Social Media – IELTS Speaking Part 1 with Sample Answers

Part 1 of the IELTS Speaking test aims to create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere to help you feel more comfortable speaking in English. It focuses on simple questions based on your daily routine, interests and personal experiences, like Social Media, providing an opportunity for you to express yourself on subjects that are personal and straightforward.

As many IELTS candidates are not comfortable with speaking English, the best way to drive the exam blues is to practise various popular topics like Social Media. It is important to note that there are no right or wrong responses for IELTS Speaking topics. All you have to do is be confident and speak fluently.

So, we have provided some IELTS Speaking Part 1 questions on the topic, Social Media along with some sample answers and related vocabulary for you to familiarize yourself with the types of questions and how to answer them!

IELTS Speaking Part 1 Questions on Social Media with Sample Answers

1 Do you or your friends like using social media?

Sample Answer 1

Yes, my friends and I like spending time on social media to keep in touch with each other and also update ourselves on the latest trends. In fact, we spend most of our leisure time on social media to watch reels on Instagram and share memes on Facebook.

Sample Answer 2

While most of my friends like posting about their personal lives and making reels on social media, I mostly use it to keep myself updated on global events. Sometimes, they urge me to be active on different social media platforms, like Facebook and Snapchat. But I feel very self-conscious and don’t like to seek validation from strangers.

Sample Answer 3

Honestly, my friends call me the black sheep of the group for being on any social media platform. All of them regularly use social media platforms for chatting, scrolling reels and sharing memes. However, I don’t enjoy these platforms and like to keep my life away from the limelight.

2 When did you start using social media?

Sample Answer 1

I don’t remember the exact time that I started using social media. But I think it has to be around my high school years when Facebook became the talk of the town and I too got influenced.

Sample Answer 2

As far as I remember, I started using WhatsApp during my high school as I was in a boarding school and it was easier to communicate with my parents through the free of cost video and voice calls.

Sample Answer 3

I used a social media platform named Orkut when I was in college. Gradually, I lost interest and I deleted my account. I have not used social media since then.

3 What kind of people do you like to be friends with on those social media websites?

Sample Answer 1

I never make friends with strangers on social media. Usually, I connect with people I know in person via social media to stalk our crush and favorite celebrities.

Sample Answer 2

Besides my offline friends, I connect with people from different cultures and countries to know about their customs and traditions. However, I am careful to choose these friends based on their interests and our mutual friends. Nowadays, fake profiles and cyber crimes are rampant.

Sample Answer 3

To be honest, I am content with the friends I have around me. I like to interact with them face to face and enjoy our offline lives, which is away from the cyber bullying and trolling that happens on social media.

4 What kind of information about yourself have you put on social media?

Sample Answer 1

I have shared some of my personal information like date of birth, place of birth, etc. along with interests and favorites. It helps me to connect with like-minded people.

Sample Answer 2

I have a Twitter account where I have put very few personal details about myself as there are risks of phishing irrespective of the data privacy feature on the social media platforms. My account only contains general information like my favorite places, people, food, music, etc.

Sample Answer 3

I don’t have any active social media accounts as I don’t like to jump on the bandwagon. I am more invested in spending my time meaningfully by interacting with people around me and enjoying nature.

5 Do you think you or your friends use too much social media?

Sample Answer 1

Unfortunately, the answer is yes! My friends and I are a little addicted to social media, I think. We adore Snapchat and Tiktok because it’s entertaining to record yourself dancing and see them go viral. Apart from the fact that Facebook and Twitter have certain instructional content, we are free to openly express our ideas and opinions regarding social and political topics.

Sample Answer 2

Frankly, I don’t like to spend time on social media. But I know a lot of people who like killing time on these social media platforms. While most of them seem to find entertainment, connect with friends, and update their personal events, some of them keep themselves informed on current events through these platforms.

Sample Answer 3

I feel like I spend too much time on social media, to be honest. With all of the unending information and notifications, it’s simple to lose track of time. I frequently find myself scrolling through my phone for hours at a time without noticing the passing of time. I’m attempting to exercise more caution and will create boundaries for myself.

6 Do you want to work in social media?

Sample Answer 1

Of course! I have a strong interest in social media and how it can unite individuals all over the world. I could use my abilities to produce interesting material, encourage community engagement, like content creators, and support social platforms’ beneficial effects if I worked in this sector.

Sample Answer 2

I have never thought about it. But it is not exactly what I would choose first. Although I recognise the importance of social media for communication, I am concerned about how it can affect people’s privacy and mental health. A career path that is more in line with my concerns and ideals is what I would want.

Sample Answer 3

I’m definitely willing to consider that. I am aware of the significance of social media in the current digital world, and I think my abilities may be put to good use there. To make a definitive judgment, though, I would need further details regarding the precise function and responsibilities.

7 Is there anything you don’t like about social media?

Sample Answer 1

The potential for privacy to be invaded is one part of social media that worries me. It can be unnerving to see how personal data is constantly being collected and exploited for targeted advertising. It makes me concerned about our digital traces and how they might affect our privacy.

Sample Answer 2

Besides the privacy factor, I am not quite convinced about social media’s effect on mental health. Anxiety and feelings of inadequacy can be further aggravated by curating images, constantly comparing, and feeling pressured to live a flawless life. It’s critical to be aware of the potential psychological repercussions that excessive social media use might have on people.

Sample Answer 3

The rapid spread of misinformation, creating a fear of missing out and sensationalization of certain topics on social media platforms are things that I dislike most about besides the concern of privacy. False news, rumors, and misleading content can easily go viral, impacting public opinion and sometimes even influencing real-world events. It highlights the need for critical thinking and media literacy in navigating the vast amount of information available online.

Vocabulary You Can Use to Answer IELTS Speaking Part 1 Questions on Social Media

Other than proper pronunciation and fluency, vocabulary is also an important part of scoring a top band score in IELTS Speaking.

Being aware of that, we have curated a list of IELTS Vocabulary and phrases, with their meaning, used in the sample answers above that you can use in your answers.

Get ready to amp up your IELTS Speaking score with this vocabulary list for your responses on social media!

• Memes – an image, video, piece of text, etc., typically humorous in nature, that is copied and spread rapidly by internet users, often with slight variations
• Validation – the act or process of making something officially or legally acceptable or approved
• Black sheep of the group: Refers to a person who is considered different or deviant from the rest of a group or family.
• Away from the limelight: Not in the public attention or focus; keeping a low profile.
• Talk of the town: Something or someone that is widely discussed or the subject of gossip in a particular community.
• Stalk: To obsessively follow and monitor someone, usually online, often with malicious intent.
• Rampant: Widespread and uncontrollable, often used to describe negative behaviors or issues.
• Cyberbullying: The use of electronic communication to bully or harass someone, typically through social media.
• Trolling: Posting provocative or inflammatory content online to provoke others and elicit strong reactions.
• Like-minded: People who share similar opinions, interests, or attitudes.
• Phishing: A cyber-attack where individuals are tricked into providing sensitive information, often through deceptive emails or websites.
• Data privacy: The protection of personal information from unauthorized access or use.
• Jump on the bandwagon: To adopt a popular trend or activity.
• Viral: Content that spreads rapidly and widely on the internet.
• Killing time: Engaging in activities to pass the time, often without a specific purpose.
• Unending: Continuous and without an apparent conclusion.
• Scrolling: Moving through content on a digital device, typically by scrolling with a mouse or touchscreen.
• More in line with: Closer or aligned with a particular idea, concept, or perspective.
• Unnerving: Causing discomfort, anxiety, or unease.
• Digital traces: Information or data left behind by online activities.
• Aggravated: Intensified or made more severe.
• Repercussions: Consequences or effects that result from a particular action or situation.
• Sensationalization: Presenting information in a way that emphasizes drama or excitement to attract attention.
• Media literacy: The ability to access, analyze, and evaluate information and media content critically.
• Content creators: Individuals who produce and publish digital content, such as videos, articles, or graphics.
• Fear of missing out (FOMO): The anxiety or uneasiness that one might miss out on something interesting or exciting happening elsewhere.

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