The phrase “Be Famous For + Noun/gerund” is a common structure used to describe what makes a person, place, or thing well-known. In IELTS, mastering this phrase can help you express ideas more effectively in both Writing and Speaking tasks. Let’s explore how to use this structure correctly and enhance your IELTS performance.
Understanding the Structure
The basic structure is:
[Subject] + be/is/are/was/were + famous for + [noun/gerund]
This structure allows you to highlight the main reason for someone or something’s fame. It’s particularly useful in IELTS tasks where you need to describe notable features or characteristics.
Examples:
- Paris is famous for its iconic Eiffel Tower.
- Leonardo da Vinci was famous for his artistic genius.
- The Beatles are famous for revolutionizing rock music.
- Australia is famous for its unique wildlife.
- Marie Curie was famous for discovering radium.
In each of these examples, the structure clearly identifies the subject and what makes it renowned.
Using “Be Famous for” in IELTS Writing
In IELTS Writing, this structure can be particularly useful in Task 1 (describing graphs or processes) and Task 2 (essay writing).
Task 1 Example:
When describing a graph about tourism, you might write:
“The graph shows that Paris is famous for attracting millions of tourists annually. While Rome is famous for its historical sites, it receives fewer visitors compared to Paris.”
Task 2 Example:
In an essay about cultural heritage, you could write:
“Many countries are famous for their unique cultural traditions. For instance, Japan is famous for its tea ceremonies, while India is famous for its colorful festivals. Preserving these traditions is crucial for maintaining cultural identity in an increasingly globalized world.”
Enhancing Your IELTS Speaking
In the Speaking test, using “be famous for” can help you provide clear, concise answers.
Part 1 Example:
Question: “What is your hometown famous for?”
Answer: “My hometown, Kyoto, is famous for its ancient temples and traditional gardens. It’s also renowned for its seasonal cherry blossoms, which attract thousands of tourists every spring.”
Part 2 Example:
When describing a famous person:
“I’d like to talk about Marie Curie. She was famous for her groundbreaking work in radioactivity. Curie was renowned for being the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the first person to win Nobel Prizes in two scientific fields.”
Part 3 Example:
Question: “How do famous people influence society?”
Answer: “Famous individuals often shape public opinion. For example, environmental activists like Greta Thunberg are famous for raising awareness about climate change. Similarly, tech innovators like Elon Musk are famous for pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space exploration and sustainable energy.”
Advanced Usage and Variations
To achieve higher band scores in IELTS, consider using more sophisticated variations:
- Be renowned for: “The Louvre is renowned for housing the Mona Lisa.”
- Be celebrated for: “Shakespeare is celebrated for his profound impact on English literature.”
- Be recognized for: “Malala Yousafzai is recognized for her advocacy of education for girls.”
- Be acclaimed for: “The film was acclaimed for its innovative cinematography.”
- Be noted for: “The region is noted for its fine wines and culinary traditions.”
Using these variations can demonstrate a wider vocabulary range, potentially leading to higher scores in the Lexical Resource criterion.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Incorrect preposition: Don’t say “famous of” or “famous with”. Always use “famous for”.
Incorrect: “New York is famous of its skyscrapers.”
Correct: “New York is famous for its skyscrapers.” -
Using an adjective instead of a noun/gerund: The structure requires a noun or gerund.
Incorrect: “She is famous for beautiful.”
Correct: “She is famous for her beauty” or “She is famous for being beautiful.” -
Forgetting the article before a singular countable noun:
Incorrect: “The city is famous for bridge.”
Correct: “The city is famous for its bridge” or “The city is famous for the Golden Gate Bridge.” -
Overuse: While it’s a useful structure, don’t rely on it too heavily. Vary your language to maintain interest.
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Mismatched tenses: Ensure the tense of “be” matches the context.
Incorrect: “Ancient Rome is famous for inventing concrete.”
Correct: “Ancient Rome was famous for inventing concrete.”
Conclusion
Mastering the “be famous for + noun/gerund” structure can significantly enhance your IELTS performance. It allows you to concisely express what makes people, places, or things notable. Remember to use it appropriately in both Writing and Speaking tasks, and don’t forget to explore its variations to showcase your language proficiency. Practice using this structure in various contexts to become more comfortable with it, and you’ll find it a valuable tool in your IELTS preparation.