Band 7 Example

Question: Should the media only publish good news?

Idea 1

No
Model Answer
No, the media should not only publish good news. People need to know what's happening around them, even if it's not always positive. Bad news can serve as a wake-up call for society to address and solve issues. Plus, only showing good news might make people unaware of the real challenges facing their communities and the world.
Absolutely not, the media's role is to provide a comprehensive view of the world, which includes reporting on both good and bad news. It's crucial for the public to be well-informed about various issues, as this awareness drives societal and political engagement. Moreover, a well-informed public is essential for the health of a democracy, as it empowers citizens to make informed decisions and hold leaders accountable.
Grammar Analysis
1. Passive voice: "the media's role is to provide a comprehensive view of the world" - This structure emphasizes the function of the media rather than the media itself, which is a sophisticated way to present information. 2. Infinitive phrases: "to be well-informed" and "to make informed decisions" - These phrases indicate purpose and reason, adding depth to the explanation of why it's important for the public to receive all types of news. 3. Relative clauses: "which includes reporting on both good and bad news" - This clause provides additional information about the comprehensive view provided by the media, enhancing the complexity of the sentence structure.
Vocabulary
  • provide a comprehensive view of the world
  • crucial for the public to be well-informed
  • drives societal and political engagement
  • well-informed public is essential for the health of a democracy
  • empowers citizens to make informed decisions
  • hold leaders accountable

Idea 2

Yes
Model Answer
Yes, focusing on good news could be beneficial. There's already so much negativity and stress in people's lives, and constantly hearing bad news can make it worse. Good news can provide hope and motivation, showing that positive changes and good things are happening too. It can help create a more optimistic society.
Indeed, there is a strong case for the media to focus more on good news. The pervasive nature of bad news can exacerbate feelings of anxiety and despair, which isn't healthy. Highlighting positive developments and uplifting stories can inspire individuals and encourage a more hopeful outlook on life. This approach can foster a sense of community and drive collective efforts towards societal betterment.
Grammar Analysis
1. Causative construction: "can exacerbate feelings of anxiety and despair" uses a causative verb structure to show how one action can cause another, adding depth to the explanation. 2. Gerund for general actions: "Highlighting positive developments and uplifting stories" uses gerunds (highlighting, uplifting), which are effective for describing general actions or habits, making the sentence more formal and polished. 3. Modal verbs for possibility: "can inspire individuals and encourage a more hopeful outlook" employs modal verbs to discuss potential positive outcomes, which helps in presenting a balanced perspective.
Vocabulary
  • focus more on good news
  • pervasive nature of bad news
  • exacerbate feelings of anxiety and despair
  • positive developments
  • uplifting stories
  • inspire individuals
  • encourage a more hopeful outlook on life
  • foster a sense of community
  • drive collective efforts towards societal betterment

Idea 3

It Depends
Model Answer
It really depends. While it's important for the media to report on serious issues, there should also be a balance with good news. Too much negativity can be overwhelming, and too much positivity can be unrealistic. Media outlets should strive to offer a balanced perspective that reflects the complexity of the world.
The question of whether media should publish only good news is nuanced. Ideally, media should strive for a balance, providing a realistic depiction of the world by reporting both the good and the bad. This balance helps to maintain credibility and supports informed citizenship. Additionally, the type of media and the context in which news is delivered can significantly affect how it should be presented, always considering ethical implications to ensure responsible journalism.
Grammar Analysis
1. Modal verbs for advice: "media should strive for a balance" uses the modal verb "should" to give advice, indicating what is considered ideal behavior for the media, which adds a normative aspect to the statement. 2. Gerund for continuous action: "providing a realistic depiction of the world" uses the gerund "providing," which indicates an ongoing action, adding depth to the description of what media should do. 3. Passive voice for objectivity: "the type of media and the context in which news is delivered can significantly affect how it should be presented" uses passive voice to focus on the action rather than the doer, which is typical in formal and objective writing like journalism.
Vocabulary
  • nuanced
  • strive for a balance
  • realistic depiction
  • maintain credibility
  • informed citizenship
  • ethical implications
  • responsible journalism