Celebrity culture and its influence on young people has become an increasingly common topic in IELTS Writing Task 2. Based on analysis of past exam questions, this theme appears frequently in various forms, particularly when discussing social media, entertainment, and youth behavior. Let’s examine some authentic questions that have appeared in recent IELTS tests.
The influence of celebrity endorsements on social behavior has become a crucial aspect of modern society, especially among young people. For our sample essays, we’ll focus on this recent IELTS question:
Some people think that celebrities have a positive influence on young people’s behavior, while others believe their impact is negative. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Question Analysis
This question requires candidates to:
- Explore both positive and negative impacts of celebrity influence
- Present balanced arguments for each perspective
- Include personal opinion with supporting evidence
- Follow the standard discuss-both-views essay structure
Celebrity culture's impact on youth behavior analysis
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8.5)
The pervasive influence of celebrities on young people’s behavior has sparked considerable debate. While some argue that celebrities serve as positive role models, others contend that their impact can be detrimental to youth development. In my view, while celebrity influence can be beneficial when properly channeled, its current manifestation often produces more negative than positive outcomes.
Proponents of celebrity influence highlight several positive aspects. Firstly, celebrities can inspire young people to pursue their dreams and work hard, as demonstrated by success stories of artists and athletes who overcame significant challenges. Additionally, when celebrities champion social causes, such as impact of youth activism on social issues, they can motivate young people to engage in meaningful community service and social responsibility.
However, the negative implications of celebrity culture are more pronounced. Many young people develop unrealistic expectations about life and success, often prioritizing fame and superficial achievements over substantive personal development. Furthermore, role of social media influencers in shaping youth culture has led to increased materialism and poor self-image among teenagers who constantly compare themselves to carefully curated celebrity personas.
In my assessment, while celebrity influence can potentially inspire positive change, the current celebrity culture predominantly promotes shallow values and unrealistic lifestyle standards. To address this, society needs to encourage young people to develop critical thinking skills and seek more diverse role models beyond the entertainment industry.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6.5)
These days, many people discuss whether celebrities are good or bad for young people. This essay will look at both sides of this issue and share my thoughts.
On the positive side, celebrities can help young people in several ways. When famous people show good behavior, like helping others or working hard, young people might copy them. For example, when celebrities support charity work, their young fans often want to help too. Also, some celebrities share their struggle stories, which can encourage youth to overcome their own problems.
However, there are also bad effects. Many young people waste time following celebrities’ lives instead of focusing on their studies. They also spend too much money buying products that celebrities advertise. Sometimes, celebrities show bad behavior like using drugs or fighting, which can influence young fans negatively.
In my opinion, celebrities have more negative effects than positive ones on young people today. I think parents and teachers should help young people understand that they shouldn’t copy everything celebrities do.
Scoring Analysis
Band 8.5 Essay:
- Sophisticated vocabulary: “pervasive influence,” “detrimental,” “substantive”
- Complex sentence structures with proper linking
- Clear progression of ideas
- Well-developed arguments with specific examples
- Coherent paragraphing
- Professional academic tone
Band 6.5 Essay:
- Simple but clear vocabulary
- Basic sentence structures
- Some repetition of ideas
- Limited use of complex language
- Basic examples
- More informal tone
Key Vocabulary
- pervasive (adj) /pəˈveɪsɪv/ – spreading widely throughout an area or group
- detrimental (adj) /ˌdetrɪˈmentl/ – causing harm or damage
- substantive (adj) /ˈsʌbstəntɪv/ – having a firm basis in reality
- champion (v) /ˈtʃæmpiən/ – publicly support or fight for
- materialism (n) /məˈtɪriəlɪzəm/ – excessive concern with material possessions
Consider practicing with these related topics:
- The influence of social media celebrities on consumer behavior
- Celebrity endorsements in advertising
- The role of celebrity activism in social movements
Share your practice essays in the comments section for feedback and improvement suggestions.
