You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
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?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge and experiences.
You should write at least 250 words.
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IELTS Task 2 Band 9 Sample Essay (1)
In modern times, it is not uncommon for young people to know more about international pop or movie stars than about famous figures from their own country's history. This trend is largely due to the globalization of pop culture and the limited emphasis on history in modern education. This essay will examine the factors contributing to this phenomenon and suggest solutions to increase young people's interest in their country's history.
The lack of emphasis on history in modern education is the primary reason for young people's limited knowledge of their country's historical figures. Many schools prioritize more contemporary subjects such as science and technology, resulting in a knowledge gap where young people are poorly exposed to the individuals and events that shaped their country's past. This neglect of history in education is compounded by the rise of entertainment media and pop culture icons, which dominate young people's interests and values. With constant exposure to music, movies, and social media featuring famous celebrities, these individuals have become a ubiquitous part of young people's daily lives, making it difficult for historical figures to make an impact. The glamour and aspirational lifestyle portrayed by these pop culture figures make them relatable to young people, who often emulate their behaviour.
To address this, the government can invest in creating engaging educational materials, such as documentaries, podcasts, and TV shows, that make history relatable and accessible. Schools can incorporate more interactive and multimedia history lessons. Producing more movies and TV shows based on historical events and figures can also increase young people's interest in history, as famous actors and actresses can attract their attention while educating them about their country's past. For example, "Lincoln" starring Daniel Day-Lewis educated many young people about the 16th president's legacy and the end of slavery in the US.
In conclusion, the dominance of pop culture among young people has resulted in a decline in their knowledge of their country's history. However, investing in engaging educational materials, integrating history into schools' curriculum, and producing more history-based entertainment can rekindle young people's interest in their country's past.
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IELTS Task 2 Band 9 Sample Essay (2)
In recent decades, an unparalleled surge in the popularity of the entertainment industry has been witnessed, causing the younger generation to be more captivated by movie stars than their own national historical icons. This essay will elucidate the fundamental reason behind this phenomenon, which is the youth's constant exposure to pop culture, and propose that filmmakers produce more films rooted in history as a potent remedy to kindle people's interest.
The ubiquitous presence of entertainment celebrities has emerged as a chief motivator for young people to acquaint themselves with these famed stars, rather than renowned historical figures. By listening to music and watching movies featuring celebrities regularly, the youth come to sense their existence in their lives. This is amplified when films starring popular actors or actresses and songs sung by celebrated singers centre around current issues related to the young audience's lives, making them empathize with the performers. As a result, young people are more inclined to learn about entertainment stars than historical personalities who are not as familiar to them.
An effective strategy to encourage young people to develop an affinity for historical characters is for governments to facilitate movie producers in making films based on past events. By creating more entertainment products associated with history and promoting them extensively, the likelihood of young people familiarizing themselves with history increases. Furthermore, featuring film stars in historical movies can attract the audience to watch the films and learn about famous historical figures. For instance, viewers of "The Imitation Game" attested that they initially watched the film for the famous cast but gained considerable knowledge about Alan Turing, the pioneer of theoretical computer science and artificial intelligence.
To conclude, the younger generation's preference for international pop or movie stars over historical icons primarily stems from their constant exposure to pop culture. However, by producing more history-based films featuring popular actors and actresses and promoting them effectively, governments can stimulate young people's interest in their nation's history and encourage them to learn about famous historical figures.
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