Social Media & Online Life
Directives for Test-Takers:
- Part 1: Provide personal answers. Use 2-3 sentences for each question. Stay relevant and concise.
- Part 2: You will have 1 minute to prepare and 2 minutes to speak. Take notes during the preparation time to organize your ideas and cover all the bullet points.
- Part 3: Expand your answers by giving reasons, examples, and contrasting views. Aim to speak for about 1-2 minutes per question when prompted.
🟢 Part 1: Introduction & Interview
Explanation
This part lasts 4–5 minutes. The examiner will ask simple questions about familiar topics.
- Speak in short, clear sentences.
- Give a little detail to show fluency, but don’t overthink.
Questions:
- Do you use social media every day?
- Which social media platform do you use the most?
- Do you think social media is good or bad for young people?
Band 5:
- Yes, I use every day. Instagram, YouTube.
- I use YouTube the most. I watch videos.
- It is good, but sometimes bad. People spend too much time.
Band 7:
- Yes, I use social media every day, usually to stay in touch with friends and to check news updates.
- I spend the most time on Instagram because I enjoy photos and short videos.
- I think it has both good and bad effects. It helps people connect, but it can also make them waste time.
Band 9:
- Absolutely, social media is part of my daily routine. I use it to communicate, stay informed, and sometimes just to relax.
- The platform I use most is LinkedIn, because it helps me build professional connections, though I also enjoy YouTube for learning new skills.
- In my opinion, social media is a double-edged sword. It offers opportunities for creativity and networking, but it can harm mental health if used excessively.
🟦 Part 2: Cue Card
Explanation
This section lasts 3–4 minutes total.
- You’ll get 1 minute to prepare, then you must speak for 1–2 minutes.
- Cover all prompts, and don’t stop until the examiner asks you to.
Cue Card:
Describe a social media post that you found interesting.
You should say:
- What the post was about
- Who made it
- Why you found it interesting
- And explain how you felt when you saw it
Band 5 (~1 min):
“I saw a post from my friend on Instagram. It was about her trip to Paris. The photos were very beautiful. I liked it because I want to go there too. I felt happy to see it.”
Band 7 (~1.5 min):
“I want to talk about a post I saw on YouTube by a travel vlogger. He visited Iceland and showed waterfalls, glaciers, and the Northern Lights. It was interesting because I had never seen nature like that before. I felt inspired, and it made me want to travel more in the future.”
Band 9 (~2 min):
*”A social media post that really caught my attention was a TED Talk I watched on YouTube about the importance of digital detox. The speaker discussed how too much screen time reduces our ability to focus and be present. I found it fascinating because I recognized the same problem in my own life.
The visuals and personal stories in the talk made it memorable, and I felt both guilty and motivated after watching it. Guilty because I realized how much time I waste scrolling, and motivated because I wanted to change my habits. It was a reminder that social media should be a tool, not a trap.”*
🟣 Part 3: Discussion
Explanation
This part lasts 4–5 minutes.
- Questions are more abstract and opinion-based.
- Show that you can discuss ideas, reasons, and consequences.
Questions:
- How has social media changed the way young people communicate?
- Do you think social media will continue to grow in the future?
- Should schools teach students about responsible social media use?
Band 5:
- Now young people talk on phone, not face-to-face.
- Yes, it will grow more. More apps.
- Yes, students need to know how to use.
Band 7:
- Social media has made communication faster, but less personal. Many young people prefer messaging instead of meeting in person.
- Yes, I think it will keep growing, but platforms may change over time. Maybe some will disappear, and new ones will come.
- Yes, schools should teach about it, because students need to know about safety, privacy, and not spending too much time online.
Band 9:
- Social media has transformed communication by making it instant and global, but it has also reduced the depth of interactions. Many young people feel more comfortable texting than having real conversations.
- Without a doubt, social media will continue to expand, especially with new technologies like virtual reality. However, public concerns about privacy and mental health may push platforms to evolve in healthier directions.
- Yes, I strongly believe digital literacy should be part of the curriculum. Young people need guidance on managing their online identity, protecting their data, and balancing online and offline life.