Task 2 · · 18 samples

An increasing number of people are choosing to have cosmetic surgery in order to improve their appearance. Why do people have operations to change the way they look? Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

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Plan your answer

Try your own response before reading the samples.

Ideas to explore

  • Explain how cultural or spiritual beliefs, including beliefs about luck, can influence decisions about facial features.
  • Discuss the potential benefits of improved confidence and surgery following an accident or medical condition.
  • Balance those benefits against medical risks and pressure to conform to a narrow beauty ideal.

Suggested structure

  1. Introduce the trend and state a qualified overall opinion.
  2. Explain key motivations, linking cultural beliefs and social beauty standards to the decision to have surgery.
  3. Present benefits with a personal-confidence example and a medical or reconstructive example.
  4. Discuss risks and social pressure, then conclude by stating the conditions under which the development is positive.
Useful vocabulary & examples
evolving beauty standards
Changing social expectations about what appearance is considered attractive.

Evolving beauty standards can influence how people judge their own appearance.

feel compelled to
Feel strongly pressured or obliged to do something.

Some people feel compelled to change their appearance to meet a narrow ideal.

realistic expectations
Beliefs about likely outcomes that are sensible and achievable.

Patients should have realistic expectations before deciding on cosmetic surgery.

reinforce insecurity
Make a person’s doubts or lack of confidence stronger.

A procedure may reinforce insecurity if it is chosen mainly to satisfy social pressure.

Sample answers

AI-completed learning example

344 words · Illustrative target band

Nowadays, aesthetic procedures are booming, and more and more people are inclined toward getting them to elevate their looks. In my opinion, this growth can be advantageous or disadvantageous at times. This essay will discuss both the positives and negatives of these surgeries, as well as the reasons why people might want to perform them, before giving an overall judgement. One reason is that people compare themselv…

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AI-completed learning example

271 words · Illustrative target band

Cosmetic surgery is becoming increasingly popular as more people strive for an attractive appearance. There are various motivations driving this trend, which I believe has both positive and negative aspects. The growing popularity of plastic surgery can be attributed to superstitions and society’s evolving beauty standards. Some individuals seek advice from feng shui masters to identify features they believe will bri…

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AI-completed learning example

353 words · Illustrative target band

More and more people undergo cosmetic surgery today for a desirable appearance. There are several motivations behind this trend, and I believe that this phenomenon is both positive and negative. The rising trend of plastic surgery might be explained by many people’s belief in superstitions and the perceived modern ideal beauty standards. Many follow feng shui beliefs when thinking about appearance, although that cann…

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