Merry_IELTS_BAKU
Mass Media and News.
Speaking.
1: How do most people get their news in your country?
Answer: Thank you very much for this question. Most adults in my country rely on newspapers
and television channels for news. However, a good number of office-goers also visit online news
portals to find out the news updates and recent events. Young people heavily rely on online
newspapers and their preferred social networking platform to get such news.
2: How do you think people will get their news in the future?
Answer: I think technology will change the way we will get and share news in the future. Most
people will rely on their handheld devices, that are connected to the Internet, as the primary
source of news and information. Traditional newspapers and news channels, on the other hand,
will become less popular in the future because of the time lag between when something happens
and when readers get the chance to read or view them. Since mobile devices can offer instant
updates, they will be a powerful way of getting news updates. Listening to the preferred type of
news by using small devices attached to our ears would become more popular and the type of
news we would like to listen to shall be determined by our activities and interests.
3: Do you believe everything you read in the newspapers?
Answer: No, I do not believe everything newspapers publish for the public. That’s why I read
newspapers that are mainstream and have strong authority and authenticity. Thus I avoid reading
most of the fabricated and fake news which are usually published in less authoritative and
unreliable newspapers. I am also wary of politically biased and sourceless news articles that my
friends or their friends share on Facebook and Twitter.
Sometimes the process of gathering news is done hastily and irresponsibly, which results in
unreliable information even in the mainstream newspapers. In such cases, I try to verify the news
from other reliable sources. In fact, the forged and made-up news is all around us and without
being watchful and experienced, we can’t recognise lies hidden in plain sight.
4: How has TV changed people’s lives?
Answer: If I am asked what is the single most influential invention that has changed people’s
lifestyle, my answer would be ‘the television’. Television is a mandatory home appliance in all
households in my country. It is a source of education, information, and entertainment for many.
People watch TV to get news, weather updates, learn about foreign cultures, relax and even plan
their next day based on information gained from the TV. They watch TV in the morning,
evening and even before going to bed. TV programmes entertain them, keep them together in the
drawing-room and eliminate many elder’s loneliness. TV stars have shaped fashion, TV
advertisements have changed people’s purchasing habits and quiz shows have made many young
become more inquisitive. Personally, I believe that television helps to bring families and
communities together.
However, this device has its dark side as well. State TV channels are often the tool for political
propaganda, and people who watch TV too much often suffer from dangerous diseases like
diabetes and obesity.
Merry_IELTS_BAKU
5: What do you think of children watching TV?
Answer: I think if children watch educative, entertaining and creative TV programmes then they
can learn from it. However, their parents should monitor what their children watch on TV and
for how long. Watching TV is beneficial for children in some ways as it helps them relax and
become inquisitive. On top of that, some TV programs provide useful academic knowledge to
children. But, if children watch TV all day long, it can harm them both physically and
psychologically. Such children lose their interests in outdoor activities and become addicted to
TV and video games.
6: How has social media changed the way we get and share the news?
Answer: Social media is an excellent tool that connects people and let us share updates, news
and information with the people we care. It has made it possible not only to read the news but
also to raise our voice and concern. Thus it has made a common platform for ordinary citizens to
express themselves and their opinions about the world. Getting and sharing interesting news is
easier than ever before.
However, people’s tendency to share news without verifying authenticity has also made it
chaotic. For instance, half of the news found on such social media is either fake or fabricated.
Part 2
Which program on TV or radio do you often listen to?
oWhat is it?
o What is that about?
o Why you listen it?
And say what you think could be improved about its output
For this topic, I’d like to talk about “It’s Showtime” which is a Philippine noontime variety
show. This TV program premiered in 2009, airs from Mondays to Saturdays and broadcasts
worldwide through “The Filipino Channel”. Most of the host in this show are very entertaining
and witty because they can crack a joke with perfect timing which keeps the audience laughing
the whole time.
The show is divided into a number of segments such as “Mini Me and Copy-cut”. “Mini Me” is
a talent competition for kids aged twelve and below and each contestant is featured as a mini
version of his or her idol celebrity. This segment usually begin in introducing the participant to
the audience while they pose on stage, next is the talent show and finally, the question and
answer portion.
On the other hand, the “Copy-cut” is a game played by two teams, Team Boys and Team Girls.
This segment is called Copy-cut because the two groups will be copying pictures that are shown
on the screen. The judges and audience will be the ones to choose which of the teams copied the
picture more accurately and the group who accumulated more points will be the winner.
I think the main reason why the producers of “It’s Showtime” came up with having these
segments is to provide entertainment and opportunities to those who participates in the program.
So far, I’m quite satisfied with this TV program and I can’t think of other improvements they
should work on.
Merry_IELTS_BAKU
Part 3
1. Do large media organizations have too much influence? (What makes you say that?)
(Answer) Yes, I think so. Media organizations have extreme influence to people especially
children. (Explain) Nowadays, the young generation are becoming more and more exposed to
the use of Internet and sometimes they come across videos that contains inappropriate
contents such as the use of foul words or violence. (Example) An example for this is my four-
year-old nephew who often watch YouTube videos. One day, he said a really offending word to
one of his friends while they were playing. When I asked him where he learned that word, he
said “from YouTube”.
2. What is the most important medium for people in your country? (What about people
your age?)
(Answer) I think the most significant tool being used nowadays by the citizens in our country,
especially people of my age is the social media. (Explain) Social media is not restricted to
provide entertainment and socialization. In fact, it is the fastest way to get news world-wide
because it doesn’t require a particular process before being able to disseminate information to the
public. (Example) For instance, instead of going personally to the school to check the schedule
of the entrance exam, test takers can just go to the school’s FB page because it is posted there.
3. How important are newspapers? (What is their future in the age of the Internet?)
(Answer) The newspaper has great importance to people because it provides news and
information locally and internationally. (Explain) It consist of different sections like national,
sports and weather news as well as classified ads. However, because of the advancement of
technology, traditional newspaper is facing extinction and might be replaced by electronic
newspapers in the future. (Example) Some examples of electronic newspapers are the UK
Southport Reporter, Atlantic Highlands Herald and AllNovaScotia.
Types of News, Newspapers, Magazines and Media Vocabulary
Online news: is the online version of a newspaper
A broadsheet: a newspaper printed on large sheets of paper
The daily: a newspaper published every day except Sunday
A tabloid: a newspaper with fairly small pages mostly containing stories about famous people
and not much serious news
A weekly publication: a magazine, newspaper
A media outlet: a newspaper publishes news stories
biweekly a magazine that is published twice a month or twice a week
Bulletin a magazine or newspaper produced regularly by a club or organization to give
information to its members
Compact a newspaper with fairly small pages that deals with serious news issues
Fanzine a magazine written for and by fans
Heavy (informal) a serious newspaper
Newspaper Content
Merry_IELTS_BAKU
headlines = heading or title appearing at the top of a page or article
columns = news that is printed in vertical columns rather than taking a whole page
advice column = a column in the newspaper where advice is given to people who write in for it
obituaries = a section in the newspaper about people who have recently died
horoscope = a section in the newspaper about star signs and zodiac signs which foretell the
future
weather report = a section in the newspaper for weather forecasts
business section = a section in the newspaper with business news
international / world news section = a section in the newspaper which focuses on news from
abroad
caption = an explanation or title matching a picture or cartoon
letter to the editor = a section in the newspaper for people to express their views to the editor of
the newspaper
special feature = a special story
editorial = a news article containing the editor’s opinions
comic strip = a cartoon series in the newspaper
IELTS speaking part 1
Examiner: Is social media popular in your country?
Philippe: “ Very much. Many people, especially the young, are trying to
become vloggers and influencers. The try to accumulate as many followers as possible.
Apparently, there are people in my country earning a considerable income from this.”
Examiner: Do you use social media often?
Samanpreet: I must confess that I am an avid user of social media. I am constantly DMing my
friends the newest memes and the latest viral videos. It’s a way to connect with them even when
we can’t be together.
Why do some people choose not to use social media?
Ali: the internet is still in many ways, like the wild west with very little legislation or controls. It
is extremely easy to fall prey to scammers trying to trick you out of money or even worse, your
identity. Social media sites are full of trolls who only post in order to incite a reaction
or haters who badger other posters or spew negativity everywhere.
IELTS speaking part 2 (sample cue card)
Talk about your favorite social media site or application
Say when you first used it
Why you use it
How often you use it
And if you recommend it to others
Merry_IELTS_BAKU
While many people my age have moved on to Snapchat or TikTok, Instagram remains my
favorite social media site for a variety of reasons. I started using this app five years ago when I
started experimenting with photography and I find that it is an application that allows me to
express myself creatively, by using various filters for my photography or videos to create an
effect I desire.
I have accumulated a rather large number of followers over the years, but I certainly would not
call myself an influencer. I now use the application at least 3 times a week to post stories or
to dm my friends and followers.
I still enjoy using Instagram very much and would absolutely recommend it to others ….but you
do need to have thick skin if you amass a large following. I have had people
make derogatory comments to me which can be rather upsetting but fortunately you
can block them easily. I have been fortunate so far, but some people I know have been victims
of catfishing, which can be traumatic.
IELTS speaking part 3
At what age are children are generally allowed to use social media in your country?
I think it really depends on which application the child is using. Some applications generally
expose a child more to potential predators or cyberbullies so I think children should be at least
15 to use them. I have heard that predators create fake profiles in order to groom children – this
is despicable and is just one reason why parents should monitor their children’s device use.
Do you think people will social media more or less in the future?
With so many things changing so quickly, it’s rather difficult to predict what the future holds. A
few years ago we were sending emojis to one another and now everywhere you look people are
dancing in front of their cameras for the world to see. So, I imagine our obsession with social
media will continue although I hesitate to predict what form that will take.
Why do you think bullying on the internet has become so widespread?
I think cyberbullies and trolls generally feel that a shield of anonymity protects them. Many
people are on social media area out there with dummy profiles harassing people at will and I
guess like in all kinds of bullying, it makes the bully feel important or worthy. So the bully gets
the validation he or she needs without any of the repercussions that might occur if the bullying
were to take place in the real world.
Vocabulary
Viral: if a post/ video is viral or “has gone viral,” that means it is spreading very rapidly
across the internet,
Troll: used as a verb and a noun. A troll is a person who purposely creates offensive or
provocative posts or comments to arouse anger in other social media users.
Hater: a person who posts negative or critical comments about others
Vlogger: a person who regularly creates short videos to be posted online
Meme: a humorous image or text that is easily sent to others over the internet
Anonymity: The state of being anonymous, of people not knowing your identity
DM: direct message
Emoji: a small digital image used in social media/ emails/ text to display an emotion,
object or idea
Merry_IELTS_BAKU
Badger: to bother someone repeatedly
Derogatory: offensive, hurtful, disrespectful
Censor: to keep certain images. Texts, etc from being displayed or published because it
is offensive or immoral
Follow: to subscribe to the page of a person or business on social media
Harass: to create a hostile situation through written or verbal communication
Catfishing: the act of creating a false internet profile in order to deceive or scam
someone
Grooming: preparing someone (often a minor) over the internet in order to eventually
commit a sexual offense
Influencer: a person who promotes a product online to his/her followers so that they may
purchase it
Photoshop: software that allows users to digitally alter their images
Filters: preset photo enhancements that users can select to apply to their images or
videos
Block: stopping or banning someone from interacting with you on social media or
viewing your posts/ profile
Scam: a dishonest attempt to trick or cheat you
Merry_IELTS_BAKU
Some people think that newspapers are the best way to learn news. However, others believe
that they can learn news better through other media. Discuss both views and give your
opinion
Newspapers have been considered the most reliable news source for more than a century but in
recent decades newer forms of media have supplanted their influence. Some feel that these new
sources of news are better but in my opinion, newspapers are by far better because of the
amount of time and research that writers put into their articles.
The main reason that many people prefer newer media outlets is that they deliver news more
quickly across a variety of convenient platforms. The most notable example of this is online
news. The vast majority of people get their news from Facebook and other social media websites
which aggregate articles from various online publishers, including the online version of print
newspapers in some cases. The problem here is that websites are solely concerned with
increasing traffic and getting news up as fast as possible. It is a common occurrence for a
website to publish news quickly in order to beat others to the scoop before it has been properly
verified or even thoughtfully analysed. The result is hordes of people clicking on links to amuse
themselves for a minute without casting a critical eye over the veracity of the news. These
articles are then shared online or by word of mouth and false information spreads rapidly.
Despite the conveniences of online media, the news that is printed in newspapers has been better
researched and verified in most cases. Newspapers frequently devote entire departments to long-
term investigative journalism. A standout example of this would be the Boston Globe’s years
long investigation into sexual abuse by the Catholic church. They carefully interviewed victims
and put together a convincing case which led to long-lasting reforms and convictions of some
individuals. They also published stories on the topic for over a year which allowed for detailed
and thoughtful analysis of the problem, suggestions for solutions, and articles on wider societal
implications. This type of reporting is anathema to the fervent pace of online media.
In conclusion, even though newspapers are a dying industry I think they are more informative
and trustworthy than the largely online institutions that are replacing them. This trend
is irreversible and will have consequences for the future of democracies around the world as
people become less informed.
Answers:
Merry_IELTS_BAKU
reliable: can be trusted, unchanging and consistent
supplanted: take over or take the place of
by far better: much better
deliver news: give or show the news
platforms: the places where you can read the news such as on Facebook, Instagram, on Google,
etc.
most notable example: the best example of
vast majority: by far the most
aggregate: choose/collect
solely concerned: only interested in
getting news up: posting news online
common occurrence: happens a lot
scoop: exclusive news published before anyone else publishes it
properly verified: checked to make sure it is 100% true
hordes: lots of people
casting a critical eye: looking critically at something
veracity: truth
word of mouth: what people say about something; a movie might have good or bad word of
mouth
devote: commit fully to
long-term investigative journalism: when a newspaper researches a story for a long time
convincing case: compelling argument
long-lasting reforms: changes that are permanent or last for a long time
wider societal implications: impacts all of society
anathema: hateful to/repugnant
fervent pace: very fast
largely: mostly
irreversible: cannot be changed or reversed or put back to the way it was before
