IELTS HUBIELTS Agree Disagree Essay on Tech & Family & Education
Full IELTS Writing Task 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Computer games are very popular for all ages and nationalities. Parents think this has little educational value and it will be harmful for children.
To what extent Do you agree or disagree?
Write at least 250 words.
Introduction
Paraphrase topic (computer games popular but potentially harmful/low educational value). State strong agreement with this negative view. Briefly list the main reasons to be discussed (mental growth effects, addiction, unsuitable content).
Body Paragraph 1 View 1
Topic sentence: Games often lack promotion of crucial mental skills beyond quick reflexes. Explanation: Promote shallow engagement over deep thinking. Immediate rewards reduce patience/determination.
Body Paragraph 2 View 2
Topic sentence: Addictive quality is a major risk. Explanation: Engaging elements lead to excessive gaming, sacrificing real-life interactions. Results include social withdrawal, lack of sleep, and depression.
Body Paragraph 3 Opinion
Topic sentence: Uncontrolled content exposes children to unsuitable themes and violence. Explanation: Aggression portrayal desensitizes children, distorts norms. Online anonymity allows cyberbullying.
Conclusion
Summarize the main points (limited educational value, damaging effects). Restate strong agreement with the negative view. Briefly reiterate the reasons (lack of mental skills, addiction risk, unsuitable content exposure).
Band 9 Sample Answer:
Most people believe that computer games, although popular, provide little educational value and could even harm children, a view I strongly agree with. This opinion is based on the possible negative effects on children's mental growth, the danger of addiction, and the chance of encountering unsuitable content.
Firstly, while computer games can enhance quick decision-making and hand-eye coordination, they often don't promote important mental skills like problem-solving, creativity, and analytical thinking. Many games are fast and reactive, promoting shallow involvement instead of deep, thoughtful engagement. Also, the immediate rewards provided by these games can reduce a child's patience and determination, crucial qualities for academic achievement and personal development.
Secondly, the addictive quality of computer games is a big risk to children's mental health and social growth. The attractive graphics, engaging stories, and the feeling of accomplishment from progressing levels can lead to excessive gaming, often at the cost of real-life interactions and experiences. This fixation can result in social withdrawal, lack of sleep, and even depression, negatively affecting a child's overall health.
Lastly, the uncontrolled content in many computer games exposes children to unsuitable themes and violence. The vivid portrayals of aggression and cruelty, often rewarded in these games, can make children insensitive to real-world violence and distort their perception of societal norms and values. Moreover, the anonymity of online gaming platforms can leave children open to cyberbullying and other types of online harassment.
In conclusion, I firmly believe that computer games, although fun, offer limited educational benefits and can indeed be damaging to children. This position is supported by the lack of mental skill development, the danger of addiction, and the possible exposure to unsuitable content common in many of these games.
Band 7 Sample Answer:
The prevailing notion is that computer games, despite their universal appeal, offer minimal educational benefits and may even be detrimental to children, a perspective with which I wholeheartedly concur. This belief is predicated on the potential negative impacts on children's cognitive development, the risk of addiction, and the potential for exposure to inappropriate content.
To begin with, while computer games can stimulate quick thinking and improve hand-eye coordination, they often fail to foster critical cognitive skills such as problem-solving, creativity, and analytical thinking. The fast-paced, reactive nature of many games tends to encourage superficial engagement rather than deep, reflective thought. Moreover, the instant gratification provided by these games can diminish a child's patience and perseverance, essential traits for academic success and personal growth.
Secondly, the addictive nature of computer games poses a significant risk to children's mental health and social development. The compelling graphics, captivating storylines, and the sense of achievement from advancing levels can lead to excessive gaming, often at the expense of real-world interactions and experiences. This obsession can result in social isolation, sleep deprivation, and even depression, thereby hindering a child's overall well-being.
Lastly, the unregulated content in many computer games exposes children to inappropriate themes and violence. The graphic depictions of aggression and brutality, often rewarded in these games, can desensitize children to real-world violence and distort their understanding of social norms and values. Furthermore, the anonymity of online gaming platforms can make children vulnerable to cyberbullying and other forms of online abuse.
In conclusion, I firmly maintain that computer games, while entertaining, have limited educational value and can indeed be harmful to children. This stance is substantiated by the lack of cognitive skill development, the risk of addiction, and the potential exposure to inappropriate content inherent in many of these games.