Films and computer games containing violence are popular. Some people say they have a negative effect on society and should be banned. Others say they are just harmless relaxation.

Practice this IELTS Writing Task 2 question on IELTSX. Films and computer games containing violence are popular. Some people say they have a negative effect on society and should be banned. Others say they are just harmless relaxation.

Popularity of violent films and computer games and their impact on society - IELTS Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Write at least 250 words.

A student's answer to this task, and the feedback on it

Written by an IELTSX user under exam conditions and published unedited and anonymously. Band 7 · 415 words.

With the advancement of technology computer games have become an essential part of teenagers’ life. Some people argue that computer games or films do not have any negative influence, as it serves as a tool for relaxation. However, others including myself believe that some movies or games should be banned as they may contain violence which may have a negative impact on ones’ mental health such as making them more aggressive or anxious.

Proponents of the idea that movies and computer games are harmless mostly believe that it serves as an entertainment, helping children to relax. For instance, after a hard study session parents can allow their children to just have fun by playing video games, in most cases parents may even overlook the violence that is shown in the game or in the movies, stating that it’s just a fiction. Additionally, many individuals believe that the core reason for violence can be poor parenting, lack of education or mental health problems, which is obviously not related with video games or movies. Noting that in movies or games there exists age restriction with which parents may regulate the content that their children watch, supporting the idea that movies and games do not have any negative influence on children.

As plausible and compelling as these arguments are, I still stand for the opinion that violence in games and films may impact the mental health of children. People who are consistently exposed to violent games or movies may unconsciously think that aggressive behaviors are acceptable, consequently they may react more aggressively during even small conflicts. Noteworthy, that children are impressionable as they are still developing and cannot fully comprehend the consequences of their actions, as a result when a child watches the movie showcasing violence they may start mimicking them, trying to attract attention by showing aggressive behavior, leading to poor decision making because they are imitating without even thinking. Additionally, constantly watching violent content for long periods may lead to the worsening mental well-being of children and teenagers. By exposing themselves into it the feeling of anxiousness and fear may lead to the nightmare or they may feel worried about their safety or they may believe that the content they are watching is true.

In conclusion, although I acknowledge that watching films or playing video games are a form of relaxation, I still believe that the content that people are watching may impact their mental health, as constantly exposing to violence may lead to the anxiety

Examiner feedback

The essay effectively addresses the prompt with a clear, logical structure and a consistent viewpoint. It demonstrates a strong command of complex sentence structures and relevant vocabulary. To reach a higher band, the writer should focus on minimizing minor grammatical slips and ensuring all nuances of the prompt, such as the specific suggestion of a 'ban', are thoroughly explored.

Task Response - 7

- All parts of the task are addressed, covering both the "harmless relaxation" and "negative effect" viewpoints. - A clear position is maintained throughout the essay, specifically focusing on the mental health impacts on children. - Main ideas are extended and supported, although the "should be banned" aspect of the prompt could have been more explicitly addressed in the body paragraphs.

Coherence & Cohesion - 7

- Information and ideas are organized logically with a clear progression from the introduction to the conclusion. - Paragraphing is used effectively, with each body paragraph focusing on a distinct side of the argument. - Cohesive devices such as "For instance," "Additionally," and "As plausible and compelling as..." are used appropriately, though some transitions like "Noteworthy, that" are slightly awkward.

Lexical Resource - 7

- The candidate uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow for flexibility and precision (e.g., "impressionable," "mimicking," "compelling"). - There is awareness of style and collocation, though some word choices are slightly repetitive or imprecise (e.g., "watching into it"). - Spelling and word formation are generally accurate with only minor slips.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 7

- A variety of complex structures is used, including conditional sentences and subordinate clauses. - Frequent error-free sentences are produced, maintaining good control over grammar and punctuation. - Minor errors occur in article usage (e.g., "an entertainment," "lead to the nightmare") and possessive apostrophes (e.g., "ones'" instead of "one's").

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