Children Can Learn Effectively by Watching Television – IELTS Writing Task 2

Children can learn effectively by watching television. Therefore they should be encouraged to watch television both at home and at school. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Outline

Essay Type

Opinion Essay (Agree or Disagree)

Introduction

Sentences 1, 2 & 3: Introduce the given topic with the effects of media.

Sentence 4 – I disagree that children should be exposed to television both at home and school.

Body Paragraphs

Paragraphs 1 – Exposure to television may affect health.

Paragraph 2 – Watching television continuously may lead to addiction.

Conclusion

Sum up and state your opinion.

Sample Essay

With the development of technology, media plays an important role in the field of education. Many people are of the opinion that when students are taught with the help of computers, mobile phones, and even television, they learn productively. As far as I am concerned, educating a child with the help of television at school and home is commendable, but there should be a limit to the exposure, otherwise, there may be a hindrance to their mental and physical development.

Childhood is a period when everyone enjoys the simple pleasures of life. Running with friends, pursuing adventures, enjoying ice cream and chocolates are some of the activities that make them happy. Nowadays, children are glued to their television or computer screens. There is no scope for physical activity, and they become obese or unhealthy. If the children continuously come in contact with television at home as well as at school, the rays from the screen may affect their eyesight.

Apart from this, when children watch television at home and school, they become addicted. For example, when a child is shown animated videos to understand certain topics, they get an excuse to watch videos on youtube. They tell their parents that the teacher had asked them to watch those videos to understand the topic better. In this way, the parents are bound to allow them and are unable to keep track of their activity. Moreover, some programs on television show excessive violence, which excites the children. They may try to copy their favourite superhero and get hurt in the process. The crime shows may even instigate them to behave in a rude or anti-social way which ultimately becomes detrimental to their development.

Yet, it is irrefutable that television is an effective tool to educate children and adults alike. While shows on National Geography, Animal Planet and Discovery tap on the scientific evolution of a child’s mind, cartoons or game shows help them relax after a long day of study and activities.

To put it in a nutshell, even though watching television both at home and school might help the children, the negative effects outweigh the positive side. So, according to me, elders should keep an eye on their wards and allow them limited time to television at home and school.

Vocabulary

• Commendable

Meaning: deserving praise
Eg: His project on the various ways to generate power was commendable.

• Hindrance

Meaning: a thing that provides resistance, delay, or obstruction to something or someone
Eg: Ulysses overcame all hindrances on his way to reach Ithaca.

• Pursuing

Meaning: continue or proceed along
Eg: The young boy kept on pursuing the journey in order to find the murderer.

• Glued

Meaning: fasten or join with or as if with glue
Eg: The family was glued to the television in such a way that they did not hear the thieves come in.

• Obese

Meaning: extremely fat in a way that is dangerous for health
Eg: You should exercise daily or your lifestyle will make you obese.

• Addicted

Meaning: physically and mentally dependent on a particular thing
Eg: I am addicted to chocolates.

• Animated

Meaning: characterized by movement and activity
Eg: “Did you see the new animated movie?”

• Instigated

Meaning: to start something or cause something to happen
Eg: The witch instigated the common public to revolt against the king.

• Detrimental

Meaning: harmful
Eg: The polluted air in the city is detrimental to the old man’s health.

• Outweigh

Meaning: be heavier, greater, or more significant than
Eg: The benefits of travelling outweigh the cost.