Describe a post you saw on social media that you remember
Try the card on the exam timer first, then read the band-8 sample answer and the Part 3 questions that follow it.
Practice it like the exam
Describe a post you saw on social media that you remember.
You should say:
- what the post was about
- who posted it
- when and where you saw it
and explain why you remember it.
Ready
1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.
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Band 8 sample answer
256 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.
A post I remember well was one I saw on social media last year, shared by a friend of mine. I was scrolling through my feed one evening, feeling a bit tired, when I noticed a short video of a young man helping an old woman carry her shopping home.
The man was a stranger who had seen the lady struggling with several heavy bags on a bus stop, and he simply picked them up and walked with her for nearly a kilometre. Someone had filmed it from a window across the street. The video was only about a minute long, but at the end the lady hugged him, and he said something like, 'Please don't worry, my grandmother is the same.' There was no music or special effects, just two people being kind. It had already been shared several thousand times by the time I saw it, and the comments were full of people saying it had made their day.
I think I remember it for two main reasons. Firstly, social media is often full of arguments, advertising and unrealistic images, so a simple, honest, heartwarming moment stood out. It reminded me that there are good people everywhere. Secondly, it affected my behaviour. The following week, I noticed an elderly neighbour carrying her bags up the stairs, and I immediately offered to help, something I might not have done before. I also shared the video with my family. It shows me that, used well, social media can spread positive things as quickly as negative ones.
What to notice
- It takes the points on the card in order, so the examiner can follow it.
- Each point gets a specific detail or a short story, which is what keeps a talk going for two minutes.
- The "explain" line at the end gets the most time, because that is where you give an opinion and show your range of language.
We wrote this answer for practice; it does not come from IELTS. Take its structure and phrases and tell your own story, because examiners notice memorised answers.
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Useful vocabulary
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| go viral | spread quickly across the internet |
| scroll through | move down a page, looking at content |
| share a post | send someone's post to your own followers |
| leave a comment | write a response underneath a post |
| a heartwarming story | a story that makes you feel affection |
| spread awareness | inform many people about a subject |
Plan it in one minute
Choose what to talk about in the first ten seconds, then write two or three key words for each point. Full sentences take too long to write and to read back.
Who or what you could talk about
- A funny video that spread quickly
- A post about a friend's achievement
- A post that raised money for someone in need
How to spend the two minutes
- 25 swhat the post was about
- 25 swho posted it
- 25 swhen and where you saw it
- 45 sand explain why you remember it.
Part 3 questions
In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Social media and communication. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.
- Why do so many people share personal information on social media?
- Do you think social media makes people feel more connected or more isolated?
- What responsibilities do social media companies have?
- Is it a good idea to limit children's use of social media?
- How might social media change in the future?
Keep practicing
More cue cards: Books, films and media
- Describe a television programme or video series about science or technology that you found interesting
- Describe a computer or video game that you enjoyed playing
- Describe a mobile phone app that you use a lot
- Describe a website or online resource that helps you to learn something
- Describe a podcast or radio programme that you enjoy listening to
- Describe a type of music that you enjoy listening to
Part 1 topics on the same subject
Frequently asked questions
How should I describe a book, film or programme in an IELTS cue card?
Do not retell the whole plot. Give the title and what it is about in two sentences, then spend your time on one part you remember and why it affected you. Your opinion is what fills the two minutes.
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