IELTS Writing Task 2
Friendships that take place online are not as meaningful as those where people meet each other face to face.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Certain concerned parties today would argue that there is inherently less value in online friendships. In my opinion, despite the unique features possible when making friends online, in-person friendships are more meaningful due to the human element.
Supporters of making friendships in the virtual world point out the diverse possibilities for communication. In the past, an individual had little choice other than to make friends within a generally narrow range. Today, the average social media user can contact individuals with more varied interests. For instance, people who are passionate about playing old board games can locate each other on a Facebook group or through an Instagram page and become friends as a result of a shared affinity. Using the internet, these people can stay in contact and sustain a potentially rewarding intellectual friendship.
Nonetheless, it is only possible to have a truly meaningful friendship when meeting face to face. Research has shown that the body produces endorphins that elevate one’s mood through touch and in-person conversation. These are signs that there is tremendous value in real life friendships based around physical proximity. The benefits of such relationships extend to the ability to communicate with body language, eye contact, and physical contact. These features are the intrinsic value and meaning most assign to quality friendships and are completely lacking in superficial online friendships that ultimately do little more than a waste of one’s valuable time and energy.
In conclusion, although being online affords the average person a number of conveniences that can enhance a friendship, there is indeed far greater value in connecting with a person in real life. Few would dispute this claim even as many friendships become increasingly situated in online contexts.
Analysis
1. Certain concerned parties today would argue that there is inherently less value in online friendships. 2. In my opinion, despite the unique features possible when making friends online, in-person friendships are more meaningful due to the human element.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. Supporters of making friendships in the virtual world point out the diverse possibilities for communication. 2. In the past, an individual had little choice other than to make friends within a generally narrow range. 3. Today, the average social media user can contact individuals with more varied interests. 4. For instance, people who are passionate about playing old board games can locate each other on a Facebook group or through an Instagram page and become friends as a result of a shared affinity. 5. Using the internet, these people can stay in contact and sustain a potentially rewarding intellectual friendship.
- Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea.
- Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
- Keep developing it fully.
- Use specific examples.
1. Nonetheless, it is only possible to have a truly meaningful friendship when meeting face to face. 2. Research has shown that the body produces endorphins that elevate one’s mood through touch and in-person conversation. 3. These are signs that there is tremendous value in real life friendships based around physical proximity. 4. The benefits of such relationships extend to the ability to communicate with body language, eye contact, and physical contact. 5. These features are the intrinsic value and meaning most assign to quality friendships and are completely lacking in superficial online friendships that ultimately do little more than a waste of one’s valuable time and energy.
- Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
- Explain your new main idea.
- Include specific details and examples.
- Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
- Finish the paragraph strong.
1. In conclusion, although being online affords the average person a number of conveniences that can enhance a friendship, there is indeed far greater value in connecting with a person in real life. 2. Few would dispute this claim even as many friendships become increasingly situated in online contexts.
- Summarise your main ideas.
- Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.
Certain concerned parties today would argue that there is inherently less value in online friendships. In my opinion, despite the unique features possible when making friends online, in-person friendships are more meaningful due to the human element.
Supporters of making friendships in the virtual world point out the diverse possibilities for communication. In the past, an individual had little choice other than to make friends within a generally narrow range. Today, the average social media user can contact individuals with more varied interests. For instance, people who are passionate about playing old board games can locate each other on a Facebook group or through an Instagram page and become friends as a result of a shared affinity. Using the internet, these people can stay in contact and sustain a potentially rewarding intellectual friendship.
Nonetheless, it is only possible to have a truly meaningful friendship when meeting face to face. Research has shown that the body produces endorphins that elevate one’s mood through touch and in-person conversation. These are signs that there is tremendous value in real life friendships based around physical proximity. The benefits of such relationships extend to the ability to communicate with body language, eye contact, and physical contact. These features are the intrinsic value and meaning most assign to quality friendships and are completely lacking in superficial online friendships that ultimately do little more than a waste of one’s valuable time and energy.
In conclusion, although being online affords the average person a number of conveniences that can enhance a friendship, there is indeed far greater value in connecting with a person in real life. Few would dispute this claim even as many friendships become increasingly situated in online contexts.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
Certain concerned parties today would argue that some people today contend that
inherently less value in intrinsically not as important as
despite regardless of
unique features possible when new ways of using it allowed as
in-person friendships face to face relationships
meaningful due to the human element valuable because you can meet in person
Supporters of people in favor of
in the virtual world online
point out argue
the diverse possibilities for communication different options for talking
In the past before
little choice other than to not much option besides to
narrow range not many options
average social media user normal person online
contact talk to
varied interests different hobbies
passionate about care a lot about
board games Monopoly, Risk, etc.
locate find
as a result of a shared affinity because of the same interest
stay in contact and sustain a potentially rewarding intellectual friendship talk to each other and possibly keep up a relationship based around ideas and talking
Nonetheless regardless
truly meaningful friendship when meeting face to face actually important relationship as you talk in person
Research has shown that studies indicate that
body produces endorphins makes you feel good and happy
elevate one’s mood through touch and in-person conversation lift your spirits by touching people and talking in person
signs signals, clues
tremendous value real importance
based around physical proximity being near a person in the real world
benefits advantages
extend to include
body language eye contact, moving your hands, touch
eye contact looking in someone’s eyes
physical contact touching
features benefits
intrinsic value real importance
assign to quality friendships consider part of a good relationship
completely lacking in superficial online friendships not present when talking on the internet
ultimately in the end
waste of one’s valuable time and energy inefficient
affords the average person a number of conveniences allows people to live easier
enhance make better
indeed far greater value in connecting with actually more importance in reaching out to
Few would dispute this claim even as not many would argue this point
increasingly situated in online contexts more and more on the internet
Pronunciation
Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:
Vocabulary Practice
I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:
C_________________________________________________________t there is i____________________________n online friendships. In my opinion, d________e the u______________________________n making friends online, i___________________________s are more m______________________________________t.
S_________________f making friendships i______________________________________________________________n. I_____________t, an individual had l__________________________o make friends within a generally n______________e. Today, the a______________________________r can c__________t individuals with more v___________________s. For instance, people who are p_________________t playing old b_______________s can l_________e each other on a Facebook group or through an Instagram page and become friends a__________________________y. Using the internet, these people can s_____________________________________________________________p.
N_____________s, it is only possible to have a t__________________________________________________________e. R__________________________t the b________________________s that e__________________________________________________________n. These are s____s that there is t__________________e in real life friendships b___________________________________y. The b________s of such relationships e__________o the ability to communicate with b_____________e, e_____________t, and p________________t. These f___________s are the i_____________e and meaning most a_________________________s and are c_____________________________________________________s that u________________y do little more than a w___________________________________________________y.
In conclusion, although being online a________________________________________________s that can e___________e a friendship, there is i____________________________________________h a person in real life. F______________________________________________s many friendships become i________________________________________s.