Discussing social media – Sample IELTS Speaking

1. What is social media in English?

In English, social media refers to online social networking platforms or media where people can interact, share information, news, images, and videos with each other. Popular social media platforms today include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (renamed to X in 2023), LinkedIn, Reddit, Tiktok, Snapchat,...

2. Vocabulary related to Discussing social media 

Below are some common vocabulary related to the topic Discussing social media, Mytour invites you to have a look!

2.1. Nouns related to Social Media

• Algorithm – thuật toán
• Comment – bình luận
• Connection – mối liên kết
• Cyberbullying – bắt nạt trực tuyến
• Data breach (n phrase) – việc xâm nhập dữ liệu
• Digital detox (n phrase) – rời xa môi trường số
• Digital footprint (n phrase) – dấu vết số hóa
• Digital marketing (n phrase) – tiếp thị số
• Emoticon – biểu tượng cảm xúc
• Engagement – sự tương tác
• Feed – dòng thời gian
• Filter – bộ lọc
• Follower – người theo dõi
• Hashtag – thẻ gắn kết
• Influencer – người ảnh hưởng
• Like – lượt thích
• Network – mạng lưới
• Notification – thông báo
• Online community (n phrase) – cộng đồng trực tuyến
• Online presence (n phrase) – sự hiện diện trực tuyến
• Platform – nền tảng
• Post – bài đăng
• Privacy – quyền riêng tư
• Privacy settings (n phrase) – cài đặt quyền riêng tư
• Profile – hồ sơ cá nhân
• Selfie – bức ảnh tự chụp
• Share – chia sẻ
• Social media – mạng xã hội
• Trend – xu hướng
• Viral – nhanh chóng lan truyền

2.2. Verbs related to Discussing social media 

• Access – truy cập
• Block – chặn
• Connect – kết nối
• Create – tạo ra
• Delete – xóa bỏ
• Engage – tương tác
• Follow – theo dõi
• Like – thích
• Log in – đăng nhập
• Log out – đăng xuất
• Manage – quản lý
• Mention – đề cập đến
• Monitor – giám sát
• Navigate – điều hướng
• Participate – tham gia
• Personalize – cá nhân hóa
• Post – đăng
• Protect – bảo vệ
• React – phản ứng
• Report – báo cáo
• Share – chia sẻ
• Subscribe – đăng ký
• Tag – gắn thẻ
• Trend – trở thành xu hướng
• Update – cập nhật
• Upload – tải lên
• Verify – xác minh
• View – xem
• Comment – bình luận
• Interact – tương tác

2.3. Adjectives related to Discussing social media 

• Accessible – dễ tiếp cận
• Addictive – gây nghiện
• Authentic – chân thực
• Captivating – quyến rũ, cuốn hút
• Credible – đáng tin cậy
• Cyber – liên quan đến internet
• Digital – số hóa
• Engaging – thu hút, hấp dẫn
• Global – toàn cầu
• Informative – mang tính thông tin
• Interactive – tương tác
• Memorable – đáng nhớ
• Modern – hiện đại
• Personal – cá nhân
• Popular – phổ biến
• Private – riêng tư
• Relevant – liên quan
• Reliable – đáng tin cậy
• Secure – an toàn
• Social – xã hội
• Time-consuming – tốn thời gian
• Transparent – minh bạch
• Trustworthy – đáng tin cậy
• Ubiquitous – có mặt khắp nơi
• User-friendly – dễ sử dụng
• Vast – rộng lớn
• Virtual – ảo
• Visual – hình ảnh
• Widespread – phổ biến rộng rãi
• Youthful – trẻ trung

2.4. Adverbs related to Discussing social media 

• Actively – một cách tích cực
• Anonymously – ẩn danh
• Cautiously – cẩn thận
• Constantly – liên tục
• Easily – dễ dàng
• Effectively – hiệu quả
• Freely – tự do
• Globally – toàn cầu
• Honestly – thành thật
• Incessantly – liên tục, không ngừng
• Instantly – ngay lập tức
• Intensely – một cách mãnh liệt
• Loudly – to tiếng
• Mainly – chủ yếu
• Openly – công khai
• Personally – cá nhân
• Privacy – riêng tư
• Quickly – nhanh chóng
• Responsibly – có trách nhiệm
• Securely – an toàn
• Simultaneously – đồng thời
• Socially – xã hội
• Successfully – thành công
• Swiftly – mau lẹ
• Temporarily – tạm thời
• Tightly – chặt chẽ
• Unintentionally – không cố ý
• Virtually – gần như
• Widely – rộng rãi
• Wisely – khôn ngoan

3. Sample sentences related to Discussing social media 

Below are some sample sentences related to Discussing social media that you can use in your speech. However, remember to choose an appropriate response based on the examiner's question!

• Social media has become an indispensable part of our lives, allowing us to connect with friends, share experiences, and discover new information. (Mạng xã hội đã trở thành một phần không thể thiếu trong cuộc sống của chúng ta, cho phép chúng ta kết nối với bạn bè, chia sẻ kinh nghiệm và khám phá thông tin mới.)
• The rise of social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter has fundamentally changed the way we communicate and interact with others. (Sự nổi lên của các nền tảng truyền thông xã hội như Facebook, Instagram và Twitter đã thay đổi căn bản cách chúng ta giao tiếp và tương tác với người khác.)
• Social media provides a platform for individuals to express themselves, share their thoughts and opinions, and engage in meaningful discussions on various topics. (Phương tiện truyền thông xã hội cung cấp một nền tảng để các cá nhân thể hiện bản thân, chia sẻ suy nghĩ và ý kiến của mình cũng như tham gia vào các cuộc thảo luận có ý nghĩa về các chủ đề khác nhau.)
• One of the advantages of social media is its ability to connect people from different parts of the world, fostering global friendships and cultural exchange. (Một trong những lợi thế của truyền thông xã hội là khả năng kết nối mọi người từ các nơi khác nhau trên thế giới, thúc đẩy tình hữu nghị toàn cầu và trao đổi văn hóa.)
• Social media has significantly impacted the way businesses operate, providing new opportunities for marketing, advertising, and customer engagement. (Phương tiện truyền thông xã hội đã tác động đáng kể đến cách các doanh nghiệp vận hành, mang đến những cơ hội mới cho tiếp thị, quảng cáo và thu hút khách hàng.)
• The addictive nature of social media can be concerning, as it can lead to excessive screen time and a decrease in real-life social interactions. (Bản chất gây nghiện của mạng xã hội có thể đáng lo ngại vì nó có thể dẫn đến thời gian sử dụng thiết bị quá nhiều và giảm tương tác xã hội trong đời thực.)
• Social media platforms have become a breeding ground for cyberbullying and online harassment, highlighting the need for stricter regulations and increased awareness. (Các nền tảng truyền thông xã hội đã trở thành nơi sinh sản của bắt nạt qua mạng và quấy rối trực tuyến, nêu bật sự cần thiết phải có các quy định chặt chẽ hơn và nâng cao nhận thức.)
• Privacy concerns are a significant issue on social media, as users must carefully manage their personal information and be cautious about sharing sensitive data. (Những lo ngại về quyền riêng tư là một vấn đề quan trọng trên mạng xã hội, vì người dùng phải quản lý cẩn thận thông tin cá nhân của mình và thận trọng khi chia sẻ dữ liệu nhạy cảm.)

4. Sample topic: Talk about social media IELTS Speaking part 1

Please listen to Mytour's Part 1 podcast sample:

4.1. Do you or your friends enjoy using social media?

Social media plays a prominent role in young people’s lives, and most of my friends also enjoy using it. Personally, I find social media to be a valuable tool for staying connected with friends, family, and acquaintances, especially those who are geographically distant. The convenience of platforms such as Facebook and Instagram allows me to share updates, photos, and experiences with a wide network of people effortlessly.

• Prominent (adj): nổi bật, quan trọng
• Valuable (adj): có giá trị
• Tool (n): công cụ
• Stay connected (v phrase): duy trì mối liên kết
• Acquaintances (n): người quen, xã giao
• Geographically distant (adj phrase): xa về mặt địa lý
• Convenience (n): sự tiện lợi
• Platforms (n): nền tảng
• Wide network (n phrase): mạng lưới rộng
• Effortlessly (adv): một cách dễ dàng, không cần nỗ lực nhiều

Bản dịch

Social media plays a prominent role in the lives of young people, and most of my friends also enjoy using it. Personally, I see social media as a valuable tool to maintain connections with friends, family, and acquaintances, especially those who are geographically distant. The convenience of platforms like Facebook and Instagram allows me to easily share updates, photos, and experiences with many people.

4.2. Do you think you or your friends spend too much time on social media?

Both me and my friends tend to use social media quite extensively. While social media has its advantages, such as staying connected and accessing information, I believe there is a fine line between healthy usage and excessive reliance. Many of us find it challenging to resist the allure of endless scrolling and constant notifications. Thus, it can lead to a decrease in productivity and real-life social interactions.

• Extensively (adv): một cách rộng rãi, rất nhiều
• Fine line (n phrase): ranh giới mong manh
• Healthy usage (n phrase): việc sử dụng lành mạnh
• Excessive reliance (n phrase): sự phụ thuộc quá mức
• Allure (n): sức hấp dẫn
• Endless scrolling (n phrase): việc cuộn không ngừng (lướt MXH)
• Constant notifications (n phrase): thông báo liên tục
• Decrease (n): sự giảm bớt
• Productivity (n): năng suất

Bản dịch

Both I and my friends tend to use social media quite a bit. Although social media has its advantages, such as maintaining connections and accessing information, I believe there is a fine line between healthy usage and excessive dependence. Many of us find it hard to resist the allure of scrolling through screens and constant notifications. Therefore, it can lead to reduced productivity and real-life social interactions.

4.3. Would you like to work in the social media industry? Why?

I believe that a career in the social media industry would align with my passion for communication, technology, and staying at the forefront of digital trends. The dynamic nature of this field and its potential for innovation and creativity greatly appeal to me.

Working in the social media industry allows me to leverage my skills in content creation, digital marketing, and data analysis, which would offer me immense growth opportunities and the chance to make a significant impact by connecting and engaging with a wide audience.

• Align (v): phù hợp, căn chỉnh
• Forefront (n): tiên phong, hàng đầu
• Potential (n): tiềm năng
• Innovation (n): sự đổi mới
• Appeal (v): hấp dẫn
• Leverage (v): tận dụng
• Content creation (n phrase): sáng tạo nội dung
• Digital marketing (n phrase): marketing số
• Immense (adj): to lớn

Bản dịch

I believe a career in the social media industry would align well with my passion for communication, technology, and staying ahead in digital trends. The dynamic nature of this field and its potential for innovation and creativity are very appealing to me.

Working in the social media industry allows me to leverage my skills in content creation, digital marketing, and data analysis, which will provide me with significant development opportunities and the chance to make a substantial impact by connecting and engaging with diverse audiences.

5. Sample topic: Talk about your favorite social media platform IELTS Speaking part 2

Talk about your favourite social media platform. You should say:

• What is it
• Why do you use it 
• How often do you use it 
• And if you recommend it to others

For the topic requiring you to discuss your favorite social media platform, candidates will need to provide information about:

• Mạng xã hội đó là gì
• Tại sao bạn lại dùng nó
• Bạn có thường xuyên dùng nó không
• Bạn có khuyến khích người khác dùng nó không

Sample answer

Listen to Mytour's Part 2 podcast sample:

My favourite social media platform is Instagram, which is a popular photo and video-sharing platform that allows users to express themselves visually.

I use Instagram for various reasons. One of which is capturing and sharing moments from my life through photos and videos. It serves as a creative outlet for me to showcase my photography skills and artistic side. Secondly, Instagram provides a platform for me to connect with friends, family, and like-minded individuals who share similar interests. I can discover new content, follow inspirational accounts, and engage in meaningful conversations.

As for frequency, I use Instagram on a daily basis, spending around 30 minutes to an hour scrolling through my feed, and liking and commenting on posts. It has become a part of my routine to stay updated and connected with my social circle.

I highly recommend Instagram to others due to its user-friendly interface, visual appeal, and vast community. It offers a wide range of content and allows individuals to express their creativity and connect with others in an engaging and visually stimulating way.

• Platform (n): nền tảng
• Visual (adj): hình ảnh
• Capture (v): ghi lại, chụp
• Creative outlet (n phrase): kênh sáng tạo
• Showcase (v): trưng bày, giới thiệu
• Photography (n): nhiếp ảnh
• Like-minded (adj): có cùng tư duy, cùng sở thích
• Feed (n): dòng thời gian trên MXH
• Routine (n): thói quen
• User-friendly (adj): dễ sử dụng
• Interface (n): giao diện
• Visual appeal (n phrase): sự thu hút về mặt hình ảnh
• Vast (adj): rộng lớn
• Range (n): phạm vi
• Express (v): biểu đạt
• Stimulating (adj): kích thích, gây hứng thú

6. Sample topic: Talk about social media IELTS Speaking part 3

Listen to Mytour's Part 3 podcast sample:

6.1. What is the typical age at which children are allowed to use social media in your country?

In Vietnam, the general age at which children are allowed to use social media varies. However, most platforms have a minimum age requirement of 13 years. This restriction aims to protect children’s privacy and ensure their online safety. I think parents should guide their children in using social media responsibly and educate them about potential risks.

• Minimum (adj): tối thiểu
• Requirement (n): yêu cầu
• Aim (v): nhằm mục đích
• Privacy (n): quyền riêng tư
• Ensure (v): đảm bảo
• Online safety (n phrase): an toàn trực tuyến
• Responsibly (adv): một cách có trách nhiệm
• Potential (adj): tiềm năng, có thể xảy ra
• Risks (n): rủi ro

Bản dịch

In Vietnam, the age at which children are allowed to use social media varies. However, most platforms require a minimum age of 13. This restriction aims to protect children's privacy and ensure their online safety. I believe parents should guide their children in using social media responsibly and educate them about potential risks.

6.2. Do you believe people will use social media more or less in the future?

Yes, I believe that people will increasingly use social media in the future since it has become an essential aspect of modern life, providing convenience, connectivity, and self-expression. As technology advances and internet access expands, more individuals will embrace social media for communication, networking, and entertainment.

Nonetheless, I believe it is essential to strike a balance and responsibly use social media to ensure meaningful face-to-face connections and manage online time effectively.

• Increasingly (adv): ngày càng
• Essential (adj): cần thiết
• Aspect (n): khía cạnh
• Advances (n): sự tiến bộ
• Expands (v): mở rộng
• Embrace (v): chấp nhận, đón nhận

Bản dịch

Yes, I believe people will increasingly use social media in the future because it has become an essential aspect of modern life, providing convenience, connectivity, and self-expression. With advancing technology and expanding internet access, individuals will use social media for communication, networking, and entertainment.

However, I think it's crucial to maintain equilibrium and utilize social media responsibly to ensure meaningful offline connections and manage online time appropriately.

6.3. What are the reasons for the widespread prevalence of cyberbullying?

Bullying on the internet has become widespread. I think it could be explained by the anonymity provided by online platforms that allows individuals to hide their identities and engage in harmful behavior without facing immediate consequences.

Secondly, the digital nature of the internet allows bullies to reach a vast audience quickly and easily. Also, The lack of face-to-face interaction reduces empathy and accountability, making it easier for perpetrators to target others.

• Widespread (adj): phổ biến
• Anonymity (n): sự nặc danh
• Online platforms (n phrase): các nền tảng trực tuyến
• Digital nature (n phrase): tính số hóa
• Face-to-face interaction (n phrase): giao tiếp trực tiếp
• Empathy (n): sự thông cảm
• Accountability (n): trách nhiệm
• Perpetrators (n): kẻ gây hại

Bản dịch

Cyberbullying has become prevalent. I think this can be attributed to the anonymity provided by online platforms, allowing individuals to hide their identities and engage in harmful behavior without immediate consequences.

Secondly, the digital nature of the Internet allows bullies to quickly and easily reach a large audience. Moreover, the lack of face-to-face interaction reduces empathy and accountability, making it easier for perpetrators to target others.

6.4. Should government regulate social media platforms? Why or why not?

The regulation of social media platforms by the government is a matter of debate. Some argue that government intervention is necessary to ensure user safety, combat misinformation, and protect privacy. Regulations could establish guidelines for content moderation and hold platforms accountable for harmful or illegal activities.

On the other hand, opponents believe in preserving freedom of speech and expression, cautioning against government overreach and potential censorship. For me, I think striking a balance is important, where governments collaborate with platforms to develop transparent and effective self-regulatory measures.

• Regulation (n): quy định, điều chỉnh
• Government intervention (n phrase): sự can thiệp của chính phủ
• Combat (v): chiến đấu, đối phó
• Misinformation (n): thông tin sai lệch
• Guidelines (n): hướng dẫn
• Content moderation (n phrase): kiểm duyệt nội dung
• Hold accountable (v phrase): đưa ra trách nhiệm
• Freedom of speech (n phrase): tự do ngôn luận
• Caution (v): cảnh báo
• Censorship (n): sự kiểm duyệt
• Transparent (adj): minh bạch
• Self-regulatory measures (n phrase): biện pháp tự quản

Bản dịch

Government regulation of social media platforms is a contentious issue. Some argue that government intervention is necessary to ensure user safety, combat misinformation, and protect privacy. Regulations could establish content moderation rules and hold platforms accountable for harmful or illegal activities.