The topic “Internet: force for good or evil?” is a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. Based on past exam trends and current global discussions, this topic is likely to appear frequently in future tests. Its relevance to modern society and potential for diverse perspectives make it an ideal subject for IELTS essay questions. Let’s examine a sample question that has appeared in recent IELTS exams:
Some people believe that the Internet is a force for good, while others think it has had a negative impact on society. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Analyzing the Question
This question requires candidates to:
- Discuss positive impacts of the Internet
- Discuss negative impacts of the Internet
- Provide a personal opinion on the overall impact
It’s crucial to address all parts of the question to achieve a high band score. Let’s look at sample essays for different band scores.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
The Internet has revolutionized the way we live, work, and communicate, sparking debates about its overall impact on society. While some argue that it is a positive force, others contend that its influence has been detrimental. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own viewpoint.
Proponents of the Internet highlight its numerous benefits to society. Firstly, it has democratized access to information, enabling people from all walks of life to learn and expand their knowledge base. For instance, platforms like Coursera and edX offer free online courses from top universities, breaking down educational barriers. Secondly, the Internet has facilitated global communication and collaboration, allowing individuals to connect across vast distances and fostering international understanding. This has been particularly evident in scientific research, where online collaboration has accelerated breakthroughs in fields such as medicine and climate science.
On the other hand, critics argue that the Internet has had negative consequences. One primary concern is the spread of misinformation and fake news, which can manipulate public opinion and undermine democratic processes. The 2016 US presidential election, for example, saw widespread dissemination of false information on social media platforms. Additionally, the Internet has been linked to increased social isolation and mental health issues, particularly among young people who may substitute online interactions for real-world relationships.
In my opinion, while the Internet does present certain challenges, its positive impact far outweighs the negatives. The key lies in harnessing its potential while implementing measures to mitigate its drawbacks. For instance, digital literacy programs can equip users with the skills to critically evaluate online information, while regulations on social media platforms can help curb the spread of misinformation. The Internet’s capacity to connect people, share knowledge, and drive innovation makes it an invaluable tool for human progress.
In conclusion, the Internet is a powerful force that has both positive and negative effects on society. However, with proper management and education, we can maximize its benefits while minimizing its potential harms, ultimately using it as a force for good in our increasingly interconnected world.
Internet's positive and negative impacts on society
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
The Internet has become a big part of our lives, and people have different opinions about whether it’s good or bad for society. This essay will look at both sides and give my thoughts.
Many people think the Internet is good for society. It helps us learn new things easily. We can find information about any topic quickly online. Also, the Internet lets us talk to people all over the world. This is good for business and making friends. For example, students can use the Internet to study with friends in other countries.
However, some people believe the Internet has bad effects. One problem is fake news, which can make people believe wrong information. This can cause arguments and problems in society. Another issue is that some people spend too much time online and don’t talk to people face-to-face. This might make them feel lonely.
In my opinion, the Internet has more good points than bad ones. It’s very useful for learning and connecting with others. But we need to be careful about how we use it. We should check if information is true before we believe it, and we should also spend time with people in real life, not just online.
To sum up, the Internet can be both good and bad for society. It depends on how we use it. If we use it wisely, it can be a very helpful tool for making our lives better.
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
The Internet is very important today. Some people think it is good, but others think it is bad. I will talk about both ideas.
The Internet has good things. We can learn a lot on the Internet. There are many websites with information. We can also talk to friends on the Internet. It is easy to send messages to people far away.
But the Internet also has bad things. Some people lie on the Internet. This is dangerous because people might believe wrong things. Also, children can see bad things on the Internet. Parents worry about this.
I think the Internet is mostly good. It helps us do many things. But we must be careful when we use it. We should teach people how to use the Internet safely.
In conclusion, the Internet has good and bad parts. We need to use it carefully to get the good things and avoid the bad things.
Internet usage benefits and risks
Explanation of Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay:
- Fully addresses all parts of the task
- Presents a well-developed response with clear progression
- Uses a wide range of vocabulary and grammatical structures with flexibility and accuracy
- Organizes information coherently with clear paragraphing
- Provides relevant examples to support ideas
Band 6-7 Essay:
- Addresses all parts of the task, though some aspects may be more fully covered than others
- Presents a clear central topic within each paragraph
- Uses an adequate range of vocabulary and grammar with some errors that do not impede communication
- Shows some evidence of logical organization
- Includes some examples, though they may be general
Band 5-6 Essay:
- Addresses the task only partially, with limited development of ideas
- Uses basic vocabulary and simple grammatical structures
- Shows some attempt at organization, but lacks overall coherence
- Provides minimal examples or support for ideas
- Contains frequent errors in grammar and vocabulary that may cause some difficulty for the reader
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Democratize (verb) /dɪˈmɒkrətaɪz/ – make (something) accessible to everyone
- Misinformation (noun) /ˌmɪsɪnfəˈmeɪʃən/ – false or inaccurate information
- Dissemination (noun) /dɪˌsemɪˈneɪʃən/ – the act of spreading information widely
- Collaboration (noun) /kəˌlæbəˈreɪʃən/ – the action of working with someone to produce something
- Innovation (noun) /ˌɪnəˈveɪʃən/ – a new method, idea, product, etc.
- Digital literacy (noun phrase) /ˈdɪdʒɪtl ˈlɪtərəsi/ – the ability to use digital technology effectively
- Cyberbullying (noun) /ˈsaɪbəˌbʊliɪŋ/ – the use of electronic communication to bully a person
- Interconnected (adjective) /ˌɪntəkəˈnektɪd/ – mutually connected or related
- Mitigate (verb) /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/ – make (something bad) less severe, serious, or painful
- Detrimental (adjective) /ˌdetrɪˈmentl/ – tending to cause harm
In conclusion, the topic “Internet: force for good or evil?” is likely to remain relevant in future IELTS exams. To prepare, practice writing essays on related themes such as:
- The impact of social media on society
- Online privacy and data protection
- The role of the Internet in education
- Cybersecurity and online threats
- The influence of the Internet on traditional media
Remember to structure your essays clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and provide relevant examples to support your arguments. Feel free to practice writing an essay on this topic and share it in the comments section for feedback and discussion.
