IELTS WRITING TASK 2
A person’s worth nowadays seems to be judged according to social status and material
possessions. Old-fashioned values, such as honours, kindness and trust, no longer seem
important. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
Given the power and influence of the super-rich, it might seem
as if social status and material possessions are the new
symbols of personal worth, but in everyday life I do not think
this is true.
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It is apparently that most celebrities today are admired or
envied solely for their material wealth or position in various
social hierarchies. Many of these people are known to turn
their backs on friends, cheat on their spouses or spend their
evenings over-indulging in alcohol and/or drugs. Things like
owning a mansion, driving an expensive car and getting into Alist parties are exalted above old-fashioned values. Ultimately,
though, it is the many readers of gossip magazines and
celebrity blogs who reinforce these ideas.
Nevertheless, I do believe that in their day-to-day lives most
people still believe in values such as honour, kindness and
trust. In some way most of us want to form loving families,
raise our children to be good citizens, stand up for the
downtrodden and protect our communities from harm. We
still form friendships, romances and business partnerships
based on old-fashioned criteria. When our trust is abused or
we are unfairly treated, we see that as a major violation of our
friendship and we judge the wrongdoer accordingly.
In conclusion, I believe there is some truth to the notion that
status and possessions have superseded old-fashioned values
as a measure of a person’s worth. Looking beyond the
tabloids, however, it is apparent that most ordinary people
have still preserved an old-fashioned conscience.
(Source: britishcouncil)
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to turn their backs
on friends
to cheat on their
spouses
to over-indulge in
alcohol/drugs
to own a mansion
to get into A-list
parties
to form loving
families
to raise our children
to be good citizens
to stand up for the
downtrodden
exalt something /ɪɡˈzɔːlt/
(v) = to praise something
very much
downtrodden
/ˈdaʊntrɒdn/ (n) = people
are treated so badly by the
people with authority and
power that they no longer
have the energy or ability to
fight back
to measure your worthiness in life – to measure your self-worth – to determine your
value
to define yourself by the size of your bank accounts/paycheck // the kind of car you own
material assets, financial assets
the importance you place on yourself
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make … the basics for your selfworth
to define a person
yardstick
How Do You Measure Your Self-Worth?
While there are many ways you might measure your worthiness in life, it's important to
consider whether some of them are unhealthy. Here are five common — yet unhealthy — ways
people measure their self-worth:
1. Your Appearance
Some people measure their self-worth by the numbers on a scale. Others determine their value
by how much attention they can attract with their appearance. The media sends a message that
"you're only as good as you look," and many marketing strategies target people's insecurities
over everything from weight gain to aging.
That's not to say good looks don't serve as an advantage in life; they certainly can. But a
beautiful body or a handsome face won't last forever, and hair loss, wrinkles, and a middle-age
spread can feel catastrophic for someone whose self-worth depends on their physical
appearance.
2. Your Net Worth
You likely know at least one person whose self-worth is measured by their income or material
possessions. But people who measure their self-worth by their net worth may never feel
"valuable enough." And it's not just wealthy people who define themselves by the size of their
bank accounts — many people live beyond their means in an attempt to feel "good enough."
But going deep into debt to create a façade of wealth backfires in the end because while goods
and services have monetary value, they don't reflect your value as a human being.
3. Who You Know
There are several ways people depend on others to give them value. While one person may
only feel good about herself when she's in a relationship, someone else may feel as though
name-dropping well-known people will gain the admiration from others he needs to feel good.
Some people only feel worthy when they can surround themselves with important people. A
lengthy list of personal contacts and a busy social calendar help them feel valuable and
important. But depending on other people to make you feel good is like chasing a moving
target. You can't control what other people think of you, and you certainly can't please
everyone all the time. You'll never be able to receive enough praise and positive reinforcement
to genuinely feel good about yourself.
4. What You Do
A career helps many people feel worthwhile. In fact, many people introduce themselves by
saying what they do: "I'm a computer programmer," or "I'm a lawyer." Their job isn't what they
do — it's who they are. Their career reinforces to them that they're "somebody." But basing
your self-worth on your job title is a big risk. An economic downturn, unexpected shift in the
job market, or a major health problem can put an end to your career and lead to a major
identity crisis. Even a planned retirement may destroy your self-worth if your identity is tied to
your job title. If you've always measured your self-worth by what you do, you won't feel good
about yourself when your career ends.
5. What You Achieve
Sometimes people want to be known solely for their achievement. That person who brags
about her latest business success may only feel good when she talks about her
accomplishments. Or an individual who just can't stop beating himself for a mistake he made
might struggle to move forward, because he didn't achieve what he needed to feel good.
While it's normal to feel proud of your accomplishments, basing your entire self-worth on your
achievement is like building a house on an unsteady foundation. You'll need to experience
constant success to feel good about yourself — and that means you'll likely avoid doing things
where you could fail.
How to Feel Good About Who You Are
o The way you choose to measure your worth affects the kind of life you'll live. Use a
measuring stick based on factors you can control — not the external events in your life.
o When you know who you are — and you're pleased with the person you've become —
you'll experience a sense of peace through life's inevitable ups and downs. You'll believe
in yourself regardless of whether you've been fired, gone through a divorce, or failed to
get a promotion.
o Instead of chasing things that temporarily boost your self-esteem, measure your selfworth by who you are at your core. Behave according to your values and create a life of
meaning and purpose.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/201707/how-do-you-measureyour-self-worth