This written piece will introduce you to IELTS writing task 2. The IELTS exam has 4 sections and the second one is the writing section. The writing section has 2 tasks and the second one has a problem, argument, or statement. In this task, test takers have to write an essay on the given topic. In this blog, we will cover the IELTS writing essay topic “Young people are often influenced by their peers”. You will find 3 sample answers to this in the blog below. Moreover, you will get tips to write well and ace this task.
Table of Contents
Test takers are required to draft an essay in the IELTS writing task 2. Students can encounter a topic out of several possible options in this task. They must write this essay in response to a problem statement or an argument. In some cases, this can be called a debate with self as you have to state your opinion on a subject while stating both its pros and cons (or points in favor and against).
Furthermore, you can also find IELTS writing essay samples on several topics. Practicing with various themes will help you understand what is required to ace this exam. This blog has covered the topic “young people are often influenced by their peers“. This one falls under the category of an advantage/disadvantage essay in the IELTS exam. This essay uses specific language and words such as:
There are two types of advantage/disadvantage essay:
Don’t worry, if you are getting confused! The samples below will make it easy for you to understand.
Students must begin answering the IELTS writing task 2 with a clear introduction. Moreover, a long introduction is not needed. The body paragraphs have supporting points. All these start with the main theme and idea for the paragraph.
If you are making the first paragraph about the benefits then make it clear in the first line of the paragraph.
The conclusion paragraph will be the shortest and will restate the main ideas. Remember to not add any new information in this paragraph. It will be the summary of what you have written above.
The next section will show this practically with sample answers.
Also Read: Agree Disagree Essay in IELTS
The word limit for this is 250 words. Make sure you don’t exceed it!
On the topic of “young people are often influenced by their peers“, here’s a sample response for the writing essay in IELTS:
Introduction
Peers of an individual in their teenage can alter the way they behave. While many people believe that this influence is very crucial, others hold the opinion that it has its drawbacks. I have a belief that peers can inculcate a positive attitude towards education. Thus, the pros of peer pressure outweigh its cons.
Body
Beyond the shadow of a doubt, the effect of peers can inspire young people or teenagers to build positive behaviors. These peers can encourage them to adopt good habits and their emphasis can also be demonstrated in one’s academic development. Moreover, another benefit can be the positive influence peers have on a young mind’s attitude towards learning.
However, having the wrong peers can cost you your precious time and you can be influenced into wasting it in engaging in deviant behaviour. The difference between influence and pressure is huge. Young adults may feel pressurized or obliged to do something their company is doing. For example, a group of friends might get involved in substance abuse or other delinquent activities. A person among them, who is not used to these acts, might still feel obligated to conform to their deeds to avoid feeling excluded.
Conclusion
Noting all of these, it is convincing that there is no solid proof against the benefits of peer pressure. To conclude, the fact that peer pressure can be a huge motivating factor in encouraging a positive attitude towards life clearly outweighs the flawed argument of it being more disadvantageous for youngsters.
On the topic of “young people are often influenced by their peers“, here’s another sample response for the writing essay in IELTS:
Introduction
The debate on peer pressure being more harmful than helpful or vice versa is a very old one. Peers can, sometimes, influence positively or make a negative impact on a young one’s brain. However, several evidences support the latter statement. Thus, I am more inclined towards it and believe that the drawbacks outweigh the benefits.
Body
On one hand, people with a positive outlook with regard to peer pressure, emphasize that it can be a source of motivation for young minds to walk on healthy paths in terms of education, well being, etc. The positive side of peer pressure is believed to inculcate good behavior and self-improvement. For instance, a teenager can get involved in a lot of voluntary work if their friends are involved in the same. This can surely bring in a sense of civic responsibility and healthy altruism.
However, the disadvantages overpower these benefits in almost all of the cases. Youngsters are more prone to experience the negative effects of peer pressure. There are a ton of risky behaviors that can look amusing to young minds and can fall prey to the natural tendency of being attracted to them if it is common in their group or people who accompany them in these growth years. It can contribute to shaping one’s understanding of certain concepts like modesty, confidence, and even right and wrong.
Conclusion
To conclude, this deviation is seen more among youngsters due to peer pressure than any other reason. Thus, I believe it can be far more harmful than beneficial for people.
On the topic of “young people are often influenced by their peers“, here’s the third sample response for the writing essay in IELTS:
Introduction
Peer pressure is a pervasive and dominant phenomenon that shapes the minds of most adolescents. Some opine that the positive impacts it has on a young mind outweigh the negative ones. On the contrary, some think that peer pressure is one of the main causes of wrong decision making among youngsters. I believe peer pressure has more cons than pros.
Body
Choosing the right peers can have several advantages. Positive peer pressure can influence your minds and force them to be a better version of themselves. For instance, my friend works harder and challenges himself in every exam. This diligence and determination are so contagious and inspirational that I have started obtaining better marks than last year. Actions can influence better than words. Hence, his hard work motivated me. Similarly, a colleague who possesses a good work ethic can motivate other team members to achieve that discipline.
However, it can also have significant disadvantages and can lead to making wrong decisions. There are several harmful behavioral patterns that one does not want to engage in but might fall prey to peer pressure. These patterns can range from substance abuse to wrong judgment, and beliefs. Additionally, this also leads to criminal activities among them.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I would agree that peer pressure does more harm than good. Moreover, it is one of the major risks around adolescents who can get persuaded easily. Also, educators, caretakers, and parents must guide this young potential in the right direction.
These were the three samples. Now, let us look at the above marked linguistic resources in the section below.
Also Read: Nowadays the Way Many People Interact - IELTS Writing Task 2
This section will give you the list of words, that can be called lexical resources, used in the above samples and their meanings.
| Drawbacks | A disadvantage or problem |
| Outweigh | To be more in amount or importance than something |
| Inculcate | To make somebody learn or remember ideas, habits, etc. Especially by repeating them often |
| Delinquent | (usually used about a young person) behaving badly and often breaking the law |
| Obligated | Require or compel (someone) to undertake a legal or moral duty. |
| Conform | To behave in the same way as most other people in a group or society |
| Outlook | Your attitude to or feeling about life and the world |
| Emphasize | To put emphasis on something |
| Self-improvement | The improvement of one's knowledge, status, or character by one's own efforts. |
| Civic responsibility | Active participation in the public life of a community in an informed, committed, and constructive manner, with a focus on the common good. |
| Altruism | The fact of caring about the needs and happiness of other people more than your own |
| Prone | Likely to suffer from something or do something bad |
| Amusing | To make time pass pleasantly for somebody; to stop somebody from getting bored |
| Prey | An animal or bird that is killed and eaten by another animal or bird |
| Modesty | The quality of not being too proud or confident about yourself or your abilities. |
| Deviation | A difference from what is normal or expected, or from what is approved of by society |
| Pervasive | That is present in all parts of something |
| Phenomenon | A fact or an event in nature or society, especially one that is not fully understood |
| Diligence | Devoted and painstaking work and application to accomplish an undertaking |
| Contagious | ( usually used about a disease) that you can get by touching somebody/something |
| Work ethic | A personal set of values that determines how any employee approaches their work. |
| Substance abuse | The use of illegal drugs or the use of prescription or over-the-counter drugs or alcohol for purposes other than those for which they are meant to be used, or in excessive amounts. |
| Persuaded | To make somebody do something by giving him/her good reasons |
Read More: Cohesive Devices in IELTS
This section will give you the list of words, that can be called lexical resources, used in the above samples and their meanings.
To improve the IELTS writing task 2 there are a lot of tips and tricks that the students must keep in their mind. Here’s a list of a few of them that will help test takers excel in the IELTS writing essay topics:
To sum up, the blog covers an IELTS writing essay on the topic of “young people are often influenced by their peers”. You can find 3 samples along with the lexical resources or vocabulary list and a few pieces of advice that will help you ace the writing task 2 IELTS. Furthermore, the advantages/disadvantages kind of essay writing tasks require proper practice and strategies. Thus, if you need help and guidance for IELTS preparation then Gradding is the best solution for all your doubts. Besides, our expert mentors offer online IELTS classes to students.
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