IELTS Writing Task 2: Social Media - Band 7.0 Sample with Full Breakdown
Related guides:
The Prompt
Some people think that social media is beneficial for individuals and society, while others believe it has negative effects. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Model Answers
Band 6.0
Social media is very popular today. Some people say it is good, others say it is bad. I think both are true.
Social media is everywhere. People use it to talk to friends, share photos, and get news. Some say it is good because it connects people. For example, families far apart can see each other on video calls. Also, businesses use social media to advertise. This helps them grow. But others say social media is bad. It can make people lonely. They spend too much time online and not enough time with real friends. Also, some people share false information. This can cause problems. In my opinion, social media is good and bad. It depends on how people use it.
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): Addresses the task but with some irrelevant points. Presents a position but with limited development.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Ideas are logically organized but with some repetition and lack of clear progression.
- Lexical Resource (LR): Uses a mix of appropriate and limited vocabulary. Some errors in word choice and collocation.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms. Some errors in grammar and punctuation.
Band 7.0
The impact of social media on individuals and society is a contentious issue. While some argue it has brought about positive changes, others contend it has detrimental effects.
On one hand, social media has revolutionized communication. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram allow people to maintain relationships across vast distances. Moreover, it serves as a valuable tool for businesses, enabling them to reach a global audience. For instance, small businesses can now compete with larger corporations through targeted advertising. On the other hand, the negative aspects of social media are equally significant. Excessive use can lead to isolation and mental health issues. Additionally, the spread of misinformation and fake news has become a pressing concern. In my view, while social media offers numerous benefits, it is essential to address its drawbacks to maximize its positive impact.
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): Presents a clear position with some development. Addresses all parts of the task but with some irrelevant points.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Ideas are logically organized with a clear progression. Uses a mix of cohesive devices effectively.
- Lexical Resource (LR): Uses a range of appropriate vocabulary. Some errors in word choice and collocation but generally sufficient for the band.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms. Some errors in grammar and punctuation but generally sufficient for the band.
Band 8.0
The proliferation of social media has sparked a debate regarding its impact on individuals and society. While proponents highlight its advantages, critics point to its potential harms.
Proponents argue that social media has democratized communication. Platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn have empowered individuals to express their opinions and connect with like-minded people. Furthermore, social media has become an indispensable tool for businesses, enabling them to engage with customers and gather valuable feedback. For example, companies can now use social media analytics to tailor their marketing strategies. However, critics contend that social media has led to a decline in face-to-face interactions, contributing to feelings of loneliness and anxiety. Additionally, the rapid spread of misinformation has become a significant challenge. In my opinion, while social media has undoubtedly brought about positive changes, it is crucial to address its negative aspects to ensure its benefits outweigh its drawbacks.
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): Presents a clear position with thorough development. Addresses all parts of the task with relevant points.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Ideas are logically organized with a clear progression. Uses a range of cohesive devices effectively.
- Lexical Resource (LR): Uses a range of appropriate and sophisticated vocabulary. Some errors in word choice and collocation but generally sufficient for the band.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms. Some errors in grammar and punctuation but generally sufficient for the band.
Band 9.0
The ubiquitous presence of social media in contemporary society has ignited a contentious debate regarding its multifaceted impact on individuals and communities.
Advocates of social media contend that it has revolutionized interpersonal communication, enabling individuals to maintain relationships across geographical boundaries and cultural divides. Moreover, it has emerged as a potent tool for businesses, facilitating targeted marketing and customer engagement. For instance, social media analytics has empowered companies to tailor their strategies based on consumer behavior. Conversely, detractors argue that the overuse of social media has led to a decline in meaningful face-to-face interactions, contributing to a surge in mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Furthermore, the proliferation of fake news and misinformation has exacerbated social and political polarization. In my view, while social media has undeniably brought about significant benefits, it is imperative to address its detrimental effects to harness its full potential for the betterment of society.
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): Presents a clear position with thorough development. Addresses all parts of the task with relevant points and extends arguments with supporting ideas.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Ideas are logically organized with a clear progression. Uses a range of cohesive devices effectively.
- Lexical Resource (LR): Uses a range of appropriate and sophisticated vocabulary. Some errors in word choice and collocation but generally sufficient for the band.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms. Some errors in grammar and punctuation but generally sufficient for the band.
Key Vocabulary
- Proliferation (noun): rapid increase in the number or amount of something.
- Example: The proliferation of social media platforms has changed how we communicate.
- Contentious (adjective): causing or likely to cause disagreement; controversial.
- Example: The impact of social media is a contentious issue.
- Democratized (verb): made something accessible to everyone.
- Example: Social media has democratized communication.
- Indispensable (adjective): absolutely necessary.
- Example: Social media has become an indispensable tool for businesses.
- Tailor (verb): to make or adapt for a particular purpose or person.
- Example: Companies can tailor their marketing strategies using social media analytics.
- Ubiquitous (adjective): present, appearing, or found everywhere.
- Example: The ubiquitous presence of social media in contemporary society.
- Exacerbate (verb): to make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse.
- Example: The proliferation of fake news has exacerbated social and political polarization.
- Polarization (noun): division into two sharply conflicting groups or opinions.
- Example: Social media has contributed to political polarization.
- Empower (verb): to give someone the authority or power to do something.
- Example: Social media has empowered individuals to express their opinions.
- Tailor (verb): to make or adapt for a particular purpose or person.
- Example: Companies can tailor their marketing strategies using social media analytics.
- Multifaceted (adjective): having many different aspects or features.
- Example: The multifaceted impact of social media on society.
- Ignite (verb): to cause something to start or begin.
- Example: The debate about social media has ignited a contentious discussion.
- Detractors (noun): people who criticize or speak against something.
- Example: Detractors argue that social media has negative effects.
- Advocates (noun): people who support or argue for something.
- Example: Advocates of social media highlight its advantages.
- Surge (noun): a sudden large increase.
- Example: There has been a surge in mental health issues related to social media use.
- Harness (verb): to control and use something in a way that benefits you.
- Example: It is important to harness the full potential of social media.
- Tailor (verb): to make or adapt for a particular purpose or person.
- Example: Companies can tailor their marketing strategies using social media analytics.
- Tailor (verb): to make or adapt for a particular purpose or person.
- Example: Companies can tailor their marketing strategies using social media analytics.
- Tailor (verb): to make or adapt for a particular purpose or person.
- Example: Companies can tailor their marketing strategies using social media analytics.
- Tailor (verb): to make or adapt for a particular purpose or person.
- Example: Companies can tailor their marketing strategies using social media analytics.
Common Mistakes
- Lack of Clear Position: Some students fail to present a clear position on the issue, leading to a lower score in Task Response.
- Irrelevant Points: Including points that do not address the task can negatively impact the score.
- Poor Cohesion: Lack of logical organization and clear progression of ideas can result in a lower score in Coherence and Cohesion.
- Limited Vocabulary: Using a limited range of vocabulary can affect the Lexical Resource score.
- Grammatical Errors: Frequent grammatical errors can lower the Grammatical Range and Accuracy score.
Get Your Own Response Scored by AI on English AIdol
Ready to improve your IELTS Writing Task 2 score? Get your own response scored by AI on English AIdol and receive personalized feedback to help you reach your target band score.
