The influence of famous people on youth is a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2. This topic has appeared in various forms over the years and is likely to continue being a popular subject for examination. Its relevance to contemporary society and the potential for diverse perspectives make it an ideal candidate for testing candidates’ critical thinking and writing skills.
Let’s examine a specific question that has been observed in recent IELTS examinations:
Some people think that famous people can have a positive impact on young people, while others believe they can have a negative influence. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Analyzing the Question
This question requires candidates to:
- Discuss positive impacts of famous people on youth
- Explore negative influences of celebrities on young individuals
- Provide a personal opinion on the overall impact
It’s crucial to address all parts of the question to achieve a high band score. Let’s look at sample essays for different band scores, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses.
Emma Watson advocating for gender equality
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Famous individuals have always been a source of fascination for the younger generation. While some argue that celebrities can inspire and motivate youth, others contend that their influence can be detrimental. This essay will explore both perspectives before presenting my own view on the matter.
On one hand, famous people can serve as powerful role models for young individuals. Many celebrities use their platform to promote positive causes, such as environmental conservation or social justice. For instance, actress Emma Watson’s advocacy for gender equality has inspired countless young women to embrace feminism and fight for their rights. Moreover, successful athletes and entrepreneurs often share their stories of perseverance and hard work, motivating youth to pursue their dreams despite obstacles. This positive influence can instill valuable life lessons and encourage personal growth among young admirers.
However, critics argue that the impact of famous people on youth can be overwhelmingly negative. The lavish lifestyles and often unrealistic beauty standards portrayed by celebrities can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem among young people. Furthermore, the controversial behavior of some famous individuals, such as substance abuse or public scandals, may be glamorized and emulated by impressionable fans. This negative influence can potentially lead to harmful lifestyle choices and skewed perceptions of success and happiness.
In my opinion, the impact of famous people on youth is a double-edged sword that largely depends on the individual celebrity and how young people interpret their actions. While the potential for negative influence exists, I believe that with proper guidance and critical thinking skills, young individuals can discern between positive and negative role models. Parents and educators play a crucial role in helping youth navigate the complex world of celebrity influence, encouraging them to admire achievements and positive attributes rather than superficial aspects of fame.
In conclusion, famous people have the power to both inspire and mislead young individuals. By fostering media literacy and promoting balanced perspectives, we can harness the positive aspects of celebrity influence while mitigating its potential drawbacks. Ultimately, the responsibility lies with society as a whole to guide youth towards constructive role models who embody values worth emulating.
(Word count: 345)
Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay
This essay demonstrates excellent coherence and cohesion, addressing all parts of the question with well-developed ideas. The writing style is sophisticated, using a wide range of vocabulary and complex sentence structures. Key strengths include:
- Clear introduction outlining the essay structure
- Balanced discussion of both viewpoints with specific examples
- Logical paragraph organization (positive view, negative view, personal opinion)
- Effective use of cohesive devices (e.g., “On one hand,” “However,” “Moreover”)
- Nuanced personal opinion that acknowledges complexity
- Strong conclusion summarizing main points and offering broader implications
The essay would score high in all four marking criteria: Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Famous people have a big impact on young people these days. Some people think this is good, but others say it’s bad. I will discuss both sides and give my opinion.
There are some good things about famous people influencing youth. Many celebrities do charity work and talk about important issues. This can make young people care more about helping others and the world. For example, when a famous singer talks about climate change, their fans might start recycling more. Also, successful athletes show that hard work is important to achieve goals. This can motivate young people to study hard or practice sports.
On the other hand, famous people can have negative effects too. Some celebrities behave badly, like doing drugs or getting into fights. Young fans might copy this behavior because they think it’s cool. Another problem is that many famous people show off expensive things on social media. This can make young people feel bad about their own lives and want to buy things they don’t need.
In my opinion, I think famous people have both good and bad influences on youth. It depends on which celebrities young people follow and how they understand what they see. Parents and teachers should help young people learn to think critically about celebrity actions and not just copy everything they do.
To conclude, famous people can inspire youth to do good things, but they can also set bad examples. It’s important for young people to choose good role models and not be too influenced by negative celebrity behavior. Society should teach youth to think for themselves and make good choices.
(Word count: 273)
Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay
This essay demonstrates a good understanding of the task and addresses all parts of the question. It shows some strengths but also has areas for improvement:
Strengths:
- Clear structure with introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion
- Discusses both positive and negative influences
- Provides some examples to support ideas
- Expresses a personal opinion
Areas for improvement:
- Ideas could be more fully developed with more specific examples
- Vocabulary is somewhat repetitive (e.g., repeated use of “famous people”)
- Sentence structures are mostly simple, with limited use of complex sentences
- Cohesive devices are basic (e.g., “On the other hand,” “To conclude”)
This essay would likely score in the Band 6-7 range. To improve, the writer could:
- Use more sophisticated vocabulary and idiomatic expressions
- Incorporate more complex sentence structures
- Develop ideas more thoroughly with specific examples and deeper analysis
- Use a wider range of cohesive devices to improve flow
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Influence (noun) – /ˈɪnfluəns/ – the capacity to have an effect on someone’s character or behavior
- Role model (noun) – /roʊl ˈmɑːdl/ – a person looked to by others as an example to be imitated
- Perseverance (noun) – /ˌpɜːrsəˈvɪrəns/ – persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success
- Advocacy (noun) – /ˈædvəkəsi/ – public support for or recommendation of a particular cause or policy
- Emulate (verb) – /ˈemjuleɪt/ – match or surpass (a person or achievement), typically by imitation
- Controversial (adjective) – /ˌkɑːntrəˈvɜːrʃl/ – giving rise or likely to give rise to public disagreement
- Discern (verb) – /dɪˈsɜːrn/ – perceive or recognize (something)
- Mitigate (verb) – /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/ – make less severe, serious, or painful
- Media literacy (noun) – /ˈmiːdiə ˈlɪtərəsi/ – the ability to identify different types of media and understand the messages they’re sending
- Critical thinking (noun) – /ˈkrɪtɪkl ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/ – the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment
In conclusion, the influence of famous people on youth remains a relevant and thought-provoking topic for IELTS Writing Task 2. As you prepare for your exam, consider practicing with similar prompts, such as:
- “Celebrity culture has a largely negative impact on society. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”
- “Some people believe that young people should choose politicians or scientists as role models instead of entertainers or sports stars. Do you agree or disagree?”
Remember to structure your essay clearly, provide balanced arguments, and support your ideas with specific examples. Feel free to share your practice essays in the comments section for feedback and discussion with other learners. Good luck with your IELTS preparation!
