IELTS VocabMaster

Describe a popular person.

Describe a popular person. You should say: - who this person is - what this person is like - why this person is popular - and explain how you feel about this person

Part 2 model answer

The person I'd like to describe is Tahmid, who was a classmate of mine in college. Without exaggeration, he was the most popular student in our entire batch. Pretty much everyone, from students to teachers and even the security guards, knew him and liked him.

In terms of personality, he's extremely friendly, outgoing, and funny. He has this natural ability to make people feel comfortable, even if he's meeting them for the first time. He's also a very good speaker, so he often hosted our college events and cultural programmes. On top of that, he was the captain of our college football team, which made him even more well known.

But I don't think he was popular just because he was talented or entertaining. The real reason was that he genuinely cared about people. For example, if someone was sitting alone in the canteen, he would go over and invite them to join his group. If a classmate missed lectures because of illness, he would share his notes without being asked. He treated everyone the same, whether they were top students or the quiet ones at the back of the class.

Honestly, I really admire him. I'm a bit more introverted myself, so I used to find it amazing how easily he connected with people. Over time, I learned a lot from him, especially about being kind and approachable. We still keep in touch, and even now, whenever there's a reunion, he's the one who organises it. I think he shows that true popularity comes from kindness rather than trying to impress others.

Part 3 discussion

What makes a person popular?

I think personality is the biggest factor. People who are friendly, confident, and have a good sense of humour usually attract others. Being helpful and a good listener also makes people well liked. In some cases, talents like sports or music, or even good looks, can add to someone's popularity.

Is it important for young people to be popular?

Many teenagers feel it's very important, because they want to fit in and be accepted by their peers. But I think having a few true friends matters more than being popular with everyone. Chasing popularity can sometimes lead young people to make poor choices just to impress others.

Are popular people always happy?

Not necessarily. Popular people often face pressure to always look happy and meet others' expectations. Some of them may even feel lonely, because they're not sure who their real friends are. So popularity doesn't automatically bring happiness.

How has social media affected the idea of popularity?

Social media has turned popularity into numbers, like followers, likes, and views. Now, people can become popular without even meeting others in real life. Unfortunately, this has made many young people obsessed with online approval, which can affect their self-esteem and mental health.

Do you think popular people have a bigger influence on others?

Yes, definitely. People tend to follow the opinions and behaviour of those they admire. That's why companies hire popular figures to promote their products. Because of this influence, I think popular people should act responsibly and set a positive example.