Essay 101 – Some people are born with certain talents

GT Writing Task 2 / Essay Sample # 101

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

It is generally believed that some people are born with certain talents, for instance for sport or music, and others are not. However, it is sometimes claimed that any child can be taught to become a good sports person or musician.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Model Answer 1:

It is a widely held belief that some people are inherently good at certain things, like sports, arts and music for example. However, many people think that a child can acquire the same skill set if they are taught. Personally, I believe that nurturing a child can do miracles as we can mould them to become talented in any arena.

To begin with, innate abilities certainly matter. Some people are born with certain aptitudes, which are advantages for them to foster better than others. To put it another way, a man with inborn talent can acquire proficiency in the field with relatively less effort. Empirical evidence shows that musical prodigies have a natural sense of melody that they can sing a song almost immediately after they listen to the music or song. Take my nephew for an example. He is an authentic prodigy, first appearing with a flute at age five and then winning a national award in music at the age of 14. Likewise, people having an aptitude for sports are likely born with a rapid physical response and remarkable endurance. For example, celebrated basketball players are usually tall, thereby they can play more comfortably than their counterparts.

Having said that, children can be taught to obtain skills in sports or music; quite simply, practice makes a man perfect. In simple words, even if somebody is not blessed with an inborn talent for music or sports, they can pursue excellence in these fields by practising really hard. A case in point is Michael Jordan, one of the greatest basketball players of all time. We all believe that he was blessed with some prodigious talents in basketball. Despite his natural-born talents, Jordan was cut from his school basketball team. But he did not leave his fate to innate talent alone. Instead, Michael Jordan sharpened them and translated them into skill.

In conclusion, innate talents do not trump always. I believe that extreme practice and dedication can take people far beyond what mere natural aptitude alone can do.

Model Answer 2:

There has been a long-standing debate on whether natural talent is a prerequisite for excelling in sports or music, or whether hard work and dedication can compensate for the lack of innate ability. While some argue that individuals are born with inherent talents, others believe that skills can be developed through training and practice. In this essay, I will discuss both sides of the argument and argue that it is hard work and dedication that ultimately determine success in areas like sports or music.

Those who believe that some people are born with certain talents argue that natural ability is the key determinant of success in creative fields like sports or music. They believe that certain individuals have a genetic disposition that gives them an advantage over others. For example, research has shown that some people are more predisposed to being successful in endurance sports due to their genes. Similarly, musical prodigies are thought to have a natural talent for music that sets them apart from others.

On the other hand, proponents of the argument that hard work and dedication can compensate for a lack of natural talent believe that practice is the key to success. They argue that anyone can achieve mastery in creative arenas like sports, writing or music if they put in enough effort and time. For instance, many athletes and musicians have become successful through years of practice, even if they initially lacked natural talent. Moreover, some studies have shown that deliberate practice, or purposeful training with specific goals, is more important than innate ability in achieving expertise.

In my opinion, while natural talent can provide an initial advantage, it is hard work and dedication that ultimately determine success in arenas like writing, sports or music. While innate ability may help someone start at a higher level, it is the practice that leads to mastery. Without dedication and effort, even the most talented individuals will not reach their full potential. Conversely, with consistent effort and hard work, anyone can develop skills and become proficient in these fields.

In conclusion, the debate about whether natural talent or hard work is more important for success is ongoing. While some believe that innate ability is crucial, others argue that anyone can become successful with enough practice and dedication. In my opinion, while natural talent may provide a starting advantage, hard work and commitment are the keys to achieving mastery in these fields.