In recent years, the topic of social media’s influence on interpersonal relationships has become increasingly prevalent in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. Based on analysis of past exam questions and current trends, it’s highly likely that this theme will continue to appear in future tests. Let’s explore this subject through a detailed examination of a relevant essay question and multiple sample responses.
Analyzing the Essay Question
Let’s consider the following question, which is representative of the type you might encounter in an IELTS Writing Task 2 exam:
Some people believe that social media has a negative impact on interpersonal relationships, while others think it has enhanced the way people interact. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Question Breakdown:
- Topic: The impact of social media on interpersonal relationships
- Task: Discuss both positive and negative views, then provide your own opinion
- Key points to address:
- Negative impacts of social media on relationships
- Positive effects of social media on interactions
- Your personal stance on the issue
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
In the digital age, social media has become an integral part of our daily lives, significantly altering the way we communicate and maintain relationships. While some argue that these platforms have negatively impacted interpersonal connections, others contend that they have enhanced human interaction. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own viewpoint on this contentious issue.
Those who criticize social media often point to its potential to erode face-to-face communication skills and create shallow, superficial relationships. They argue that excessive use of platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter can lead to decreased empathy and emotional intelligence, as people become accustomed to conveying complex emotions through simplified emojis or brief text messages. Moreover, the curated nature of social media profiles can foster unrealistic expectations and feelings of inadequacy, potentially straining real-world relationships.
On the other hand, proponents of social media highlight its ability to bridge geographical gaps and maintain connections that might otherwise fade. These platforms enable instant communication across vast distances, allowing friends and family to stay in touch regardless of location. Additionally, social media has created new avenues for like-minded individuals to connect, fostering communities and support networks that transcend physical boundaries. This has been particularly beneficial for marginalized groups or those with niche interests, who can now find acceptance and understanding online.
In my opinion, while social media undoubtedly presents challenges to traditional interpersonal relationships, its overall impact is largely dependent on how individuals choose to utilize these tools. When used mindfully, social media can complement and enhance our real-world connections, providing additional channels for communication and shared experiences. However, it is crucial to maintain a balance between online and offline interactions to ensure that digital relationships do not come at the expense of meaningful face-to-face connections.
In conclusion, social media’s impact on interpersonal relationships is multifaceted and complex. While it has the potential to negatively affect communication skills and create unrealistic expectations, it also offers unprecedented opportunities for connection and community-building. Ultimately, the key lies in consciously leveraging the benefits of social media while mitigating its potential drawbacks to foster healthy, well-rounded relationships both online and offline.
(Word count: 345)
Essay Analysis (Band 8-9)
This essay demonstrates excellent qualities that would likely earn it a Band 8 or 9 score:
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Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both negative and positive views before clearly stating a personal opinion.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphing. It uses a range of cohesive devices effectively (e.g., “On the other hand,” “Moreover,” “However”).
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is sophisticated and precise (e.g., “contentious,” “erode,” “curated nature,” “marginalized”).
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay showcases a wide range of complex sentence structures with high accuracy.
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Development of Ideas: Each point is well-developed with relevant examples and explanations.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Social media has changed the way people communicate and maintain relationships. Some think it has had a bad effect on how we interact, while others believe it has improved our connections. This essay will look at both sides of this argument.
There are several reasons why people think social media is bad for relationships. First, it can make people spend less time talking face-to-face. When everyone is always on their phones, they might miss out on real conversations. Also, social media can make people feel jealous or unhappy when they see others posting about their perfect lives. This can cause problems in friendships and romantic relationships.
However, social media also has good points for relationships. It helps people stay in touch with friends and family who live far away. For example, grandparents can see photos of their grandchildren even if they can’t visit often. Social media also makes it easier to find new friends who share the same interests, which can be hard to do in real life sometimes.
In my opinion, social media can be both good and bad for relationships. It depends on how people use it. If someone spends all their time on social media and ignores the people around them, it can hurt their relationships. But if they use it to keep in touch with people and share important moments, it can make relationships stronger.
To conclude, social media has both positive and negative effects on how people interact. While it can cause problems like less face-to-face communication, it also helps people stay connected over long distances. The key is to find a balance and use social media in a way that helps, not hurts, our relationships.
(Word count: 295)
Essay Analysis (Band 6-7)
This essay demonstrates good qualities that would likely earn it a Band 6 or 7 score:
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Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and providing a personal opinion.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized with clear paragraphing. It uses some cohesive devices, though not as sophisticatedly as the Band 8-9 essay.
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is generally appropriate, but less varied and sophisticated compared to the higher band essay.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with generally good accuracy.
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Development of Ideas: Ideas are developed logically, though with less depth and fewer specific examples compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
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Interpersonal relationships (noun) – /ˌɪntəˈpɜːsnl rɪˈleɪʃnʃɪps/ – connections or associations between people
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Erode (verb) – /ɪˈrəʊd/ – gradually destroy or diminish
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Curated (adjective) – /kjʊəˈreɪtɪd/ – carefully chosen and presented
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Foster (verb) – /ˈfɒstə(r)/ – encourage the development of something
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Marginalized (adjective) – /ˈmɑːdʒɪnəlaɪzd/ – treated as insignificant or peripheral
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Transcend (verb) – /trænˈsend/ – go beyond the limits of something
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Multifaceted (adjective) – /ˌmʌltiˈfæsɪtɪd/ – having many different aspects or features
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Mitigate (verb) – /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/ – make less severe, serious, or painful
Conclusion
The impact of social media on interpersonal relationships is a complex and relevant topic for IELTS Writing Task 2. As we’ve seen through these sample essays, this subject allows for a rich discussion of both positive and negative aspects, providing ample opportunity to showcase your writing skills and critical thinking abilities.
To further prepare for your IELTS exam, consider practicing with similar topics such as:
- The effect of technology on face-to-face communication
- The role of social media in shaping public opinion
- The impact of digital platforms on traditional forms of entertainment
Remember, the key to success in IELTS Writing Task 2 is to fully address the question, organize your ideas clearly, use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures, and provide relevant examples to support your arguments.
We encourage you to practice writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This active practice is an excellent way to improve your writing skills and receive feedback from others preparing for the IELTS exam.