IELTS Speaking Part 3: Fame and children
6 Part 3 discussion questions on fame and children, with developed sample answers of the kind Part 3 expects.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a famous child?
The advantages include access to wealth, opportunities (e.g., better schools, travel), and a platform to influence others at a young age. Famous children may also receive validation and attention that can boost self-esteem if managed well. However, the disadvantages are severe and often outweigh the benefits. Loss of privacy is the biggest cost – every mistake, awkward phase, or family drama can become public. They may face bullying, unrealistic expectations, and the pressure to maintain their image. There is also the risk of exploitation by parents or managers who treat the child as a meal ticket. Normal social development suffers; they may struggle to form genuine friendships because people want to be near them for the wrong reasons. Finally, many famous children experience a difficult transition to adulthood, either fading from fame (identity crisis) or burning out. The list of troubled former child stars is long, suggesting that fame and childhood are fundamentally incompatible.
What can children do with their fame?
Children with fame can use it as a platform for positive impact far beyond their years – raising awareness for causes, fundraising, or inspiring other children. They can save their earnings for future education or start a business, gaining financial independence earlier than most. Fame can also open doors to mentors and experiences that shape their talents, whether in arts, sports, or advocacy. However, the most important thing they can do is set boundaries: limit public exposure, protect private time, and ensure that education remains a priority. They can also use their influence to speak out against child exploitation in the entertainment industry, advocating for laws that protect other children. Being a role model is possible, but only if the child is genuinely interested and supported, not coerced. Ultimately, the “best” use of fame is to keep it from becoming the center of their identity, so they can grow into adults with options, not relics of childhood success.
What can today’s children do to become famous?
In the digital age, the most accessible path to fame is through social media – posting unique, engaging content on TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram. Talent-based routes remain: singing, dancing, sports, acting, or even unusual academic achievements (e.g., a young coder or artist). Participating in reality TV competitions or talent shows can also catapult a child to national fame. Some children become famous accidentally – a viral video of a funny or heartwarming moment. However, the question implies a goal, and I would caution that seeking fame as a child is rarely healthy. The drive for fame often comes from external validation needs, and the pursuit can consume childhood. Moreover, the “famous child” industry is rife with exploitation. So while children can become famous through various means, the better question is whether they should. A more sustainable goal is to develop skills and passions; fame, if it comes, will be a byproduct, not the aim.
Do people become famous just because of their talent?
Rarely – talent alone is insufficient; luck, timing, connections, and often a striking appearance or unique story play major roles. For every incredibly talented unknown musician, there is a moderately talented one who went viral due to a lucky break. The entertainment industry is especially notorious for favouring nepotism (family connections) and marketability over pure skill. In social media fame, consistency, algorithm literacy, and a willingness to perform vulnerability often matter more than talent. Even in fields like science or sports, fame goes to those who are also charismatic or fit a media narrative – there are Nobel laureates the public has never heard of. That said, in most fields, sustained success usually requires some baseline talent; you cannot fake it forever. But the initial leap from obscurity to fame is often a roll of the dice. So talent is a necessary condition for some types of fame, but rarely sufficient – and for many types of fame (reality TV, influencer), talent is barely relevant.
*Should parents encourage their children to seek fame? (added)
Generally, no – parents should encourage skill development, curiosity, and resilience, not fame as a goal. Fame is an unpredictable outcome, and pursuing it can lead to disappointment or unhealthy fixation on external validation. Moreover, the process of seeking fame often involves putting children in adult situations too early, risking their mental health and education. If a child naturally shows exceptional talent and a desire to perform, parents can support that without framing it as a path to celebrity. The parent’s role is to provide guardrails: ensure school continues, screen offers carefully, and keep money in a trust accessible only to the adult child. Fame should be treated as a possible side effect, not the primary objective. The happiest former child stars are those whose parents prioritised their well-being over their careers. So the answer is: encourage excellence and passion, but steer children away from fame as a conscious goal.
*What are the long-term effects of childhood fame? (added)
Long-term effects are mixed but often negative without strong support systems. On the positive side, some former child stars leverage their early fame into lucrative adult careers, having built networks and financial security early. Others use their platform to transition into behind-the-scenes roles (directing, producing, writing) that are less public. However, many suffer from identity issues – having been known as “the kid from that show,” they struggle to establish an adult identity separate from that role. Substance abuse, financial ruin (if parents mishandled earnings), and difficulty with trusting others are common. Education often falls behind, limiting career options if acting work dries up. There is also the phenomenon of “fame burnout” – exhaustion from constant scrutiny leading to withdrawal from public life entirely. The most resilient former child stars typically have non-famous family members, a strong educational foundation, and hobbies completely unrelated to performance. Fame in childhood is a psychological experiment; the survival rate is lower than most people realise.
Reading a model answer is not the same as saying one. The sample above shows what a strong Part 3 answer sounds like. What it cannot tell you is how yours sounds — whether you hesitate, repeat the question back, or run out of things to say at forty seconds.
You can record an answer to this exact question and get it marked on fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and pronunciation — the same four criteria the examiner uses.
Common questions
How is Part 3 different from Part 1?
Part 1 is about you; Part 3 is about people in general. The questions move to society, causes and consequences, and the answers are expected to be longer and more developed — an opinion plus a reason plus an example.
What if I have no opinion on the question?
You are not marked on the opinion, so pick one and support it. Saying you have never thought about it and stopping there leaves the examiner nothing to assess.
How long does Part 3 last?
Four to five minutes. The topics develop out of your Part 2 card, so the discussion is usually connected to what you just described.
Model answers written and reviewed by The English All-in-One IELTS team. They are teaching models showing what each band looks like, not real candidate scripts.