Writing Paper: Part 2

Task type: Article

Question
You have seen the following announcement in an international
magazine for 16-25 year olds:

'Young people are spending more time each day on

their computers than watching television. Is this a
change for the better?'

We are interested in your views on this topic. You can contribute to

the debate by sending us a short article with your opinion.

Write your article for the magazine (around 120-180 words).

Name: Irina
Before addressing the question of what is better for young people, I would like to remind {***} {1}that both
activities (spending time on a computer and watching television) are harmful for children's/teen's{2} health. {***}

At the other side {3} it's impossible to imagine our life without computers and television.

With the help of computers young people can meet new friends, find out a lot of information, {***} {4} take part
in forums and discussions. Surfing the Internet needs imagination, logical thinking and knowledge. Young
people are able to choose what they want to watch/read/listen to, and the choice is practically unlimited.

Television can't give such an opportunity.

Precisely here is found the crux of the problem{5}. There are plenty of free sites with content far from
morality{6}; many computer games impose cruelty. And the idea that, spending time in Internet's chats young
people develop their social skills, is problematic{7}. I wish it would be so!{8} But getting used to the Internet's
rules of comunication, they might find it difficult to face up to reality, {***} {9}make friends in the real world.

For my part, I spend a lot of time on my computer (learning English and working). But when I want to relax I'd
rather watch TV with my friends than loiter away {10} time sitting alone in front of the computer!
Feedback

This is a really interesting essay, Irina. I enjoyed reading your views on the internet and the effect it is
having on young people.
You are ambitious in your choice of vocabulary and grammatical structures, which is very good for an
examiner to see at this level (FCE). Just occasionally, your expression misses the mark but the changes
I have made are relatively minor. Be careful not to miss out the final 'and' when you are listing points.

Thanks for sending it in and good luck if you are doing the exam in March or June.

Fiona Joseph
14.2.01

Exit

Other Answers

Vakho Jandieri
English Language Study Centre, Tbilisi, Georgia
Computers play an important role in people's everyday life. It
enables them to find appropriate information in detail in a few
minutes, complete their work effectively and accurately and even
make new friends using Internet.

On the other hand, TV that is also a source of the information,

doesn't give people the best opportunity to gain high knowledge
about specific issues to satisfy their interests and demands.

However, both computers and TV have many disadvantages for a

variety of reasons. The main problem, the humanity faces
nowadays, is a radiation. This drawback might also outweigh the
plus points of computer and TV. From my point of view, despite
the disadvantage mentioned above, it is understandable and
acceptable that people all over the world in such a competitive
society prefer spending more time each day on their computers
than watching TV. I think it's more effective method to cope with
the problems related to the work and overcome many other
difficulties.