This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of retirements homes/communities from the real IELTS general training exam.
This was a tricky one so it is a little on the long side – about 320 words – aim for about 275 in your own writing.
It’s easier to write longer and harder to write shorter!
Please consider supporting me on Patreon.com/howtodoielts to receive my full, exclusive IELTS Ebooks – you can even sign up for private live lessons with me!
Dave
IELTS Essay: Retirement Homes/Communities
Nowadays some older people choose to live in retirement communities and centers with other people, rather than living with their adult children.
Is this a positive or negative development?
It is becoming increasingly common for senior citizens to retire to assisted care facilities instead of remaining at home with their children. In my opinion, though these institutions often have a reputation for abuse, it is a positive trend as it liberates younger generations.
Detractors of such communities highlight notable instances of abuse. These are detailed in frequent, highly publicized, exposes from reputable news organizations on a regular basis. Many of these incidents become criminal or civil cases and the instances of mistreatment are memorably cruel. Elderly people have been known to be beaten, demeaned and neglected in terms of their basic sanitary needs. These vulnerable individuals often lack the ability to defend themselves or voice the abuse to visiting family. However, considering the total number of seniors in assisted care facilities, abuse is rare and likely to decrease in the future as technology allows for closer monitoring of employees.
Overall, I believe retirement communities to be a positive as they are liberating for families. This applies to the seniors themselves as, though they may be restricted from leaving the premises, they can interact with their peers and form meaningful, new bonds. The greatest benefits, however, are for the family unit as a whole. Families are rarely equipped with the medical training or financial resources to support aging individuals. For instance, it is a nearly impossible task for a family where both mother and father work to look after an ailing parent as well as their own young children. They are likely to lack some combination of energy, will, means, and time. By placing their parents in an elderly home, they will have more time to invest in raising their own children and advancing at work, which will itself increase the standard of living for all family members.
In conclusion, the risk of possible abuse at retirement homes does not overshadow the benefits generally for families. This is a sensitive topic but each individual must decide what is in their own best interests.
Analysis
1. It is becoming increasingly common for senior citizens to retire to assisted care facilities instead of remaining at home with their children. 2. In my opinion, though these institutions often have a reputation for abuse, it is a positive trend as it liberates younger generations.
Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. Detractors of such communities highlight notable instances of abuse. 2. These are detailed in frequent, highly publicized, exposés from reputable news organizations on a regular basis. 3. Many of these incidents become criminal or civil cases and the instances of mistreatment are memorably cruel. 4. Elderly people have been known to be beaten, demeaned and neglected in terms of their basic sanitary needs. 5. These vulnerable individuals often lack the ability to defend themselves or voice the abuse to visiting family. 6. However, considering the total number of seniors in assisted care facilities, abuse is rare and likely to decrease in the future as technology allows for closer monitoring of employees.
Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
Explain your main idea.
Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
Keep developing it fully.
Add more deatil.
I end here by switching to the other side – the side I agree with.
1. Overall, I believe retirement communities to be a positive as they are liberating for families. 2. This applies to the seniors themselves as, though they may be restricted from leaving the premises, they can interact with their peers and form meaningful, new bonds. 3. The greatest benefits, however, are for the family unit as a whole. 4. Families are rarely equipped with the medical training or financial resources to support aging individuals. 5. For instance, it is a nearly impossible task for a family where both mother and father work to look after an ailing parent as well as their own young children. 6. They are likely to lack some combination of energy, will, means, and time. 7. By placing their parents in an elderly home, they will have more time to invest in raising their own children and advancing at work, which will itself increase the standard of living for all family members.
Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
Explain your new main idea.
Include specific details and examples.
Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
Develop the example fully.
Vary long and short sentences.
Try not to write this many sentences…
1. In conclusion, the risk of possible abuse at retirement homes does not overshadow the benefits generally for families. 2. This is a sensitive topic but each individual must decide what is in their own best interests.
Summarise your main ideas.
Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.
It is becoming increasingly common for senior citizens to retire to assisted care facilities instead of remaining at home with their children. In my opinion, though these institutions often have a reputation for abuse, it is a positive trend as it liberates younger generations.
Detractors of such communities highlight notable instances of abuse. These are detailed in frequent, highly publicized, exposés from reputable news organizationson a regular basis. Many of these incidents become criminal or civil cases and the instances of mistreatment are memorably cruel. Elderly people have been known to be beaten, demeaned and neglectedin terms of their basic sanitary needs. These vulnerable individuals often lack the ability to defend themselves or voice the abuse to visiting family. However, considering the total number of seniors in assisted care facilities, abuse is rare and likely to decrease in the future as technology allows for closer monitoring of employees.
Overall, I believe retirement communities to be a positive as they are liberating for families. This applies to the seniors themselves as, though they may be restricted from leaving the premises, they can interact with their peers and form meaningful, new bonds. The greatest benefits, however, are for the family unit as a whole. Families are rarely equipped with the medical training or financial resources to support aging individuals. For instance, it is a nearly impossible task for a family where both mother and father work to look after an ailing parentas well as their own young children. They are likely to lack some combination of energy, will, means, and time. By placing their parents in an elderly home, they will have more time to invest in raising their own children and advancing at work, which will itself increase the standard of living for all family members.
In conclusion, the risk of possible abuse at retirement homes does not overshadow the benefits generally for families. This is a sensitive topic but each individual must decide what is in their own best interests.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
increasingly common happens more and more
senior citizens older people
retire to stop working and go live
assisted care facilities places where they look after old people
instead of rather than
remaining left over
institutions places
reputation what is heard about these places
abuse being hurt
trend pattern
liberates younger generations frees the children
detractors critics
highlight notable instances focus on big examples
exposés reports
reputable news organizations well-known media companies
on a regular basis often
incidents examples
criminal or civil cases people put on trial or sued for money
I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:
It is becoming i__________________n for s_________________s to r____________o a_____________________s i_____________f r___________g at home with their children. In my opinion, though these i_______________s often have a r___________n for a_______e, it is a positive t______d as it l_____________________s.
D____________s of such communities h_______________________s of abuse. These are detailed in frequent, highly publicized, e_________s from r___________________________s o_________________s. Many of these i____________s become c___________________s and the i___________s of m_____________t are m_______________l. E________________e h________________________e b_________n, d__________________d and n_____________di_________________f t_______________________s. These v____________e individuals often l_____k the ability to d___________d themselves or v_______e the abuse to v_____________y. However, c______________g the t_____________r of seniors in assisted care facilities, abuse is r____e and likely to decrease i________________e as t______________y allows for c_______________g of employees.
Overall, I believe retirement communities to be a positive as they are liberating for families. This a________s to the seniors themselves as, though they may be r___________d from leaving the p___________s, they can i__________t with their p________s and f____________________l, n__________s. The greatest b___________s, however, are for the f_______________________e. Families are r_________________d with the m_________________g or f___________________s to support a______g individuals. For instance, it is a n_________________e task for a family where both mother and father work to look after an a________________ta__________s their own young children. They are likely to lack s_____________________f e_______y, w____l, m_______s, and t_____e. By p_________g their parents in an elderly home, they will have more time to i_______t in r_______g their own children and a______________g at work, which will itself increase the s_______________g for all family members.
In conclusion, the r____k of possible abuse at r__________________s does not o______________w the benefits generally for families. This is a s__________________c but each individual must d_____e what is in their o____________________s.
Listening Practice
Learn more about this topic by watching videos from The New York Times YouTube channel below and practice with these activities:
This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of clothes, culture, and character from the real IELTS exam.
Please consider supporting me on Patreon.com/howtodoielts to receive my full, exclusive IELTS Ebooks – you can even sign up for private live lessons with me!
Dave
IELTS Essay: Clothes, Culture, & Character
Some people say that it is possible to tell a lot about a person’s culture and character from their choice of clothes.
Do you agree or disagree?
Many believe that fashion choices communicate information about an individual’s personality and culture. I am largely in agreement though I would concede globalization has partly obscured these distinctions.
Those who argue that a person’s culture and character cannot be determined from their clothing point to the impact of globalization. There are now international companies like Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, and Louis Vuitton that manufacture and ship identical clothes all around the world for consumers. These consumers are influenced by the same media and admire the same public figures. This modern convergence of production and culture means that disparate nations are more similar than at any point in human history. It is not unusual to see an individual living in South America, for instance, wearing the same shoes and clothing as someone in Asia or Europe.
Nonetheless, fashion preferences still reveal what a person values and what they wish to project to the outside world. A person who wears a suit and tie appears professional and this likely matches their personality. If they dress very formally when at work it might also indicate the office culture in their country. For example, it is common in East Asian countries for workers to dress very formally for work while in Southeast Asia the clothing is more casual due to the tropical climate. There are also individual differences that are, on average, greater than the disparity between cultures. A person who is into sports is more likely to wear sporty clothes regardless of where they live. Social media and globalization can even contribute to this trend as a consumer can follow their favorite artist and emulate both their personality and fashion choices.
In conclusion, though globalization theoretically makes it more difficult to distinguish a person’s culture and character from their clothes, in fact, these choices continue to be revealing. This self-expression is one of the benefits of modern fashion.
Analysis
1. Many believe that fashion choices communicate information about an individual’s personality and culture. 2. I am largely in agreement though I would concede globalization has partly obscured these distinctions.
Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. Those who argue that a person’s culture and character cannot be determined from their clothing point to the impact of globalization. 2. There are now international companies like Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, and Louis Vuitton that manufacture and ship identical clothes all around the world for consumers. 3. These consumers are influenced by the same media and admire the same public figures. 4. This modern convergence of production and culture means that disparate nations are more similar than at any point in human history. 5. It is not unusual to see an individual living in South America, for instance, wearing the same shoes and clothing as someone in Asia or Europe.
Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
Explain your main idea.
Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
Keep developing it fully.
You can have a second main idea.
1. Nonetheless, fashion preferences still reveal what a person values and what they wish to project to the outside world. 2. A person who wears a suit and tie appears professional and this likely matches their personality. 3. If they dress very formally when at work it might also indicate the office culture in their country. 4. For example, it is common in East Asian countries for workers to dress very formally for work while in Southeast Asia the clothing is more casual due to the tropical climate. 5. There are also individual differences that are, on average, greater than the disparity between cultures. 6. A person who is into sports is more likely to wear sporty clothes regardless of where they live. 7. Social media and globalization can even contribute to this trend as a consumer can follow their favorite artist and emulate both their personality and fashion choices.
Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
Explain your new main idea.
Include specific details and examples.
Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
Develop the example fully.
For this one I have a second related idea to develop.
And another example to extend fully.
1. In conclusion, though globalization theoretically makes it more difficult to distinguish a person’s culture and character from their clothes, in fact, these choices continue to be revealing. 2. This self-expression is one of the benefits of modern fashion.
Summarise your main ideas.
Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.
Many believe that fashion choices communicate information about an individual’s personality and culture. I am largely in agreement though I would concede globalization has partly obscured these distinctions.
Those who argue that a person’s culture and character cannot be determined from their clothing point to the impact of globalization. There are now international companies like Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, and Louis Vuitton that manufacture and ship identical clothes all around the world for consumers. These consumers are influenced by the same media and admire the same public figures. This modern convergence of production and culture means that disparate nations are more similar than at any point in human history. It is not unusual to see an individual living in South America, for instance, wearing the same shoes and clothing as someone in Asia or Europe.
Nonetheless, fashion preferences still reveal what a person values and what they wish to project to theoutside world. A person who wears a suit and tieappears professional and this likely matches their personality. If they dress very formally when at work it might also indicate the office culture in their country. For example, it is common in East Asian countries for workers to dress very formally for work while in Southeast Asia the clothing is more casual due to the tropical climate. There are also individual differences that are, on average, greater than the disparity between cultures. A person who is into sports is more likely to wear sporty clothesregardless of where they live. Social media and globalization can even contribute to this trend as a consumer can follow their favorite artist and emulate both their personality and fashion choices.
In conclusion, though globalization theoretically makes it more difficult to distinguish a person’s culture and character from their clothes, in fact, these choices continue to be revealing. This self-expression is one of the benefits of modern fashion.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
fashion choices decisions about clothes
communicate information reveal yourself
personality temperament, character
culture society, art, your country as a whole
largely in agreement mostly on the same page
concede globalization give up the idea of spreading ideas
partly obscured somewhat hidden
distinctions differences
argue point out
character personality
determined decided by
point to argue
international companies multinationals
manufacture made
identical the same
all around the world everywhere
consumers buyers
influenced impacted by
media entertainment
admire look up to
public figures famous people
modern convergence coming together these days
production making of
disparate nations different countries
at any point in human history at any time before
unusual not normal
for instance for example
preferences tastes
reveal show
values what you consider important
project to theoutside world show to everyone else
suit and tie fancy work clothes
appears seems
professional formal
matches fits
formally professionally
indicate mean
office culture workplace
casual not formal
tropical climate hot weather
on average generally
greater than more than
disparity between cultures differences between countries
I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:
Many believe that f_______________s c____________________________n about an individual’s p_____________y and c_____________e. I am l______________________t though I would c___________e g_________________n has p_________________d these d___________________s.
Those who a_______e that a person’s culture and c__________r cannot be d__________d from their clothing p____________o the impact of globalization. There are now i_________________s like Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, and Louis Vuitton that m_____________e and ship i_____________l clothes a___________________d for consumers. These c__________s are i______________d by the same m_______a and a_______e the same p_______________s. This m_____________________e of p______________n and culture means that d_____________________s are more similar than a_____________________________y. It is not u__________l to see an individual living in South America, f____________e, wearing the same shoes and clothing as someone in Asia or Europe.
Nonetheless, fashion p___________s still r___________l what a person v_______s and what they wish to p__________________________d. A person who wears a s____________ea_________s p______________l and this likely m________s their personality. If they dress very f____________y when at work it might also i___________e the o________________e in their country. For example, it is common in East Asian countries for workers to dress very formally for work while in Southeast Asia the clothing is more c_________l due to the t__________________e. There are also individual differences that are, o___________________e, g___________n the d_________________________s. A person who is into sports is more likely to wear s_____________sr_____________f where they live. S_______________a and globalization can even c_____________e to this t______d as a consumer can follow their favorite artist and e_________e both their personality and fashion choices.
In conclusion, though globalization t_____________________y makes it more difficult to d_________________h a person’s culture and character from their clothes, in fact, these choices c_________________e revealing. This s________________n is one of the benefits of modern fashion.
Listening Practice
Learn more about this topic by watching videos from The New York Times YouTube channel below and practice with these activities:
The bar chart below shows the popularity of well-known Instagram accounts in 2011 and 2021.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
The bar chart details the follower statistics for 5 popular personalities on Instagram in 2018 and 2021. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that figures rose for all influencers with Christiano Ronaldo becoming the most followed and Selena Gomez going from most to least popular over the period surveyed.
In 2018, Selena Gomez had by far the most followers at 125 million, more than 10 million above Ariana Grande (112 million) and Ronaldo (110 million). By 2021, Selena’s follower count had nearly doubled to 245 million, while Ronaldo’s surged to lead all celebrities at 315 million and Ariana Grande increased more than twofold to 251 million.
The final two influencers, Kylie Jenner and The Rock, experienced similarly dramatic rising trends. Kylie’s followers were just under 100 million in 2018 and The Rock was slightly lower at around 95 million. Both influencers added approximately 150 million followers with the former finishing at 250 million and the latter modestly higher at 252 million.
Analysis
1. The bar chart details the follower statistics for 5 popular personalities on Instagram in 2018 and 2021. 2. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that figures rose for all influencers with Christiano Ronaldo becoming the most followed and Selena Gomez going from most to least popular over the period surveyed.
Paraphrase what the bar chart shows.
Write a clear overview summarising the differences.
1. In 2018, Selena Gomez had by far the most followers at 125 million, more than 10 million above Ariana Grande (112 million) and Ronaldo (110 million). 2. By 2021, Selena’s follower count had nearly doubled to 245 million, while Ronaldo’s surged to lead all celebrities at 315 million and Ariana Grande increased more than twofold to 251 million.
Begin writing about the data for the first categories.
Make sure you compare as much as possible.
1. The final two influencers, Kylie Jenner and The Rock, experienced similarly dramatic rising trends. 2. Kylie’s followers were just under 100 million in 2018 and The Rock was slightly lower at around 95 million. 3. Both influencers added approximately 150 million followers with the former finishing at 250 million and the latter modestly higher at 252 million.
Write about the final other parts of the graph – include everything!
Compare the categories.
Finish with the rest of the data.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?Take some notes on a piece of paper to aid your memory:
The bar chart details the follower statistics for 5 popular personalities on Instagram in 2018 and 2021. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent thatfigures rose for all influencers with Christiano Ronaldo becoming the most followed and Selena Gomez going from most to least popular over the period surveyed.
In 2018, Selena Gomez had by far the most followers at 125 million, more than 10 million above Ariana Grande (112 million) and Ronaldo (110 million). By 2021, Selena’s follower count had nearly doubled to 245 million, while Ronaldo’s surged to lead all celebrities at 315 million and Ariana Grande increased more than twofold to 251 million.
The final two influencers, Kylie Jenner and The Rock, experienced similarly dramatic rising trends. Kylie’s followers were just under 100 million in 2018 and The Rock was slightly lower at around 95 million. Both influencers added approximately 150 million followers with the former finishing at 250 million and the latter modestly higher at 252 million.
Answers
Try to write down or think of an antonym/opposite word for further practice:
details shows
follower statistics number of people who follow them on Instagram
popular personalities famous people
Instagram social media application
Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that overall
figures statistics
rose increased
over the period surveyed over the time detailed
by far much more
count numer
nearly doubled almost twice as much
surged to lead increased a lot to be first
celebrities famous people
twofold double
final last
experienced similarly dramatic underwent about the same extreme
trends patterns
slightly lower a little less
around approximately
added approximately increased about
the former the one mentioned first
the latter modestly higher the one mentioned second a bit above
Remember and fill in the blanks. Note it on a piece of paper so you can remember better:
The bar chart d________s the f__________________s for 5 p___________________s on I____________m in 2018 and 2021. L_____________________________________________________________tf_________s r______e for all influencers with Christiano Ronaldo becoming the most followed and Selena Gomez going from most to least popular o______________________d.
In 2018, Selena Gomez had b______r the most followers at 125 million, more than 10 million above Ariana Grande (112 million) and Ronaldo (110 million). By 2021, Selena’s follower c______t had n____________d to 245 million, while Ronaldo’s s_________d to l_____d all c__________s at 315 million and Ariana Grande increased more than t_______d to 251 million.
The f______l two influencers, Kylie Jenner and The Rock, e_______________________________c rising t________s. Kylie’s followers were just under 100 million in 2018 and The Rock was s_______________r at a________d 95 million. Both influencers a___________________y 150 million followers with t____________r finishing at 250 million and t_______________________r at 252 million.
Listening Practice
Listen to the related topic below and practice with these activities:
My voice has always bothered me actually. I think that it is a little too high-pitched and I wish that it was deeper. When I catch a movie, I get a bit jealous of the actors with their strong, gravely voices. But I’m over that now. I’m old enough now to accept the things about myself that I can’t change.
2. Has your voice changed much since you were younger?
Yeah, naturally, I don’t have a childish voice anymore. Like most people, my voice changed a lot when I went through puberty. That’s when I first became conscious of the way that my voice sounds. I doubt I ever gave it a second thought before it started to break and get a little deeper.
3. Does anyone in your family have a similar voice?
That’s not something I’ve really paid much attention to but, yeah, I guess my brother has more or less the same voice as me. My dad’s voice is quite different, deeper. My mom, of course, has a very different voice. Hers is much softer and gentler, like most women. My grandfather had a really unique voice, very kind and deep.
4. Have you ever listened to a recording of your voice?
Yeah, all the time. I do a lot of online work that involves recording video and audio and I do all the editing myself so I listen to my own voice on recording everyday. At first, it drove me crazy to listen to it and I just had to get used to it but now I’m accustomed to it and it doesn’t bother me at all. I’d still rather listen to someone else’s voice!
Writing Practice
Practice with the related chart below and then check with my sample answer:
This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of international stars and historic figures and why young people are more interested in celebrities from the real IELTS exam.
Please consider supporting me on Patreon.com/howtodoielts to receive my full, exclusive IELTS Ebooks – you can even sign up for private live lessons with me!
Dave
IELTS Essay: International Stars and Historic Figures
Many young people today know more about international pop or movie stars than about famous people in the history of their own country.
Why is this?
What can be done to increase young people’s interest in famous people in the history of their country?
Younger generations today are often more interested in international celebrities rather than figures from their country’s past. In my opinion, this is a natural tendency related to mass media and can be mitigated by improving history lessons in schools.
Younger people today organically gravitate towards individuals they resonate with and see in entertainment. This applies equally to those in the film and music industries. For example, one of the most popular singers for the last decade has been Taylor Swift, an artist who prolifically releases albums, updates her Instagram, and is generally present online and in the entertainment world. Young people listen to her songs and identify with her and then follow her personal life closely in order to enjoy a vicarious, uplifting feeling. This stands in marked contrast to historical figures who no longer contribute or offer any present value.
This tendency to value current stars can be countered with more engaging history classes. History lessons in most contexts focus on dry facts and propaganda. However, there are historians who can enliven historical events such as in Robert Caro’s non-fiction or Hilary Mantel’s historical fiction. If students were introduced to passages from those sources, there is a stronger likelihood that it would instill in them a lifelong passion for the study of history and the figures that have shaped our current world. If such lessons were combined with more relevant current events lessons, then students might be more compelled to understand, respect, and continue researching great historical actors.
In conclusion, though there is a natural inclination to pay more attention to contemporary pop culture figures, an emphasis on quality texts could encourage young people to care more about individuals from the past. This will not cause a seismic shift but could have a marginal impact.
Analysis
1. Younger generations today are often more interested in international celebrities rather than figures from their country’s past. 2. In my opinion, this is a natural tendency related to mass media and can be mitigated by improving history lessons in schools.
Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. Younger people today organically gravitate towards individuals they resonate with and see in entertainment. 2. This applies equally to those in the film and music industries. 3. For example, one of the most popular singers for the last decade has been Taylor Swift, an artist who prolifically releases albums, updates her Instagram, and is generally present online and in the entertainment world. 4. Young people listen to her songs and identify with her and then follow her personal life closely in order to enjoy a vicarious, uplifting feeling. 5. This stands in marked contrast to historical figures who no longer contribute or offer any present value.
Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
Explain your main idea.
Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
Start a second method.
Keep developing it fully.
1. This tendency to value current stars can be countered with more engaging history classes. 2. History lessons in most contexts focus on dry facts and propaganda. 3. However, there are historians who can enliven historical events such as in Robert Caro’s non-fiction or Hilary Mantel’s historical fiction. 4. If students were introduced to passages from those sources, there is a stronger likelihood that it would instill in them a lifelong passion for the study of history and the figures that have shaped our current world. 5. If such lessons were combined with more relevant current events lessons, then students might be more compelled to understand, respect, and continue researching great historical actors.
Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
Explain your new main idea.
Include specific details and examples.
Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
Develop the example fully.
1. In conclusion, though there is a natural inclination to pay more attention to contemporary pop culture figures, an emphasis on quality texts could encourage young people to care more about individuals from the past. 2. This will not cause a seismic shift but could have a marginal impact.
Summarise your main ideas.
Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.
Younger generations today are often more interestedin international celebrities ratherthan figures from their country’s past. In my opinion, this is a natural tendency related to mass media and can be mitigated by improving history lessons in schools.
Younger people today organically gravitate towards individuals they resonate with and see in entertainment. This applies equally to those in the film and music industries. For example, one of the most popular singers for the last decade has been Taylor Swift, an artist who prolifically releases albums, updates her Instagram, and is generally presentonline and in the entertainment world. Young people listen to her songs and identify with her and then follow her personal life closely in order to enjoy a vicarious, uplifting feeling. This stands in marked contrast to historical figures who no longer contribute or offer any present value.
This tendency to value current stars can be countered with more engaging history classes. History lessons in most contexts focus on dry facts and propaganda. However, there are historians who can enliven historical events such as in Robert Caro’s non-fiction or Hilary Mantel’s historical fiction. If students were introduced to passages from those sources, there is a stronger likelihood that it would instill in them a lifelong passion for the study of history and the figures that have shaped our current world. If such lessons were combined with more relevant current events lessons, then students might be more compelled to understand, respect, and continue researching great historical actors.
In conclusion, though there is a natural inclination to pay more attention tocontemporary pop culture figures, an emphasis on quality texts could encourage young people to care more about individuals from the past. This will not cause a seismic shift but could have a marginal impact.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
younger generations people who are not old – under the age of 25 or so
interestedin care about
international celebrities stars
ratherthan instead of
figures important people
natural tendency organic desire
related to concerning
mass media entertainment, news, etc.
mitigated lessened
improving made better
organically gravitate towards naturally go in the direction of
resonate with connect with
entertainment movies, music, etc.
equally the same as
last decade last 10 years
artist singer, musician, etc.
prolifically releases albums make a lot of music
updates new posts
generally presentonline all over the internet
entertainment world people in music, film, etc.
identify connect with
follow her personal life closely pay attention to her life
in order to so that
vicarious living through others
uplifting enjoyable
This stands in marked contrast to this is very different from
no longer contribute not add to any more
offer any present value means something now
tendency likelihood
countered with fought with
engaging paying attention to
in most contexts in many situations
dry facts boring information
propaganda self-serving and biased information about a country
historians people who study history
enliven historical events bring history to life
non-fiction true, reality
historical fiction books based in history but not 100% true
introduced first shown
passages texts
stronger likelihood better chance
instill engender
lifelong passion care about your whole life
shaped cultivated
current world right now
combined with put together with
relevant current events lessons classes about news now
compelled encouraged
continue researching great historical actors keep looking up people from the past
I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:
Y____________________s today are often more i_________________n i______________________s r______________n f___________s from their country’s past. In my opinion, this is a n_________________y r____________o m_____________a and can be m____________d by i________________g history lessons in schools.
Younger people today o__________________________s individuals they r_________________h and see in e_________________t. This applies e________y to those in the film and music industries. For example, one of the most popular singers for the l_____________e has been Taylor Swift, an a_______t who p__________________________s, u____________s her Instagram, and is g_________________________e and in the e______________________d. Young people listen to her songs and i___________y with her and then f______________________________y i_______________o enjoy a v___________s, u____________g feeling. T_______________________________________o historical figures who n___________________e or o______________________e.
This t___________y to value current stars can be c___________________h more e____________g history classes. History lessons i___________________s focus on d__________s and p_____________a. However, there are h_______________s who can e________________________s such as in Robert Caro’s n_____________n or Hilary Mantel’s h_________________n. If students were i_____________d to p__________s from those sources, there is a s__________________d that it would i_______l in them a l___________________n for the study of history and the figures that have s_________d our c_____________d. If such lessons were c______________h more r_____________________________s, then students might be more c____________d to understand, respect, and c_____________________________________s.
In conclusion, though there is a n__________________n to p________________________oc____________________________s, an e____________s on q_____________s could e_________e young people to care more about individuals from the past. This will not cause a s_____________t but could have a m_________________t.
Listening Practice
Learn more about this topic by watching videos from The New York Times YouTube channel below and practice with these activities:
Are there any celebrities you would want to interview?
Writing Practice
Practice with the related IELTS essay topic below:
Some people think that famous people can help international aid organizations to draw attention to important problems. Others believe that the celebrities can make the problems seem less important.
This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay that is only available on my Patreon based on a real question from the exam on the topic of behavior of tourists when travelling abroad.
Here is the questions itself:
There are different customs in different countries related to how people eat, dress, and so on. Some think that people visiting a country should behave according to customs of the country they visit.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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