Things to consider:
- These days, as mobile phones have become the largest platform in the world, way more than PCs or Tablets, every website has made a mobile app or converted itself to a mobile form. This means that when you talk about a "website" you can think of the app, and just say "website" instead of app.
- You can try to talk about some more unique or niche websites. Many people will talk about the most common or popular websites like Google, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or others, and these are too obvious and too repetitive.
- Add some of the reasons from the board when describing the website. These will add depth to your description.
Part 2: Sample Answer
When it comes to surfing the web, I can say I’m both old-school and a modern Internet user. What does that mean? Well, I’m definitely trying new tools such as the new AI ChatGPT, I sometimes explore sensitive topics on Reddit and I’ve tried things such as online dating (to no success). However, I am an old-school user too because I’ve stuck to only one social media platform – Facebook, and I believe in internet piracy. Yes, that’s an uncomfortable position to hold but I am strongly for it and still use it when I can.
I begin with my use of internet in general.
A website I use quite often is a torrent website called ArenaBG. Perhaps I have to explain what torrents are at first – these are essentially files, shared across a vast network of computers for free. These files include movies, music, software, games, and anything else you can think of. Every time I want to watch a new movie or download some useful software, I’ll first look for it over there, and if it’s missing, I’ll search in other places. The torrent network has allowed me so much and has saved me thousands of dollars on the way.
I introduce the website and its benefits for me.
Torrenting and downloading were the biggest hype when I was a teenager, as at that time we didn’t have any streaming or any other type of paid content providers online. This was the first way for us to share files with each other without spending money. All we needed was a computer and a stable internet connection. And as a normal teenager, this was my way to download international music, movies, books, and all other things. It was my gateway to the world.
I describe more benefits I used the website for.
I mentioned in the beginning that it is an uncomfortable position. This is mainly because torrenting is banned in many countries, in order to protect the rights of artists and producers. Although I sympathize with small creators who don’t get credit for their work, we have to face reality. Most media is a monopoly that makes billions if not trillions of dollars in profits with anything they publish. This insane amount of money is not distributed equally and I will always hold the belief that torrenting is more helpful than harmful. This is why I use it and I will use it as long as it exists.
I finish with my feelings about the website.
Idioms and Phrases
Sentence starters and Linking words
Vocabulary related to the topic
Business Phrases
PART 3 QUESTIONS
In Part 3 we continue to talk about websites, the internet, and the use of different websites or applications in different countries.
Examiner: What are the most popular and least popular apps in your country?
Most Popular
- The most popular apps for download are always games or social media applications. Some of the top in the world are Facebook, Twitter (X), Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and many games like Candy Crush, Call of Duty mobile, and many others. There are very few other categories that can compete.
Least Popular
- Unfortunately, some of the lowest would probably be educational or other actual practical apps. When the apps don't deliver entertainment, then they are mostly being ignored and disliked. Obviously badly designed apps are also at the bottom of the list, as they are simply unappealing.
ANSWER:
Answer for China as I live here at the moment.
The answer to this question changes really quickly all the time. There are so many of these game apps that explode in popularity for a few months and then get completely forgotten. They are very popular with teenagers who are just jumping from one trending thing to another. Social media is definitely hot all the time, but it is evolving as well. We used to use more of Weibo and QQ, and now it is all about Tik Tok. Times change and technology evolves really quickly. I can’t even remember the names of apps that were popular last year and became obsolete already. On the one hand, I’m happy about the technological development, but on the other… all that effort and work from the developers goes to complete waste 6 months later.
Examiner: What is the difference between the internet and television?
The Internet
- The internet is more flexible in terms of its content. There are millions of websites that can provide a niche interest for a person from gaming, to exotic pets and beyond. The internet is also not very well controlled or "decentralized" which means that people who make videos, write articles, or create pieces of entertainment, don't need to consider censorship. (at least in some places)
Television
- Content on TV is more structured and it follows some logic and rules. This means that there are limited types of entertainment programs happening and people in our generation get bored quickly. There are more well-designed shows, TV series, or programs like the News or talk shows. TV has a lot of advertising going on all the time between all of these programs.
ANSWER:
Examiner: Are libraries still necessary if we have the internet? Why?
A Case For
- Libraries can still provide services, beyond the obvious reading and borrowing of books. Public libraries can be designed as free, accessible public spaces where people organize activities, find like-minded individuals, and learn something new. They can organize courses for different hobbies or skills necessary in the 21st century.
A Case Against
- With the development of the internet and the explosion of learning content online, it is very difficult to argue for the existence of publically funded libraries. When everything we need in terms of information is at our fingertips so libraries seem like a strange and isolated area, only older people would go to.
ANSWER:
This is a good question. I’ve actually seen it on an exam once, and it’s difficult to say. Libraries definitely have something unique about them – they are quiet, people go there specifically to learn and nothing more, and it’s a safe space for someone who simply wants to read peacefully. The internet kind of provides all that and then more… however the more information a person consumes online, the more confusing it becomes. That’s because the internet has no filter and it has no clear way of providing information on what's right and what's wrong, and so it can lead to bad results while learning. So I still think we need libraries, as long as there are people who would use them regularly.
Examiner: Why do some people like to read the news on the internet instead of getting it from TV?
Speed
- News on the internet gets published instantly while happening. This allows a person to stay informed 24/7 of the happenings from around the world. In addition, people can comment and discuss the news while happening, and that adds quite a lot of engagement to the news platforms or social media.
Variety of Opinions
- The internet provides an unlimited number of people who would try to present or write the news differently from others. This means that a person can compare between different opinions and can get a better, full picture of the problems happening in a day. TV and traditional media tend to present news and information with bias and one-sidedly.
ANSWER:
Well on the one hand it is a natural development of technology. The internet provides way more channels of information and people kind of follow things that appeal to them. There are commentators, independent journalists, bloggers, podcasters, video creators, and many other types of individuals who create independent, self-centered, and somewhat unique ways of delivering the news and commenting on recent happenings. On the other hand… there has been this growing distrust of traditional media, as they have been exposed time and time again to misrepresenting news, straight-up lying to their audiences about important and impactful bits of news… And so people are naturally moving on.
Examiner: What are the differences between old people and young people when they use the internet?
Old People
- Old people use the internet in a very limited way. Although these days there are grandmas and grandpas on TikTok and other social media places, they don't fully understand the platforms, don't do research, don't know how to "surf" the internet, and simply visit 2-3 websites they feel comfortable with. They are also reluctant to try many new internet tools that appear every year.
Young People
- Young people tend to change their consumption habits online very quickly. They jump on the latest and hottest types of websites or apps and experiment with new tools available online. This makes them more likely to try something new, but they don't build loyalty towards one website or brand online.
ANSWER:
Well as the internet develops at a rapid pace, young people rush to follow the latest trend, the latest drama, or the latest controversy. For those who are older though, they rarely engage with these happenings, and at some times it feels that they are lagging behind, not knowing much about the “hot”, “modern” or “trendy” things online. The way we use the internet is different as well. For us, the younger generation we game, we socialize, we explore new venues… while the older generation mostly reads the news and stays informed with more traditional interests they’ve had from their own life.
Examiner: How does the internet influence people?
Positively
- People can get highly motivated by watching motivational or inspirational videos and other sorts of content. People can learn tons of skills and knowledge by researching online, and that is really powerful. The internet can be a positive influence if it's used wisely.
Negatively
- We live in times of mass disinformation, fake news, fake advertisements, and fake lifestyle advice. This environment is really dangerous for young people to grow up in, and unfortunately, there is hardly any restriction or control by authorities or parents alike.
ANSWER:
There are many direct and indirect ways a person is being influenced. The direct one is obviously right there in front of our eyes – advertisements. Ads are everywhere, on banners, in between text, in text, before, in the middle, and after a video, and so on. We get so many ads it’s ridiculous and obviously, the goal is to click and buy something. The more subtle, invisible way we are influenced is by following and engaging with our interests and groups of people. Slowly but surely we are engaging with these bubbles and while we feel entertained, we are being absorbed within those bubbles and we lose the chance to socialize or explore something new. We tend to stick to the same movies, same hobbies, same games, and eventually, the same news, same celebrities, and the same biases those might express.