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2023

IELTS essay, topic: Celebrities can be poor role models for teenagers (agree/disagree)

This essay topic was seen in a recent IELTS test in Italy.

Nowadays many teenagers have a celebrity who they follow as a role model. Some people think this is not a good idea, because celebrities often set a bad example. Do you agree or disagree?

Sample Band 8 Essay

It is not uncommon for teenagers to worship celebrities. From singers to actors, many young people around the world look up to these stars and attempt to emulate their lifestyles. In my opinion, allowing children to idolize celebrities can often be detrimental, as they frequently set a poor example.

Many of today’s celebrities tend to lack moral values, and they promote behaviour inappropriate for young people. For instance, some music videos feature explicit lyrics glorifying drug use and violence. In addition, the media often reports on celebrities who indulge in excessive partying or drinking alcohol despite being underage. These types of headlines can have a negative influence on impressionable teens who might falsely believe that they should follow suit to appear cool or successful.

Poor morals aren’t the only issue, as many popular stars are also well-known for their irresponsible spending habits. They routinely splurge on luxury items such as designer clothing or expensive cars without any consideration for budgeting or saving money responsibly. This kind of behaviour is dangerous because it is normalizing materialism and teaching teens that costly possessions will bring them happiness instead of focusing on what really matters in life: meaningful relationships, knowledge, and hard work.

To conclude, young adults should keep in mind that society’s perception of fame and fortune is based on temporary, insubstantial things rather than what actually matters. In the grand scheme of things, it would be far more beneficial for teenagers to spend time developing their own set of values rooted in quality education and strong family relationships.

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IELTS Speaking Test, Part 3 questions with model answers (Going out + Outdoor activities)

Here are some high-scoring Part 3 model answers for the Speaking Test that was shared by a student from Ghana. The answers show a good way to respond to these questions.

Speaking test

Part 3 (Discussion)

1. What do people in your country like to do when they go out?

Well, I can’t speak for everyone, but I think that most people love to go out and have dinner at one of the many restaurants and cafes. You could say that good food is our national pastime, and people are always looking for the best places to eat certain dishes. Apart from that, people also love travelling to the mountainous areas to see the snow-covered peaks and spend some time in nature.

2. Is it good to go out?

Personally, I believe that it’s very important for people to take some time for themselves every now and then to enjoy their free time. We work hard all week long and we should take some time to relax and recharge, to be more productive when we return to work. Whether that means going out for a nice dinner or spending time with friends, it’s important to do something that makes you happy outside of work.

3. Between adults and young people, who goes out more?

I can’t say for sure, but I guess young people go out more than adults. After all, young people have more energy and tend to be more carefree than adults. They usually don’t have as much responsibilities so they can go out more often and have a good time. Of course, there are plenty of adults who like to go out and have fun, but on the whole, I think young people probably have more energy to do this regularly.

4. Do people consider pollution when doing outdoor activities?

I have to say that I never really thought about this before, but I’d say that the type of people who enjoy outdoor activities like hiking or camping love and respect nature, and most of them are careful not to pollute the places that they visit.

5. Why do you think people do risky behaviours / dangerous sports?

Well, this is not something that I am a fan of, but I guess I can understand how the rush of adrenaline and the feeling of euphoria from these activities can be addictive. I think for some, it’s a way to push their boundaries and escape the boredom of everyday life.

6. Does being a parent reduce chances of taking risks?

When you’re a parent, you have someone else to think about and you can’t just impulsively do something without considering the consequences. It’s definitely not impossible to take risks when you’re a parent, but it becomes a lot more complicated. You need to weigh all the potential risks and benefits before making any decisions and sometimes that can be difficult to do. But at the end of the day, parenting is all about making choices that are best for your kids.

Read more model answers on the VIP Club website