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E-examiner S-student 
(0:00 – 0:23)
E: We’ve been talking about a well-known person you like or admire, and I’d like to discuss with you one or two more general questions related to this. Let’s consider, first of all, famous people in your country. So, in Singapore, what sort of people become famous?
S: Mainly politicians, prominent businessmen, and
a growing number of television celebrities.
(0:23 – 0:38)
E: Any film celebrities?
S: There are not too many film celebrities, because the film industry in Singapore is
still growing. There is a producer who, who has been involved in
the production of quite a few comedies. His name is Jack Neo, and he is
quite famous in Singapore.
(0:38 – 0:57)
E: Now, what about in the past? Would you say that the kinds of people famous in the past are different?
S: I think there is a lot… there is a growing number of tv, television
celebrities, mainly because the television industry has sort of matured in
Singapore. But other than that, I think it’s pretty much the same.
(0:57 – 1:27)
E: And what about in the future? Can you make any predictions on who might be famous in the future?
S: I think successful young business people would be more famous in the
future, mainly because they give the youth of today something to aspire
towards, and they basically send out the message that it’s not just
the older generation that can achieve in terms of business
success, but that younger generations can aspire towards
that as well.
(1:27 – 2:26)
E: Now let’s talk about celebrity culture. Often famous people are used in advertising. Can you give me some examples of that?
S: Famous people being used in advertising, I think one example that
comes to mind is cele, celebrities being used to
promote charitable causes. And I think basically
because celebrities have reached a certain status in society
whereby people aspire towards reaching celebrity status, when
you have celebrities endorsing a cause, it’s, it’s basically saying
that I, I, I’m s… so and so, and I approve this. And in that way, I think, the general population aspire towards that, and they feel more
comfortable, for example, donating to that cause.
(2:26 – 2:54)
E: Do you think it might be a bit dangerous having a celebrity endorse a cause if, for example, that celebrity behaves in a manner which the cause does not agree with?
S: I think it could potentially be harmful. And it’s not
necessarily for causes. I think it’s, it’s also for celebrity behaviors, because a
lot of the youth of today try to emulate celebrities. They may not be aware
of the repercussions of certain acts that they commit.
(2:54 – 3:18)
E: So what about those negative repercussions? What, what kind of possible nega, negative effects might happen to youth due to their ad, admiration of famous people?
S: I think with a lot of the youth of today, especially young females, they
may idolize certain celebrities, and they become very conscious of
their body image, and that might not necessarily be very healthy.
(3:18 – 3:35)
E: Do you think that affects males equally?
S: I think it does affect males to a certain extent but not on the same level
that it would affect females, because I think a lot of young females are, are more conscious of their body image than a lot of young males are.
(3:35 – 3:56)
E: What kind of negative effects would boys have?
S: I think with… for example, with the, with the young female population, I think a lot of them would be susceptible to maybe things
like anorexia and bulimia, whereas with, with boys it’s not so
prevalent, but it could still happen.
(3:56 – 4:26)
E: How about influencing public opinion? How might famous people be used to influence public opinion?
S: I think they could be used to affect, to affect public opinion
positively. For example, you’ve got Bonner who is… is all
for HIV and AIDS awareness. I think he’s done something very positive for
AIDS awareness on a global level.
(4:26 – 4:35)
E: Can you think of any negative ways they might influence public opinion?
S: I, I can’t think of any negative ways at this point.
(4:35 – 4:39)
E: Well, thank you very much. That’s the end of the speaking test.
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