The Influence of Celebrity Culture on Youth - TOEFL Writing Academic Discussion Practice Test

In the TOEFL iBT^® exam, the writing test assesses a candidate's ability to write academically, where they are required to successfully integrate the knowledge into their work and organize the ideas coherently. The two Writing Sections, such as Academic Discussion and Integrated Writing, make up the Writing Section.

In this practice test on 'The Influence of Celebrity Culture on Youth', you will hear a lecture on a certain subject from a professor in the Academic Discussion activity. After that, you'll take part in a conversation where you'll have to voice your opinion and provide solid justification for it

The best method to get ready for this part of the test is to practice on tests specifically made for the Academic Discussion format. Let's start your study with our "The Influence of Celebrity Culture on Youth"-themed TOEFL Academic Discussion practice exam.

Writing Instructions:

• You will read a discussion related to an academic topic in class where your classmates have written their opinions on the said topic.
• You have 10 minutes to prepare and write your personal opinion on the academic topic. 
• Try to answer the question based on the discussion. You can also take ideas from the opinions posted by your classmates.
• There is no maximum word limit. However, an effective response should be a minimum of 100 words.
• Your response will be judged on the quality and clarity of your writing with well-supported reasons.

Instruction: Your professor is teaching a class on sociology. Write a post responding to the professors question. In your response, you should

1. express and support your personal opinion
2. make a contribution to the discussion in your own words.

An effective response will contain at least 100 words. You have ten minutes to write.

Professor: Today, were going to discuss the influence of celebrity culture on youth. Some say celebrities set a bad example for young people, while others think they can be good role models. Do you think celebrity culture has a more positive or negative impact on youth? Why?

Ruby: I think celebrity culture has a negative impact on youth. Many celebrities promote false beauty standards and money-focused values. This can lead to issues like low self-worth and unhealthy lifestyles among young people. For example, the constant showing of perfect bodies and luxurious lifestyles on social media can make teenagers feel not good enough. They feel pressured to conform to these ideals.

Harry: I think celebrity culture can have a positive impact on youth. Many celebrities use their social media accounts to support important social issues and inspire young people to take action. For example, celebrities like Emma Watson and Leonardo DiCaprio have raised awareness about gender equality and protecting the environment. Their influence can encourage young people to become more socially conscious and involved in making a difference.

Before delving into sample responses, let us examine the parameters of a strong TOEFL score!

Sample Response for the Academic Discussion Writing Task on The Influence of Celebrity Culture on Youth

Below are the two responses for the Academic Discussion Writing question where one of them showcases a mid-level proficiency while the other exhibits a high level of skills. Through examining the distinctions, you will acquire valuable insights into the components that lead to attaining an exceptional score in the Writing section.

Score 3 Response

I think celebrity culture has both positive and negative impacts on youth, but the negatives might outweigh the positives. While some celebrities do promote good causes, many others set bad examples. For instance, some celebrities often show off their wealth and luxury lifestyles, which can make young people feel inadequate. They might think they need to have expensive things to be happy. On the other hand, celebrities like Emma Watson and Leonardo DiCaprio do use their fame to support important issues. However, not all young people follow these positive role models. Many are more influenced by celebrities who promote unrealistic beauty standards and materialism. This can lead to low self-esteem and unhealthy behaviors among youth. (Word Count - 115)

Rater’s Comment

This response attempts to address the prompt by presenting a balanced view of the impact of celebrity culture on youth. The writer acknowledges both the positive and negative aspects, which shows an understanding of the complexity of the issue. However, the response lacks depth and detailed examples to fully support the argument. While the mention of Emma Watson and Leonardo DiCaprio is relevant, the writer does not elaborate on their contributions, which weakens the argument.

There are also noticeable grammar errors that affect the clarity of the response. For example, the sentence "While some celebrities do promote good causes, many others set bad examples" uses the incorrect verb tense. It should be "While some celebrities promote good causes, many others set bad examples." Additionally, the sentence "They might think they need to have expensive things to be happy" uses incorrect verb usage. It should be "They might think they need expensive things to be happy."

The response is generally comprehensible, but the frequent grammar errors and lack of detailed support make it less effective. The writer's argument is somewhat clear, but it could be strengthened with more specific examples and better grammar. Overall, this response demonstrates an attempt to engage with the prompt but falls short in providing a well-developed and coherent argument.

Score 5 Response

While Ruby raises valid concerns about the negative aspects of celebrity culture, I believe that its impact on youth can be more positive than negative. Celebrities have a significant platform that they can use to promote important social causes and inspire young people. For instance, as Harry mentioned, Emma Watson's advocacy for gender equality through the HeForShe campaign has encouraged many young people to support feminist movements. Similarly, Leonardo DiCaprio's efforts to raise awareness about climate change have motivated youth to become more environmentally conscious. 

Moreover, celebrities often share their personal struggles and successes, which can be incredibly motivating for young people. For example, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson frequently talks about his journey from adversity to success, emphasizing the importance of hard work and perseverance. This can inspire young people to overcome their own challenges and strive for their goals. While it is true that some celebrities may promote unrealistic beauty standards and materialistic values, it is essential to recognize that not all celebrities do so. Many use their influence responsibly to make a positive impact. Therefore, I argue that the overall influence of celebrity culture on youth can be positive, provided that young people are guided to follow the right role models. (Word count - 203 words)

Rater’s Comment

This response effectively addresses the prompt by presenting a clear and well-supported argument that celebrity culture can have a positive impact on youth. The writer acknowledges Ruby's concerns about the negative aspects of celebrity culture but counters them with specific examples of celebrities who use their influence for good. For instance, the mention of Emma Watson's HeForShe campaign and Leonardo DiCaprio's environmental advocacy provides concrete evidence to support the argument. Additionally, the reference to Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's motivational messages adds depth to the discussion by highlighting how celebrities can inspire young people to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

The response is well-organized, with a logical flow of ideas from acknowledging the opposing viewpoint to presenting supporting arguments. The language is clear and concise, making the argument easy to follow. The writer also uses appropriate academic language and avoids overly complex words and sentences, which makes the response accessible and engaging. Overall, this response demonstrates a strong understanding of the topic and effectively contributes to the academic discussion by providing a balanced and well-reasoned perspective. The use of specific examples and logical reasoning makes the argument compelling and persuasive, which is why this response deserves a high score.

Strategies for Taking the Academic Discussion Writing Task 

The TOEFL Academic Discussion Writing Task may seem difficult and can cause you to become nervous. But don't feel scared! You can do this task effectively by incorporating a few vital strategies to ace your proficiency in academic writing.

• It is important to have a detailed examination of the question which is necessary to comprehend both the main idea and the setting for that specific question. It is necessary to consider the provided guidelines, such as providing a response that addresses all relevant angles.
• Finding the key arguments is made simpler by dissecting the question into its constituent parts. It's critical to successfully manage each component at the same time while organising the response.
• Before attempting to write the answer, always plan and come up with ideas and use them as examples so that you can showcase a range of perspectives.
• Making an outline ensures that the response is cohesive and the concepts are well-organized.
• Giving evidence or statistics to support assertions and points of view demonstrates your grasp of the subject.
• Avoid using any slang or informal language; instead, stick to professional language and academic terminologies, paying close attention to grammar and punctuation.

Finally, it's time for you to shine! Attempt the practice question and share your response in the comments! 

Our TOEFL experts are more than willing to provide valuable feedback which would help you achieve your target score!  Let's improve your writing skills together!

Additional Reads:

• Teamwork - TOEFL Writing Integrated Practice Questions with Answer Key
• Is a Vegetarian Diet Healthier for the Environment and Humans - TOEFL Writing Integrated Practice Test
• Should High School Education Be Extended to Five Years - TOEFL Writing Integrated Practice Test
• Wearing Masks During Pandemic - TOEFL Speaking Independent Practice Questions with Answer Key
• The Role of Space Exploration in Advancing Science - TOEFL Writing Integrated Practice Test