IELTS HUBIELTS CES Essay on Money & Media & Society
Full IELTS Writing Task 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Nowadays celebrities earn more money than politicians.
What are the reasons for this? Is it a positive or negative development?
Write at least 250 words.
Introduction
States the essay will discuss why celebrities earn more than politicians and whether it is positive or negative.
Body Paragraph 1 View 1
Discusses the reasons for the income gap. Points include global reach of entertainment industry, influence on millions, income sources (endorsements, etc.), social media access. Contrasts with politicians' set and controlled salaries.
Body Paragraph 2 View 2
Evaluates if the situation is positive or negative. Positive points: shows value of entertainment/culture, reward for contribution. Negative points: sets unrealistic expectations, leads to social inequality/dissatisfaction, downplays importance of public service.
Body Paragraph 3 Opinion (Optional If Integrated)
Not applicable as a separate paragraph; evaluation is integrated into the previous paragraph.
Conclusion
Summarizes the reasons (global impact, profitable entertainment) and the evaluation (acknowledges cultural importance but risks inequality and reduces value of public service).
Band 9 Sample Answer:
This essay discusses why celebrities earn more than politicians in today's world and whether this is a good or bad thing.
The main reason for the income gap is the global reach of the entertainment industry. Celebrities in film or music can entertain and influence millions of people around the world, leading to significant income from things like endorsements, concerts, and movie tickets. Social media platforms have also increased celebrities' access to their fans, boosting their marketability and earnings. In contrast, politicians' salaries are usually set and controlled, with any extra income closely watched to avoid corruption, which limits their financial growth.
Next, we need to consider if this situation is positive or negative. Some might see it as a good thing because it shows the value society places on entertainment and culture. Celebrities often represent culture and arts, and their high earnings could be seen as a reward for their contributions to society. However, there are also downsides. The extreme wealth of celebrities can set unrealistic expectations of success and wealth, leading to social inequality and dissatisfaction. It could also downplay the importance of public service roles like politicians, who earn less but have a significant impact on society.
In summary, celebrities earn more than politicians because of their global impact and the profitable nature of the entertainment industry. While this situation acknowledges the cultural importance of celebrities, it also risks causing social inequality and reducing the perceived value of public service roles.
Band 7 Sample Answer:
In contemporary society, it is observed that celebrities amass wealth at a rate that surpasses that of politicians. This essay aims to explore the reasons behind this phenomenon and evaluate whether it constitutes a positive or negative development.
The first reason for this disparity in earnings can be attributed to the entertainment industry's global reach. Celebrities, particularly those in film or music, have the ability to influence and entertain millions of people worldwide, thereby generating substantial revenue from various sources such as endorsements, concerts, and movie tickets. This global influence is further amplified by the advent of social media platforms, which provide celebrities with a direct channel to their fans, thereby increasing their marketability and, by extension, their earning potential. On the other hand, politicians' income is generally fixed and regulated, with additional earnings often scrutinized to prevent corruption, limiting their financial gain.
Transitioning to the second question, it is crucial to evaluate whether this development is positive or negative. One could argue that this is a positive development as it reflects the value society places on entertainment and cultural expression. Celebrities often serve as ambassadors of culture and arts, and their high earnings could be seen as a recognition of their contribution to society. However, this development also has its drawbacks. The immense wealth of celebrities can create unrealistic standards of success and wealth, leading to social inequality and discontent. Furthermore, it could potentially undermine the importance of public service roles such as politicians, who despite earning less, play a crucial role in shaping society.
In conclusion, celebrities earn more than politicians due to their global influence and the lucrative nature of the entertainment industry. While this development recognizes the cultural significance of celebrities, it also risks creating social inequality and diminishing the perceived value of public service roles.