# Describe something you saw on social media: IELTS Speaking sample answers

Speaking Part 2 - Media

Describe something interesting you saw on social media.

You should say:
- what it was
- where you saw it
- when you saw it
- and explain why you found it interesting

Source: Sample answers and examiner notes are written by Testmigo.

## Band 7 sample

I'd like to talk about a video I saw a few months ago about a man who restores old furniture.

I saw it on a video-sharing app, I think it was on a Sunday evening when I was lying on the sofa and just scrolling without any purpose. Normally I skip most videos after a few seconds, but this one caught my attention immediately, because the first scene showed a really old wooden chair that looked completely destroyed. One leg was broken, the paint was peeling off, and there were holes in the seat.

The video was about fifteen minutes long and it showed the whole process of repairing it. First the man carefully took the chair apart, then he removed the old paint, filled the holes, and made a new leg from a piece of wood that matched the others. There was no talking in the video, just calm music and the sounds of the tools. At the end, the chair looked almost new, but it still kept its old character.

I found it interesting for a few reasons. One reason is that it was very relaxed to watch. After a busy week, it was nice to see something done slowly and carefully. Also, I was really impressed by his skills. I can't even fix a shelf properly, so watching someone make something so beautiful from a broken chair was amazing for me. And it made me think about how we usually throw things away instead of repairing them. After watching it, I actually tried to repair an old table at my parents' house. It didn't look as good like his chair, but I was quite proud of it.

**Examiner notes.** This Band 7 answer is fluent and relevant, with a clear description of the video and a personal outcome at the end. Vocabulary is good ("peeling off", "took the chair apart", "kept its old character"), and sequencing of the process is accurate. There are two typical errors: "it was very relaxed to watch" (rather than "relaxing") and "as good like his chair" (rather than "as good as"). The speaker also uses simple linkers ("One reason", "Also", "And") and general adjectives such as "amazing" and "interesting". For Band 8, the speaker would need more idiomatic and precise language and a deeper reflection on why the video stood out.

The Band 8 sample is free with an account on the [topic page](https://testmigo.com/ielts/speaking/topics/describe-something-you-saw-on-social-media).

## Common questions

### How long should an IELTS Speaking Part 2 answer be?

You get one minute to prepare and then speak for up to two minutes; the examiner stops you at two. Aim to keep talking for the full time, which is usually 220 to 300 words.

### Can I use these sample answers in my test?

No. Examiners are trained to spot memorised answers, and a learned script is marked down. Use the samples to see what each band does, then answer in your own words.