News editors decide what to broadcast on television and what to print in newspapers. What factors do you think influence these decisions? Do we become used to bad news? Would it be better if more good news was reported?
Sample Response
It is a known fact that in the realm of media, especially news channels and newspapers, the decision of whatever is to be broadcasted to the public is in the dominion of an editor. Although various other factors and authority figures might influence these decisions, the greater responsibility is predominantly of the editor. With that being said, I believe a balance between favourable and unfavourable kinds of news is necessary, and I will elaborate on these views in the following paragraphs.
To begin with, every piece of information provided to the public through forms of mass media has immense potential to invoke strong emotions among the people. Consequently, the selection of such material has to be done with the utmost vigilance and with the political and socio-economic circumstances in mind to avoid sending any kind of wrong messages to the community. On the other hand, elements like sales and viewership are also vital in this regard as the aim of any business is to earn more revenue.
Subsequently, to entice the audience, negative information often receives more priority than positive ones as any kind of adverse occurrence is more gripping than regular events. However, it is important to realize that subjecting the masses to such bleak happenings daily has a damaging effect on the psyche of the population. Thus, it is important to strike a balance between good and bad news in order to keep the feelings of hope and motivation alive among the people.
In conclusion, I would like to say that although there are various factors in play when choosing what to report to the audience, the nature of the facts and figures showcased through news media should maintain an equilibrium to avoid demoralizing and demotivating influences. Since news editors have substantial control over such particulars, they should strive to achieve the same.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use standard participle Original: broadcasted Suggested revision: broadcast Why it matters: The usual past participle of 'broadcast' is 'broadcast' in standard formal English.
- 2. Use natural phrasing Original: in the dominion of an editor Suggested revision: under the control of an editor Why it matters: 'In the dominion of' is not a natural collocation for editorial control.
- 3. Tighten the transition Original: With that being said Suggested revision: That said Why it matters: This shorter transition expresses the same contrast more directly.
- 4. Use precise terms Original: favourable and unfavourable kinds of news Suggested revision: positive and negative news Why it matters: These standard terms express the contrast more concisely and naturally.
- 5. Choose the right verb Original: invoke Suggested revision: evoke Why it matters: 'Evoke' means to bring out an emotion, whereas 'invoke' does not fit this meaning.
- 6. Use precise wording Original: any kind of wrong messages Suggested revision: misleading messages Why it matters: This replacement states the intended risk more precisely and concisely.
- 7. Name factors accurately Original: elements like sales and viewership Suggested revision: factors such as sales and viewership Why it matters: 'Factors' is the more accurate noun for influences on editorial decisions.
- 8. Fix the collocation Original: receives more priority Suggested revision: is given higher priority Why it matters: English uses 'give higher priority' rather than 'receive more priority' here.
- 9. Avoid countable substitution Original: ones Suggested revision: news Why it matters: The uncountable noun 'news' is clearer here than the countable substitute 'ones'.
- 10. Use an academic term Original: such bleak happenings Suggested revision: such negative events Why it matters: 'Negative events' is clearer and more appropriate for formal discussion of news.
- 11. Fix the noun phrase Original: the decision of whatever is to be Suggested revision: the decision about what is to be Why it matters: 'Decision about what' is the correct construction for introducing the content selected.
- 12. Clarify the reference Original: I will elaborate on these views Suggested revision: I will explain this view Why it matters: The introduction states one view about balance, so a singular reference is clearer.
Suggested Rewrites
- broadcasted broadcast
- in the dominion of an editor under the control of an editor
- With that being said That said
- favourable and unfavourable kinds of news positive and negative news
- invoke evoke
- any kind of wrong messages misleading messages
Why this response received Band 7.0
The response is logically organized and uses a broad, generally precise vocabulary to explain commercial and social influences on editorial choices. Its main limitation is incomplete task coverage: it argues for a balance of good and bad news but does not directly explain whether audiences become accustomed to bad news, and several ideas remain general. Prioritize answering each question explicitly and develop the habituation point with a clear reason or example.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
The response presents a clear position and relevant factors, but it does not directly answer whether people become accustomed to bad news and some ideas lack specific support.
Address all three questions explicitly and support the habituation argument with a concrete explanation or example.
Coherence and Cohesion
Ideas progress logically through clear paragraphs, although some linking phrases are mechanical and a few references are vague.
Use more natural transitions and replace vague references such as "the same" with precise nouns or claims.
Lexical Resource
A broad vocabulary conveys the argument effectively, but several collocations and word choices sound forced or imprecise.
Prefer natural combinations such as "rests with the editor" and "attracts greater attention" over inflated phrasing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
The response uses varied complex structures with generally strong control, despite occasional agreement, article, and formulation errors.
Proofread complex sentences for agreement and ensure that each grammatical subject logically performs the stated action.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
News editors decide what to broadcast on television and what to print in newspapers. What factors do you think influence these decisions? Do we become used to bad news? Would it be better if more good news was reported?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.