Nowadays More and More Children Play Computer Games - IELTS Writing Task 2

In the IELTS Writing Task 2, the topic, ‘Nowadays More and More Children Play Computer Games’, is a positive and negative development essay wherein you must be presenting the arguments on both sides, showing each of their balanced viewpoints. 

As you attempt this IELTS Writing Task 2 essay, the arguments must be crystal clear, with a logical sequencing. Hence, looking at both the positives and negatives will help you create balance, coherence, and critical thinking.

Usually, in the IELTS Writing task 2, like the 'Nowadays More and More Children Play Computer Games,' students are asked to write an essay of at least 250 words, in 4-5 paragraphs, based on the given IELTS Writing Task 2 Positive/Negative essay topics and other question types too!

So why wait? Let us begin practicing now!

Structure Breakdown 

Do not forget that planning an outline for an essay in the IELTS Writing plays an important part in getting you a band of 8+. It helps in keeping your answer clear and coherent at the same time not letting you move away from the question. 

Let us now look at the structure breakdown for the positive and negative essay topic, ‘Nowadays More and More Children Play Computer Games.’

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Question

Band 8 Sample Answer - Nowadays More and More Children Play Computer Games

Many adults now enjoy playing computer games during their free time. In my opinion, this is a result of developments in mobile technology and is decidedly negative since computer games encourage passivity.

The main reason children play digital games is that these games are built in a way that they do not require any physical effort and youngsters become addicted to playing them. Due to this reason, they spend an enormous amount of time in front of the screen. Also, in this modern era, parents have a hectic schedule in both personal and professional life, and hence, they cannot pay much attention to their children. As a result, they try to provide them with all the facilities and gadgets under one roof but restrict outdoor activities. Moreover, children spend 6 to 7 hours in school and extra tuition for 1 to 2 hours, and thus when they get a meagre amount of time, they are inclined towards playing games on their electronic devices rather than going out. Finally, playgrounds are significantly fewer nowadays, and sometimes children have to travel a lot to reach the same.

Regardless, engaging in electronic games extensively is a recusant development because there are umpteen health concerns incidental to playing computer games. For example, youngsters tend to stare at screens for hours while playing games, which weakens their eyesight and results in diseases related to obesity, such as bad cholesterol. It also adds to the disruption in their social communication, especially in making new friends. Moreover, it tends to affect mental health too.

To conclude, video games might keep children engaged for hours on end, but they do not help the overall development of children. So I firmly believe that spending too much time playing computer games can be very harmful for the upcoming generation.

Band 9 Sample Answer - Nowadays More and More Children Play Computer Games

These days, an increasing number of children spend a great amount of time playing computer games. This act can be attributed to several social and technological factors, and this has sparked debate about whether this represents a positive or negative development.  Computer games do offer certain benefits for children, but I firmly believe that their growing popularity is kind of a large negative development if not properly controlled.

One of the main reasons children these days are highly drawn to computer games is the rapid advancement in technology. Smartphones, tablets, and PC monitors are now widely available in many households, which in turn made games easily accessible at any time. In addition to this, modern games are designed to be entirely engaging, with high end graphics, rewards, and a great online interaction, which is naturally appealing to young minds. One more contributing factor is the busy lifestyle of their parents, who may allow them to play games as a convenient form of activity or supervision when they are occupied with their office work or household responsibilities.

On the positive side, these games can contribute to children’s cognitive development when used in a limited amount. Certain games help children improve problem-solving skills, coordination, and strategic thinking. Educational games, in particular, can easily support learning in subjects such as science, mathematics, and language in an enjoyable way. 

However, despite these benefits, the addictive use of computer games can inflict serious negative consequences among the children. Spending longer hours in front of computer screens often leads to a lack of physical activity, which in turn increases the risk of obesity and other health problems. Adding on, children who are overly addicted to gaming may neglect their studies, and end up in a poor academic performance.

To conclude, although the rise in computer gaming among young people these days is driven by technological progress and offers some educational advantages, it is generally a negative development when it is taken to extremes, according to me. Hence, parents and educators should closely monitor their gaming habits and encourage a balanced lifestyle that includes proper physical activity, face-to-face interaction with people, and a good academic focus.

Vocabulary to Use in “Nowadays More and More Children Play Computer Games”

• Passivity

Meaning – acceptance of what happens, without active response or resistance.
Example – One must learn to transform passivity into initiative.

• Enormous

Meaning – very large in size, quantity, or extent.
Example – Anna has an enormous capacity for hard work.

• Hectic

Meaning – full of incessant or frantic activity.
Example – I’ve had a pretty hectic day after a very long time.

• Restrict

Meaning – put a limit on; keep under control.
Example – Having small children tends to restrict one’s freedom.

• Meagre

Meaning – (of something provided or available) lacking in quantity or quality.
Example – People were forced to supplement their meagre earnings in the inflated economy.

• Recusant

Meaning – a person who refuses to submit to an authority or to comply with a regulation.
Example – I came from a recusant family and was educated at Catholic schools.

• Umpteen

Meaning – indefinitely many; a lot of.
Example – I’ve told the story of meeting your mother umpteen times.

• Incidental

Meaning – happening as a minor accompaniment to something else.
Example – The discovery was incidental to their main research.

• Disruption

Meaning – disturbance or problems which interrupt an event, activity, or process.
Example – The new law caused widespread disruption among the masses.

• Obesity

Meaning – the state of being grossly fat or overweight.
Example – Overeating is surely the main cause of obesity.

When you practice writing an essay for the IELTS Exam, you must first learn how to brainstorm ideas. Even though the sample answers are provided for this, you still need to attempt ideating yourself first before looking at the answers. This will help you to jot down areas of improvement and work towards acquiring the skill to boost your IELTS preparation. So, keep looking at different topics and get yourself familiarized with multiple writing task 2 essay types!