B2 First essay example: social media and friendship
This page gives you an original Part 1 prompt about social media and friendship, a top answer (19/20) and a solid answer (12/20), each marked on the four criteria. Use it with our B2 First Writing guide and the step-by-step FCE essay guide.
By Eleanor BennettLast updated:
How to approach this task
The question asks you to agree or disagree, so you need a clear opinion, but you can still show both sides. Plan four or five paragraphs:
- Introduction: rephrase the question and hint at your view.
- Note 1 (staying in touch with people far away): probably an argument for.
- Note 2 (the quality of online conversations): probably an argument against.
- Your own idea: for example peer pressure, meeting new people or privacy. Make it clearly different from the two notes.
- Conclusion: give a balanced but definite answer.
Spend about five minutes planning. Write one example from your own life for at least one paragraph: it makes the argument convincing without needing statistics.
Top answer (19/20)
The task
In your English class you have been discussing friendship. Your teacher has asked you to write an essay.
Social media has made our friendships stronger. Do you agree?
Notes. Write about: 1. staying in touch with people who live far away 2. the quality of conversations online 3. ........ (your own idea)
Write your essay in 140–190 words.
Top answer184 words · estimated 19/20
Social media is now part of almost every young person's day, and many of us could not imagine keeping our friendships alive without it. However, whether it has actually made those friendships stronger is less clear.
On the one hand, messaging apps and photo-sharing sites make it far easier to stay in touch with people who live far away. When my best friend moved to Canada two years ago, we expected to drift apart, but sharing photos and voice messages every week has kept us close.
On the other hand, the quality of online conversations is often disappointing. A quick "like" or an emoji takes a second, so it can easily replace a real conversation. As a result, some friendships become wide but shallow.
Another point worth considering is pressure. Because everyone presents a perfect version of their life online, people may feel jealous of their friends rather than happy for them.
To sum up, social media is an excellent tool for keeping in contact, but in my view it only strengthens friendships when it is combined with time spent together face to face.
Examiner-style comments
- Content5/5
- Both notes are fully developed and the third idea (pressure and jealousy caused by 'a perfect version of their life') is relevant and clearly separate from the notes. The opinion in the final paragraph answers the question directly.
- Communicative Achievement5/5
- A consistently neutral, essay-appropriate register. The personal example of the friend in Canada supports the argument without turning the essay into a story, and the qualified conclusion ('only strengthens friendships when…') holds the reader's attention.
- Organisation4/5
- Clear paragraphing with one idea per paragraph. 'On the one hand / On the other hand', 'As a result' and 'Another point worth considering' guide the reader well. The third body paragraph is a little short compared with the others, which keeps this at 4.
- Language5/5
- A good range of vocabulary used precisely: 'drift apart', 'wide but shallow', 'face to face'. Complex structures ('whether it has actually made those friendships stronger is less clear', 'Because everyone presents…') are handled without errors.
A balanced, well-argued essay with a clear position and accurate, natural language.
Marks are our estimate using the public B2 First writing criteria, not an official Cambridge mark.
Solid answer (12/20)
The task
In your English class you have been discussing friendship. Your teacher has asked you to write an essay.
Social media has made our friendships stronger. Do you agree?
Notes. Write about: 1. staying in touch with people who live far away 2. the quality of conversations online 3. ........ (your own idea)
Write your essay in 140–190 words.
Solid pass182 words · estimated 12/20
Nowadays everybody use social media, specially young people. In this essay I will write if social media made our friendships more strong or not.
First of all, social media is very useful for stay in touch with people who lives far away. For example my cousin live in Germany and we talk every day in the chat. Before social media this was impossible or very expensive because you must to call by phone.
Secondly, the conversations online are not so good like the conversations in person. People write very short messages and sometimes they don't answer during hours. Also is easy to misunderstand a message because you can't see the face of the other person.
In the other hand, I think that social media helps to meet new friends with the same hobbies, for example in groups about music or videogames. I have some friends that I only know from internet.
In conclusion, I think social media has advantages and disadvantages. For me it made my friendships stronger but we have to be careful and also meet our friends in real life.
Examiner-style comments
- Content4/5
- All three points are covered: distance (the cousin in Germany), short messages and misunderstandings, and a third idea about making new friends online. The opinion is rather vague until the last paragraph, where 'it made my friendships stronger' finally answers the question.
- Communicative Achievement3/5
- The register is generally suitable for an essay, but the opening 'In this essay I will write if…' is mechanical and the personal examples are not linked back to the question, so the argument feels like a list of experiences.
- Organisation3/5
- Paragraphs are logical, but the linking is basic ('First of all', 'Secondly'). 'In the other hand' (should be 'On the other hand') is used for a point that does not contrast with the previous one, which confuses the reader.
- Language2/5
- Frequent errors in basic grammar: 'everybody use', 'useful for stay', 'people who lives', 'you must to call', 'not so good like', 'Also is easy'. The vocabulary is mostly everyday and some meaning is lost, though the message is still clear.
A relevant answer that covers every point, held back by repeated grammar slips and weak linking.
Marks are our estimate using the public B2 First writing criteria, not an official Cambridge mark.
What to copy from the top answer
- Open with context, not with "In this essay I will…". The top answer starts with a fact about everyday life and then shows the debate.
- Make the third idea genuinely new. "Pressure" is different from both notes, so it adds content instead of repeating them.
- Use contrast linkers correctly. On the other hand introduces the opposite side, not just another point.
- Answer the question in the conclusion. "It only strengthens friendships when…" is a clear, nuanced position.
Check your own answer
Write your own essay for this prompt before you look at the answers again. Then go through the B2 First writing checklist and paste your draft into the writing checker and word counter to make sure you are between 140 and 190 words. More marked answers are in our FCE writing examples.
Questions about this task
Can I use personal examples in a B2 First essay?
Yes, a short personal example can support an argument, as the top answer does with a friend who moved abroad. Keep it to one or two sentences and link it back to your point; an essay is not a story.
What third idea could I use for a social media essay?
Good options include privacy, peer pressure, meeting people with the same interests, or time wasted scrolling. Choose an idea that is clearly different from the two notes you were given.
Do I have to agree or disagree completely?
No. A balanced view is fine as long as your conclusion gives a clear answer. 'Yes, but only when…' is a perfectly good position.
How many paragraphs should an FCE essay have?
Four or five is typical: an introduction, two or three body paragraphs (one for each note plus your own idea) and a conclusion.