Below is a model answer for a Task 2 double question type essay. With this type of question, you need to take care to answer the question asked – and ensure that if the question includes a plural, you answer in the plural.
This model essay follows the following template:
Introduction: with the position
1st Body Paragraph: the reasons gaming is popular
2nd Body Paragraph: why this is a good thing
Conclusion: repeating the position and main ideas
The Question
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Many people spend a large amount of their free time playing computer games.
What might be the reasons for this?
Is this a good thing or a bad thing?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
The Answer
Video games, both those played on consoles at home and those on mobile devices on the go, are, for many, a welcome diversion from the pressures of daily life. Video games can give enthusiasts an outlet for creativity, a social environment in which to meet new people, and a platform on which to develop new skills. This is, therefore, often time well spent.
It is unsurprising that more people are spending their leisure time playing games; after all, the events of 2020 have kept most of the world’s population confined to their homes. Console, tablet and phone gaming are some of the few pastimes left available to us, keeping many people occupied during undeniably tough times. This is a continuation of a trend that began long before the pandemic; games console sales have been on the rise for years, with Sony’s PlayStation consistently among the most popular.
Research suggests that this is good since playing video games – particularly certain types – may play a significant role in cognitive development. Outdated studies which linked gaming with decreased physical activity and other pejorative outcomes failed to make an important distinction: that between different genres. A first-person shooter, for example, may not deliver noticeable benefits to the player – although, for some, such games may improve their reaction times. Games centred around puzzles and problem solving, however, can substantially improve mental dexterity and acuity.
To conclude, the trend towards spending more time playing video games is a positive development, giving otherwise unoccupied and isolated players a way to think laterally, make friends and devote energy to learning new things. These are positive outcomes, showing that the increasing amount of time people spend playing video games is undoubtedly a good thing.
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