Social media’s impact on personal relationships is a hot topic in IELTS Writing Task 2. This theme has appeared frequently in recent years and is likely to continue being a popular subject for examination. Let’s explore this topic through sample essays and in-depth analysis to help you excel in your IELTS writing.
Analyzing the Task
Let’s consider the following IELTS Writing Task 2 question:
Some people believe that social media is negatively affecting personal relationships, while others think it enhances connections between people. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
This question requires you to:
- Discuss the negative effects of social media on personal relationships
- Discuss the positive effects of social media on personal relationships
- Provide your own opinion on the matter
Remember to address all parts of the question and support your arguments with relevant examples and explanations.
Sample Essays
Band 8-9 Essay
In the digital age, social media has become an integral part of our daily lives, profoundly influencing how we interact with others. While some argue that these platforms are detrimental to personal relationships, others contend that they facilitate stronger connections. In my opinion, social media has both positive and negative impacts on relationships, but its overall effect depends largely on how individuals choose to use these tools.
Critics of social media argue that it erodes the quality of face-to-face interactions and promotes shallow relationships. They point out that people often spend more time scrolling through their feeds than engaging in meaningful conversations with those around them. Moreover, the curated nature of social media posts can lead to unrealistic comparisons and feelings of inadequacy, potentially straining relationships. For instance, a study by the University of Pennsylvania found that excessive use of social media platforms like Facebook can increase feelings of loneliness and depression, which may negatively impact one’s ability to form and maintain close relationships.
On the other hand, proponents of social media highlight its ability to connect people across vast distances and maintain relationships that might otherwise fade. These platforms allow individuals to share life updates, photos, and experiences with friends and family instantly, regardless of geographical barriers. Additionally, social media can be a valuable tool for finding and connecting with like-minded individuals, fostering new friendships and even romantic relationships. For example, many people have found supportive communities online for shared interests or challenges, leading to meaningful connections that extend beyond the digital realm.
social-media-connection|Social Media Connection|People connecting through social media platforms, represented by icons and network lines.
In my view, the impact of social media on personal relationships is nuanced and largely dependent on individual usage. When used mindfully, these platforms can enhance existing relationships and facilitate new ones. However, overreliance on digital communication at the expense of in-person interactions can indeed harm the depth and quality of our connections. The key lies in striking a balance between online and offline engagement, using social media as a tool to supplement rather than replace traditional forms of communication.
To mitigate the potential negative effects, individuals should be conscious of their social media habits and strive to maintain a healthy balance. This might involve setting limits on screen time, prioritizing face-to-face interactions, and being mindful of the content they consume and share online. By doing so, people can harness the benefits of social media while minimizing its drawbacks, ultimately fostering stronger and more meaningful personal relationships in the digital age.
(Word count: 398)
Band 6-7 Essay
Social media has become a big part of our lives, and it affects how we relate to others. Some people think it’s bad for relationships, while others believe it helps us connect better. I think social media has both good and bad effects on our relationships.
Those who say social media is harmful to relationships have some valid points. People often spend too much time on their phones or computers, ignoring the people around them. This can make face-to-face conversations less common and less meaningful. Also, seeing perfect-looking lives on social media can make people feel bad about themselves and jealous of others, which can hurt relationships. For example, someone might feel sad if they see their friends posting about fun parties they weren’t invited to.
On the other hand, social media can be good for relationships in many ways. It helps us stay in touch with friends and family who live far away. We can share photos, messages, and updates easily, which keeps us connected. Social media also makes it easier to find new friends who share our interests. Many people have made good friends through online groups or communities. For instance, I joined a cooking group on Facebook and met people who enjoy cooking as much as I do.
In my opinion, whether social media is good or bad for relationships depends on how we use it. If we spend all our time online and ignore real-life interactions, it can be harmful. But if we use it to stay connected with people and to support our real-life relationships, it can be very helpful. It’s important to find a balance between online and offline communication.
To use social media in a way that helps our relationships, we should be careful about how much time we spend on it. We should also try to use it to arrange real-life meetings with friends and to support our offline relationships. It’s also a good idea to think carefully about what we post and how it might affect others.
In conclusion, social media can be both good and bad for personal relationships. The key is to use it wisely and not let it replace real-life interactions. By doing this, we can enjoy the benefits of social media while still maintaining strong personal relationships.
(Word count: 374)
Band 5-6 Essay
Social media is very popular today. Some people think it’s bad for relationships, but others think it’s good. I will talk about both sides and give my opinion.
People who don’t like social media say it makes real friendships worse. They think people spend too much time on phones and don’t talk to each other face-to-face. This can make relationships less close. Also, some people feel sad when they see others having fun on social media. They might think their own life is not as good.
But social media can also help relationships. It lets us talk to friends and family who live far away. We can send messages and photos easily. This helps us stay close to people we can’t see often. Social media also helps us find new friends who like the same things we do. For example, I made new friends in an online group about my favorite music.
I think social media can be good and bad for relationships. It depends on how we use it. If we use it too much, it can be bad. But if we use it to talk to friends and arrange to meet them, it can be good. We should try to use social media in a good way.
To make social media good for relationships, we should not use it all the time. We should also meet our friends in real life, not just online. It’s important to be careful about what we post on social media too.
In conclusion, social media can help or hurt relationships. We need to use it carefully and not forget about talking to people in real life. If we do this, social media can be a good tool for our relationships.
(Word count: 283)
Essay Analysis
Band 8-9 Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates excellent writing skills and addresses all parts of the question effectively:
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Task Response (Band 8-9): The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, presenting a well-developed response with relevant, extended and supported ideas.
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Coherence and Cohesion (Band 8-9): The essay is well-organized with clear progression throughout. It uses a range of cohesive devices appropriately and effectively.
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Lexical Resource (Band 8-9): The essay uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features. Some examples include:
- “integral part”
- “profoundly influencing”
- “erodes the quality”
- “curated nature”
- “unrealistic comparisons”
- “geographical barriers”
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy (Band 8-9): The essay uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy. It demonstrates consistent control of complex language. For example:
- “While some argue that these platforms are detrimental to personal relationships, others contend that they facilitate stronger connections.”
- “The key lies in striking a balance between online and offline engagement, using social media as a tool to supplement rather than replace traditional forms of communication.”
Band 6-7 Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates good writing skills but with some limitations:
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Task Response (Band 6-7): The essay addresses all parts of the task, but some parts are more fully extended than others.
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Coherence and Cohesion (Band 6-7): The essay is generally well-organized with clear overall progression. It uses cohesive devices effectively, although the range might be limited.
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Lexical Resource (Band 6-7): The essay uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision. There are some less common lexical items, but there may be occasional inaccuracies in word choice and collocation. Examples include:
- “valid points”
- “face-to-face conversations”
- “perfect-looking lives”
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy (Band 6-7): The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms. There are some errors, but they do not impede communication. For example:
- “If we spend all our time online and ignore real-life interactions, it can be harmful.”
- “It’s important to find a balance between online and offline communication.”
Band 5-6 Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates basic writing skills with noticeable limitations:
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Task Response (Band 5-6): The essay addresses the task in a general way. The format of the response may be inappropriate in places.
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Coherence and Cohesion (Band 5-6): The essay is generally coherent and has a basic structure, but there may be a lack of overall progression. It uses some cohesive devices but these may be inaccurate or repetitive.
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Lexical Resource (Band 5-6): The essay uses a limited range of vocabulary but this is minimally adequate for the task. There may be noticeable errors in spelling and word formation. Examples include:
- “popular”
- “face-to-face”
- “arrange to meet”
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy (Band 5-6): The essay uses a limited range of structures. Complex sentences are rare and may be faulty. Errors are frequent but do not greatly impede communication. For example:
- “Social media is very popular today.”
- “We should try to use social media in a good way.”
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Integral (adjective) /ɪnˈteɡrəl/ – necessary and important as a part of a whole
- Erode (verb) /ɪˈrəʊd/ – gradually destroy or diminish
- Curated (adjective) /ˈkjʊəreɪtɪd/ – carefully chosen and presented
- Proponent (noun) /prəˈpəʊnənt/ – a person who advocates for something
- Nuanced (adjective) /ˈnjuːɑːnst/ – characterized by subtle shades of meaning
- Mitigate (verb) /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/ – make less severe, serious, or painful
- Facilitate (verb) /fəˈsɪlɪteɪt/ – make an action or process easy or easier
- Detrimental (adjective) /ˌdetrɪˈmentl/ – tending to cause harm
- Inadequacy (noun) /ɪnˈædɪkwəsi/ – the state or quality of being inadequate; lack of the quantity or quality required
- Mindfully (adverb) /ˈmaɪndfəli/ – in a conscious or aware manner
In conclusion, the topic of social media’s impact on personal relationships is a complex and multifaceted issue that’s likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2. To prepare for this topic, consider practicing with variations of the question we’ve explored. For example:
- “To what extent do you agree or disagree that social media has improved the quality of personal relationships?”
- “Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using social media for maintaining personal relationships.”
- “Some people believe that social media has made it easier to form meaningful relationships, while others argue it has led to more superficial connections. Discuss both views and give your opinion.”
Remember, the key to success in IELTS Writing Task 2 is to practice regularly, focusing on addressing all parts of the question, organizing your ideas clearly, using a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and developing your ideas with relevant examples. Feel free to write your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section for feedback and discussion. Good luck with your IELTS preparation!
