Sample Essays

Task: In many countries, reality TV shows about the lives and behaviour of ordinary people have become very popular. Some people say that these programmes are bad and that other kinds of programmes are much better. What can you say for and against reality TV shows? (from “Oxford Tests for the Russian State Exam”, 2007)

It is certainly true that reality TV programmes are very popular and lots of people watch them all the time. People talk about them and some of the people who appear in them become famous, at least for a short time. I do not like them at all and I think most of them are terrible.

Some people say that it is good to see ordinary people on television because you learn a lot about other people’s lives. For instance, some programmes show ordinary people doing their jobs and the people who like these programmes say that it is fascinating to see people doing their jobs. Probably the most well-known reality TV programme is different from that. It shows a group of people living together in the same house. They are all strange people and fans of this programme say that it is really amusing to watch them arguing and giving their opinions of things.

I do not agree with these views. I think it is really boring to watch people doing their jobs and I do not want to watch a lot of strange people talking a lot of rubbish and doing silly things. These people are attention seeking and they want to be famous by being on TV. They look ridiculous to me and I do not want to spend my time watching them. I think television programmes should be either entertaining or educational. Reality TV shows are neither of these things. I prefer to watch programmes with good acting in them, or documentaries about important things.

In my opinion, reality TV shows are a waste of time. They are just a fad, so people will soon get bored with them and they will disappear.

Task: According to a number of surveys, people watch TV too much, which has a negative effect on their health. Do you share this point of view? (from “Speak Out”)

Whether we realize it or not, TV plays a very important part in our lives. It is the main source of information and a cheap form of entertainment for millions of people.

TV is the window on the world which gives us an opportunity to “travel” all over the world, to “meet” different people and learn about their customs and traditions. It has the power to educate and broaden our minds. It helps us to relax after a hard day’s work and escape from reality. There is always a great variety of programmes on TV: news and sports programmes, talk shows and TV games, documentaries and feature films, concerts and theatre performances. Of course, not all programmes are good. But many are made in good taste and with great professional skill.

Some people argue that TV is a terrible waste of time. It makes us lazier. We stay at home instead of going out. We read less. We think less. We even talk less. It is true that some TV addicts spend hours in front of the “box” watching whatever is on – from second-rate soap operas to silly commercials. Violence on TV is another problem that worries people. They say that “TV teaches us how to kill, to rob, to shoot and to poison”. But the same can be said about many computer games, films and books. If we don’t like a certain programme, why watch it?

The trick is to learn to control TV and use it intelligently. The ideal is to turn on the TV-set only when there is a really interesting programme.

Task: There are more and more TV companies and channels. Still, people think that watching TV is not healthy. What can you say for and against watching TV? (ЕГЭ-2008, Северинова)

Watching TV has many advantages and disadvantages. The main problem with TV is measure.

On the one hand, TV gives us the possibility to see the world for free, to see wild animals in their habitats. TV keeps us informed, makes us think and feel. TV entertains and gives us company when we need it. Game shows help people develop different skills. Quizzes make people interested in reading.

On the other hand, TV can ruin our eyesight. It happens if we watch TV for a long time. TV is also used for brainwashing. TV people are often paid to make us think in a certain way. There are a lot of advertisements on TV; they spoil the pleasure from watching films. Many programmes are silly and teach young people only to buy things and enjoy themselves. In such programmes there are many rude and bad words, which spoil the beauty of our language. At the same time sitting in front of our TV-sets makes us weak. Instead of doing something interesting and going out with our friends, we foolishly sit and stare.

Nevertheless, people watch TV. It is not too bad if they carefully choose what to watch and what not to watch. They also should take everything which is said on TV critically. And of course, TV can’t substitute walking and enjoying the company of our friends.