IELTS Speaking Part-3 TV / Movies / Films

Do you think watching TV has educational benefits?

Absolutely, I think so. Take romantic films, for example, they can help educate people about the value of love, honesty, and faithfulness. They can make the audience sympathize with other people and respect what they have. Indeed, films can teach people good virtues and help them become better citizens through stories. On top of that, in most high school and college courses, movies, whether documentary or narrative, are a creative approach to teaching, helping students get a brief idea about history, social issues, or scientific experiments. History, for example, becomes more approachable and interesting in movies.

In what ways are documentary films and films only for entertainment different?

From my perspective, they are different in various aspects, especially their purposes. Documentaries are a reliable source of information and a powerful means of conveying social messages to the world. They bring many benefits to society. For instance, by watching documentaries together, many sensitive social issues, such as homosexuality, can be discussed freely between parents and children instead of sweeping them under the rug. Films for entertainment, on the other hand, are mostly for people who need to chill out after work or study. Those movies tend to focus on relationships between people without delving into deeper issues.

Why do you think documentary films are not so popular?

Personally, I think the foremost reason that documentary films are not as popular as entertainment films is that documentaries require the audience to think critically about current issues, whereas entertainment films help them escape from the harsh realities of everyday life. For example, the series "Prison Life – Love in Prison", which describes prison sex, is an educational and emotional documentary that provides a different view of prisoners. Another reason is that documentaries aim to provide education and lack entertaining features compared to other kinds of movies, making it hard to reach a wide audience.

How are movies and real life different? Life in movies is so much different from real life. In real life, there is no script, and you write your own story day by day. Life is full of ups and downs and twists and turns. However, they both inspire each other since real life is great material for making movies.

Do men and women like to watch the same kinds of films?

It depends, I guess. It's thought that men like action movies with shocking and dangerous scenes like "Fast and Furious" or sci-fi movies with imaginative, futuristic plots like "Avatar", while most women prefer romantic movies or comedies with meaningful messages. It seems logical; however, there are many converse cases. Therefore, I think there are no boundaries for preferences between men and women when it comes to films.

Do different age groups like the same kinds of films?

Obviously. It’s undeniable that different generations prefer different kinds of movies. Children, for example, are usually fond of cartoons or funny movies such as "Frozen" or "Tangled". Adults, on the other hand, tend to watch various types of movies such as action films, romantic films, documentaries, or romantic films, depending on their tastes.

Do you like any particular film star? Why?

I like Emma Watson, a British actress, model, and activist. She is famous for her first professional acting role as Hermione Granger in the "Harry Potter" film series. What I love about her is that not only is she an outstanding actress with admirable personalities, but she is also a spiritual inspiration as the UN Women Goodwill Ambassador. My favorite quote from her is, “I don’t want the fear of failure to stop me from doing what I really care about”, which encourages me to chase my dreams despite the many troubles ahead.

Can you talk about the advantages and disadvantages of TV?

I think TV is a bit of a double-edged sword. On the bright side, it brings us a ton of information, entertainment, and education right into our living rooms. We can catch up on the news, watch our favorite shows, and learn new things. But, on the flip side, it can become a bit of a black hole for time. Families sometimes end up glued to the screen instead of talking to each other, and kids can get exposed to some pretty questionable content like violence and inappropriate scenes. So, while TV has its perks, it’s all about how we use it. If we’re mindful, the good can definitely outweigh the bad.

Should there be more control on TV or should there be less restriction?

I reckon there needs to be a bit of balance when it comes to controlling what’s on TV. Some censorship is definitely necessary, especially to keep out the violent and adult content from young eyes. But, if you clamp down too hard, you might stifle creativity and the freedom of speech. So, it’s all about finding that sweet spot where we protect viewers without making everything too dull and boring.

What do you think of the use of TV in the classrooms?

Using TV in the classroom can be a real game-changer. It’s a great way to make lessons more engaging and help students grasp complex concepts. But, it shouldn’t be overdone. TV should be a tool to support teaching, not replace it. Teachers need to use it to illustrate points and keep students interested, not just stick on a video and call it a day.

Should a child's viewing be limited?

Absolutely, a child’s TV time should be kept in check. Too much screen time can mess with their studies and their eyesight. Plus, if they’re glued to the TV, they’re missing out on playing sports and being active. And let’s not forget the kind of stuff they might stumble upon, which might not be suitable for their age. So, parents should definitely guide their kids on what and how much to watch.

What do you think of the future of TV?

Looking ahead, TV is only going to get smarter and more interactive. With advances in technology, we’ll probably see more digital and user-friendly features. TV stations will have to up their game and create even better content to keep viewers hooked. The future looks bright, and I’m excited to see what’s next.

Influence of Television:

How popular is watching television in your country?

Watching TV in India is like a national pastime. Almost every household has a TV, and it’s a major source of entertainment. After a long day, people kick back and watch their favorite shows or catch up on the news. It’s so popular that families even make schedules around their favorite programs. TV has a huge impact here, from influencing fashion to sparking conversations.

Tell me about the types of program that are generally on television in your country.

We’ve got a bit of everything on TV here. There are daily soaps that are a hit with all ages, news programs for the adults, and cartoons for the kids. Reality shows also draw huge audiences, and when there’s a cricket match on, you can bet everyone’s glued to their screens. Cooking shows are also quite popular, and everyone seems to have a favorite drama serial or reality show they can’t miss.

Why do people like watching television?

TV is the go-to source of entertainment because it’s easy and accessible. After a tiring day, people love to unwind by watching their favorite shows. It’s a great way to relax and escape from the daily grind. Plus, it’s a way for families to spend time together, even if they’re just sitting quietly in front of the screen.

Do you think the state or the private television is better?

That’s a tough one, but I’d lean towards private TV channels. They usually have better production quality and more interesting programs. State TV tends to have lower budgets and can be a bit dull in comparison. Private channels put more effort into making their shows engaging, which makes a big difference.

What effects can watching television have on children?

TV can have a big impact on kids, and not always in a good way. A lot of programs today are more about entertainment than education, and kids can end up watching content that’s not suitable for them. This can make them grow up too fast. Plus, if they’re watching TV all the time, they’re not playing outside or focusing on their studies. Parents need to be careful and make sure their kids are watching appropriate shows and not overdoing it.

Vocabulary and Phrases:

• Double-edged sword (idiom): Something that has both positive and negative effects.

• Black hole (idiom): Something that consumes a lot of resources or time without giving much in return.

• Perks (noun): Advantages or benefits.

• Clamp down (phrasal verb): To impose restrictions.

• Sweet spot (idiom): The optimal point or combination of factors.

• Game-changer (idiom): Something that significantly changes the way things are done.

• Overdone (adj): Used too much or excessively.

• Kick back (phrasal verb): To relax and take it easy.

• Daily grind (idiom): The monotonous routine of daily work.
  

• Take romantic films, for example: Used to introduce an example

• Make the audience sympathize: Help the audience feel empathy

• On top of that: In addition to that

• Creative approach to: Innovative method for

• History, for example: Introducing a specific example

• Reliable source: Trustworthy source

• Means of: A way or method of doing something

• Sweeping them under the rug: Ignoring or hiding something

• Chill out: Relax

• Delving into: Investigating deeply

• Foremost reason: Most important reason

• Think critically: Analyze and evaluate in detail

• Escape from the harsh realities: Avoid the difficult aspects of real life

• So much different from: Very different from

• Ups and downs: Good and bad times

• Twists and turns: Unexpected changes

• Inspire each other: Motivate or influence each other

• Shocking and dangerous scenes: Exciting and perilous scenes

• Converse cases: Opposite situations

• Boundaries: Limits

• Fond of: Like or enjoy