Sample Answer
What kinds of famous people do children like?
It seems to me that children are interested in famous people who act and sing. Those kinds of talents are really easy to see and admire. For example, I have a young cousin who really loves the American singer Taylor Swift. She’s little but she likes that kind of music, and she can recognize a Taylor Swift song at the drop of a hat. Besides actors and singers, I think famous magicians also have an impact on children. Their performances can always attract children.
What are the changes to children’s lives compared with before? Are they positive or negative?
I suppose that children’s lives are a lot better than they used to be. The past was a lot more difficult for basically everyone. People didn’t have the same luxuries as they do nowadays. My parents told me that children didn’t have any toys when they were young. And they even had to help parents do a lot of chores that children today won’t do, like washing clothes and making meals. Nowadays, kids are treated to the latest technologies and they have tons of entertainment at their fingertips. So I think it’s mostly a positive change from the past.
Should celebrities be role models to children?
Yeah, celebrities should set a good example for kids. Even though it’s not technically their job, being in the public eye means that you have a huge influence on people, no matter what their age. So I think that celebrities should be on their best behavior in public. That way, they can be good role models for kids. I wouldn’t want any child of mine to admire someone who acted really badly, even if they were famous.
What are the responsibilities of celebrities to society? Why?
Well, it’s weird to think that celebrities have responsibilities to society. But in a way, they definitely do. Just like everyone else, they owe it to society to be good citizens and help contribute positively to the community. But since celebrities have such a huge influence on the public, I suppose that they should use their fame to support important social movements and bring awareness to some public issues. It’s a way of using their status for good.
Is it a good thing to be famous as a child?
I actually think it’s really bad to be famous as a child. Growing up is tough enough without everyone watching your every move. When children are famous, they can quickly let the attention get to their head and become really spoiled. They also run the risk of having more anxiety since they’re in the public eye so often. So I guess fame would add too much stress to their daily life.
Do you think advertisements aimed at children should be endorsed by famous people?
Well… I don’t think advertisements aimed at children should really exist to begin with. Advertisers should just leave kids alone. They shouldn’t be targets of advertising; they’re too young to think about that stuff. So in that sense, I don’t think famous people should endorse those types of advertisements. When companies use popular actors or singers to sponsor their products, they can take advantage of children easily and end up ripping off them.
Vocab Highlights
at the drop of a hat
at their fingertips
being in the public eye
be on their best behavior
it’s weird to think that…
owe it to society to be good citizens
bring awareness to some public issues
without everyone watching your every move
take advantage of
ripping off