In recent years, the topic of combating fake news on digital platforms has become increasingly prevalent in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. This subject has appeared in various forms in past exams and is likely to continue being a popular theme due to its relevance in our digital age. Let’s explore this topic through sample essays for different band scores, focusing on the following question:
Some people believe that social media companies should be held responsible for the spread of fake news on their platforms. Others argue that individuals should be responsible for fact-checking the information they consume and share. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Analyzing the Question
This question asks us to consider two perspectives on the responsibility for combating fake news on social media platforms. We need to:
- Discuss the view that social media companies should be held responsible
- Discuss the view that individuals should be responsible
- Provide our own opinion on the matter
Let’s examine three sample essays addressing this question, each targeting a different band score.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Social media has become a breeding ground for misinformation, sparking debates about who should bear the responsibility for curbing the spread of fake news. While some argue that social media companies should be held accountable, others believe that individual users should take on this responsibility. In my opinion, a collaborative approach involving both parties is necessary to effectively combat this issue.
Those who advocate for social media company accountability argue that these platforms have the resources and technological capabilities to detect and remove false information. Companies like Facebook and Twitter have sophisticated algorithms and vast amounts of data at their disposal, which could be leveraged to identify and flag potentially misleading content. Moreover, these corporations profit from user engagement, including interactions with fake news, so they have a moral obligation to mitigate the harmful effects of their business models. By implementing stricter content moderation policies and investing in fact-checking mechanisms, social media giants could significantly reduce the proliferation of misinformation.
On the other hand, proponents of individual responsibility contend that users should develop critical thinking skills and take the initiative to verify information before believing or sharing it. In an era of information overload, digital literacy has become an essential skill for navigating the online world. By encouraging users to cross-reference sources, check publication dates, and be skeptical of sensational headlines, we can create a more discerning online community. Furthermore, placing the onus on individuals fosters a sense of personal responsibility and empowers users to make informed decisions about the content they consume and share.
In my view, combating fake news requires a multi-faceted approach that combines the efforts of both social media companies and individual users. While platforms should invest in robust fact-checking systems and transparent content moderation policies, users must also cultivate critical thinking skills and practice responsible information consumption. Education programs on digital literacy, coupled with technological solutions, can create a more resilient online ecosystem that is less susceptible to the spread of misinformation.
In conclusion, the responsibility for combating fake news on digital platforms should be shared between social media companies and individual users. By fostering a culture of accountability and critical thinking, we can work towards a more trustworthy and reliable online information environment.
(Word count: 367)
Explanation of Band 8-9 Score
This essay demonstrates the characteristics of a high-scoring IELTS Writing Task 2 response:
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Task Achievement: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion.
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Coherence and Cohesion: Ideas are logically organized with clear progression throughout. Paragraphs are well-linked, and cohesive devices are used effectively.
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Lexical Resource: A wide range of vocabulary is used accurately and appropriately. Complex ideas are expressed precisely (e.g., “sophisticated algorithms,” “mitigate the harmful effects,” “critical thinking skills”).
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: A wide range of grammatical structures is used accurately and flexibly. Complex sentences are prevalent and error-free.
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Development of Ideas: Each main point is well-developed with relevant supporting ideas and examples.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
The spread of fake news on social media is a big problem today. Some people think social media companies should be responsible for stopping it, while others believe it’s the job of individual users. I will discuss both views and give my opinion.
Those who say social media companies should be responsible argue that these companies have the power to control what appears on their platforms. They can use technology to find and remove fake news. Also, since these companies make money from people using their platforms, they should make sure the information shared is true. If they don’t do this, they might be helping to spread lies.
On the other hand, some people think individuals should be responsible for checking the news they read and share. They say that people should learn how to spot fake news and not believe everything they see online. If everyone was more careful about what they share, fake news wouldn’t spread so easily. This view puts the responsibility on the users instead of the companies.
In my opinion, both social media companies and individuals have a role to play in fighting fake news. Companies should use their resources to remove false information, but users also need to be more careful about what they believe and share. If we work together, we can reduce the amount of fake news online.
To conclude, while social media companies have the power to control content on their platforms, individuals also have a responsibility to be critical of what they read. A combination of efforts from both sides is the best way to tackle the problem of fake news.
(Word count: 273)
Explanation of Band 6-7 Score
This essay demonstrates the characteristics of a mid-range IELTS Writing Task 2 response:
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Task Achievement: The essay addresses all parts of the task, presenting both views and offering a personal opinion.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, with clear paragraphing. Some cohesive devices are used, but they may be overused or underused in places.
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Lexical Resource: An adequate range of vocabulary is used, with some attempts at less common words. There may be occasional errors in word choice or spelling, but they do not impede communication.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: A mix of simple and complex sentence structures is used. There may be some grammatical errors, but they do not significantly affect meaning.
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Development of Ideas: Main ideas are present and generally well-developed, though some points may lack detailed examples or explanation.
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
Nowadays, fake news is a big problem on social media. Some people think social media companies should stop fake news. Other people think users should check information themselves. I will talk about both ideas and give my opinion.
Social media companies have a lot of money and technology. They can make rules to stop fake news on their websites. If they don’t stop fake news, many people might believe wrong information. This is bad for society.
But some people say users should be careful about what they read and share. They think people should learn how to know if news is real or fake. If everyone checks information before sharing, there will be less fake news.
I think both social media companies and users should help stop fake news. Companies should try to remove fake news, but users should also be careful. If everyone works together, we can have less fake news on social media.
In conclusion, stopping fake news is important. Both companies and users need to do their part to make social media better.
(Word count: 161)
Explanation of Band 5-6 Score
This essay demonstrates the characteristics of a lower mid-range IELTS Writing Task 2 response:
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Task Achievement: The essay addresses the task, presenting both views and a personal opinion, but the ideas are underdeveloped.
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Coherence and Cohesion: There is a basic structure, but paragraphing may be inadequate. Cohesive devices are limited and may be inaccurate.
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is limited but generally adequate for the task. There may be noticeable errors in spelling and word formation.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Sentence structures are simple and repetitive. There are frequent grammatical errors, but the meaning is generally clear.
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Development of Ideas: Main ideas are present but lack detail and may be irrelevant, repetitive, or unclear.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Misinformation (noun) – /ˌmɪsɪnfərˈmeɪʃən/ – false or inaccurate information, especially that which is deliberately intended to deceive
- Proliferation (noun) – /prəˌlɪfəˈreɪʃən/ – rapid increase in the number or amount of something
- Discerning (adjective) – /dɪˈsɜːrnɪŋ/ – having or showing good judgment
- Accountability (noun) – /əˌkaʊntəˈbɪləti/ – the fact or condition of being accountable; responsibility
- Resilient (adjective) – /rɪˈzɪliənt/ – able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions
- Leverage (verb) – /ˈlevərɪdʒ/ – use (something) to maximum advantage
- Cultivate (verb) – /ˈkʌltɪveɪt/ – try to acquire or develop (a quality, sentiment, or skill)
- Transparent (adjective) – /trænsˈpærənt/ – open to public scrutiny
- Susceptible (adjective) – /səˈseptəbl/ – likely or liable to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing
- Ecosystem (noun) – /ˈiːkəʊsɪstəm/ – a complex network or interconnected system
Conclusion
Combating fake news on digital platforms is a crucial topic in today’s interconnected world and is likely to remain relevant in future IELTS exams. By understanding the different perspectives on this issue and practicing essay writing at various band levels, you can improve your ability to tackle similar questions in the IELTS Writing Task 2.
For further practice, consider writing essays on related topics such as:
- The impact of social media on traditional journalism
- The role of artificial intelligence in detecting fake news
- The importance of digital literacy education in schools
Remember to focus on clear argumentation, coherent structure, and appropriate use of vocabulary and grammar. Feel free to share your practice essays in the comments section for feedback and discussion. This active engagement will help you refine your writing skills and prepare effectively for the IELTS exam.
To learn more about tackling fake news on social media platforms, you might find our article on how to deal with the rise of fake news on social media platforms helpful. Additionally, for insights into the accountability of social media platforms, check out our discussion on whether social media platforms should be held accountable for the spread of fake news.