Writing Practice: Animal Emotions, TV Programmes and TV Regulation

Corrected English Writing Practice

1. Have you ever seen a film or read a book about an animal that showed its feelings? Explain.

I recently saw a film about a dog trying to save its master, who had had an accident.

The dog showed its anxiety through its repeated efforts to wake its master from his unconscious state. However, when this was not possible, the dog went to look for help, having to face dangers from other wild animals and many other difficulties.

When the dog eventually arrived at a small town, it tried valiantly to attract people's attention, but most people either ignored it or told it to go away. However, the dog persisted and at last managed to convince a boy to follow it.

In conclusion, it was obvious that the animal was emotionally disturbed, and the efforts it made to save its master showed a high degree of emotional feeling.

2. Do you think animals really have emotional lives like humans? Discuss.

First of all, it is necessary to differentiate among the different classes of animals, as some are much more primitive creatures than others. For example, there is no ground for comparison between the earthworm and the chimpanzee.

I think it would be very difficult to prove that the earthworm has an emotional life similar to that of humans. On the other hand, more advanced creatures, such as apes or dolphins, show emotional activity expressing anger, happiness and curiosity, which are all very similar to many emotions revealed by human beings.

To conclude, I believe that the more intelligent the animal is, the more it is able to show emotions. An example of this is the dog, which is happy to see you when you come home.

3. What are your favourite TV programmes? Describe them and explain why you like them.

I am not particularly keen on watching TV, as in my opinion, not many TV programmes are worth watching, but unfortunately the good ones end very late at night. As I often have to get up very early, I prefer not to watch films which finish very late, however good they may be.

"Operación Triunfo" and "Mira quién baila" are some of the programmes that I usually watch. They both have something in common: they are both about acquiring artistic skills through effort and hard work. The difference between these programmes is the way they end. In the first programme, the winners donate the prize money to an NGO. In the second programme, the winners are offered a recording contract.

In conclusion, these programmes are family-oriented. The presenters and contestants in both programmes are friendly and funny, so enjoyment is guaranteed. I really enjoy watching the dancing and listening to the songs.

4. Do you think the government should control TV programmes? Discuss.

In my opinion, there are many programmes that could offend certain members of the public, and although a return to censorship should not be an option, certain measures should be taken.

The government should have the means to control TV programmes without resorting to a kind of censorship. There could be, for instance, a team of experts appointed by the government who would be in charge of ensuring that the different TV channels reach an agreement on certain principles concerning the quality of programmes, advertising and ethical issues.

State TV should not be used for government propaganda, but should offer quality shows to the audience. This implies being impartial in the news it broadcasts, offering cultural programmes at reasonable times of the day and reducing the time given to advertising.

Finally, costs should be controlled in order to reduce the enormous TV public deficit that we all pay through our taxes.