Some People Believe that Reading Stories from a Book is Better than Watching TV - IELTS Writing Task 2

With easy access to online games and social media, children nowadays are moving away from reading. However, some argue that reading stories from books provides greater developmental benefits. This debate is the reason why IELTS Agree/Disagree essays, like ‘Some People Believe that Reading Stories from a Book is Better than Watching TV’, have become the most common type of question in IELTS Writing Task 2. 

In this article, we examine sample answers for the IELTS agree-disagree essay on the topic ‘Some People Believe that Reading Stories from a Book is Better than Watching TV’, along with an outline and relevant IELTS vocabulary, which is crucial for achieving a high band score.

Learn how to write the perfect IELTS Agree/Disagree essay for Band 9 score with the guide below!

Essay Question for Some People Believe that Reading Stories from a Book is Better than Watching TV

Outline for IELTS Agree/Disagree Essay

When you receive this type of essay question, the examiner expects a clear opinion with logical development. You can either completely agree, completely disagree, or present a balanced opinion, but your stance must be consistent throughout. Given below is the outline that will help you to understand how to write agree-disagree essays in IELTS.

Sample Answers for Some People Believe that Reading Stories from a Book is Better than Watching TV IELTS Writing Task 2

Each of the three essays addresses the IELTS Writing Task 2 topic, 'Some People Believe that Reading Stories from a Book is Better than Watching TV'. Therefore, to achieve your desired writing band score, ensure that you carefully examine the three IELTS Band 9 essay samples given below.

Some People Believe that Reading Stories from a Book is Better than Watching TV - Sample Answer 1 (Disagreement)

While it has been said that reading books for pleasure rather than watching TV is more beneficial for one’s imagination and acquiring language skills, I contend that the role of the former in boosting intelligence and language ability is equal to the latter.

One the one hand, books are instrumental in enhancing children’s imagination and development. A kid reading a fairly tale with illustration will have to think, fantasize and use their creativeness to comprehend ideas and reasoning, which in turn sharpen their mental skills. Moreover, reading books helps to improve language skills. Spending time reading a book which is not written in our mother tongue leads to the development of a strong language base referring to its vocabulary, or comprehending meaning of a word in different contexts. Besides, reading out a book for children is also an effective way to help them improve their communication skill, which is greatly stimulated as the kids grab a spoken word and use it in daily conversations.

On the other hand, watching TV is considered an important activity as reading in order to cultivate one’s imaginativeness regarding its characteristics of programs. Firstly, when audiences watch a tourism channel for example, they are exposed to a wide range of knowledge by seizing images of worldwide landscapes or feel tastes of specialties in various geographical regions. The broadcasting of quiz shows serves as an efficient learning tool for both children and adults who prefer taking challenges which involve critical thinking. Secondly, the role of TV in boosting linguistic competence is pivotal. Recent English programs not only support audience to remember words easily by associating them with vivid images shown on the screen but catch their constant attention with entertaining aspects.

In conclusion, while the benefits of reading are undeniable, they cannot outweigh the role of TV in enhancing a person’s imaginativeness and language skills.

Some People Believe that Reading Stories from a Book is Better than Watching TV - Sample Answer 2 (Agreement)

In an era dominated by screens, many parents and educators question the best approach to early childhood development. Some people firmly believe that reading books is superior to watching television or playing computer games. I completely agree with this view as reading offers numerous developmental advantages for children.

Reading is instrumental in building linguistic competence, vocabulary, and critical thinking. When a child reads a fairy tale, they are not only absorbing language but also fantasising and developing their imaginative thinking. Unlike visual media, books require children to visualise scenes, characters, and plotlines, which enhances their cognitive development and empathy. Moreover, books often contain a clear narrative structure, helping young readers grasp sequencing and cause-effect relationships.

By contrast, while educational TV shows and computer games may offer some learning elements, they often result in passive consumption. Children receive information visually and aurally, but engage less actively compared to reading. Worse still, the rapid pace of modern digital media can cause overstimulation, leading to reduced attention spans and restlessness. Therefore, while the latter may be engaging, the former is undoubtedly more pivotal to a child’s all-round development.

In conclusion, although multimedia content may have limited value in moderation, reading stories from books remains the most effective and enriching activity for children. It cultivates language skills, imagination, and focus, qualities that are often lost in the age of screens.

Some People Believe that Reading Stories from a Book is Better than Watching TV - Sample Answer 3 (Balanced View)

In today’s technology-driven world, the debate over whether reading stories from books is more beneficial for children than engaging with screens remains highly relevant. While I agree that reading offers unparalleled advantages for children’s development, I also believe that certain types of screen-based content can be educational if used purposefully and in moderation.

To begin with, reading plays a pivotal role in enhancing a child’s linguistic competence, imagination, and critical thinking skills. When children read fairy tales or fictional narratives, they are not just absorbing stories. They are developing imaginative thinking, improving vocabulary, and learning about complex narrative structures. Reading also demands focus and deep engagement, which in turn strengthens cognitive development and emotional intelligence. These benefits are hard to replicate through most forms of screen-based entertainment.

That being said, not all screen content is detrimental. High-quality educational programs and interactive computer games designed for learning can offer valuable lessons in science, language, and problem-solving. For example, animated documentaries or simulation-based games can teach children real-world skills in an engaging manner. The key is selecting content that carries genuine educational value, rather than simply offering entertainment. With parental supervision, children can benefit from both media, and the odds of balanced development increase significantly when learning is diversified.

In conclusion, although I firmly believe that reading books remains the most effective method for nurturing young minds, screen-based media, when carefully chosen, can complement traditional learning. Therefore, a blended approach that combines the strengths of both can provide the most holistic educational experience for children.

Vocabulary to Use for Some People Believe that Reading Stories from a Book is Better than Watching TV - IELTS Writing Task 2

Since lexical resources account for 25% of your writing scores, it is important to brush up on some synonyms for IELTS Writing that will help you avoid repeating words and phrases and add variety to your essay.

Given below are some important vocabulary related to the topic, ‘Some People Believe that Reading Stories from a Book is Better than Watching TV’, that have been used in the above sample answers.

In the end, whether you are supporting reading or engaging in social media and TV, it is important to express your opinion coherently with the right vocabulary. So, make a habit of taking up IELTS Writing practice tests regularly and create a strategy for yourself that will help you improve your writing skills for a Band 7+ score.

Useful Links:

• Every Year several Languages Die Out – IELTS Writing Task 2
• Some People Believe that Air Travel Should be Restricted - IELTS Agree or Disagree Essay
• More and More People Read News on the Internet - IELTS Writing Task 2 (Agree Disagree Essay)
• Excessive Use of Modern Technologies - IELTS Writing Task 2 (Agree-Disagree Essay)
• 15 Synonyms to Express ‘My Opinion' in IELTS
• Should I Give My Opinion in IELTS Writing Task 2?
• Top Writing Techniques for the IELTS Writing Section