:
I think the TV news is much better than online news. This is an opinion. As communications technology improves, there is no doubt that mass media like television, radio and internet have an increasing influence on the lives of everybody. Some people think this influence is positive as it allows freedom of choice but many people worry that this situation has a negative impact on society. I strongly agree with the second opinion and will discuss below the reasons why. There are several key reasons why the influence of mass media is negative. The first reason is political; the owners of newspapers, television stations, etc. are very rich and powerful and only give news and opinions which support their political view. I believe this can be very dangerous for people’s freedom because different opinions are not discussed and we receive only one side of an argument. The second main problem is that mass media destroy creativity. It is a fact that everybody wants to copy what is fashionable, but if only one view of the world is presented in the media, there is no room for different cultures and ideas. This leads to a further problem in that we may lose independent thought which could lead to a society full of people who behave like robots. Therefore, in my opinion, the world becomes a much more boring place. Some people will argue that the influence of mass media is positive because people obviously feel good sharing the same experience with millions of others. It is my belief, however, that the negative aspects are much greater than the positive because if everybody does and thinks the same thing, all the richness and variety of life will be lost. 1. Mass media like television, radio and internet have an increasing influence. o Fact o Opinion 2. Some people think this influence is positive. o Fact o Opinion 3. The owners of newspapers, television stations, etc. are very rich and powerful. o Fact o Opinion 4. I believe this can be very dangerous for people’s freedom. o Fact o Opinion 5. Everybody wants to copy what is fashionable.
o Fact o Opinion 6. We may lose independent thought. o Fact o Opinion 7. The world becomes a much more boring place. o Fact o Opinion 8. People obviously feel good sharing the same experience with millions of others. o Fact o Opinion 9. If everybody does and thinks the same thing, all the richness and variety of life will be lost. o Fact o Opinion Unit 6: Exercise 9 Read the sentences. Are they facts or opinions? Change the facts to opinions or the opinions to facts. Use the words in brackets. The first one has been done for you. 1. The influence of mass media is growing. (think / probably) I think the influence of mass media is probably growing. 2. Many people think this influence is negative. (is / definitely) This __________________________________________________________ 3. Control of the media by a few people is dangerous. (believe / can) I __________________________________________________________ 4. In my opinion, people often like to follow fashion. (always / follow) People __________________________________________________________ 5. It’s boring when everyone is the same. (people / feel)