Speaking Sample Test
Part 1: Introduction & Interview
Q1
Do you often use online platforms to keep in touch with other people?
Sample response
Yes, I do, pretty much every day. I mainly use messaging apps and social media to check in with friends, especially people I don’t see regularly. It’s just a quick and convenient way to stay connected.
Q2
What kind of content do you usually look at online?
Sample response
I usually look at a mix of things, to be honest. I enjoy short educational videos, news summaries, and travel content, but I also watch funny clips when I want to relax. So it’s partly useful and partly just for entertainment.
Q3
Do you prefer sharing photos, videos, or written updates?
Sample response
I’d say I prefer sharing photos with a short caption. They feel more personal than a written update, but they’re also quicker and less complicated than making a video. Usually I post photos from trips, family gatherings, or small everyday moments.
Q4
How much time do you usually spend on these platforms each day?
Sample response
Probably around one to two hours in total, although not all at once. I tend to check these platforms in short breaks during the day, like while commuting or after dinner. If I’m busy, though, I hardly use them at all.
Q5
Do you mostly use them for communication or for entertainment?
Sample response
Mostly for communication, I’d say, even though entertainment is a big part of it too. I use these platforms to reply to messages, share updates, and keep up with people’s lives. The entertainment side is more like a bonus.
Q6
Have your online habits changed in recent years?
Sample response
Yes, definitely. A few years ago I used to scroll mindlessly for long periods, but now I’m much more selective. I try to follow useful accounts and limit the time I spend online because it can be quite distracting.
Q7
Do you follow any public figures or content creators online?
Sample response
Yes, I follow a few, but I’m quite picky about it. Most of them are educators, tech reviewers, or people who talk about productivity and language learning. I’m less interested in celebrities unless they share something genuinely useful.
Q8
Do you think these platforms are a good way to stay informed about daily events?
Sample response
They can be, but only to a certain extent. They’re fast, so you hear about major events almost immediately, but the information isn’t always reliable. Because of that, I usually treat social media as a starting point and then check trusted news sources.
Q9
Have you ever taken a break from using them?
Sample response
Yes, I have, and actually it was really refreshing. I once stopped using social media for about two weeks during exam season so I could focus better. At first it felt strange, but after a few days I noticed I was less distracted and more productive.
Q10
Do your friends and family use these platforms in a similar way to you?
Sample response
Not exactly. My friends use them quite similarly to me for chatting and sharing updates, but my family is a bit different. For example, my parents mainly use them to read news or watch videos, while younger relatives are much more active in posting stories and commenting.
Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)
Describe an online platform you often use to connect with other people. You should say: - when you started using it - what you usually do on it - why you prefer it to other platforms And explain how it has influenced the way you communicate with others.
Sample response
One online platform I often use to connect with other people is Instagram. I started using it around six or seven years ago, at first just because most of my friends were already on it, and I didn’t want to feel left out. Over time, though, it became one of the main ways I stay in touch with people. What I usually do on it is fairly simple. I send direct messages, react to friends’ stories, and occasionally post photos from trips, family events, or just interesting moments from daily life. I also use group chats quite a lot, especially for making plans or sharing funny things with close friends. So for me, it’s not really about showing off; it’s more about casual interaction. The main reason I prefer it to other platforms is that it feels very convenient and visual. Compared with some apps that are either too formal or too crowded with unnecessary content, Instagram is easy to use and quite natural. What stood out to me was how simple it is to keep up with people without having to start a long conversation every time. Just replying to a story can be enough to reconnect. In terms of influence, I’d say it has made my communication style quicker and more informal. I now use more visuals, short replies, voice notes, and instant reactions than I used to. Overall, it has helped me maintain relationships more easily, especially with friends who live far away, although I still think face-to-face conversations are more meaningful.
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
Q1
How have online communication platforms changed the way people build and maintain relationships?
Sample response
Online communication platforms have changed relationships quite a lot by making contact faster, easier, and more frequent. People can maintain friendships across long distances through messages, video calls, and shared content, which was much harder in the past. At the same time, relationships can become a bit superficial because reacting with an emoji is not the same as having a real conversation. So I’d say these platforms are excellent for maintaining connections, but not always for deepening them.
Q2
Why do some people feel pressure to present an ideal version of themselves online?
Sample response
I think a lot of people feel that pressure because social media is highly competitive, even if no one says it openly. People are constantly comparing themselves with carefully edited photos, achievements, and lifestyles, so they want to appear equally successful or attractive. Another reason is that online approval, like likes and positive comments, can become addictive. For instance, some people might hide their struggles and only post polished moments, which creates an unrealistic image.
Q3
What are the main advantages and disadvantages of getting news through these platforms?
Sample response
The biggest advantage is speed. People can access breaking news almost instantly, and they can also see different viewpoints rather than relying on just one source. However, the main disadvantage is misinformation, because false or biased content can spread just as quickly as accurate reporting. A good example is when a dramatic headline goes viral before anyone checks whether it is true, which can easily mislead the public.
Q4
Do you think young people are affected differently from older people by online trends and opinions?
Sample response
Yes, I do think young people are affected more strongly in many cases. Teenagers and young adults are still forming their identity, so they may be more influenced by online trends, beauty standards, or popular opinions. Older people can be affected too, of course, but they often have more life experience and are sometimes better at questioning what they see. For example, a teenager might copy a trend immediately, while an older person is more likely to ask whether it is sensible or useful.
Q5
Should schools do more to teach students how to use these platforms responsibly?
Sample response
Yes, absolutely, schools should do far more in this area. Students need practical guidance on privacy, misinformation, cyberbullying, and the long-term impact of what they post online. Many young people know how to use apps technically, but they don’t always understand the consequences of their behaviour there. If schools taught digital responsibility the way they teach road safety or health, students would probably make much better decisions online.
Q6
In the future, how might these platforms influence society and everyday communication?
Sample response
In the future, I think these platforms will become even more integrated into daily life. Communication will probably be more instant, more visual, and maybe even more personalised through artificial intelligence and smart recommendations. That could make life more convenient, especially for work, education, and long-distance relationships. However, if society becomes too dependent on these platforms, people may lose some face-to-face communication skills and become more vulnerable to manipulation or information overload.