Plan this opinion essay about media with the ideas and outline below, write it on a 40-minute timer, then compare it with a band-8 model answer.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Fewer people now watch traditional television; instead they use streaming services to choose what and when to watch. This is a positive development.
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.
GoPrep wrote this practice question in the style of the exam. It is not an official IELTS question.
Pick two or three points from one or both columns. You do not need all of them, and your own examples score better than memorised ones.
Spend the first few minutes planning, then write.
0 words of 250 minimum
Your answer stays on this page only. Copy it before you leave.
Write your own answer first, then compare: how it answers the exact question, what each paragraph does, and which phrases you could borrow.
More and more viewers now use streaming platforms rather than watching scheduled television. In my opinion, this is largely a positive change, although it brings a few drawbacks.
The main advantage is control. Instead of waiting for a programme to be broadcast at a fixed time, viewers can choose what to watch and when, which fits modern working patterns and family routines. Streaming services are also free from the constant interruptions of advertising, so people enjoy programmes more fully. In addition, these platforms give access to films and series from around the world, often with subtitles. Someone in Uzbekistan can watch a Korean drama or a Spanish documentary and, in doing so, practise a language and learn about another culture, something traditional channels rarely offered.
However, there are some negatives. Because streaming is personal, people often watch alone on a phone or laptop, whereas a television in the living room used to bring the family together. Subscriptions can also add up; a household with three services may spend more than it did on a cable package. Furthermore, recommendation systems tend to suggest more of the same type of programme, which narrows what people see, and automatic playing of the next episode encourages binge-watching late into the night.
I believe these problems can be managed by individuals. Families can agree to watch certain programmes together, share subscriptions and set a limit on how many episodes they watch. These small adjustments keep the benefits of choice and variety without the harm.
To conclude, streaming gives viewers greater freedom, wider content and a better experience, and its disadvantages are outweighed by these benefits.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| streaming service | website or app delivering video on demand |
| on demand | available when you want |
| binge-watch | watch many episodes in a row |
| subscription | regular payment for a service |
| traditional broadcasting | TV sent to many at fixed times |
| passive viewing | watching without thinking much |
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