This is the fifth sample article candidates of the ECPE examination (Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English of the University of Michigan) My first post to deal with articles , explains what needs to be present in this type of piece of writing. As stated, examiners are looking for articles that elaborate on ideas and have solid arguments; are well organized; make use of a wide lexical and grammatical range; have an original ring to them (in other words, readers are able to distinguish the author's unique "voice"). Before reading, take a look at the following post if you haven't already done so. It will help you focus on the vital aspects you need to be aware of while reading the article and what you should make sure to use when you write your own. The question appeared in Practice Tests for the ECPE Book 1 (revised 2021 version) and is accompanied by the following three writing prompts:
The topic of this essay is to elaborate on the messages that are sent to young people when they see that athletes' motivation has changed from winning and breaking world records to seeking money and fame. If you are not taking an exam but need to discuss this topic, then read on and note down what you deem useful. If you intend to use this essay as part of an assignment, remember to paraphrase so as not to plagiarize.
The topic is similar to what candidates would expect in any other C2-level examination in that examiners want to see a well-organized, coherent and cohesive discussion of the issue with arguments and examples written in approximately half an hour.
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In the past,
sporting champions used to be motivated primarily by the desire to win a match
or to break world records. These days, they are more likely to be motivated by
prize money and the opportunity to be famous. What messages does this send to
young people and how does this attitude to sport affect the sports themselves?
Give reasons for your answers.
Athletic events around the world have become a major attraction nowadays
that gather an enormous amount of attention. The message world
athletes sent in the past was that of ‘doing your best’ or striving to do better,
breaking records set by others. This now seems outdated and naïve as winners
aim only to secure as much money as they can get or strive for publicity. The
negative effects of this change in mentality, especially on the young, are many and also affect the
sports themselves.
If we look at the
message sent to spectators, old and young alike, it is easy to understand why
people these days only chase after the money. Athletes who are promoted into
serving as role models for younger people seem to be teaching children the
financial value of winning, not the spiritual satisfaction of competing. Success
is all that matters. The end justifies the means as attempting to do something
and failing leaves one solely with the result of failure and not with the taste
of a challenge one has faced and fought bravely against. A person who does not
win will be discouraged and not try again since the desired result -- being
rewarded by others -- is not achieved. You become great only in view of how
others see you, not in your mind’s eye.
This inevitably
has detrimental effects on athletic events themselves. Firstly, the increasing
phenomenon of doping in all sporting competitions shows that the motto “the end
justifies the means” is devoutly followed by major athletes who surely do not
need chemical substances to prove their worth. Secondly, unhealthy rivalry
between athletes or even teams is the most obvious result of the way sports are
seen. This rivalry is transferred off-court as well, and hatred between fans of
opposing teams arises with the need to feel that they are on the winning side.
All in all,
sports has been smothered by the reigning spirit of the times, namely greed,
and this has brought about negative messages that range from cheating to the
use of violence as a means to satisfy the desire to win. Unfortunately, we are
a long way from the lessons taught by the ancient Greeks, the most important of which stressed the co-existence of a healthy mind in a healthy body.
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