Level B1 ✦ Speaking

Read.
Reflect.
Speak up.

Read a short text, answer a few questions, and share your honest opinion. Your voice matters — record it and send it to Amanda.

⏱ 15-20 minutes 🎯 Speaking + Reading 🎙️ Audio recording
Student name
Date
1

Read the text

Hover over yellow words to see their meaning

Connected, but lonely?

We live in a world where it's easier than ever to stay in touch. With one tap, we can send a message to a friend across the planet, see what our family is doing right now, or join a conversation with thousands of strangers. In many ways, social media has made us more connected than any generation before us.

But many people say that despite all this connection, they feel more lonely than ever. They scroll through perfect photos of other people's lives and feel that their own life is not interesting enough. They have hundreds of online friends but no one to call when they have a bad day. Real conversations are being replaced by short messages and quick reactions.

Some experts say that the problem is not social media itself, but the way we use it. When we use it to strengthen real relationships — to share moments with people we love and care about — it can be a powerful tool. But when we use it to compare ourselves to others or to escape from real life, it can make us feel empty and disconnected.

So the question is: are we really more connected, or just surrounded by more screens?

2

Check your understanding

Choose the best answer based on the text

1. According to the text, what is the main paradox of social media?
2. Why do some people feel that their own life is not interesting?
3. What do experts say about the real problem?
0/3
Answer all questions to see your score
3

Share your opinion

Take a moment to think, then record your answer (1-3 minutes)

Your speaking prompt
Do you think social media makes us more connected or more lonely? Talk about your own experience.
Sentence starters (use them if you need ideas)
In my opinion...
From my own experience...
On the one hand... on the other hand...
I strongly believe that...
It depends on...
For example, when I...
🎙️ Voice recorder
00:00
Tap the red button to start
💡 Tip: Speak naturally. Take pauses. Use the sentence starters above if you need help organizing your thoughts.
4

How did you feel?

Honest self-reflection helps Amanda support you better

Ready to send?

You'll send your answers to Amanda + open your email to attach your audio file.