The topic of celebrities’ influence on public behavior is a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2. Based on past exam patterns and current societal trends, this subject is likely to appear frequently in future tests. Its relevance stems from the growing impact of social media and celebrity culture on society. Let’s explore this topic through a carefully selected question that closely resembles those found in actual IELTS exams.
Analyzing the Question
Some people think that celebrities have a great influence on young people, while others believe they do not. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
This question requires candidates to:
- Discuss the view that celebrities greatly influence young people
- Discuss the opposing view that celebrities do not have a significant influence
- Provide and justify their own opinion on the matter
It’s crucial to address all parts of the question to achieve a high band score. Let’s examine three sample essays of varying quality to understand the assessment criteria better.
Sample Essays
Band 8 Essay
Celebrity influence on youth is a contentious issue in modern society. While some argue that famous individuals wield considerable power over young minds, others contend that their impact is overstated. This essay will explore both perspectives before presenting my own viewpoint.
Those who believe in celebrities’ substantial influence often point to the pervasive nature of social media and entertainment. Young people frequently follow their favorite stars on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, absorbing their lifestyle choices, fashion sense, and even political opinions. For instance, when a popular singer promotes a particular brand or advocates for a social cause, it often leads to a surge in sales or increased awareness among their young fanbase. This phenomenon demonstrates the potential for celebrities to shape consumer behavior and social attitudes.
Conversely, skeptics argue that the impact of celebrities on youth is exaggerated. They contend that young people are more discerning than they are given credit for, capable of distinguishing between entertainment and reality. Moreover, parents, educators, and peers often have a more direct and lasting influence on a young person’s values and decisions. For example, a teenager is more likely to be influenced by their close friends’ career choices than by a celebrity’s endorsement of a particular profession.
In my opinion, while the influence of celebrities should not be dismissed, it is often overemphasized. I believe that young people are increasingly aware of the constructed nature of celebrity personas and are developing critical thinking skills to navigate media influence. However, it would be naive to suggest that celebrities have no impact at all. Their ability to raise awareness about important issues, such as mental health or environmental conservation, can be a powerful tool for positive change when wielded responsibly.
In conclusion, the debate over celebrity influence on youth is complex and nuanced. While famous individuals undoubtedly have the power to sway opinions and behaviors to some extent, the resilience and critical thinking abilities of young people should not be underestimated. A balanced approach that recognizes both the potential influence of celebrities and the agency of young individuals is essential in understanding this dynamic relationship.
(Word count: 345)
Celebrity influence on youth through social media
Band 7 Essay
The influence of celebrities on young people is a topic of much debate. Some believe that famous people have a significant impact on youth, while others think their influence is minimal. This essay will discuss both views and provide my personal opinion.
Those who argue that celebrities greatly influence young people often point to the power of social media and entertainment. Many teenagers follow their favorite stars on platforms like Instagram and YouTube, closely observing their lifestyle choices and opinions. When a popular actor or musician promotes a product or supports a cause, it can lead to increased sales or awareness among their young fans. This shows how celebrities can shape consumer behavior and social attitudes.
On the other hand, some people believe that the impact of celebrities on youth is overestimated. They argue that young people are smarter than we think and can tell the difference between entertainment and reality. Additionally, family, teachers, and friends often have a stronger influence on a young person’s values and decisions. For instance, a student is more likely to be inspired by their teacher’s career advice than by a celebrity’s job choice.
In my view, while celebrities do have some influence on young people, it is not as strong as some may think. I believe that today’s youth are becoming more aware of how celebrity images are created and are learning to think critically about media influence. However, it would be wrong to say that celebrities have no impact at all. When used responsibly, their ability to raise awareness about important issues like mental health or environmental protection can be very positive.
To conclude, the question of how much celebrities influence young people is not simple. While famous people can certainly affect opinions and behaviors to some degree, we should not underestimate young people’s ability to think for themselves. It’s important to recognize both the potential influence of celebrities and the independence of young individuals when considering this issue.
(Word count: 321)
Young people developing critical thinking skills for media literacy
Band 6 Essay
Celebrities are very famous in our society today. Some people think they have a big influence on young people, but others don’t agree. I will talk about both sides and give my opinion.
Many people believe celebrities influence young people a lot. This is because young people often look up to famous actors, singers, and sports stars. They want to be like them and copy their style and behavior. For example, if a popular singer wears a certain type of clothes, many young fans might want to buy the same clothes. Also, when celebrities talk about important issues like the environment or health, young people might start to care about these things too.
However, other people think celebrities don’t have much influence on youth. They say that young people are smart enough to know that celebrities’ lives are not real life. They also think that family and friends have more influence on young people’s choices. For instance, a teenager is more likely to listen to their parents’ advice about education than a celebrity’s opinion.
In my opinion, I think celebrities do have some influence on young people, but it’s not as big as some people think. Young people today are getting better at understanding that celebrity life is often fake. They know that what they see on social media or TV is not always true. But I also think that celebrities can sometimes use their fame to do good things, like raising money for charity or talking about important problems in the world.
In conclusion, the question of celebrity influence on young people is complicated. While famous people can affect what young people think and do, we should remember that young people can think for themselves too. It’s important to understand both the power of celebrities and the ability of young people to make their own decisions.
(Word count: 298)
Explanation of Band Scores
Band 8 Essay Explanation
This essay demonstrates excellent control of language and presents a well-developed response to the question. Here’s why it achieves a Band 8:
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Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion. It offers well-developed ideas with relevant examples.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is logically organized with clear progression throughout. It uses a range of cohesive devices effectively (e.g., “Conversely,” “Moreover,” “For example”).
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Lexical Resource: It uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control (e.g., “pervasive nature,” “contend,” “discerning,” “constructed nature of celebrity personas”).
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay demonstrates a wide range of structures with flexibility and accuracy. Complex sentences are used effectively without errors.
Band 7 Essay Explanation
This essay shows a good command of language and addresses the task well. Here’s why it achieves a Band 7:
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Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, although some aspects are developed more fully than others. It presents relevant ideas with some supporting details.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized with clear overall progression. Cohesive devices are used effectively, but not always with complete flexibility.
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Lexical Resource: It uses a sufficient range of vocabulary for the task. There are some examples of less common vocabulary (e.g., “pervasive,” “discerning”), although with occasional awkwardness.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a variety of complex structures. There are no significant errors, but the range is not as wide as in the Band 8 essay.
Band 6 Essay Explanation
This essay addresses the task and presents relevant ideas, but with less sophistication than the higher band essays. Here’s why it achieves a Band 6:
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Task Response: The essay addresses the task, but some aspects are not fully developed. The ideas are relevant but lack depth and detail.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally coherent with some organization, but the progression of ideas is not always clear. Basic cohesive devices are used, but not always effectively.
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is adequate for the task, but lacks range and sophistication. There is some attempt to use less common vocabulary, but with limited success.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms. There are some errors, but they do not impede communication.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
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Influence (noun) – /ˈɪnfluəns/ – the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something
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Pervasive (adjective) – /pəˈveɪsɪv/ – spreading widely throughout an area or a group of people
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Contend (verb) – /kənˈtend/ – assert something as a position in an argument
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Discerning (adjective) – /dɪˈsɜːnɪŋ/ – having or showing good judgment
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Endorsement (noun) – /ɪnˈdɔːsmənt/ – the action of endorsing someone or something
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Skeptics (noun) – /ˈskeptɪks/ – people inclined to question or doubt accepted opinions
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Exaggerated (adjective) – /ɪɡˈzædʒəreɪtɪd/ – represented as being larger, better, or worse than it really is
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Nuanced (adjective) – /ˈnjuːɑːnst/ – characterized by subtle shades of meaning or expression
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Resilience (noun) – /rɪˈzɪliəns/ – the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties
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Agency (noun) – /ˈeɪdʒənsi/ – the capacity of individuals to act independently and make their own free choices
IELTS Writing Task 2 key vocabulary flashcards
In conclusion, the topic of celebrity influence on youth behavior is a complex and relevant issue for IELTS Writing Task 2. By analyzing these sample essays, you can better understand the assessment criteria and improve your writing skills. Remember to address all parts of the question, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and organize your ideas coherently.
To further enhance your skills, try writing your own essay on this topic or related ones such as:
- The role of social media in shaping public opinion
- The responsibility of public figures in promoting social causes
- The impact of celebrity endorsements on consumer behavior
Feel free to share your practice essays in the comments section for feedback and discussion. This active practice will help you prepare effectively for the IELTS Writing Task 2.
