IELTS Essay # 53 - It has been suggested that everyone in the world wants to own a car, a TV and a fridge. Do you think the disadvantages of such a development outweigh its advantages? Give your own opinion.

N.B.: This essay asked in the IELTS test in Australia – June 2016 (Academic Module) is similar to another one that we published in January 2016, asked in an IELTS test at that time. To check that previous essay out, please click here.

Essay # 53

It has been suggested that everyone in the world wants to own a car, a TV and a fridge. Do you think the disadvantages of such a development outweigh its advantages? Give your own opinion.

Electronic appliances and gadgets have become a quintessential part of people’s lifestyles nowadays. They’re being considered as measures of one’s standard of living, which to some extent isn’t right. This essay shall discuss the advantages and disadvantages of such a development in our society.

As the technology advanced, the lifestyle of people became introduced with devices that would make our day-to-day working much easier, faster and comfortable. The best examples of this are a car, a TV, a refrigerator, an air conditioner and so on, that make us reach our destination faster, provide us entertainment from world over, and help us prepare delicious food. Naturally, people got addicted to these appliances so much that now it is impossible to imagine even a day without them. It is definitely a good thing that we’re making such phenomenal breakthroughs in science so as to make human living more convenient and luxurious. However, certain aspects of this development aren’t so much to be proud of.

Some people feel that these material things – cars and TV and so on, are essential to establish a certain status in the society. This thought process creates a pressure among individuals to feel inferior if they don’t own one of these things. Moreover, having a luxury sedan is considered to be more of a status statement than owning a small hatchback car. Such made-up norms of some sections of the society are the reason why this development also has a stigma associated to it. I’d suggest the society should stop feeding itself to these hypocritical beliefs and enjoy technology and its inventions without any such worries.

In conclusion I’d say that the few disadvantages, although prominent, do not outweigh the many advantages of the fact that people want to own material goods. According to the arguments presented above, it is all a matter of one’s perception of this situation. The best thing to do is neglect the drawbacks and concentrate on the benefits.

(325 words)