IELTS Speaking Part 1 Social Media: Study how the speaker answers the following recent topic questions:
1.) Do you or your friends like using social media?;
2.) Do you think you or your friends use too much social media?;
3.) Do you want to work in social media?;
What’s the most popular social media platform in your country?
Talking about social media is a piece of cake since it is something that we all have and use in this digital age. Below are the sample answers talking about social network applications. Get ideas from this post and achieve your target band score.
PART 1
SOCIAL NETWORKING
APPS / SOCIAL MEDIA
ANSWERS
Do you or your friends like using social media?
(Answer 1)
Yes, my friends and I enjoy using social media because everything that we see on social media is entertaining and educational. We’re fond of (have a liking for) using Tiktok, Facebook, and Twitter. In fact, most of our free time is spent on social media and I know that it is sometimes unhealthy but we can’t help ourselves (unable to control their selves).
(Answer 2)
Well, my friends love spending time on social media and posting the things that have happened in their lives to let their friends and other people know about them. However, I’m not like them as I already gave up all my social media accounts years ago. I feel like posting anything about my life on social media is seeking validation (recognition or affirmation that a person or their feelings are valid) and I realized that I don’t need that since I’m confident about myself. Besides, I don’t want people to know what’s going on in my life.
Do you think you or your friends use too much social media?
(Answer 1)
Unfortunately, yes! I don’t know I think we’re kind of addicted to it. We love using Tiktok because it’s fun as we can film ourselves dancing. As for Facebook and Twitter, we can express our thoughts or opinions about social or political issues freely aside from the fact that we can learn some educational matters posted on those social media sites.
(Answer 2)
Well, perhaps my friends do but I don’t since I have no social media account. Lately, I don’t really know what’s going on with the life of those people whom I know, well, except for my best friends since we talk from time to time. But anyway, I don’t really care about the life of other people usually posted on social media.
Do you want to work in social media?
(Answer 1)
Yes, because social media is a giant industry which means there are numerous job opportunities. I believe I’ll be able to utilize my communication, creativity, and editing skills if I work in that industry. Well, I’m actually thinking of working as a social media manager for big brands.
(Answer 2)
No, that has never crossed my mind (come to mind) because my profession has nothing to do with social media. I’m a medical practitioner so my skills will not match the skills needed by that industry. Besides, I don’t use social media so it’ll be difficult for a social media company to hire someone who doesn’t use any social media.
What’s the most popular social media platform in your country?
(Answer 1)
Recently, I think Tiktok since it has a wider audience. These days, Tiktok is not only for entertainment where people can see dances but also for business. I see major companies or brands jump on the bandwagon (join others in doing) to promote their products or services. They use that social media platform as their marketing tool since they can get more customers from that site.
(Answer 2)
I’m not sure about this but I guess it’s Youtube because there are so many entertaining and educational videos uploaded on that site. I just heard that during the height (the peak) of the pandemic, people’s go-to platform to entertain or educate themselves was Youtube. I, myself, love Youtube as I get to entertain, inform, and educate myself without any cost.
Do you use social networking applications?
(Answer 1)
Yes definitely and I actually have LINE and Facebook Messenger. I’m always active on these two social networking applications as they are my main modes of communication for both personal and professional contacts.
(Answer)
Call me primitive but honestly, I don’t even have one. I am not into using any social networking applications because I just don’t feel safe using them. So, I stick to the traditional ways of contacting my friends or my colleagues which are sending text messages or making calls.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Active [adj.] [computing] – to be always on time
Mode of communication [expression] – means of communication; ways of communication
Personal contact [noun] – refers to loved ones
Professional contact [noun] – refers to colleagues
Primitive [adj.] – ancient
Be into [phrase] – be interested in
Stick to [phrasal verb] – to continue doing or using
TIPS
i.) ANSWER 1: The speaker gave a direct positive answer and mentioned very specific social networking applications as an example, then he provided his explanation. Notice his topic vocabulary words that he used in his answer. You need to use some topic vocabulary words in your answer at least one or two.
ii.) ANSWER 2: The speaker started very naturally and provided a negative answer plus his main reason. Also, he explained his comfort in using the traditional ways of communication instead of using social networking applications.
How often do you use social networking applications?
(Answer 1)
I believe every hour of every day like I said, I’ve used social networking apps for communication. Not only that, but I also use them for checking the latest news or trending news worldwide specifically on Facebook or LINE. As you know, social networking applications or sites are the best avenues to keep us posted on the latest news in this social media era.
(Answer 2)
Not much, I’m not a social media addict like most young people these days. I always discipline myself not to be absorbed in using them as they surely distract my studies and I don’t want my time to go to waste just for socializing with virtual friends.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Trending [adj.] – currently popular, especially on social media sites
Avenue [noun] – a method or way of doing something
Keep (somebody) posted [phrase] – keep giving the latest information about a situation that you are interested in
Absorbed [adj.] – having one’s attention fully engaged in something
Distract [verb] – to divert the attention
Go to waste [phrase] – to be useless
Virtual friends [noun] – online friends
TIPS
i.) ANSWER 1: As the question is about ‘frequency’ the speaker gave a very specific answer to that question by saying ‘every hour of every day. Then he explained why he was like that – that’s because of his two reasons: for communication and for learning news. Very realistic answer and natural delivery.
ii.) ANSWER 2: The speaker simply gave a negative answer and he focused his answer on self-discipline and what could social media apps do in his life if he used them often. Straight-forward and smart!
Do you find any disadvantages to using social networking applications?
Well, there are plenty but let me tell you the two most major problems that I see. First, too much usage results in addiction, when a user becomes a slave in using any social networking applications, he loses focus on his studies or work. And these social networking sites have become a channel for cyberbullying for some individuals.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Plenty [pronoun] – a lot of; many
Usage [noun] – the action of using something
Distract [verb] – divert one’s attention
Channel [noun] – a way of communicating with people
TIP
i.) The speaker started his answer by being so specific focusing on the main disadvantages. This kind of introduction must only be done if you are really sure, when you say there are ‘two’, you have to make sure that you can provide two, some students tend to forget and only provide one. That’s because of being nervous or getting lost along the way in answering the question.
Do you think it is good to make friends online?
Yes, definitely but one should be responsible enough, I mean one needs to be more careful in choosing the right people to be friends with since these days there are some scammers online who deceive or extort money from people. Making virtual friends comes with risks so as much as possible people should be cautious when making friends online.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Scammer [noun] – a person who commits fraud
Deceive [verb] – cheat; trick
Extort [verb] – to get something by force such as money
Virtual friends [noun] – online friends
Comes with [phrasal verb] – to involve; be the result of something
Cautious [adj.] – careful; wary
TIP
i.) The speaker provided a positive and realistic answer. Talking about what’s the possibility of making online friends. His answer is straightforward and natural.
Meaning of Words and Phrases Sources: Collins, Macmillan, Cambridge, Oxford
Learn how to answer the RECENT CUE CARD about A PIECE GOOD NEWS on this link https://www.ieltsdragon.com/ielts-speaking-describing-a-good-news/ielts-recent-topic-with-answers/
And that’s all about the recent IELTS Speaking Part 1 topic about Social Network Applications. You should now have good ideas on how you can ace your exam. Best of luck!
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