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.
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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.
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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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This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of sales 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: Sales
There are different methods businesses use to increase their sales.
What are the different ways companies use to increase sales?
Which one is the most effective?
There are a variety of methods employed by businesses to grow their sales revenue. In my opinion, these typically relate to marketing and innovation, with the latter being the most effective.
Most companies choose to target increased sales through advertising campaigns and new products. Marketing and advertising are self-evidently important. Nearly every major company reserves a substantial portion of the budget for television advertisements, online marketing, billboards, and so on. Companies that excel with viral marketing, such as Starbucks, are able to dominate the competition through brand awareness and grow sales consistently. Furthermore, the introduction of new products is also a key catalyst. This can include new menu items, such as the recent popularity of Popeye’s new chicken sandwich or technological advances like the electric vehicles produced by Tesla.
Though advertising can be extremely persuasive, there is no substitute for a truly revolutionary and unique product. The best example of this would be the most successful consumer electronics product in history, the iPhone. When it launched there was no comparable product, with Blackberry phones being the closest analogue. The iPhone allowed users to make phone calls, send message, take photos, check email, and use the internet. These are routine features now but at the time these innovations drove rapid revenue growth and countless other companies raced to replicate their success. This model applies to a range of industries as a novel product can drive demand while a company need only focus on maintaining their supply chain.
In conclusion, sales figures rise as a result of marketing strategies and successful innovation, with the latter the single greatest method for generating more revenue. Companies must balance both techniques yet prioritize new ideas whenever possible.
Analysis
1. There are a variety of methods employed by businesses to grow their sales revenue. 2. In my opinion, these typically relate to marketing and innovation, with the latter being the most effective.
Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. Most companies choose to target increased sales through advertising campaigns and new products. 2. Marketing and advertising are self-evidently important. 3. Nearly every major company reserves a substantial portion of the budget for television advertisements, online marketing, billboards, and so on. 4. Companies that excel with viral marketing, such as Starbucks, are able to dominate the competition through brand awareness and grow sales consistently. 5. Furthermore, the introduction of new products is also a key catalyst. 6. This can include new menu items, such as the recent popularity of Popeye’s new chicken sandwich or technological advances like the electric vehicles produced by Tesla.
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.
Finish with another example if you have another idea.
1. Though advertising can be extremely persuasive, there is no substitute for a truly revolutionary and unique product. 2. The best example of this would be the most successful consumer electronics product in history, the iPhone. 3. When it launched there was no comparable product, with Blackberry phones being the closest analogue. 4. The iPhone allowed users to make phone calls, send message, take photos, check email, and use the internet. 5. These are routine features now but at the time these innovations drove rapid revenue growth and countless other companies raced to replicate their success. 6. This model applies to a range of industries as a novel product can drive demand while a company need only focus on maintaining their supply chain.
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.
Finish with a strong statement.
1. In conclusion, sales figures rise as a result of marketing strategies and successful innovation, with the latter the single greatest method for generating more revenue. 2. Companies must balance both techniques yet prioritize new ideas whenever possible.
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.
There are a variety of methods employed by businesses to grow their sales revenue. In my opinion, these typically relate to marketing and innovation, with the latter being the most effective.
Most companies choose to target increased sales through advertising campaigns and new products. Marketing and advertising are self-evidently important. Nearly every major company reserves a substantial portion of the budget for television advertisements, online marketing, billboards, and so on. Companies that excel with viral marketing, such as Starbucks, are able to dominate the competition through brand awareness and grow sales consistently. Furthermore, the introduction of new products is also a key catalyst. This can include new menu items, such as the recent popularity of Popeye’s new chicken sandwich or technological advances like the electric vehicles produced by Tesla.
Though advertising can be extremely persuasive, there is no substitute for a truly revolutionary and unique product. The best example of this would be the most successful consumer electronics product in history, the iPhone. When it launched there was no comparable product, with Blackberry phones being the closest analogue. The iPhone allowed users to make phone calls, send message, take photos, check email, and use the internet. These are routine features now but at the time these innovations drove rapid revenue growth and countless other companies raced to replicate their success. This model applies to a range of industries as a novel product can drive demand while a company need only focus on maintaining their supply chain.
In conclusion, sales figures rise as a result of marketing strategies and successful innovation, with the latter the single greatest method for generating more revenue. Companies must balance both techniques yet prioritize new ideas whenever possible.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
variety different kinds of
methods ways
employed by used by
grow make bigger
sales revenue money made from selling stuff
typically relate to usually have to do with
marketing advertising
innovation new ideas
latter mentioned second
most effective more impactful
target focus on
advertising campaigns marketing plans
self-evidently important obviously crucial
nearly almost
reserves sets aside
substantial portion a lot of
budget money that can be spent
television advertisements commercials on TV
online marketing ads online
billboards big signs up outside
excel do well
viral marketing popular posts
dominate the competition through brand awareness be stronger than other businesses because people know about your company
grow sales consistently increase revenue a lot
furthermore moreover
key catalyst crucial grower
recent popularity now common
technological advances new technology
electric vehicles produced by cars without gas made by
extremely persuasive very compelling
substitute replacement
truly revolutionary totally new
unique special
most successful consumer electronics product in history biggest selling product ever
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:
There are a v__________y of m__________s e_____________y businesses to g______w their s_______________e. In my opinion, these t_____________________o m____________g and i____________n, with the l_______r being the m____________e.
Most companies choose to t________t increased sales through a_______________________s and new products. Marketing and advertising are s_______________________t. N_______y every major company r_________s a s_________________n of the b_______t for t________________________s, o_______________g, b______________s, and so on. Companies that e_____l with v_____________________g, such as S____________s, are able to d______________________n t________________s and g_________________________y. F______________e, the i______________n of new products is also a k_______________t. This can include new menu items, such as the r___________________y of Popeye’s new chicken sandwich or t_________________________s like the e______________________s p______________y Tesla.
Though advertising can be e_____________________e, there is no s______________e for a t___________________y and u_________e product. The best example of this would be the m____________________________________________________y, the iPhone. When it l__________d there was no c____________e product, with B__________________s being the c________________e. The iPhone allowed users to make phone calls, send message, take photos, check email, and use the internet. These are r________________s now but at the time these innovations d__________________________h and c_____________s other companies r________________________________s. This m_____________s to a r_________e of i________________s as a n________l product can d_____________________d while a company need only focus on m_______________________________n.
In conclusion, sales figures rise a_____________f marketing s_______________s and successful innovation, with the latter the single greatest method for g_____________g more revenue. Companies must b___________e both t___________s yet p____________e new ideas w________________e.
Listening Practice
Learn more about this topic by watching videos from The New York Times YouTube channel below and practice with these activities:
I have let her talk a little longer (so that I have more to correct) and I am taking notes while she talks (the examiner will not do this on the real exam).
But otherwise, it is basically what you can expect on your speaking exam and this student is a really strong candidate – a band 8 or maybe band 8.5. In a few years, she’ll be band 9 for sure!
The video is here and the correction notes are also below.
Here are the notes that I am typing in the video as well:
This is a really impressive test for a lot of reasons.
Not only can the candidate speak fluently, with very natural pronunciation, but her level of detail is amazing!
Notice how specific her ideas are, especially in part 2.
You should try to copy that same attention to detail.
Don’t speak generally on your IELTS exam – add in as much specific detail as possible.
Notice how much that separates her speaking from other candidates – it will have the same effect for you and really distinguish you from other test-takers on IELTS!
The maps below shows university sports courts in 1990 and now.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
The map describes how a university sports courts area has changed from 1990 to the present day. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that the number of total courts for tennis and basketball has increased at the expense of parking and a park, while a formal building with a gym now houses various exercise facilities. These changes allow for more varied activity.
In 1990, on the left side of the map was a park with trees and grass as well as a car park. Today, the park has been replaced by a large basketball court and the car park by 4 tennis courts.
On the right side of the map, a structure to contain the various athletic facilities has been erected with only the indoor pool and reception area in the same position in the new building. The changing room beneath the reception area and pool has been lengthened and moved slightly to the right so as to line up directly above a new, large fitness centre. The fitness centre has replaced two tennis courts, now outside the main building.
Analysis
1. The map describes how a university sports courts area has changed from 1990 to the present day. 2. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that the number of total courts for tennis and basketball has increased at the expense of parking and a park, while a formal building with a gym now houses various exercise facilities. 3. These changes allow for more varied activity.
Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
Write a general over for the map.
Include the major changes and group them generally.
1. In 1990, on the left side of the map was a park with trees and grass as well as a car park. 2. Today, the park has been replaced by a large basketball court and the car park by 4 tennis courts.
Begin to describe the changes.
Be sure to compare as much as possible.
1. On the right side of the map, a structure to contain the various athletic facilities has been erected with only the indoor pool and reception area in the same position in the new building. 2. The changing room beneath the reception area and pool has been lengthened and moved slightly to the right so as to line up directly above a new, large fitness centre. 3. The fitness centre has replaced two tennis courts, now outside the main building.
Switch to another part of the map.
Don’t include any opinion and don’t forget any areas.
Nothing should be left out!
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?Take some notes on a piece of paper to aid your memory:
The map describes how a university sports courts area has changed from 1990 to the present day. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that the number of total courts for tennis and basketball has increased at the expense of parking and a park, while a formal building with a gym now houses various exercise facilities. These changes allow for more varied activity.
In 1990, on the left side of the map was a park with trees and grass as well as a car park. Today, the park has been replaced by a large basketball court and the car park by 4 tennis courts.
On the right side of the map, a structure to contain the various athletic facilities has been erected with only the indoor pool and reception area in the same position in the new building. The changing roombeneath the reception area and pool has been lengthened and moved slightly to the rightso as to line up directly above a new, large fitness centre. The fitness centre has replaced two tennis courts, now outside the main building.
Answers
Try to write down or think of an antonym/opposite word for further practice:
describes shows
university sports courts places to play at college
present day right now
Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that overall
total courts complete number of fields/courts
at the expense of instead of
while although
formal building actual construction
houses various exercise facilities keeps different places inside it
allow for enable
varied activity different hobbies
on the left side of to the left of
as well as and
replaced by in favor of
on the right side of to the right of
structure building
contain kept inside
erected built
indoor inside
reception area place you first walk in
same position unchanged
changing roombeneath place to change your clothes under
lengthened made longer
moved slightly to the right pushed a little to the right
Remember and fill in the blanks. Note it on a piece of paper so you can remember better:
The map d______________s how a u_______________________s area has changed from 1990 to the p___________y. L________________________________________________t the number of t____________s for tennis and basketball has increased a_______________________f parking and a park, w_______e a f_____________g with a gym now h_________________________________s. These changes a___________r more v_____________y.
In 1990, o_________________f the map was a park with trees and grass a_____________s a car park. Today, the park has been r_____________y a large basketball court and the car park by 4 tennis courts.
O___________________f the map, a s_____________e to c__________n the various athletic facilities has been e_______d with only the i_______r pool and r________________a in the s___________n in the new building. The c______________________h the reception area and pool has been l______________d and m______________________________ts____________o l_______________y above a new, large fitness centre. The f____________________e has replaced two tennis courts, now o___________e the main building.
Listening Practice
Listen to the related topic below and practice with these activities
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