You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Some people believe that reading stories from a book is better than watching TV or playing computer games for children. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Sample Answer
It is true that many people argue that it is better to read stories to children than to allow youngsters to spend too much time watching TV or playing computer games. I completely agree with this argument for both positive and negative reasons.
There are several positive reasons to encourage children to read stories from a book. Firstly, a regular habit of reading bedtime stories to children helps to strengthen family bonds, by spending time together in a shared activity. For example, when I was a young child, my father used to read stories to me most nights. Secondly, reading stories from books stimulates the imagination, and such stories tend to stick in one’s mind longer than watching videos or playing a computer game. Finally, stories from a book broaden one’s literary horizons and develop literary appreciation skills useful in later life.
By contrast, there are negative aspects of the habits of watching TV or playing computer games which many youngsters develop as they grow up. A sedentary lifestyle, for instance, is detrimental to health. Children who become couch potatoes through spending too much time in front of the TV or computer screen are prone to obesity, which carries health risks such as diabetes or heart disease. Another factor is that hours spent on computer games or watching TV discourages real interaction, which is important because youngsters need
to relate personally to others. This is impossible if they are glued to a screen which occupies all their attention.
In conclusion, for both positive and negative reasons, I would argue that it is better for children to read stories from a book than to waste time watching TV or playing video games.
281 words.
Vocab Highlights
Vocabulary from reading:
bedtime stories: stories told to children before they sleep
Example: Parents should spend time with their children, for example by telling them bedtime stories every night.
to stick in your mind: (of a memory, an image, etc.) to be remembered for a long time
Example: When children learn a foreign language in primary school, words and phrases tend to stick in their minds almost without the effort of learning them in a formal way.
to broaden one’s literary horizons: to widen the limit of your desires, knowledge, or interests by reading widely Example: Schools should broaden the literary horizons of pupils by encouraging them to read in class and at home.
literary appreciation: pleasure that you have when your recognize and enjoy the qualities of a good piece of writing
Example: Children develop literary appreciation if they are encouraged by parents and teachers to love reading.
Vocabulary from health:
sedentary lifestyle: involving little exercise or physical activity
Example: A sedentary lifestyle is a major factor in health problems such as obesity and heart disease.
to be detrimental to health: to be harmful to health
Example: Lying in the sun for too long can be detrimental to health and result in skin cancers.
to be prone to obesity: to be likely to become fat [in an unhealthy way]
Example: Children who are addicted to watching television, instead of playing outdoor games, are more prone to obesity.
to carry health risks: to have effects which could be bad for one’s health
Example: Smoking and drinking alchohol are potentially dangerous habits, because they carry serious health risks.
Vocabulary from technology:
to discourage real interaction: to result in less face-to-face communication with other people
Example: the availability of new communication technologies may also have the result of isolating people and discouraging real interaction.
Other vocabulary:
bond [noun]: something that forms a connection between people or groups, such as a feeling of friendship or shared experiences and ideas
Example: She felt a bond of friendship for the other girls in her class.
couch potato [noun]: a person who spends a lot of time sitting and watching TV
Example: Last year he subscribed to a sports channel, and now he has become a real couch potato.
to be glued to something [expression]: to give all your attention to something
Example: He spent all of the journey glued to his phone, and he never spoke a single word to me.