Question 78
GCE_MODEL_QUESTIONS_VOL1
•
2024
•
ENGLISH_LANGUAGE
•
objective
You are asked to write an expository piece on the impact of social media on teenage mental health. (a) State a clear thesis statement. (b) Outline three main points you would develop, indicating the type of evidence you would use for each. (c) Write the introductory paragraph (about 90 words) that includes a hook, brief context, and your thesis.
Answer Options
A.
a) Thesis: Social media primarily enhances academic performance and has negligible effects on teenage mental health.
b) Outline:
1. Academic boost - access to resources; meta‑analysis.
2. Social support - online communities; survey data.
3. Emotional stability - positive feedback; experimental results.
c) Intro paragraph (≈90 words): "In the modern classroom, social media serves as a powerful tool that connects students to information and peers alike. Proponents argue that these platforms improve learning outcomes and provide emotional support, thereby having little to no detrimental impact on mental health. Research highlights increased collaboration, higher grades, and a sense of belonging among users. Consequently, the narrative that social media harms teenage well‑being overlooks its substantial educational benefits and the stability it can bring to young lives."
B.
a) Thesis: While social media fosters creativity, its occasional use leads to minor stress among teenagers.
b) Outline:
1. Stress - occasional notifications; anecdotal evidence.
2. Distraction - time‑wasting; observational study.
3. Peer pressure - occasional trends; focus‑group evidence.
c) Intro paragraph (≈90 words): "Teenagers today are constantly plugged into social platforms that offer endless streams of content. Although these networks can spark imagination and keep friends connected, they also introduce occasional stressors that affect young minds. Studies indicate that brief periods of online activity can cause mild anxiety, distract from schoolwork, and expose teens to fleeting peer pressure. While the impact is not severe, it suggests that even limited social media use warrants careful consideration for adolescent well‑being."
C.
a) Thesis: Social media usage has no measurable impact on teenage anxiety, depression, or self‑esteem.
b) Outline:
1. No anxiety effect - longitudinal data; null results.
2. No depression correlation - large‑scale survey; insignificant.
3. Self‑esteem unchanged - experimental control; no difference.
c) Intro paragraph (≈90 words): "Despite widespread concerns, evidence shows that teenage engagement with social media does not significantly alter mental‑health indicators. Multiple studies have failed to find a clear link between online activity and increased anxiety, depression, or lowered self‑esteem. The data suggest that other factors, such as family environment and school pressures, play a far more decisive role. Therefore, attributing mental‑health challenges to social media may be an oversimplification of a complex issue."
Correct Answer
D.
a) Thesis: While social media offers valuable connectivity, its excessive use contributes significantly to anxiety, depression, and reduced self‑esteem among teenagers.
b) Outline:
1. Anxiety - constant comparison; study evidence.
2. Depression - heavy usage correlation; survey statistics.
3. Self‑esteem - curated images; interview evidence.
c) Intro paragraph (≈90 words): "From scrolling through endless feeds to awaiting the next notification, today's teenagers live in a digital world that never sleeps. Social media platforms promise connection, entertainment, and a voice for the young, yet the very tools designed to bring people together are increasingly blamed for a surge in mental‑health concerns. Research shows that heavy online engagement is linked to heightened anxiety, rising rates of depression, and a fragile sense of self‑worth. Consequently, while social media can be a force for good, its unchecked use poses serious risks to teenage mental health."
Correct Answer
D
Correct Option:
a) Thesis: While social media offers valuable connectivity, its excessive use contributes significantly to anxiety, depression, and reduced self‑esteem among teenagers.
b) Outline:
1. Anxiety - constant comparison; study evidence.
2. Depression - heavy usage correlation; survey statistics.
3. Self‑esteem - curated images; interview evidence.
c) Intro paragraph (≈90 words): "From scrolling through endless feeds to awaiting the next notification, today's teenagers live in a digital world that never sleeps. Social media platforms promise connection, entertainment, and a voice for the young, yet the very tools designed to bring people together are increasingly blamed for a surge in mental‑health concerns. Research shows that heavy online engagement is linked to heightened anxiety, rising rates of depression, and a fragile sense of self‑worth. Consequently, while social media can be a force for good, its unchecked use poses serious risks to teenage mental health."
About This Question
This is
Gce Model Questions Vol1
2024
English Language
Question 78.
It is one of the
objective
questions from the
2024
Gce Model Questions Vol1
English Language
examination.
Difficulty level:
Hard
.