Unit 6: Exercise 2
Planning your essay in IELTS Writing Task 2 is very important. This makes sure that your
ideas are relevant and answer the question. Look at the essay question again.
Some people believe the mass media have too much influence over people. To what extent do
you agree or disagree?
Select the ideas that are not relevant.
Agree Disagree
[Link] of media groups force their own ideas on [Link] have lots of gossip
people
[Link] is boring and has too many ads [Link] of choice is important
[Link] creativity as we always follow fashion [Link] us understand different issues
[Link] many people play computer games [Link] us a common interest
[Link] individual thought – we are told what to [Link] and TV can stop loneliness
think
Unit 6: Exercise 3
Put the paragraphs in the correct order to complete the essay.
[Link] are several key reasons why the influence of mass media is negative. The first
reason is political; the owners of newspapers, television stations, etc. are very rich and
powerful and only give news and opinions which support their political view. I believe this
can be very dangerous for people’s freedom because different opinions are not discussed
and we receive only one side of an argument.
[Link] second main problem is that mass media destroy creativity. It is a fact that
everybody wants to copy what is fashionable, but if only one view of the world is
presented in the media, there is no room for different cultures and ideas. This leads to a
further problem in that we may lose independent thought which could lead to a society full
of people who behave like robots. Therefore, in my opinion, the world becomes a much
more boring place.
[Link] people will argue that the influence of mass media is positive because people
obviously feel good sharing the same experience with millions of others. It is my belief,
however, that the negative aspects are much greater than the positive because if everybody
does and thinks the same thing, all the richness and variety of life will be lost.
D. As communications technology improves, there is no doubt that mass media like
television, radio and internet have an increasing influence on the lives of everybody. Some
people think this influence is positive as it allows freedom of choice, but many people
worry that this situation has a negative impact on society. I strongly agree with the second
opinion and will discuss below the reasons why.
1. D
2. A
3. B
4. C
Unit 6: Exercise 4
Look at the essay question again.
Some people believe the mass media have too much influence over people. To what extent do
you agree or disagree?
Then read the student’s essay. Which ideas did the student include in his/her answer? Choose
the correct answers.
As communications technology improves, there is no doubt that mass media like
television, radio and internet have an increasing influence on the lives of everybody. Some
people think this influence is positive as it allows freedom of choice, but many people
worry that this situation has a negative impact on society. I strongly agree with the second
opinion and will discuss below the reasons why.
There are several key reasons why the influence of mass media is negative. The first
reason is political; the owners of newspapers, television stations, etc. are very rich and
powerful and only give news and opinions which support their political view. I believe this
can be very dangerous for people’s freedom because different opinions are not discussed
and we receive only one side of an argument.
The second main problem is that mass media destroy creativity. It is a fact that everybody
wants to copy what is fashionable, but if only one view of the world is presented in the
media, there is no room for different cultures and ideas. This leads to a further problem in
that we may lose independent thought which could lead to a society full of people who
behave like robots. Therefore, in my opinion, the world becomes a much more boring
place.
Some people will argue that the influence of mass media is positive because people
obviously feel good sharing the same experience with millions of others. It is my belief,
however, that the negative aspects are much greater than the positive because if everybody
does and thinks the same thing, all the richness and variety of life will be lost.
Agree
1. Owners of media groups force their own ideas on people
o Yes
o No
2. TV is boring and has too many ads
o Yes
o No
3. Stops creativity as we always follow fashion
o Yes
o No
4. Too many people play computer games
o Yes
o No
5. Stops individual thought – we are told what to think
o Yes
o No
Disagree
6. Newspapers have lots of gossip
o Yes
o No
7. Freedom of choice is important
o Yes
o No
8. Helps us understand different issues
o Yes
o No
9. Gives us a common interest
o Yes
o No
[Link] and TV can stop loneliness
o Yes
o No
Unit 6: Exercise 5
Look at the notes. Then put the words in the correct order to complete the sentences.
TV, etc. becoming more important
Every body. Have an increasing lives the that
mass media of on doubt influence
1. There is no ____doubt_____ ____that_____ ____mass_____ _____media____
____have_____ ____an_____ ____increasing_____ ____influence_____ _____on____
____the_____ ____lives_____ _____of____ _____every body____
good – lots of options for people
It as this allows positive influence is freedom of
choice.
2. Some people think __this__ ___influence__ __is __ ____positive_____
____as_____ ____it _____ _____allows____ ____freedom of choice_____
support one political position
Support news and which political opinions view.
Their
3. They only give ____news and_____ _____opinions____ ____with_____
_____support____ _____their____ ____political_____ ____view_____
only get one opinion from mass media
Discussed not are side receive only of and we an
argument one
4. Different opinions ____ are_____ ____ not_____ ____ discussed_____ ____ and
we_____ _____ receive only____ _____ one____ ____ side_____ _____ of____ ____
argument_____
people like to follow new trends
To wants what is fashionable. Copy every body
that
5. It is a fact ____ that_____ ____ every body_____ ____ wants_____ _____to____
____copy_____ ____ what_____ ____ is_____ ____fashionable_____
life is less interesting
Becoming more much place. A boring
6. The world is ____becoming_____ _____much____ _____more____ ____a_____
____boring_____ _____place____
people like mass media
The millions same others. Sharing good
experience with of
7. People obviously feel ____good____ ____sharing_____ _____ the____
____same____ ____ experience_____ ____with_____ ____ millions_____
____of_____ ____others_____
Unit 6: Exercise 6 Complete the essay. Use the phrases in the box.
I believe this in my opinion it is my belief, however the first reason
is the second main problem there are several key reasons why
As communications technology improves, there is no doubt that mass media like television,
radio and internet have an increasing influence on the lives of everybody. Some people think
this influence is positive as it allows freedom of choice, but many people worry that this
situation has a negative impact on society. I strongly agree with the second opinion and will
discuss below the reasons why.
___there are several key reasons why______ the influence of mass media is negative.
________the first reason is__________ political; the owners of newspapers, television
stations, etc. are very rich and powerful and only give news and opinions which support their
political view.
________I believe this_________ can be very dangerous for people’s freedom because
different opinions are not discussed and we receive only one side of an argument.
_______the second main problem_______ is that mass media destroy creativity. It is a fact
that everybody wants to copy what is fashionable, but if only one view of the world is
presented in the media, there is no room for different cultures and ideas. This leads to a
further problem in that we may lose independent thought which could lead to a society full
of people who behave like robots. Therefore, ____in my opinion_____ , the world
becomes a much more boring place.
Some people will argue that the influence of mass media is positive because people
obviously feel good sharing the same experience with millions of others. _____it is my
belief, however______ , that the negative aspects are much greater than the positive
because if everybody does and thinks the same thing, all the richness and variety of life will
be lost.
Unit 6: Exercise 7
Complete the sentences. Use the words and phrases in the box. You should use each word or
phrase only once.
Agree belief believe connected key reasons main problem
opinion
1. I strongly ______ Agree________ with this opinion.
2. There are several ________ key reasons________ why this is not correct.
3. The first reason is ______ connected________ with politics.
4. I ________ believe__________ these people are wrong.
5. The second ______ main problem________is with people’s opinions.
6. In my _______ opinion________ , we must do something about it.
7. It is my ________ belief_______ that governments should make stricter laws.
Unit 6: Exercise 8
An agree/disagree essay should contain both facts and opinions.
Read the information. Then read the student’s essay again and decide if the points in bold are
facts or opinions.
Facts and opinions can be shown by using specific language.
Facts are general statements which cannot be argued.
Example: It has been shown that more people find out about the news through the internet.
This is a fact.
We use words such as ‘think’ and ‘believe’ to express opinions. These ideas are personal.
Example: I think the TV news is much better than online news.
This is an opinion.
As communications technology improves, there is no doubt that mass media like television,
radio and internet have an increasing influence on the lives of everybody. Some people
think this influence is positive as it allows freedom of choice but many people worry that
this situation has a negative impact on society. I strongly agree with the second opinion and
will discuss below the reasons why.
There are several key reasons why the influence of mass media is negative. The first reason
is political; the owners of newspapers, television stations, etc. are very rich and
powerful and only give news and opinions which support their political view. I believe this
can be very dangerous for people’s freedom because different opinions are not discussed
and we receive only one side of an argument.
The second main problem is that mass media destroy creativity. It is a fact that everybody
wants to copy what is fashionable, but if only one view of the world is presented in the
media, there is no room for different cultures and ideas. This leads to a further problem in
that we may lose independent thought which could lead to a society full of people who
behave like robots. Therefore, in my opinion, the world becomes a much more boring
place.
Some people will argue that the influence of mass media is positive because people
obviously feel good sharing the same experience with millions of others. It is my belief,
however, that the negative aspects are much greater than the positive because if everybody
does and thinks the same thing, all the richness and variety of life will be lost.
1. Mass media like television, radio and internet have an increasing influence.
o Fact
o Opinion
2. Some people think this influence is positive.
o Fact
o Opinion
3. The owners of newspapers, television stations, etc. are very rich and powerful.
o Fact
o Opinion
4. I believe this can be very dangerous for people’s freedom.
o Fact
o Opinion
5. Everybody wants to copy what is fashionable.
o Fact
o Opinion
6. We may lose independent thought.
o Fact
o Opinion
7. The world becomes a much more boring place.
o Fact
o Opinion
8. People obviously feel good sharing the same experience with millions of others.
o Fact
o Opinion
9. If everybody does and thinks the same thing, all the richness and variety of life will be
lost.
o Fact
o Opinion
Unit 6: Exercise 9
Read the sentences. Are they facts or opinions? Change the facts to opinions or the opinions
to facts. Use the words in brackets. The first one has been done for you.
1. The influence of mass media is growing. (think / probably)
I think the influence of mass media is probably growing.
2. Many people think this influence is negative. (is / definitely)
This influence is definitely negative.
3. Control of the media by a few people is dangerous. (believe / can)
I believe the media can be controlled by a few people is dangerous.
4. In my opinion, people often like to follow fashion. (always / follow)
People always like to follow fashion.
5. It’s boring when everyone is the same. (people / feel)
Many people feel bored when everyone is the same.
6. Mass media influence has more negative than positive effects. (opinion / may)
In my opinion mass media influence may has more negative than positive effect.
Unit 6: Exercise 10
WRITING TASK 1
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic.
Newspapers are less important nowadays because we have up-to-date access to the news
on the internet. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Give reasons for your answers and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.
You should write at least 250 words.
LISTENING
D. LISTENING
Exercise 1 : Read the information. Then match the words and phrases with those that
have a similar meaning
a narrow range - a small selection
the design of the building – the way it’s laid out
a lack of cash – have less money
pictures – images
attractive – appealing
answer - responses
statistic - data
buy online – shop using the internet
Exercise 2 : Read the information. Then listen and choose the correct answer, A, B or
C. (Track 6.1)
Exercise 3. Read the information. Then match the sentences with the reasons or results.
1–
2-
3 – They did this after gathering information from nearby resident.
4-
5-
Exercise 4. Then listen and choose five answers to complete the flow chart. Write the
correct letters, A–I. (Track 6.2)
Exercise 5. You are going to hear two students talking to a physiotherapist. Listen and
answer questions 1 – 5. (Track 6.3)
Exercise 6. Listen to the next part of the conversation and answer questions 6-10
(Track 6.4)