IELTS VocabMaster

Describe a time when you changed an important opinion of yours.

Describe a time when you changed an important opinion of yours. You should say: - what the opinion was - when you changed it - why you changed it - and explain how you feel about this change

Part 2 model answer

An opinion I changed fairly recently was about content creators, like YouTubers and people who make educational videos online. For a long time, I honestly believed that this wasn't a "real" job. I thought these people were just wasting time, chasing views, and that a proper career meant working in an office, a bank, or a government job.

I think I got this opinion mostly from the people around me. In my family and neighbourhood, whenever someone talked about a young person making videos, the older people would usually shake their heads and say that they should find a stable job instead. So I simply accepted that idea without questioning it.

My opinion started to change about a year ago, when I began preparing for IELTS. I realised that most of the useful material I was learning from came from online teachers and content creators, many of them Bangladeshi. Some of them explained things far better than my coaching teachers. Out of curiosity, I watched a few interviews with them and found out how much effort goes into their work. They research topics, write scripts, record and edit for hours, and deal with constant criticism. Some of them even run proper businesses with teams of employees.

Now, I see content creation as a genuine profession that requires creativity, discipline, and real skills. I feel good about changing my opinion, because it taught me not to judge something just because older generations see it a certain way. It also opened my mind, and I've even started thinking about creating some educational content myself one day.

Part 3 discussion

Why do people change their opinions?

People usually change their opinions when they get new information or have new experiences that challenge what they believed before. Meeting different people and travelling can also broaden their perspective. Sometimes, simply growing older and more mature makes people see things differently. Good arguments from others can also be very persuasive.

Is it easy to change someone else's opinion?

Not really, especially if the opinion is connected to their values, religion, or politics. People often feel defensive when others try to change their views. The best way is usually to share facts calmly and give real examples, rather than arguing aggressively. Even then, it often takes time for people to accept a new idea.

Who influences young people's opinions the most?

Traditionally, parents and teachers have had the biggest influence. But nowadays, friends and social media play a huge role, especially influencers and YouTubers whom young people follow every day. This can be positive or negative, depending on the kind of content they consume. That's why media literacy is so important for young people.

Is it a good thing to have strong opinions?

It can be, because people with strong opinions are often confident and stand up for what they believe in. However, if someone is too rigid, they may refuse to listen to others or accept that they could be wrong. I think the ideal is to have clear opinions but remain open-minded enough to change them when there's good reason to.

How does the media influence public opinion?

The media has a powerful influence, because it decides which stories people see and how those stories are presented. A single news report can change how people feel about a person or an issue. On social media, algorithms often show users content that matches their existing views, which can make opinions more extreme. So it's important to follow a variety of sources.