Sample Speaking Part 2: Describe a time you saw something interesting on social media

This topic has recently appeared in the official IELTS exam on January 3. It can be said that this is a quite common topic that has been frequently appearing lately. So let's analyze the topic and discuss a detailed sample answer for this topic.

I. Analysis of the topic: Describe a time you saw something interesting on social media

1. Cue card

Describe a time you saw something interesting on social media

2. Topic analysis

The topic "Describe a time you saw something interesting on social media" requires the candidate to describe a time when they discovered something interesting on social media. The response should clearly present:

• The moment when you discovered it.
• Where you discovered it.
• What the interesting thing was.
• Why do you find it interesting?

The topic "Describe a time you saw something interesting on social media" belongs to a familiar subject for students, which is social media. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, etc., are well-known online platforms. 

These platforms offer countless content updates every second, providing numerous ideas for candidates to choose from when addressing the topic. However, since the target audience is not limited, candidates should aim for a creative or unexpected answer to make an impression and engage the listener.

Furthermore, investing in the content will create favorable conditions for candidates to demonstrate their language usage and expression abilities. To deliver an interesting presentation, it is important to understand the requirements of each question in the topic "Describe a time you saw something interesting on social media."

• When answering the first question, it's easy to set the scene by mentioning when and where you found what you're talking about. This helps your reader picture the story better. But, it's important to pick a moment that's interesting rather than just an ordinary day, to make your story stand out. For instance, I found this video clip in late December, around Christmas 2022, during the cold start of winter in Hanoi.
• For the next question about where you found it, use your real-life experience to give your answer. If you saw it on Facebook, for example, mention that, but also add more details like exactly where on Facebook you found it—was it in a group, in the comments section, and so on. This not only avoids a general reply but also shows you know how to use specific vocabulary related to the subject.
• The third question, which asks about the interesting thing you saw, is your chance to use your personal experiences and creativity to pick the best idea that fits well with the prompt "Describe a time you saw something interesting on social media". To make it easier for you, go for topics that you're already familiar with or know something about. This approach will help you expand your answer with more content naturally.
• Finally, delve into why you found it interesting. This is a crucial part of your response to "Describe a time you saw something interesting on social media." It's important to convey what made it captivating to you—was it the content itself, the creator behind it, or a particular detail that made it unique compared to other social media content? Explaining this will add depth to your story and help the listener or reader understand what draws you to certain content on social media.
• In summary, when tackling the topic "Describe a time you saw something interesting on social media," center your narrative around what makes the content "interesting." Aim to convey this in a manner that not only captivates the listener but also clearly illustrates why the content was interesting to you. This strategy will help you effortlessly flesh out your ideas in response to "Describe a time you saw something interesting on social media," ensuring you effectively meet the four scoring criteria in the Speaking section.

3. Sample outline

II. Sample IELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a time you saw something interesting on social media

It may sound depressing to some, but social media takes up 70% of my time every day. I have all sorts of social platforms on my phone, and I am frequently present online. The reason why I’m so attached to social media is partly due to tons of intriguing things up there. Nonetheless, if I have to choose, that one time when I found out about tarot reading will be the most unforgettable.

This discovery of mine occurred quite a while ago, probably during one of the very first lockdowns in Hanoi. At that time, I was stuck in the house all day experiencing the repeated 'studying, eating, sleeping' cycle. Nonetheless, that period did give me plenty of time to arrange my thoughts and reflect on myself.

I remembered having so many questions for myself that I suffered from sleepless nights trying to figure out a solution or an answer to my problems. I knew that I needed help since I myself could not solve my problems. Coincidentally, at that time, reading tarot cards rose as a trend on Youtube- an online video sharing platform. Everyone was talking about this young woman who identified herself as a Tarot reader/healer, and her account was Chi de Papillon. 

Chi performed tarot reading sections on her channel and gave advice regarding love life, financial status, future prediction, etc, based on the cards she pulled out from different tarot decks. At first, I gave her videos a try for pure curiosity, whereas her interpretations were significantly accurate and connected with my life problems. I was in awe and became obsessed with her sections as they were so useful and motivated as well.

Chi’s videos really get me out of boredom during 3 consecutive months of quarantine. Her video makes me realize that reading tarot is undoubtedly an art, and the readers are all great artists.

For more information, please refer to the following article:

• Sample Speaking Part 2: Describe a time you were sleepy but had to stay awake

III. Vocabulary and Grammar Structures Used in the Sample "Describe a time you saw something interesting on social media"

Here are some vocabulary words and grammar structures that were used in the sample response for "Describe a time you saw something interesting on social media":

1. Vocabulary

• Take up (phrasal verb): occupy (a certain amount of space or time)
• Intriguing (adj): interesting, captivating
• Social platforms (noun phrase): social media platforms
• Attached to (phrasal verb): connected to, associated with
• Coincidentally (adv): by chance, unexpectedly
• Rise as a trend (expression): become popular
• Tarot reader (noun phrase): someone who reads tarot cards
• Tarot reading sections (noun phrase): sessions or sessions of interpreting tarot cards
• Deck (noun): a set of tarot cards
• Give something a try (idiom): try something
• Pure curiosity (expression): mere curiosity
• Accurate (adj): correct, precise
• Get somebody out of boredom (idiom): help someone escape from boredom
• Consecutive (adj): successive, one after another
• Be in awe (idiom): be amazed, be astonished

2. Grammar

• Conditional sentence type 1: used to express a possible action in the present. If + S + V(s, es), S + Will/Can/Shall…… + V. For example: If I have to choose, that one time when I found out about tarot reading will be the most unforgettable.
• Reduced relative clause with V-ing: used to provide additional information about a noun. For example: I was stuck in the house all day experiencing the repeated 'studying, eating, sleeping' cycle.
• Emphatic structure with the auxiliary verb: used to emphasize a particular action. S + auxiliary verb + V(infi) + O. For example: Nonetheless, that period did give me plenty of time to arrange my thoughts and reflect on myself.
• Gerund as subject: using a gerund (verb form ending in -ing) as the subject of a sentence. For example: Coincidentally, at that time, reading tarot cards rose as a trend on YouTube - an online video-sharing platform.
• Relative clause with "who": used to provide information about a person. For example: Everyone was talking about this young woman who identified herself as a Tarot reader/healer, and her account was Chi de Papillon.

IV. Conclusion

This article has provided a detailed analysis of the topic and the sample response for the IELTS Speaking Part 2 question "Describe a time you saw something interesting on social media." Wish you effective IELTS preparation and success in achieving a high band score in your upcoming Speaking test!