This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of mobile phones and social interaction from the real IELTS exam.
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Dave
IELTS Writing Task 2 General Training Sample Answer Essay: Mobile Phones and Social Interaction (Real Past IELTS Exam/Test)
Some people believe that smartphones are destroying social interaction today.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Recent IELTS Exam/Test
Many today are of the belief that smartphones are injurious to social interaction. In my opinion, while smartphones can isolate individuals, their creative potential for communication overshadows this downside.
Those who argue against smartphones are typically wary of isolation. In the era before smartphones, it was more common for people to meet up at large social gatherings or see each other in person. This still happens today but it is less common because smartphones allow individuals to communicate and stay connected with their friends in the privacy of their own homes. It is entirely possible for a person today to stay home and completely eschew in person social interaction. Cases of these shut-ins have increased due to smartphones and this is also reflected in the number of services like Netflix and YouTube that cater to isolated consumers.
However, proponents of smartphones can rightly point out their functionality. This is evidenced daily in messaging apps like Facebook Messenger and WeChat. It is easy to set up group chats to message, share links, gifs and video for co-workers, family, old classmates, and various subsets of friends. This type of instant, infinitely flexible communication was impossible in the past and the ability to share images and video allows people to be more creative and banter in new ways. Far from destroying social interaction, smartphones have expanded its scope, accessibility, and convenience.
In conclusion, smartphones are not destroying social interactions; they are helping it, in general. It is important to be mindful of both the drawbacks and the new possibilities for communication opening up due to advances in technology.
Analysis
1. Many today are of the belief that smartphones are injurious to social interaction. 2. In my opinion, while smartphones can isolate individuals, their creative potential for communication overshadows this downside.
- In your first sentence, paraphrase the topic for the whole essay.
- Then write a clear opinion.
1. Those who argue against smartphones are typically wary of isolation. 2. In the era before smartphones, it was more common for people to meet up at large social gatherings or see each other in person. 3. This still happens today but it is less common because smartphones allow individuals to communicate and stay connected with their friends in the privacy of their own homes. 4. It is entirely possible for a person today to stay home and completely eschew in person social interaction. 5. Cases of these shut-ins have increased due to smartphones and this is also reflected in the number of services like Netflix and YouTube that cater to isolated consumers.
- Write a topic sentence with your first main reason at the end of it.
- Start developing or explaining your main idea.
- Continue to develop the same main idea.
- Here I include a hypothetical example to further support my idea.
- Finally, I reference research and specific examples to finish supporting my main idea.
1. However, proponents of smartphones can rightly point out their functionality. 2. This is evidenced daily in messaging apps like Facebook Messenger and WeChat. 3. It is easy to set up group chats to message, share links, gifs and video for co-workers, family, old classmates, and various subsets of friends. 4. This type of instant, infinitely flexible communication was impossible in the past and the ability to share images and video allows people to be more creative and banter in new ways. 5. Far from destroying social interaction, smartphones have expanded its scope, accessibility, and convenience.
- Write another topic sentence with another clear main idea at the end of it.
- Use specific examples to support your main idea!
- Develop the example with supporting ideas.
- Keep developing it by talking about the results.
- Conclude your paragraph by tying it back to the overall essay topic.
1. In conclusion, smartphones are not destroying social interactions; they are helping it, in general. 2. It is important to be mindful of both the drawbacks and the new possibilities for communication opening up due to advances in technology.
- Repeat your opinion.
- Include a final thought.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
Many today are of the belief that smartphones are injurious to social interaction. In my opinion, while smartphones can isolate individuals, their creative potential for communication overshadows this downside.
Those who argue against smartphones are typically wary of isolation. In the era before smartphones, it was more common for people to meet up at large social gatherings or see each other in person. This still happens today but it is less common because smartphones allow individuals to communicate and stay connected with their friends in the privacy of their own homes. It is entirely possible for a person today to stay home and completely eschew in person social interaction. Cases of these shut-ins have increased due to smartphones and this is also reflected in the number of services like Netflix and YouTube that cater to isolated consumers.
However, proponents of smartphones can rightly point out their functionality. This is evidenced daily in messaging apps like Facebook Messenger and WeChat. It is easy to set up group chats to message, share links, gifs and video for co-workers, family, old classmates, and various subsets of friends. This type of instant, infinitely flexible communication was impossible in the past and the ability to share images and video allows people to be more creative and banter in new ways. Far from destroying social interaction, smartphones have expanded its scope, accessibility, and convenience.
In conclusion, smartphones are not destroying social interactions; they are helping it, in general. It is important to be mindful of both the drawbacks and the new possibilities for communication opening up due to advances in technology.
Answers
of the belief
injurious
social interaction
isolate
creative potential
overshadows
downside
argue against
typically wary
era
meet up
large social gatherings
in person
stay connected
in the privacy of their own homes
entirely possible
eschew
cases of these shut-ins
reflected
cater to
proponents
rightly point out
functionality
evidenced daily
set up group chats
gifs
various subsets of friends
instant, infinitely flexible communication
impossible
share images
banter
Far from
expanded its scope, accessibility, and convenience
in general
be mindful
opening up
Pronunciation
ɒv ðə bɪˈliːf
ɪnˈʤʊərɪəs
ˈsəʊʃəl ˌɪntərˈækʃən
ˈaɪsəleɪt
kri(ː)ˈeɪtɪv pəʊˈtɛnʃəl
ˌəʊvəˈʃædəʊz
ˈdaʊnˌsaɪd
ˈɑːgjuː əˈgɛnst
ˈtɪpɪk(ə)li ˈweəri
ˈɪərə
miːt ʌp
lɑːʤ ˈsəʊʃəl ˈgæðərɪŋz
ɪn ˈpɜːsn
steɪ kəˈnɛktɪd
ɪn ðə ˈprɪvəsi ɒv ðeər əʊn həʊmz
ɪnˈtaɪəli ˈpɒsəbl
ɪsˈʧuː
ˈkeɪsɪz ɒv ðiːz ˈʃʌtˈɪnz
rɪˈflɛktɪd
ˈkeɪtə tuː
prəˈpəʊnənts
ˈraɪtli pɔɪnt aʊt
ˌfʌŋkʃəˈnælɪti
ˈɛvɪdənst ˈdeɪli
sɛt ʌp gruːp ʧæts
gifs
ˈveərɪəs ˈsʌbsɛts ɒv frɛndz
ˈɪnstənt, ˈɪnfɪnɪtli ˈflɛksəbl kəˌmjuːnɪˈkeɪʃən
ɪmˈpɒsəbl
ʃeər ˈɪmɪʤɪz
ˈbæntə
fɑː frɒm
ɪksˈpændɪd ɪts skəʊp, əkˌsɛsɪˈbɪlɪti, ænd kənˈviːniəns.
ɪn ˈʤɛnərəl
biː ˈmaɪndfʊl
ˈəʊpnɪŋ ʌp
Listen and repeat:
Vocabulary Practice
Many today are o______________f that smartphones are i___________s to s__________________n. In my opinion, while smartphones can i________e individuals, their c_________________l for communication o____________s this d___________e.
Those who a_____________t smartphones are t_______________y of isolation. In the e___a before smartphones, it was more common for people to m_________p at l_________________________s or see each other i_____________n. This still happens today but it is less common because smartphones allow individuals to communicate and s_________________d with their friends i______________________________________________s. It is e____________________e for a person today to stay home and completely e__________w in person social interaction. C__________________________s have increased due to smartphones and this is also r_______________d in the number of services like Netflix and YouTube that c_________o isolated consumers.
However, p_____________s of smartphones can r______________t their f_______________y. This is e_____________________y in messaging apps like Facebook Messenger and WeChat. It is easy to s_______________________s to message, share links, g_______s and video for co-workers, family, old classmates, and v______________________s. This type of i___________t, i_____________________________n was i______________e in the past and the ability to s_________________s and video allows people to be more creative and b_____________r in new ways. F__________m destroying social interaction, smartphones have e_______________________e, a________________y, and c___________________e.
In conclusion, smartphones are not destroying social interactions; they are helping it, i______________l. It is important to b_______________l of both the drawbacks and the new possibilities for communication o______________p due to advances in technology.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Learn more about how your cell phone is changing you below:
Reading Practice
Read here about breaking your smartphone addiction:
https://www.wired.co.uk/article/smartphone-addiction-tips
Speaking Practice
Answer the questions below from the real IELTS speaking exam:
Mobile Phones and Smartphones
- What are the advantages of smartphones?
- Should children be allowed to own smartphones?
- Do you thinks have a major or minor impact on mental health?
- Where in your country is it not appropriate to use a phone?
- Do you think smartphone usage may decline in the future?
Writing Practice
Write about the related question below and then read my sample answer on it:
The use of social media is replacing face-to-face interaction among many people in society.
Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
Real Past IELTS Test/Exam
In the contemporary era, many people are of the view that smartphones are damaging social interaction. In my opinion, although mobile phones have been beneficial for introverts, it has a major negative impact on the social life of people.
Those who favour usage of mobile phones point out that it has opened people who generally shy away from other people. Activities on smartphones such as social media and group chats are helpful to people who want to take baby steps into forging friend or open to other people. For example, a new student in a school may fear to start a conservation with other classmates or take part in group studies but could make them make friends first on social media website such as Facebook and start to chat without being vulnerable in a face to face conversation.
Despite the aforementioned view, I believe smartphones hindering people to make new relationships. Most of the people are usually busy with there smartphones whether there are alone or are in the group because of entertainment provide by the phones is very lucrative. People nowadays generally do not consider talking to other people fulfilling enough would rather choose to watch a movie or a serial on Netflix or play addictive games on phones. A very good example of this would long train journeys, earlier people use to talk, tell stories and jokes to other passengers and forge friendships but these days they prefer to stare at the screens.
In conclusion, I agree that smartphones are jeopardising social relationships. People should be mindful about their mobile phone and internet usage and check if they are prioritising scrolling their social feeds over real relationships.
Very clear opinion, Ming!
Really love the conclusion as well. You develop your main ideas well and the task achievement is very strong for this essay.
There are little issues with vocabulary and grammar that bring the overall score for the essay down, though.
Any advice, how can I improve grammar and vocabulary?
That’s a big question!
For grammar, you can use some of these websites: https://howtodoielts.com/ielts-five-grammar-websites/
For vocabulary, make sure you are not studying the wrong words: https://howtodoielts.com/ielts-vocabulary-wrong/
Try to take a holistic approach and combine listening, reading, writing and speaking to really bump up both vocab and grammar – don’t depend on one skill!
Hi Dave, I wrote an essay about this topic and I argue on the side that it destroys in terms of real relationships, is it okay to state such a specific side in the intro?
You can see it below. Thank you.
Smartphone use impacts real-world communication negatively in recent years. In my opinion, I completely agree that people lack of quality relationships in the actual life caused by some addictive features on phones.
Recent mobile devices offer a wide range of virtual interactions. As an example, people can comment others’ posts, give a thumb on ones’ photos or share information to other social media, such as Facebook or Instagram. These features are actually psychologically addictive to the users. People check the notifications frequently in order to see total likes or others’ updates, hence phone users can go a day without it. It is so obvious during in-person gatherings with family or friends, people are busy taking food photos and uploading it rather than spend it with quality conversation without any disturbance from smartphones. Therefore, modern people mostly lose strong-bond relationships due to the usage of smartphone.
Moreover, the majority of people’s connections are composed of “weak-ties”. This means that smartphone users only concern about making as many acquaintances as possible on social media without focusing on establishing deeper social interaction. Undeniably, people are more likely proud to have thousands or millions followers on their social networking accounts rather than having trusted and close social circle in the real life. As a result, the majority of people prefer living on the virtual world to communicating in the real society.
In conclusion, the latest features and the number of weakly-known friends on mobile phones disrupt the users’ social communication in the actual life.
Yes, Carry, that is fine.
If you want to just write about one side then you could do that because this is an agree/disagree essay.
You can also do what you did – no problem and that is style that I typically use in my essays even if it is agree/disagree.
Keep your claims weak too – do the majority of people really prefect living in the virtual world?
Try cutting down a bit on your linking phrases so it doesn’t sound so mechanical: undeniably, as a result, in conclusion, etc.
Hi Dave, I wrote an essay on this topic. Can u please check my writing and give me some of valuable advice.
Thank you.
These days, the communication process is changing very rapidly, use to more in the virtual medium than face to face connection and people like to stay a long time this type of conversation. Consequently, the concept of communal intimacy becomes affected greatly. It is argued that the consequences of the cellular medium have appeared very devastating impacts on society. I partly agree with this statement and in this essay, I will concede the advantages and disadvantages of this device with examples.
On the other hand, Social media plays a plethora of roles in our community. People are no longer to confine themselves to the caves as well as love to express their ideas, opinions by using internet platforms. Moreover, it is not possible for everyone to connect with their family members anytime because of their busyness and sometimes they need to stay outside for business dealings or job facts. As a result, they mostly depend on cell phones or any kind of communication device. For example, an individual is living outside of the home for plenty of time, who corresponds only to the way of different social applications such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Viber, Skype, etc. Indeed, he could not able to meet them frequently without these platforms. Besides, doctors can monitor their families due to stay their workplace for the maximum time by cellular devices and maintain the harmony of affections.
On the other hand, we have already perceived the abusive characters of the telecommunication. Besides, teenagers are mostly affected and it’s appeared as like as the drag addiction. Additionally, community values, manners, and norms are significantly agitated. Therefore, Social crime like pornography, blackmailing, hacking occur frequently. And after certain periods, many of them of extreme users are suffering a lot of problems like, Paranoia, Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Appetite, etc. For instance, Many Psychologists assume that the basic reason for social vulnerability and crime is the overuse of cell phones.
In conclusion, every creation has also pros and cons but it depends on our strategy what needs to concentrate by ourselves. If we had moved on our regular life without virtual interactions, we wouldn’t have sustained a single day and collapsed everything. Thus, we should create a hard and fast rule to use the devices in a limited and proper way.
Hi Mahin – keep working hard!
Try to write shorter introductions – just a couple sentences is enough.
Also try to use the vocabulary that you know well and not translate from your native language – there are a lot of mistakes with the wrong vocabulary words.
Keep your claims weaker as well – it is just a short essay so don’t make statements that are too strong or can’t be supported.
Hope that helps!