The topic of celebrity influence on lifestyle and materialism is a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2. It has appeared in various forms over the years and continues to be relevant due to the growing impact of social media and influencer culture. Based on past trends, we can expect this topic to remain popular in future IELTS exams. Let’s explore a specific question related to this theme and analyze sample essays for different band scores.
Analyzing the Question
Some people think that celebrities have a positive influence on young people’s lifestyle choices, while others believe their influence is largely negative. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
This question requires us to:
- Discuss the positive influences of celebrities on young people’s lifestyles
- Discuss the negative influences of celebrities on young people’s lifestyles
- Provide our own opinion on the matter
Let’s examine three sample essays addressing this question, each targeting a different band score.
Sample Essay 1 – Band 8-9
The pervasive influence of celebrities on youth culture is a topic of intense debate. While some argue that public figures serve as positive role models, others contend that their impact is predominantly detrimental. This essay will explore both perspectives before offering a nuanced opinion on the matter.
Proponents of celebrity influence often highlight the inspirational aspect of famous individuals. Many celebrities use their platform to promote charitable causes, encouraging young people to engage in philanthropy and social activism. For instance, actors like Leonardo DiCaprio have been instrumental in raising awareness about climate change, motivating youth to adopt more environmentally conscious lifestyles. Moreover, success stories of celebrities who have overcome adversity can inspire perseverance and resilience in young admirers.
Conversely, critics argue that celebrity culture often propagates unrealistic standards and materialistic values. The lavish lifestyles portrayed on social media can foster a sense of inadequacy and fuel excessive consumerism among impressionable youth. Furthermore, the controversial behavior of some celebrities, particularly those involved in scandals or substance abuse, may normalize destructive habits. This negative influence is exacerbated by the media’s tendency to sensationalize celebrity misdeeds, potentially skewing young people’s perceptions of acceptable conduct.
In my opinion, the impact of celebrities on young people’s lifestyle choices is a double-edged sword, with the potential for both positive and negative outcomes. The key lies in developing critical thinking skills among youth, enabling them to discern between admirable qualities and superficial attributes. Educational institutions and parents play a crucial role in guiding young people to view celebrities critically, appreciating their talents and positive contributions while recognizing their human fallibility.
In conclusion, while celebrities can indeed be powerful influencers, the nature of their impact largely depends on how their influence is perceived and processed by young individuals. By fostering media literacy and critical thinking, we can harness the positive aspects of celebrity influence while mitigating its potential drawbacks.
(Word count: 309)
Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay
This essay demonstrates excellent use of language and addresses all parts of the question thoroughly:
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Task Achievement: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both positive and negative views and providing a clear personal opinion.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphing and effective use of cohesive devices.
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Lexical Resource: A wide range of vocabulary is used accurately and appropriately, with sophisticated phrases like “pervasive influence,” “propagates unrealistic standards,” and “foster a sense of inadequacy.”
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay demonstrates a wide range of complex structures used accurately, with only minor errors.
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Critical Thinking: The essay shows depth of critical thinking, particularly in the concluding paragraph where it suggests a balanced approach to celebrity influence.
Sample Essay 2 – Band 6-7
Celebrities have a significant impact on young people’s lifestyle choices, and opinions are divided on whether this influence is positive or negative. This essay will discuss both viewpoints and provide my personal perspective on the issue.
On the positive side, many celebrities use their fame to promote good causes. For example, some famous actors and musicians encourage their fans to volunteer or donate to charities. This can inspire young people to be more socially responsible. Additionally, celebrities who have achieved success through hard work can motivate youth to pursue their own goals and dreams.
However, there are also negative aspects to celebrity influence. Many young people try to copy the expensive lifestyles of celebrities, which can lead to financial problems and unrealistic expectations. Furthermore, when celebrities behave badly or break the law, it may send the wrong message to their young fans who might imitate this behavior.
In my opinion, the influence of celebrities on young people can be both positive and negative. I believe it largely depends on the individual celebrity and how they choose to use their influence. It’s important for young people to think critically about the celebrities they admire and not blindly follow everything they do.
To conclude, while celebrities can have both positive and negative effects on young people’s lifestyle choices, it’s crucial for youth to develop their own values and make informed decisions rather than simply imitating their idols.
(Word count: 247)
Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay
This essay demonstrates good use of language and addresses all parts of the question, but with less sophistication than the Band 8-9 essay:
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Task Achievement: The essay addresses all parts of the task, but the ideas are less fully developed compared to the higher band essay.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, but the use of cohesive devices is less sophisticated.
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is appropriate but less varied and sophisticated compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences with generally good control, but lacks the range and accuracy of the higher band essay.
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Critical Thinking: The essay shows some critical thinking, particularly in the opinion paragraph, but lacks the depth of analysis seen in the Band 8-9 essay.
Sample Essay 3 – Band 5-6
Celebrities are very popular these days and they influence young people a lot. Some people think this is good, but others think it is bad. I will talk about both sides in this essay.
Some celebrities do good things and help people. They give money to poor people or talk about important issues like the environment. This can make young people want to help others too. Also, when celebrities work hard and become successful, it can show young people that they can achieve their dreams if they try.
But there are bad things too. Many young people want to look like celebrities or buy expensive things like them. This can make them unhappy if they can’t do it. Also, some celebrities do bad things like taking drugs or breaking laws. Young people might think this is okay and copy them.
I think celebrities can be good and bad for young people. It depends on what the celebrity does. Young people should be careful about which celebrities they like and not copy everything they do.
In conclusion, celebrities have both good and bad effects on young people. It’s important for young people to think for themselves and not just do what celebrities do.
(Word count: 193)
Analysis of Band 5-6 Essay
This essay addresses the task but with limited development and language use:
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Task Achievement: The essay covers the main points but lacks depth and detail.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay has a basic structure but lacks sophisticated linking words and cohesive devices.
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is simple and repetitive, with limited range.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses mainly simple sentences with some errors, showing limited range.
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Critical Thinking: The essay shows basic critical thinking but lacks the depth and nuance of higher band essays.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Pervasive (adjective) /pərˈveɪsɪv/ – spreading widely throughout an area or group of people
- Philanthropy (noun) /fɪˈlænθrəpi/ – the desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed especially by the generous donation of money to good causes
- Propagate (verb) /ˈprɒpəɡeɪt/ – spread and promote (an idea, theory, etc.) widely
- Exacerbate (verb) /ɪɡˈzæsərbeɪt/ – make (a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling) worse
- Discern (verb) /dɪˈsɜːn/ – recognize or find out
- Fallibility (noun) /ˌfæləˈbɪləti/ – the tendency to make mistakes or be wrong
- Mitigate (verb) /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/ – make less severe, serious, or painful
- Superficial (adjective) /ˌsuːpərˈfɪʃl/ – existing or occurring at or on the surface
- Controversial (adjective) /ˌkɒntrəˈvɜːʃl/ – giving rise or likely to give rise to controversy or public disagreement
- Materialism (noun) /məˈtɪəriəlɪzəm/ – a tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual values
Conclusion
The influence of celebrities on lifestyle and materialism is a complex topic that requires careful consideration of multiple perspectives. As we’ve seen from the sample essays, this theme can be approached at various levels of sophistication, from basic description to nuanced analysis.
For future IELTS Writing Task 2 questions, you might encounter variations on this theme, such as:
- The impact of social media influencers on consumer behavior
- The role of celebrity endorsements in advertising
- The effect of celebrity culture on young people’s career aspirations
- The responsibility of celebrities as role models in society
To prepare for such questions, practice writing essays that balance different viewpoints, use specific examples, and demonstrate critical thinking. Remember to structure your essay clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and always address all parts of the question.
We encourage you to practice writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This active practice is one of the most effective ways to improve your IELTS Writing skills and receive feedback from others.