Some People Think Movies Should Only be for Entertainment - IELTS Writing Task 2

In the IELTS Writing Task 2, you will be asked to write a formal essay of at least 250 words, in 4-5 paragraphs, based on the given essay topic. The task is similar for both Academic and General Training with regard to the type of questions and the scoring.

Notably, the topics given for General Training will be slightly easier than those for Academic. Given below is a discussion essay on the topic “Some People Think Movies Should Only be for Entertainment” with 2 sample answers that will help you to practise and get a good score.

So why wait? Let us begin practising the topic under IELTS Writing Task 2,' now!

Question

Structure Breakdown

Also Read: How to Write an IELTS Discussion Essay

Some People Think Movies Should Only be for Entertainment - Band 8 Sample Answer

Some individuals argue that movies should exist primarily to entertain audiences. Whereas, another set of people think that movies should be only for educational purposes and none else. However, this essay will discuss both sides with relevant examples. 

On one side, people tend to believe that films are a form of escapism and that they offer the viewers a chance to relax and forget their daily worries. From this perspective, movies serve a similar function to other leisure activities, just like sports or music. If films focus too much on education or moral lessons, they may become less interesting and fail to attract viewers. For example, Entertainment-focused films, like action blockbusters or comedy movies, often become successful and have a good reach among the people as they spark happiness, eagerness, and emotional release, which many people seek at the end of a hectic  day.

On the other hand, many individuals and education counsellors believe that movies should also carry a good amount of educational value. This is because, movies have the power to reach thousands of people and raise awareness about trending issues. For example, historical movies can teach people about important events, while documentaries can highlight very much on scientific, environmental, or even social topics. In this way, the field of cinema can serve as a tool for learning that is both engaging and also impactful.

In my opinion, the most effective films can ideally combine entertainment with education. A purely entertaining movie may be enjoyable in that particular moment but it may not leave a lasting impression. Conversely, a film with only educational content can feel heavy and struggle to sustain the interest of the audience. Hence, when filmmakers blend compelling storytelling along with meaningful information, they not only impress the viewers but also it encourages them to reflect on what they have watched.

To conclude, while some people believe films should focus only on entertainment and others think that education should be present in the movies, I believe that both handled in a balance is the key to an impactful output.

Some People Think Movies Should Only be for Entertainment - Band 9 Sample Answer

Movies have come a long way since the first illustrations and shorts in the early twentieth century. While some believe in the catapulting role a movie brings in stirring a change, others opine that a movie should recluse to just entertainment and nothing more. I opine with the prior, as I feel that movies possess the power to spread the voices of the unheard over mainstream channels, and this essay explains the same.

Ever since India witnessed its first full-length motion picture in the name of “Raja Harishchandra”, cinema has become both a love affair for the cinephiles and a testament to human emotions. Nothing can come close to encapsulating the grandiose of K. Asif’s “Mughal-e-Azam”, or the teary eyes toward the end of James Cameron’s “Titanic”. But, a cinematic experience has further evolved into inculcating educational values and spreading social messages. For instance, the Alia Bhatt – Shah Rukh Khan starrer “Dear Zindagi” gives us some important anecdotes on mental illnesses, especially depression, in a country where discussing psychological issues is still taboo. Apart from giving voice to topics that are neglected, movies possess the ability to give them a stage, relevance, everything culminating into an educating experience for the watcher. Further, they not only represent the age in which they are made but also encourage people to learn more about the historical events that are being shown on the screen, like in the period dramas and biographies.

On the other hand, an argument can be made against it. For instance, movies can be used to spread propaganda. World War II-era German films are often accused of this. Another argument suggests that movies can also go wrong in approaching a sensitive topic, thus drawing public ire. As a result, simply put, movies should focus on entertaining the masses. Moreover, movies don’t always explore the complete depth of a very important topic, portraying the skimmed portion of the top, thus risking the events wherein misinterpretation occurs.

Personally speaking, I am a proponent of freedom of speech. Hence I believe that unless they aren’t harming the sentiments of anyone, movies spreading educational values is indeed a positive thing that should be empowered and promoted.

Vocabulary to Answer the “Some People Think Movies Should Only be for Entertainment” IELTS Essay

• Illustrations

Meaning – a picture illustrating a book, newspaper, etc.
Example – Pam’s illustrations of the company logo are really stunning.

• Catapulting 

Meaning – hurl or launch (something) in a specified direction with or as if with a catapult.
Example – I feel that space exploration is catapulting humans towards technological advancements.

• Stirring

Meaning – an initial sign of activity, movement, or emotion
Example – His resistance to the authority’s unlawful activities led the mineworkers support him and, ultimately stirring many corrective measures.

• Cinephile  

Meaning – a person who is fond of motion pictures.
Example – Ramesh is a cinephile.

• Inculcating  

Meaning – instill (an attitude, idea, or habit) by persistent instruction.
Example – This New Year, I am inculcating a habit of exercising daily.

• Taboo 

Meaning – a social or religious custom prohibiting or forbidding discussion of a particular practice or forbidding association with a particular person, place, or thing.
Example – Even in the 21st century, talking about psychological issues is taboo in many parts of India.

• Culminating 

Meaning – reach a climax or point of highest development.
Example – The hastened partition has culminated in several conflicts between India and Pakistan.

• Propaganda  

Meaning – information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view.
Example – The newspapers are so biased these days that readers are accusing them of spreading propaganda.

• Ire  

Meaning – anger.
Example – The crushing of protests by the government drew public ire.

• Proponent  

Meaning – a person who advocates a theory, proposal, or project.
Example – Mahatma Gandhi was a proponent of “Ahimsa” or non-violence.

Do not forget to read your essay for grammar, vocabulary, and spelling errors once you are done. With consistent practice, you will write well-structured and coherent IELTS Writing Task 2 Discussion essays like the 'Some People Think Movies Should Only be for Entertainment.' It is important to prepare for all different types of essays so that you are aware of their respective structures. This will help you ace the IELTS Exam with a band 8+