# PTE Essay #34: Environmental Impact on Personal...

Write Essay #34 - Level 3 - Feeds Writing

> You have 20 minutes to plan, write and check an essay on the topic below. Write 200-300 words and answer the question exactly as it is asked.

Nowadays, people believe that the environment influences their accomplishments. Some people think their success and accomplishment were influenced by the places where they grew up. Do you think the environment does or does not affect people's accomplishment and how it affects? Please give an example of a famous person to support your statement.

## Answer

Many people believe that the place where they grew up has shaped their success in life. I agree that the environment does affect people's accomplishments, mainly by providing opportunities, role models and challenges. However, it influences rather than determines success, because personal effort decides how people respond to their surroundings.

The most direct way the environment affects achievement is by offering resources and encouragement. Children raised in homes and communities that value a particular skill have more chances to develop it early. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is a famous example. His father was a professional musician who began teaching him as a young child and took him to perform across Europe. Although Mozart had remarkable talent, this musical household gave him training and exposure that few children of his time received.

The environment can also shape success through hardship, which may build determination. Oprah Winfrey grew up in poverty in rural Mississippi, yet she became one of the most influential media figures in the United States. Her difficult childhood offered few advantages, but it gave her empathy and a strong desire to improve her life. Her story shows that a challenging environment affects people too, though its effect depends greatly on how they react. In contrast, some people raised in comfortable conditions achieve little because they lack motivation.

In conclusion, I believe the environment clearly affects people's accomplishments. Supportive surroundings provide opportunities, as Mozart's childhood shows, while difficult ones can create strong motivation, as Oprah Winfrey's life demonstrates. Ultimately, success comes from the interaction between people's surroundings and their own effort.

## Explanation

A high-scoring response effectively balances the argument by acknowledging the role of environment while providing a concrete example of a famous individual whose background shaped their path. It maintains logical flow and uses precise vocabulary to connect upbringing to specific outcomes.

## Hints

- Start by clearly stating your position on whether environment is a primary factor in success.
- Select a well-known figure and explicitly link their early life experiences to the skills or opportunities that led to their achievements.

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