Many people believe that music is just a form of entertainment, whilst others believe that music has a much larger impact on society today. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
IELTS Writing Task 2 : Opinion Essay
Sample Answer 1 : Band 8
There are those who claim that music is solely for entertainment purposes while others feel it has larger societal implications. In my opinion, ostensibly most people listen to music for fun, however it still opens up pathways for fringe elements of society to become mainstream.
Those that argue for the narrower view of music can easily highlight the ways in which music is consumed today. People listen to music at parties, nightclubs, and weddings to dance and enjoy themselves. They listen using streaming services like YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify to relax throughout the average day. The end result of all that listening is not that individuals think deeply about the lyrics or in any way question their actions, attitudes, or prejudices. Moreso than narrative forms of entertainment like movies and books, music is almost purely for entertainment and rarely rises above the level of subconscious enjoyment.
While there is some truth to the argument above, music turns a positive spotlight on previously underrepresented demographic groups. People do not simply listen to music; they are also apt to follow and admire their favourite artists. One of the best examples of this is the championing of LGBT lifestyles. Elton John was an early example of an artist whose sexuality was fluid at a time when many viewed this behaviour as deviant. He did not come out as gay until much later but his influence on aspiring artists and the average listener was immense. Today, there are many artists who are openly gay and this not only reduces bigotry in general by undermining its logic but also inspires others to come out. A person listening to and following artists in any genre today accepts these once alternative lifestyles as the norm.
In conclusion, music has an important role to play in society by giving voice to previously silent groups. In the same way that music broke down racial barriers in the 20th century, the 21st century will be the century of inclusion.
Word Count: 330
Analysis
1. There are those who claim that music is solely for entertainment purposes while others feel it has larger societal implications. 2. In my opinion, ostensibly most people listen to music for fun, however it still opens up pathways for fringe elements of society to become mainstream.
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- Paraphrase the overall topic for the whole essay.
- Write your opinion – make it clear so the examiner knows which side you support!
1. Those that argue for the narrower view of music can easily highlight the ways in which music is consumed today. 2. People listen to music at parties, nightclubs, and weddings to dance and enjoy themselves. 3. They listen using streaming services like YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify to relax throughout the average day. 4. The end result of all that listening is not that individuals think deeply about the lyrics or in any way question their actions, attitudes, or prejudices. 5. Moreso than narrative forms of entertainment like movies and books, music is almost purely for entertainment and rarely rises above the level of subconscious enjoyment.
- Write a clear topic sentence with a main idea at the end.
- Develop your main idea with specific information.
- Keep mentioning specific examples such as real streaming services.
- State the result to continue developing the main idea.
- Relate it back to the overall topic/your main idea to finish development.
1. While there is some truth to the argument above, music turns a positive spotlight on previously underrepresented demographic groups. 2. People do not simply listen to music; they are also apt to follow and admire their favourite artists. 3. One of the best examples of this is the championing of LGBT lifestyles. 4. Elton John was an early example of an artist whose sexuality was fluid at a time when many viewed this behaviour as deviant. 5. He did not come out as gay until much later but his influence on aspiring artists and the average listener was immense. 6. Today, there are many artists who are openly gay and this not only reduces bigotry in general by undermining its logic but also inspires others to come out. 7. A person listening to and following artists in any genre today accepts these once alternative lifestyles as the norm.
- Write another topic sentence with a new main idea.
- Start to explain your main idea.
- Here I begin a very specific example.
- Use a real artist or song if possible!
- Develop the example – don’t run away from it.
- Keep developing it.
- Finish developing your example and generalise it a bit.
1. In conclusion, music has an important role to play in society by giving voice to previously silent groups. 2. In the same way that music broke down racial barriers in the 20th century, the 21st century will be the century of inclusion.
- Repeat your opinion.
- Add in final detail/thought to get full marks from the IELTS examiner.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
There are those who claim that music is solely for entertainment purposes while others feel it has larger societal implications. In my opinion, ostensibly most people listen to music for fun, however it still opens up pathways for fringe elements of society to become mainstream.
Those that argue for the narrower view of music can easily highlight the ways in which music is consumed today. People listen to music at parties, nightclubs, and weddings to dance and enjoy themselves. They listen using streaming services like YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify to relax throughout the average day. The end result of all that listening is not that individuals think deeply about the lyrics or in any way question their actions, attitudes, or prejudices. Moreso than narrative forms of entertainment like movies and books, music is almost purely for entertainment and rarely rises above the level of subconscious enjoyment.
While there is some truth to the argument above, music turns a positive spotlight on previously underrepresented demographic groups. People do not simply listen to music; they are also apt to follow and admire their favourite artists. One of the best examples of this is the championing of LGBT lifestyles. Elton John was an early example of an artist whose sexuality was fluid at a time when many viewed this behaviour as deviant. He did not come out as gay until much later but his influence on aspiring artists and the average listener was immense. Today, there are many artists who are openly gay and this not only reduces bigotry in general by undermining its logic but also inspires others to come out. A person listening to and following artists in any genre today accepts these once alternative lifestyles as the norm.
In conclusion, music has an important role to play in society by giving voice to previously silent groups. In the same way that music broke down racial barriers in the 20th century, the 21st century will be the century of inclusion.
Answers
claim argue
solely only
larger societal implications bigger effect on everyone
ostensibly seemingly
opens up pathways makes it possible
fringe elements outside areas
mainstream popular culture
narrower view more limited
easily highlight simple argument
consumed listened to
streaming services listening to/watching movies/music online
throughout during
average day normal day
end result final outcome
think deeply thoughtfully
question doubt
prejudices bigotry
moreso to a greater extent
narrative forms mediums with stories
purely entirely
rarely rises above the level of subconscious enjoyment isn’t often thought about
some truth not entirely false
positive spotlight good focus
previously underrepresented demographic groups in the past ignored types of people
apt to likely to
admire look up to
championing endorsing
LGBT lifestyles lesbian/gay/bi/trans ways of living
early example nascent instance
sexuality sexual orientation
fluid shifting
deviant outside the norm and wrong
come out as gay openly homosexual
aspiring artists people who want to work in art
average listener normal fan
immense massive
openly gay known homosexual
reduces bigotry in general decreases narrow-minded views
undermining doubting
logic reasons
inspires encourages
genre type of music/movie
accepts willing to acknowledge
once alternative lifestyles in the past outside the norm
the norm what is normal/common
giving voice allowing platforms for
in the same way that just as
broke down racial barriers reduce racism
inclusion accepting others
Reading Practice
Read some examples here of socially important/defining songs:
https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2019/12/songs-of-the-decade-2010s
Speaking Practice
Answer the following questions about music from the real IELTS speaking exam:
Music
- Do you like music?
- Which types of music do you like?
- Would you like to learn a musical instrument?
- Do you prefer listening to music by yourself or with someone else?
Writing Practice
Answer this similar question then check my sample answer:
Some people say that music is a good way of bringing people of different cultures and ages together.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion? (Recent IELTS Exam/Test)