IELTS Speaking Part 3: Friendship, social media
6 Part 3 discussion questions on friendship, social media, with developed sample answers of the kind Part 3 expects.
Do you still keep in touch with your friends from childhood?
Yes, I've managed to stay in contact with a handful of my closest childhood friends, though inevitably I've drifted apart from many others. The ones I've kept are the people I share a genuine history with, and that shared past creates a bond that's hard to replicate with newer friends. Technology has made this far easier, since a quick message or video call keeps us connected even when our lives take very different directions. That said, maintaining these friendships still takes conscious effort, as busy schedules and geographical distance can easily get in the way. I think most people naturally hold on to a few childhood friends while gradually losing touch with the rest. Those lasting friendships are something I value enormously.
What's the difference between having younger friends and older friends?
There are some interesting differences between the two. Older friends usually bring wisdom, life experience and a sense of stability, and they can offer valuable guidance because they've often already faced the challenges you're going through. Conversations with them tend to be more mature and reflective. Younger friends, on the other hand, bring energy, fresh perspectives and a certain playfulness that can keep you feeling youthful and open-minded. They may also introduce you to new trends and technologies you might otherwise miss. The only drawback is that generational gaps can sometimes make it harder to relate on certain topics. Ideally, I think having a mix of both enriches your social life and broadens your outlook considerably.
Has technology changed people's friendships? How?
Absolutely, technology has transformed friendships in profound and rather contradictory ways. On the positive side, it allows people to stay connected effortlessly across vast distances, so friendships that would once have faded due to relocation can now endure for years. Social media and messaging apps make it easy to share moments instantly and keep up with each other's lives. However, there's a darker side too — many relationships have become more superficial, with likes and comments replacing genuine, meaningful interaction. Some people now have hundreds of online 'friends' but very few they can truly rely on. There's also the concern that constant digital contact reduces the quality of face-to-face time. So while technology has widened our social circles, it has arguably weakened the depth of our connections.
What do you think of communicating via social media?
I have quite mixed feelings about it, to be honest. On the one hand, social media is an incredibly convenient and inexpensive way to stay in touch, particularly with friends and relatives who live far away. It lets people share news, photos and experiences instantly and helps them feel part of each other's daily lives. On the other hand, this kind of communication is often shallow and can breed misunderstanding, since tone and body language are lost in text. There's also the risk of people becoming addicted to it and neglecting their real-world relationships. I personally believe it works best as a supplement to, rather than a replacement for, genuine face-to-face contact. Used in moderation, it's a valuable tool, but it shouldn't dominate our social lives.
Will online social media replace face-to-face communication?
I very much doubt that it will ever completely replace face-to-face communication, although it has undeniably reduced it. There are certain things that simply cannot be replicated through a screen — the warmth of a hug, the subtle cues of body language, and the genuine emotional connection that comes from being physically present. Human beings are inherently social creatures who crave real, tangible interaction. That said, social media will continue to handle an increasing share of our everyday communication, especially for practical or long-distance purposes. The most likely outcome is a blend of the two, where digital tools complement rather than eliminate in-person contact. So while the balance may keep shifting online, I'm confident face-to-face interaction will never become obsolete.
Is it necessary for kids to have some close friends?
Yes, I'd say close friendships are absolutely essential for children's healthy development. Having a few good friends teaches youngsters vital social skills such as cooperation, empathy, sharing and resolving conflicts. These relationships also provide emotional support and a sense of belonging, which boosts their confidence and overall happiness. Children who lack close friends may feel lonely and isolated, and this can have a lasting negative impact on their self-esteem. Friends give them someone to confide in and learn from, quite separately from their family. Play and shared experiences with peers are also crucial for developing imagination and independence. For all these reasons, I firmly believe every child benefits from having at least a small circle of genuine friends.
Reading a model answer is not the same as saying one. The sample above shows what a strong Part 3 answer sounds like. What it cannot tell you is how yours sounds — whether you hesitate, repeat the question back, or run out of things to say at forty seconds.
You can record an answer to this exact question and get it marked on fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and pronunciation — the same four criteria the examiner uses.
Common questions
How is Part 3 different from Part 1?
Part 1 is about you; Part 3 is about people in general. The questions move to society, causes and consequences, and the answers are expected to be longer and more developed — an opinion plus a reason plus an example.
What if I have no opinion on the question?
You are not marked on the opinion, so pick one and support it. Saying you have never thought about it and stopping there leaves the examiner nothing to assess.
How long does Part 3 last?
Four to five minutes. The topics develop out of your Part 2 card, so the discussion is usually connected to what you just described.
Model answers written and reviewed by The English All-in-One IELTS team. They are teaching models showing what each band looks like, not real candidate scripts.