Wednesday 11 February 2009

Essays: what have you learned from movies?

TOPIC 182: Films can tell us a lot about the country where they were made. What have you learned about a country from watching its movies? Use specific examples and details to support your response.

Essay 1

Most people like watching movies made from different countries, not only because they can know about these countries' history, what is like in their daily life, but also their various attitude and ideas towards life.

Firstly, movies can reflect a country’s history. Based on different historical backgrounds, movies can give us a lot of information about a country's past. For those who have the background historical knowledge, they can have a better understanding about the movie; while for those who have little knowledge about the history can start to know it from the movie they are watching. For example, many historical movies focus on a certain period of the history. Obviously, each country has a totally different history. Thus, by watching these movies, we will know more about other countries' history which will help us increase our knowledge and understanding about other countries.

Furthermore, movies can show different social and cultural environment and various customs, which attract many moviegoers. Although people have more and more chances to travel abroad to see the world, this is not always the case for everyone. Movies give us a convenient way to know more about the outside world. From movies, we get to know that "toast" cab mean different thing to different countries, such as "good luck" to Americans, "bad luck" to Hungarians. From movies, we get to know how Americans live and what food they eat, which bring us closer to the world even when we stay at home.

Finally, by watching movies, we may know other people's attitudes and ideas towards life. Sometimes we may feel depressed or frustrated just because of some small problems in our lives. We always feel pessimistic toward life, but from movies, we know Americans are optimistic towards their lives even in bad situations. Their attitudes will definitely change our ideas and make us cherish the life. What's more, we may know Americans like to take risks; while Frenches like a relaxed life and Italians like romance.

In short, movies are like encyclopedias which can give us much knowledge about other nations we may have no chances to go. Thus we should encourage people to watch more good movies to know the world better.

(Essay ID: 240. This is a 5 point essay)

Essay 2

As the advance of technology, the understanding and communication among countries are becoming deeper and wider. One of the most important ways for people to understand each other’s culture is by watching films. From watching movies from other countries, we can learn a lot about that country.

One important aspect of film of a country is that you can learn about its history. Historical film is one of the most popular themes used by filmmakers. Though U.S. has only a history of two hundred years, their films can give a complete picture and even extended definition of different period of history. From American movies we can learn a lot about what happened during the independent war, the civil war and the recent gulf war. Only movies can give us entertainment as well as a chance to understand history of another country.

Another equally important thing about movies is that they can teach us the custom of a country. We can see this clearly from the films about love. From those the large difference of ideology and character among western and eastern countries are shown. For example, a typical romantic story happened in a western film will contain plot as follows, the coincident meeting, the short period of contacting and the quickness of falling in love with each other. But what happens in an eastern movie is quite different. The plot will contain the long period of pursuing from one side, the complex feeling by the appearance of a third person, the last happy time of an experienced love. Love is among many different custom of a country, and by the explanation of films you can surely get a better understanding of it.

Apart from the history and the custom of a country, what people want to know more is the present life and society of a country, then a film will be no doubt the best way to learn about them. It cannot only show the good side of the society but also the problems as well. For example, the films of Hollywood can not only show us the problems such as drug dealing, abusing of guns, the psychological problems of young adults, but also tell us the rapid growth of the economy and the technology of the country.

From all those reasons above, watching movies will be undoubtedly the best way to learn about a country well.

(Essay ID: 66 . Sample essay provided by Erin Billy of www.TestMagic.com)

Essay 3

Do you ever watch movies from other countries? Whenever I do, I think about how similar people really are all around the world. Even though the cultures and languages in those movies are different from mine, people all around the world are alike in their goals and emotions.

One time, I saw a movie made in China that showed parents helping their children with their homework. My parents helped me the same way. Another time I saw a movie from Argentina. It showed school children playing hide and seek, which is a game I used to play with my friends during recess. Seeing these films demonstrated to me that education is a common goal in every country. Parents want their children to learn so their lives will improve. It also showed me that children in schools everywhere want to play with their friends. Sometimes the games are similar to ours and sometimes they're different. Still, they all have the common purpose of fun and learning to work together.

Earning a living is another common goal. I've often seen that in movies about other countries. In some countries, people choose their careers from what they like and are good at. In other countries, careers are chosen for them, following the traditions of their families. But in every country it seems that people care a great deal about earning a living, and working hard is respected.

Showing people having fun together is always an important part of any movie, no matter what country it comes from. People everywhere want to be entertained, and want to spend time with their families and friends. Different cultures sometimes enjoy different activities, but all cultures enjoy some form of sports, music and dancing.

The movies I've seen make it clear to me that no matter the cultural differences between countries, people everywhere have the same basic needs and goals.

(Essay ID: 67 )

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