This is my IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of athletes as role models from the real IELTS exam.
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IELTS Essay: Athletes as Role Models
Some people believe that professional athletes serve as positive role models for young people, while others argue that their behavior both on and off the field has a negative influence.
Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
While some argue that athletes are positive role models, inspiring young individuals to pursue their dreams and excel, others contend that their behavior is harmful on the whole. In my opinion, despite the negatives, sports professionals are still generally positive role examples for younger people.
One legitimate criticism of athletes concerns incidences of aggressive behavior and substance abuse. These high-profile stories can have outsized influence on young and impressionable minds. Well-publicized scandals involving certain NFL players, for example, have highlighted the importance of addressing the anti-social behavior exhibited by athletes and its potential impact on fans. A fan who reads articles about athletes arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs or charged for domestic violence assaults may over time become desensitized as to the serious nature of such offenses. In rare instances, they may even intentionally or unconsciously emulate these actions.
However, a more compelling argument in favor of professional athletes serving as positive role models relates to their character. Athletes generally possess unwavering dedication and perseverance. For instance, Serena Williams, a tennis legend, showcases her relentless work ethic and determination to overcome barriers in a public setting, inspiring countless young athletes to push past obstacles and achieve greatness. Moreover, athletes often demonstrate the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, and fair play. Kobe Bryant, a basketball icon, was renowned for his commitment to team morale and his ability to uplift his teammates in pressure-filled moments. His leadership qualities and dedication to the game have left an indelible mark on aspiring basketball players and ordinary fans alike, encouraging them to embrace the values of collaboration and respect.
After considering both perspectives, I firmly believe that professional athletes do serve as positive role models for young people. Nonetheless, by providing specific examples of inspiring athletes and addressing any drawbacks, a balance between admiration and critical thinking can be maintained.
Analysis
1. While some argue that athletes are positive role models, inspiring young individuals to pursue their dreams and excel, others contend that their behavior is harmful on the whole. 2. In my opinion, despite the negatives, sports professionals are still generally positive role examples for younger people.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. One legitimate criticism of athletes concerns incidences of aggressive behavior and substance abuse. 2. These high-profile stories can have outsized influence on young and impressionable minds. 3. Well-publicized scandals involving certain NFL players, for example, have highlighted the importance of addressing the anti-social behavior exhibited by athletes and its potential impact on fans. 4. A fan who reads articles about athletes arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs or charged for domestic violence assaults may over time become desensitized as to the serious nature of such offenses. 5. In rare instances, they may even intentionally or unconsciously emulate these actions.
- 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.
- Finish the paragraph strong.
1. However, a more compelling argument in favor of professional athletes serving as positive role models relates to their character. 2. Athletes generally possess unwavering dedication and perseverance. 3. For instance, Serena Williams, a tennis legend, showcases her relentless work ethic and determination to overcome barriers in a public setting, inspiring countless young athletes to push past obstacles and achieve greatness. 4. Moreover, athletes often demonstrate the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, and fair play. 5. Kobe Bryant, a basketball icon, was renowned for his commitment to team morale and his ability to uplift his teammates in pressure-filled moments. 6. His leadership qualities and dedication to the game have left an indelible mark on aspiring basketball players and ordinary fans alike, encouraging them to embrace the values of collaboration and respect.
- 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.
- Keep adding detail.
- Put in as much support as you can.
1. After considering both perspectives, I firmly believe that professional athletes do serve as positive role models for young people. 2. Nonetheless, by providing specific examples of inspiring athletes and addressing any drawbacks, a balance between admiration and critical thinking can be maintained.
- 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.
While some argue that athletes are positive role models, inspiring young individuals to pursue their dreams and excel, others contend that their behavior is harmful on the whole. In my opinion, despite the negatives, sports professionals are still generally positive role examples for younger people.
One legitimate criticism of athletes concerns incidences of aggressive behavior and substance abuse. These high-profile stories can have outsized influence on young and impressionable minds. Well-publicized scandals involving certain NFL players, for example, have highlighted the importance of addressing the anti-social behavior exhibited by athletes and its potential impact on fans. A fan who reads articles about athletes arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs or charged for domestic violence assaults may over time become desensitized as to the serious nature of such offenses. In rare instances, they may even intentionally or unconsciously emulate these actions.
However, a more compelling argument in favor of professional athletes serving as positive role models relates to their character. Athletes generally possess unwavering dedication and perseverance. For instance, Serena Williams, a tennis legend, showcases her relentless work ethic and determination to overcome barriers in a public setting, inspiring countless young athletes to push past obstacles and achieve greatness. Moreover, athletes often demonstrate the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, and fair play. Kobe Bryant, a basketball icon, was renowned for his commitment to team morale and his ability to uplift his teammates in pressure-filled moments. His leadership qualities and dedication to the game have left an indelible mark on aspiring basketball players and ordinary fans alike, encouraging them to embrace the values of collaboration and respect.
After considering both perspectives, I firmly believe that professional athletes do serve as positive role models for young people. Nonetheless, by providing specific examples of inspiring athletes and addressing any drawbacks, a balance between admiration and critical thinking can be maintained.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
athletes: sportspeople
positive role models: exemplars
inspiring: motivational
pursue their dreams and excel: strive
contend: compete
behavior: conduct
harmful on the whole: detrimental
despite: in spite of
negatives: drawbacks
sports professionals: athletic experts
generally positive role examples for: typically commendable models for
One legitimate criticism of: a valid critique of
concerns incidences: issues of occurrences
aggressive behavior: hostile conduct
substance abuse: drug misuse
high-profile: prominent
outsized influence: significant impact
young and impressionable minds: youth with malleable attitudes
Well-publicized scandals: widely reported controversies
NFL: NFL: National Football League
highlighted: emphasized
importance of addressing: significance of tackling
anti-social behavior exhibited by: unsociable conduct displayed by
potential impact: possible influence
fans: supporters
reads articles: consumes articles
arrested: apprehended
driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs: intoxicated driving
charged for domestic violence assaults: accused of domestic violence attacks
over time: gradually
desensitized: numbed
serious nature of such offenses: gravity of these transgressions
In rare instances: Occasionally
intentionally: deliberately
unconsciously emulate: inadvertently imitate
a more compelling argument in favor of: a stronger case supporting
relates to: pertains to
character: personality
generally possess unwavering dedication: typically exhibit unwavering commitment
perseverance: persistence
showcases: displays
relentless work ethic: tireless work discipline
determination to overcome barriers in a public setting: resolve to conquer obstacles in a public context
inspiring countless: motivating numerous
push past obstacles: push past obstacles: overcome hurdles
achieve greatness: attain excellence
demonstrate: exhibit
teamwork: collaboration
sportsmanship: sportsmanship: fair play
fair play: sportsmanship
icon: symbol
renowned: famous
commitment: dedication
morale: team spirit
uplift his teammates in pressure-filled moments: inspire teammates during high-pressure situations
leadership qualities: leadership attributes
dedication: commitment
left an indelible mark on: made a lasting impression on
ordinary fans alike: regular fans as well
encouraging: inspiring
embrace: adopt
values of collaboration and respect: principles of cooperation and respect
After considering both perspectives: Having considered both viewpoints
firmly believe: strongly believe
Nonetheless: However
providing: offering
inspiring: motivational
addressing: dealing with
drawbacks: disadvantages
balance: equilibrium
admiration: appreciation
critical thinking: analytical thinking
maintained: upheld
Pronunciation
Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:
‘æθliːts
ˈpɒzətɪv rəʊl ˈmɒdᵊlz
ɪnˈspaɪərɪŋ
pəˈsjuː ðeə driːmz ænd ɪkˈsɛl
kənˈtɛnd
bɪˈheɪvjə
ˈhɑːmfʊl ɒn ðə həʊl
dɪsˈpaɪt
ˈnɛɡətɪvz
spɔːts prəˈfɛʃᵊnᵊlz
ˈʤɛnərəli ˈpɒzətɪv rəʊl ɪɡˈzɑːmpᵊlz fɔː
wʌn lɪˈʤɪtɪmɪt ˈkrɪtɪsɪzᵊm ɒv
kənˈsɜːnz ˈɪnsɪdᵊnsɪz
əˈɡrɛsɪv bɪˈheɪvjə
ˈsʌbstᵊns əˈbjuːs
haɪ-ˈprəʊfaɪl
ˈaʊtsaɪzd ˈɪnfluəns
jʌŋ ænd ɪmˈprɛʃnəbᵊl maɪndz
wɛl-ˈpʌblɪsaɪzd ˈskændᵊlz
ɛnɛfˈɛl
ˈhaɪˌlaɪtɪd
ɪmˈpɔːtᵊns ɒv əˈdrɛsɪŋ
ˈænti-ˈsəʊʃᵊl bɪˈheɪvjər ɪɡˈzɪbɪtɪd baɪ
pəˈtɛnʃᵊl ˈɪmpækt
fænz
riːdz ˈɑːtɪkᵊlz
əˈrɛstɪd
ˈdraɪvɪŋ ˈʌndə ði ˈɪnfluəns ɒv ˈælkəhɒl ɔː drʌɡz
ʧɑːʤd fɔː dəʊˈmɛstɪk ˈvaɪəlᵊns əˈsɔːlts
ˈəʊvə taɪm
ˌdiːˈsɛnsɪtaɪzd
ˈsɪəriəs ˈneɪʧər ɒv sʌʧ əˈfɛnsɪz.
ɪn reər ˈɪnstənsɪz
ɪnˈtɛnʃᵊnᵊli
ʌnˈkɒnʃəsli ˈɛmjəleɪt
ə mɔː kəmˈpɛlɪŋ ˈɑːɡjəmənt ɪn ˈfeɪvər ɒv
rɪˈleɪts tuː
ˈkærəktə
ˈʤɛnərəli pəˈzɛs ʌnˈweɪvərɪŋ ˌdɛdɪˈkeɪʃᵊn
ˌpɜːsɪˈvɪərᵊns
ˈʃəʊkeɪsɪz
rɪˈlɛntləs wɜːk ˈɛθɪk
dɪˌtɜːmɪˈneɪʃᵊn tuː ˌəʊvəˈkʌm ˈbæriəz ɪn ə ˈpʌblɪk ˈsɛtɪŋ
ɪnˈspaɪərɪŋ ˈkaʊntləs
pʊʃ pɑːst ˈɒbstəkᵊlz
əˈʧiːv ˈɡreɪtnəs
ˈdɛmənstreɪt
ˈtiːmwɜːk
ˈspɔːtsmənʃɪp
feə pleɪ
ˈaɪkɒn
rɪˈnaʊnd
kəˈmɪtmənt
mɒˈrɑːl
ˈʌplɪft hɪz ˈtiːmmeɪts ɪn ˈprɛʃə-fɪld ˈməʊmənts
ˈliːdəʃɪp ˈkwɒlətiz
ˌdɛdɪˈkeɪʃᵊn
lɛft ən ɪnˈdɛlɪbᵊl mɑːk ɒn
ˈɔːdᵊnᵊri fænz əˈlaɪk
ɪnˈkʌrɪʤɪŋ
ɪmˈbreɪs
ˈvæljuːz ɒv kəˌlæbəˈreɪʃᵊn ænd rɪˈspɛkt
ˈɑːftə kənˈsɪdərɪŋ bəʊθ pəˈspɛktɪvz
ˈfɜːmli bɪˈliːv
ˌnʌnðəˈlɛs
prəˈvaɪdɪŋ
ɪnˈspaɪərɪŋ
əˈdrɛsɪŋ
ˈdrɔːbæks
ˈbælᵊns
ˌædməˈreɪʃᵊn
ˈkrɪtɪkᵊl ˈθɪŋkɪŋ
meɪnˈteɪnd
Vocabulary Practice
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:
While some argue that a_______s are p_______________s, i________g young individuals to p_______________________________l, others c_______d that their b_________r is h_____________________e. In my opinion, d______e the n___________s, s______________________s are still g_______________________________r younger people.
O_____________________________f athletes c______________________s of a______________________________r and s_____________e. These h____________e stories can have o___________________e on y________________________s. W_______________________________s involving certain N__L players, for example, have h______________d the i___________g the a_______________________________y athletes and its p__________________t on f___s. A fan who r____________s about athletes a___________d for d______________________________________________s or c_____________________________________________s may o__________e become d________________d as to the s______________________________s. I___________________s, they may even i__________y or u_________________________e these actions.
However, a_________________________________________f professional athletes serving as positive role models r_________o their c_________r. Athletes g____________________________________________________n and p_____________e. For instance, Serena Williams, a tennis legend, s__________s her r_________________________c and d___________________________________________________g, i_______________s young athletes to p__________________s and a____________s. Moreover, athletes often d____________e the importance of t__________k, s____________p, and f_______y. Kobe Bryant, a basketball i_____n, was r__________d for his c_______________t to team m______e and his ability to u_______________________________________s. His l________________________s and d__________n to the game have l__________________________n aspiring basketball players and o____________________e, e__________g them to e___________e the v________________________________________t.
A_________________________________s, I f__________e that professional athletes do serve as positive role models for young people. N________s, by p________g specific examples of i_________g athletes and a___________g any d________s, a b________e between a_____________n and c_________g can be m________d.
Listening Practice
Learn more about this topic by watching from YouTube below and practice with these activities:
Reading Practice
Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/894700-the-25-most-inspirational-athletes-in-sports-history
Speaking Practice
Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:
Sports and Games
- What is your favorite sport?
- What sport did you play when you were younger?
- Which sports do you enjoy watching on TV?
- What is most popular sport in your country?
Writing Practice
Practice with the related IELTS essay topics below:
Extreme sports such as sky diving and skiing are very dangerous and should be banned.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?
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