TOEFL® essay sample: Television has had a mostly positive effect on society

[Grace]

Since television has entered our life for so long, many may discuss the topic that whether television has brought us more good effects than bad ones. Some people might be right to think that television harms the relationship between one another, but as for me, I strongly agree with the statement that television has had a mostly positive effect on society, for it provides us a way to take the load off our mind, and it gives us a chance to know more things about the world.

The most obvious merit brought by television is that it offers us a way to entertain. It is a common scene of life that someone goes back home after a whole day of hard work and turns on the television. No matter it is the soap opera of their favorite, or just some random talkshow interviewing a celebrity, their mind will soon be released from all the tension results from their work. For my mom and dad, watching television is a big part of their everyday life. Since both of them work outside home for more than ten hours a day, television time definitely gives them a break and their nerve will be more eased while talking with the other about the plot of the show.

Besides the relaxation given by television, another big part of watching television is that one gets to know more things about the world through news and reports, or just about the environment nearby. For example, a housewife can learn about different ways of cooking chicken wings for her children when she is watching a program hosted by a gourmet, while a pet keeper can gain knowledge about how to make their pets healthier. A retired man can enjoy programs that teach them how to pick the best flower seeds, while a young girl can obtain various methods to lose weight in shows that give wonderful tips. In all these cases, television is the medium that offers people an opportunity to see things more clearly.

However, there are still some drawbacks about television. Watching television now is the major reason why more students are wearing glasses. Actually in my class, more than 90% of the students are near-sighted and in fact, there are fewer students in high school who have good eyesight. Another disadvantage is that the tempt to watch television may cause conflicts between children and parents. I myself have had several fights with my parents because of different opinions about which program to watch.

Numerous shortcomings that watching television leads to are, they cannot compete with the benefits television brings about, if responsibily is taken into account. So as I previously expressed, I believe that television is something that has a mainly positive influence, and that we should try to enjoy more of the beauty brought by it.

TOEFL listening lectures: A lecture from a social sciences class (2)

[Alan]

Since television has entered our life for so long, many may discuss the topic whether television has brought us more good effects than bad ones. Some people might be right to think that television harms the relationship between one another, but as for me, I strongly agree with the statement that television has had a mostly positive effect on society, for it provides us a way to take the load off our mind, and it gives us a chance to know more things about the world.

The most obvious merit brought by television is that it offers us a way to entertain. It is a common scene of life that someone COMES/GETS back home after a whole day of hard work and turns on the television. No matter WHETHER it is theIR FAVOURITE soap opera , or just some random talkshow interviewing a celebrity, their mind will soon be released from all the tension results from their work. For my mom and dad, watching television is a big part of their everyday life. Since both of them work outside home for more than ten hours a day, television time definitely gives them a break and their nerveS will be more eased while talking with ONE ANother about the plot of the show.

Besides the relaxation given by television, another big part of watching television is that one gets to know more things about the world through news and reports, or just about the environment nearby. For example, a housewife can learn about different ways of cooking chicken wings for her children when she is watching a program hosted by a gourmet, while a pet keeper can gain knowledge about how to make their pets healthier. A retired man can enjoy programs that teach them how to pick the best flower seeds, while a young girl can obtain various methods to lose weight in shows that give wonderful tips. In all these cases, television is the medium that offers people an opportunity to see things more clearly.

However, there are still some drawbacks about television. Watching television now is the major reason why more students are wearing glasses. Actually in my class, more than 90% of the students are near-sighted and in fact, there are fewer students in high school who have good eyesight. Another disadvantage is that the temptATION to watch television may cause conflicts between children and parents. I myself have had several fights with my parents because of different opinions about which program to watch.

Numerous shortcomings that watching television leads to are, they cannot compete with the benefits television brings about, if responsibily is taken into account. So as I previously expressed, I believe that television is something that has a mainly positive influence, and that we should try to enjoy more of the beauty brought by it.


Good work

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Grace]

Thanks so much, Alan!
I'm really grateful to all the help you have given me.
Today, I'm going to take the TOEFL test, I really hope I can do well.
Good luck to me and all test-takers!