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)


Many __________________________________________________________

6. Mass media influence has more negative than positive effects. (opinion / may)

In __________________________________________________________




Unit 6: Exercise 10
WRITING TASK 1

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic.

Newspapers are less important nowadays because we have up-to-date access to the news on
the internet. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answers and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.




Please add text into the Student post.

                                     Student post:


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