TOEFL essay example: We should pay attention to the opinions of famous people

English as a Second Language Preparation for and help with the TOEFL® Test and
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Hi guys, long time no see. I have just come back from my wonderful vacation with my family. This is my new essay and as usual I hope to receive your comments as well as suggestions.

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement:
We should pay attention to the opinions of famous people.
Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Life is always complicating and challenging so people hardly can do everything without help from other surroundings. One of the common ways to help is to give advice or opinions about one’s problems. Some people highly appreciate paying attention to the opinions of famous people. However, I do not think that it is true for several reasons.

First of all, it is essential to consider the ideas of others not just famous people. We can not have a bias towards them just because they are famous. In fact, when we are in trouble, there are often advices from others who try to help us. Thus, paying attention to their opinions is a way of showing that they are really worthy and helpful. If we only consider opinions of famous people, it is not fair for others. In fact, sometimes we need the ideas of those around us much more because they are the very people who understand and are familiar with us. In some cases, if everyone only paid attention to words of well-known people, it would be extremely difficult for talented but not famous ones to demonstrate their ideas although those ideas were very exciting and effective.

Furthermore, opinions of celebrities are not always right. Famous people are just like other people except for their popularity so their words are not usually a good choice to consider. Sometimes their opinions are even ridiculous and dishonest. As an example, some actors and actresses often said many things which contradict with our traditions and genuine morality. Therefore, it is a waste of time and strength to consider those ideas.

To sum up, I strongly believe that paying attention to famous people’s opinions is not always a good idea. We need the right and helpful opinions no matter whose those opinions are famous or not.

TOEFL listening lectures: A lecture by a professor of Fine Arts

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  1. “Some people highly appreciate paying attention to the opinions of famous people” One generally appreciates the actions of another party, as in I appreciate you saying that or I’d appreciate if you could do that. So appreciate has got to go.

  2. “and are familiar with us” One’s usually familiar with abstract things (places, topics, way of thinking, behavior), however one can never (In my humble opinion) be familiar with a person; it just sounds wrong. Try accustomed - they’re synonyms, yet completely different.

  3. “some actors and actresses often said” - say

  4. “no matter whose those opinions are famous or not” Ouch … that hurts. No matter whose opinions are they, famous or not.
    .

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You’re right. Thanks a lot