It is Sometimes Said That Social Media Friends are Not Real Friends - IELTS Writing Task 2

In the IELTS Writing Task 2 opinion essay, candidates are expected to clearly express their viewpoint on a given issue and support it with relevant arguments and examples. This type of essay tests your ability to take a stance and justify it logically and coherently.

One such topic in the IELTS Writing Task 2 is: “It is sometimes said that social media friends are not real friends?” In this blog, you’ll find three Band 9 sample answers for the IELTS Opinion Essay topic along with high-level vocabulary to boost your writing skills and help you achieve a higher IELTS score. To prepare effectively, it's best to practice with different types of essay questions. At IELTSMaterial.com, you’ll find a wide range of IELTS writing task 2 practice tests to help you improve your skills and aim for a high band score.

Question

Outline

Essay Type

• Opinion essay

Introduction

• State your opinion clearly. Explain in brief what you are going to write in the body of your essay.
• Social media is a new place for young people to engage and converse.

Body Paragraphs

• Paragraph 1: Social media assists people communicate more efficiently with friends, family and coworkers.
• Paragraph 2: It has recently been found that certain social media friends are more genuine than those that individuals meet in person.

Conclusion

• Restate your opinion in clear and direct sentences.

It is Sometimes Said That Social Media Friends are Not Real Friends - Sample Answer 1

Social media is a new place for young people to engage and converse. Some people feel that social media connections are deep and long-lasting. Others, however, think that online connections are ephemeral, phoney, and lack the depth of actual friendships. In my opinion, I don’t agree that social media friendships are not reliable. In the following paragraphs, I shall explain my point of view with supporting reasons.

These days, we spend our lives in the digital era, engaging with our fellow humans through several social media platforms. Social media assists people in communicating with friends, family and coworkers more efficiently. Because everyone’s lives are so hectic, social media allows them to interact with individuals who share their interests. Also, an individual can track and identify their friends’ actions on social media and the kind of posts they publish and their intentions.

Additionally, it has recently been found that certain social media friends are more genuine than those that individuals meet in person. Apart from that, many introverted people are uncomfortable conversing with others face to face. As a result, they turn to social media sites to meet friends and express their emotions and sentiments. Social media is vital in connecting adolescents with new friends.

However, it is indeed true that knowing someone physically allows you to share your feelings and understand their body language. However, that is something that can now be done through social media.

Overall, social media plays a significant part in the lives of all people in our period. The majority of today’s youth believe that social media better links them to their friends’ feelings and lifestyles.

It is Sometimes Said That Social Media Friends are Not Real Friends - Sample Answer 2

Some people argue that social media friends are not genuine friends, and I completely agree with this view. While online connections can be enjoyable and convenient, they often lack the depth and trust associated with real-life friendships.

Firstly, traditional friendships are built on shared experiences, emotional support, and mutual trust developed over time. Social media friendships, in contrast, are often based on casual interactions such as likes, comments, or brief chats. Such connections may offer temporary enjoyment but rarely involve the emotional investment needed to sustain a meaningful bond. For example, an online friend might disappear without explanation, whereas a real-life friend is more likely to stand by you during difficult times.

Secondly, online friendships can be deceptive because social media allows people to present an idealised version of themselves. This often leads to superficial relationships where one’s true personality, struggles, and flaws are hidden. Consequently, the connection remains limited to the digital space without the depth required for long-term trust.

In conclusion, although social media can help people expand their networks, these connections cannot fully replace real-life friendships. The absence of shared physical experiences, emotional depth, and trust makes them far less meaningful than genuine in-person bonds.

It is Sometimes Said That Social Media Friends are Not Real Friends - Sample Answer 3

It is sometimes said that social media friends are not real friends. While I agree that online friendships often lack the depth of face-to-face connections, I also believe they can still be meaningful in certain situations.

On one hand, real-life friendships involve physical presence, shared experiences, and emotional support, which are difficult to replicate online. For example, a friend you meet regularly can offer immediate comfort, help during emergencies, and engage in meaningful conversations without the distractions of digital platforms. This depth of interaction is often missing in social media friendships, where communication is mostly limited to text or images.

On the other hand, the digital era has allowed people to form genuine bonds online, especially when distance or circumstances make in-person meetings impossible. Many people have found long-term friends or even life partners through social media. Such relationships can still be authentic if both parties are open, consistent, and supportive, even without meeting physically.

In conclusion, while social media friendships may lack some qualities of traditional bonds, they can still be real and meaningful for those who invest time and sincerity. The value of a friendship depends more on trust and mutual respect than on how it begins.

It is Sometimes Said That Social Media Friends are Not Real Friends - IELTS Vocabulary

Have a look at the IELTS Vocabulary used in the sample answers for ‘It is Sometimes Said That Social Media Friends are Not Real Friends - IELTS Writing Task 2.

• Converse

Meaning: (verb) engage in conversation.
Eg: Miriam enjoyed the chance to converse with her trainer.

• Ephemeral

Meaning: (adjective) lasting for a very short time.
Eg: It was an ephemeral course.

• Phoney

Meaning: (adjective) not genuine; fraudulent.
Eg: There is something phoney about Rajveer.

• Reliable

Meaning: (adjective) consistently good in quality or performance; able to be trusted.
Eg: Amit is a reliable friend.

• Era

Meaning: (noun) a system of chronology dating from a particular event.
Eg: William Wordsworth was from the Romantic era.

• Intention

Meaning: (noun) a thing intended; an aim or plan.
Eg: Donna’s intention to help was obvious.

• Sentiments

Meaning: (noun) a view or opinion that is held or expressed.
Eg: A group of friends shared the same sentiments about their academy.

• Vital

Meaning: (adjective) absolutely necessary; essential.
Eg: Hard work is vital for success.

• Genuine

Meaning: (adjective) (of a person, emotion, or action) sincere.
Eg: Simi showed genuine interest in learning Spanish.

• Adolescents

Meaning: (adjective) (of a young person) in the process of developing from a child into an adult.
Eg: Cynthia’s adolescent daughter is very polite.

In conclusion, the IELTS Writing Task 2 opinion essay on the topic "It is Sometimes Said That Social Media Friends are Not Real Friends" requires a clear, well-supported perspective. By exploring the three Band 9 sample answers with targeted vocabulary in this blog, you can learn how to structure strong arguments, maintain cohesion, and express your viewpoint effectively for a high score. 

So, make a habit of taking up IELTS Writing practice tests regularly and create a strategy for yourself that will help you improve your writing skills for a Band 7+ score.

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