托福独立写作：电视的功能是教育而不是娱乐

托福写作预测题目：Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? The purpose of television is to educate not to entertain.(电视的功能是娱乐还是教育?)

托福写作参考范文：

Television can be seen in restaurants, clubs, and living rooms, with programs ranging from informative documentaries to interesting movies. Some people believe that its purpose is to be educative while others hold an opposite view, claiming that television should be used for entertainment instead. While there is some element of truth in both arguments, I believe that there is no significant need to purposely assign the function of television to either education or entertainment.

On the one hand, television can provide pure entertainment. Some funny and horror movies have nothing to do with education. They are designed to provide viewers with laughter or horror. For example, in the movie Final Destination, I learned nothing useful, but I love watching this kind of programs, because I like being frightened, which I may never experience in my actual life. Comedy shows are necessary too. After a whole day’s work, what most people need is true relaxation.

On the other hand, television can also offer instructional classes. Its functions nowadays are various and practical. One of the pragmatic and instrumental functions is to store programs that you want to watch again. This makes television a desirable learning tool. For students living in rural areas where access to the Internet and quality education is next to impossible, the educational programs offered by television are good and indispensable choices. By watching these programs, students from less developed areas and disadvantaged families have the opportunity of being decently educated.

Besides the abovementioned programs, there are also programs that are both informative and interesting. For example, some documentaries and television series inform us about lessons regarding history, love, and friendship. Watching this kind of programs is rewarding, exciting, and thought-provoking.

From the above discussion, I can draw the conclusion that television can be both informative and entertaining depending on the content being shown. There is usually no need to make a clear distinction. Different programs serve different purposes, all of which are imperative and indispensable in our lives. (333)