This is my IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of media instead of peer pressure from the real IELTS exam.

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IELTS Essay: Peer Pressure

Young people are often influenced in their behaviors by others in the same age group. Some argue that peer pressure is important while others feel it has distinct disadvantages.

Do the disadvantages of peer pressure outweigh the advantages?

Peer pressure refers to the influence young individuals experience within the same age group, affecting their behaviors. This essay will critically evaluate the drawbacks and benefits of peer pressure on young people.

Peer pressure often leads young individuals to engage in risky behaviors. For instance, teenagers may feel compelled to experiment with drugs due to the effect of their peers who engage in such activities. The desire to fit in and be accepted can override their better judgment, exposing them to serious short-term health risks and potential addiction later in life. Moreover, succumbing to negative peer pressure can adversely affect academic performance, as students may prioritize social acceptance over their studies. This desire for approval can result in poor grades, limited educational opportunities, and long-term negative consequences.

On the other hand, positive peer pressure can inspire young individuals to set higher goals, adopt healthier habits, and strive for academic excellence. Many teenagers are pressured by their peers to join a study group, leading to improved learning outcomes and academic success. Relatedly, supportive friends can inspire young individuals to engage in physical fitness activities or pursue positive hobbies and talents, promoting a healthier and more well-rounded lifestyle. This sense of camaraderie and mutual encouragement fostered within positive peer groups can contribute significantly to personal growth and self-confidence. Actively seeking out positive and active peer groups and engaging in behaviors aligned with one’s personal values can help mitigate the adverse effects of negative peer pressure while harnessing the advantages of positive influence.

In conclusion, although peer pressure encourages risky behaviors and hinders personal growth, the motivational and emotional advantage make it a positive on the whole. Ultimately, striking some degree of balance between independence and positive peer interactions is crucial to minimizing the disadvantages and embracing the benefits.

Analysis

1. Peer pressure refers to the influence young individuals experience within the same age group, affecting their behaviors. 2. This essay will critically evaluate the drawbacks and benefits of peer pressure on young people.

  1. Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
  2. Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.

1. Peer pressure often leads young individuals to engage in risky behaviors. 2. For instance, teenagers may feel compelled to experiment with drugs due to the effect of their peers who engage in such activities. 3. The desire to fit in and be accepted can override their better judgment, exposing them to serious short-term health risks and potential addiction later in life. 4. Moreover, succumbing to negative peer pressure can adversely affect academic performance, as students may prioritize social acceptance over their studies. 5. This desire for approval can result in poor grades, limited educational opportunities, and long-term negative consequences.

  1. Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
  2. Explain your main idea.
  3. Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
  4. Keep developing it fully.
  5. Use specific examples.

1. On the other hand, positive peer pressure can inspire young individuals to set higher goals, adopt healthier habits, and strive for academic excellence. 2. Many teenagers are pressured by their peers to join a study group, leading to improved learning outcomes and academic success. 3. Relatedly, supportive friends can inspire young individuals to engage in physical fitness activities or pursue positive hobbies and talents, promoting a healthier and more well-rounded lifestyle. 4. This sense of camaraderie and mutual encouragement fostered within positive peer groups can contribute significantly to personal growth and self-confidence. 5. Actively seeking out positive and active peer groups and engaging in behaviors aligned with one’s personal values can help mitigate the adverse effects of negative peer pressure while harnessing the advantages of positive influence.

  1. Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
  2. Explain your new main idea.
  3. Include specific details and examples.
  4. Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
  5. Finish the paragraph strong.

1. In conclusion, although peer pressure encourages risky behaviors and hinders personal growth, the motivational and emotional advantage make it a positive on the whole. 2. Ultimately, striking some degree of balance between independence and positive peer interactions is crucial to minimizing the disadvantages and embracing the benefits.

  1. Summarise your main ideas.
  2. 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.

Peer pressure refers to the influence young individuals experience within the same age group, affecting their behaviors. This essay will critically evaluate the drawbacks and benefits of peer pressure on young people.

Peer pressure often leads young individuals to engage in risky behaviors. For instance, teenagers may feel compelled to experiment with drugs due to the effect of their peers who engage in such activities. The desire to fit in and be accepted can override their better judgment, exposing them to serious short-term health risks and potential addiction later in life. Moreover, succumbing to negative peer pressure can adversely affect academic performance, as students may prioritize social acceptance over their studies. This desire for approval can result in poor grades, limited educational opportunities, and long-term negative consequences.

On the other hand, positive peer pressure can inspire young individuals to set higher goals, adopt healthier habits, and strive for academic excellence. Many teenagers are pressured by their peers to join a study group, leading to improved learning outcomes and academic success. Relatedly, supportive friends can inspire young individuals to engage in physical fitness activities or pursue positive hobbies and talents, promoting a healthier and more well-rounded lifestyle. This sense of camaraderie and mutual encouragement fostered within positive peer groups can contribute significantly to personal growth and self-confidence. Actively seeking out positive and active peer groups and engaging in behaviors aligned with one’s personal values can help mitigate the adverse effects of negative peer pressure while harnessing the advantages of positive influence.

In conclusion, although peer pressure encourages risky behaviors and hinders personal growth, the motivational and emotional advantage make it a positive on the whole. Ultimately, striking some degree of balance between independence and positive peer interactions is crucial to minimizing the disadvantages and embracing the benefits.

Answers

For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:

Peer pressure refers to Social influence

influence Unsafe actions

within the same age group People the same age

affecting Impacting

behaviors How you act

critically evaluate Have a good opinion about

drawbacks Disadvantages

benefits Advantages

risky behaviors Dangerous actions

feel compelled to experiment with Are obligated to try

due to Because of

engage in Participate in

desire to fit in Need for belonging

be accepted Feel part of a group

override Ignore

better judgment Sound reasoning

exposing Being vulnerable to

serious short-term health risks Grave immediate health dangers

potential addiction later in life Possible future dependency

succumbing to Giving in to

adversely affect academic performance Negatively impact educational achievements

prioritize social acceptance over Care more about what people think of you

desire for approval Craving validation

result in poor grades Lead to low academic marks

limited educational opportunities Restricted learning prospects

long-term negative consequences Bad in the long run

On the other hand However

set higher goals Establish ambitious objectives

adopt healthier habits Embrace more wholesome practices

strive for academic excellence Pursue scholastic mastery

pressured by Encouraged by others

join a study group Study with others

improved learning outcomes Enhanced educational results

academic success Doing well at school

Relatedly Similarly

supportive Encouraging

inspire Encourage

engage in physical fitness activities Participate in exercise routines

pursue positive hobbies and talents Follow constructive interests and abilities

promoting a healthier and more well-rounded lifestyle Advocating for a balanced and wholesome way of living

sense of camaraderie Feeling of comradeship

mutual encouragement fostered within positive peer groups Helping each other out within a friend circle

contribute significantly to personal growth and self-confidence Play a major role in individual development and self-assurance

Actively seeking out positive and active peer groups Energetically pursuing supportive and proactive social circles

engaging in behaviors aligned with one’s personal values Participating in actions that resonate with personal principles

mitigate Lessen negatives

adverse Bad

harnessing Utilizing

encourages Promotes

hinders personal growth Impedes individual development

motivational Inspiring

emotional Sentimental

make it a positive on the whole Turn it into an overall positive experience

Ultimately In the end

striking some degree of balance between independence and positive peer interactions Finding a middle ground between being independent and engaging in positive social interactions

crucial Essential

minimizing Reducing

embracing Accepting

Pronunciation

Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:

pɪə ˈprɛʃə rɪˈfɜːz tuː 
ˈɪnfluəns 
wɪˈðɪn ðə seɪm eɪʤ ɡruːp 
əˈfɛktɪŋ 
bɪˈheɪvjəz 
ˈkrɪtɪkᵊli ɪˈvæljueɪt 
ˈdrɔːbæks 
ˈbɛnɪfɪts 
ˈrɪski bɪˈheɪvjəz 
fiːl kəmˈpɛld tuː ɪkˈspɛrɪmɛnt wɪð 
djuː tuː 
ɪnˈɡeɪʤ ɪn 
dɪˈzaɪə tuː fɪt ɪn 
biː əkˈsɛptɪd 
ˌəʊvəˈraɪd 
ˈbɛtə ˈʤʌʤmənt 
ɪksˈpəʊzɪŋ 
ˈsɪəriəs ʃɔːt-tɜːm hɛlθ rɪsks 
pəˈtɛnʃᵊl əˈdɪkʃᵊn ˈleɪtər ɪn laɪf 
səˈkʌmɪŋ tuː 
ˈædvɜːsli əˈfɛkt ˌækəˈdɛmɪk pəˈfɔːməns 
praɪˈɒrɪˌtaɪz ˈsəʊʃᵊl əkˈsɛptᵊns ˈəʊvə 
dɪˈzaɪə fɔːr əˈpruːvᵊl 
rɪˈzʌlt ɪn pɔː ɡreɪdz 
ˈlɪmɪtɪd ˌɛʤʊˈkeɪʃᵊnᵊl ˌɒpəˈtjuːnətiz 
ˈlɒŋtɜːm ˈnɛɡətɪv ˈkɒnsɪkwənsɪz 
ɒn ði ˈʌðə hænd 
sɛt ˈhaɪə ɡəʊlz 
əˈdɒpt ˈhɛlθɪə ˈhæbɪts 
straɪv fɔːr ˌækəˈdɛmɪk ˈɛksᵊlᵊns 
ˈprɛʃəd baɪ 
ʤɔɪn ə ˈstʌdi ɡruːp 
ɪmˈpruːvd ˈlɜːnɪŋ ˈaʊtkʌmz 
ˌækəˈdɛmɪk səkˈsɛs 
rɪˈleɪtɪdli 
səˈpɔːtɪv 
ɪnˈspaɪə 
ɪnˈɡeɪʤ ɪn ˈfɪzɪkᵊl ˈfɪtnəs ækˈtɪvətiz 
pəˈsjuː ˈpɒzətɪv ˈhɒbiz ænd ˈtælᵊnts 
prəˈməʊtɪŋ ə ˈhɛlθɪər ænd mɔː wɛl-ˈraʊndɪd ˈlaɪfˌstaɪl 
sɛns ɒv ˌkæməˈrɑːdᵊri 
ˈmjuːʧuəl ɪnˈkʌrɪʤmənt ˈfɒstəd wɪˈðɪn ˈpɒzətɪv pɪə ɡruːps 
kənˈtrɪbjuːt sɪɡˈnɪfɪkᵊntli tuː ˈpɜːsᵊnᵊl ɡrəʊθ ænd sɛlf-ˈkɒnfɪdᵊns 
ˈæktɪvli ˈsiːkɪŋ aʊt ˈpɒzətɪv ænd ˈæktɪv pɪə ɡruːps 
ɪnˈɡeɪʤɪŋ ɪn bɪˈheɪvjəz əˈlaɪnd wɪð wʌnz ˈpɜːsᵊnᵊl ˈvæljuːz 
ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt 
ˈædvɜːs 
ˈhɑːnəsɪŋ 
ɪnˈkʌrɪʤɪz 
ˈhaɪndəz ˈpɜːsᵊnᵊl ɡrəʊθ 
ˌməʊtɪˈveɪʃᵊnᵊl 
ɪˈməʊʃᵊnᵊl 
meɪk ɪt ə ˈpɒzətɪv ɒn ðə həʊl 
ˈʌltɪmɪtli 
ˈstraɪkɪŋ sʌm dɪˈɡriː ɒv ˈbælᵊns bɪˈtwiːn ˌɪndɪˈpɛndəns ænd ˈpɒzətɪv pɪər ˌɪntərˈækʃᵊnz 
ˈkruːʃᵊl 
ˈmɪnɪmaɪzɪŋ 
ɪmˈbreɪsɪŋ 

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:

P_____________________o the i__________e young individuals experience w_________________________p, a__________g their b__________s. This essay will c____________________e the d_____________s and b______s of peer pressure on young people.

Peer pressure often leads young individuals to engage in r__________________s. For instance, teenagers may f________________________________________h drugs d_______o the effect of their peers who e_________n such activities. The d___________________n and b_____________d can o_________e their b_____________t, e_____________g them to s________________________________s and p_____________________________e. Moreover, s_____________o negative peer pressure can a____________________________e, as students may p________________________________________r their studies. This d__________________l can r_____________________s, l_______________________________________s, and l____________________________________s.

O__________________d, positive peer pressure can i____________e young individuals to s_________________s, a_____________________________s, and s_________________________e. Many teenagers are p_____________y their peers to j________________________p, leading to i________________________s and a________________s. R________y, s_______________e friends can i________e young individuals to e_____________________________s or p______________________________________s, p_____________________________________________e. This s________________________e and m___________________________________________________s can c_________________________________________________________________________________e. A________________________________________________________________________s and e________________________________________________________s can help m_________e the a_________e effects of negative peer pressure while h__________g the advantages of positive influence.

In conclusion, although peer pressure e________________s risky behaviors and h________________________h, the m___________________l and e___________l advantage m__________________________e. U____________y, s_________________________________________________________________________________________________s is c_______l to m___________g the disadvantages and e_______________g the benefits.

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://raisingchildren.net.au/teens/behaviour/peers-friends-trends/peer-influence

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:

Friends

  1. Do you prefer to have a lot of friends or a small group of friends?
  2. What do you usually do with your friends?
  3. Do you have a best friend?
  4. How do friends in your country stay in touch?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related IELTS essay topics below

Many people argue that in order to improve educational quality, high school students should be encouraged to question and offer criticisms on their teachers. Others think this will lead to a loss of respect and discipline in the classroom.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

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