The Last Word
Speaking skill

Society & Popularity

Questions about how popular something is, or who it suits, tempt you into short, safe answers - "yes", "everyone does it", "it's good for kids". This page shows you how to name real groups, real proportions, and sound like you actually know the topic.

This is the quick-fix version — see the full guide →
Common mistake

When "Yes, it's popular" is all you say

"Why isn't 'Yes, it's popular' a good enough answer?"

It answers the question, but it doesn't show how popular something is or who it's popular with - name specific types of people or examples, and use a quantity word to show the degree.

Why this works
— Name the specific types, not just "yes" Naming actual examples (a sport, a job, a type of show) proves you know the topic instead of just confirming the question.
— Show degree with a quantity word Swapping "yes" for a phrase like "the majority of" or "a lot of" tells the examiner how popular something is, not just whether it is.
Weak
Yes, football is popular.
Upgraded
Yes, football's massively popular here - I'd say the majority of young men follow at least one team, and it's on TV every single weekend.
Weak
Yes, it's a popular job.
Upgraded
Yes, it's actually one of the more popular jobs at the moment - a lot of office workers move into it because the hours are flexible.
Weak
Yes, there are a lot of popular shows.
Upgraded
Yeah, drama series are probably the most popular - hardly any of my friends skip the big weekend episode.
Common mistake

When "everyone" or "nobody" does it

"Why does 'Everyone does it' or 'Nobody does it' sound unnatural?"

Absolute words like "everyone" or "nobody" are almost never literally true and sound like a guess - swap them for a quantity phrase like "most people" or "a small percentage of people", then add a quick reason.

Why this works
— Swap "everyone/nobody" for a quantity word Quantity phrases like "most people", "a minority of", or "a small percentage of" sound more natural and more accurate than an absolute claim.
— Add a short reason A quick "because..." clause turns a flat claim into a real, supported answer.
Weak
No, nobody does enough exercise in my country.
Upgraded
Not really, no - I'd say only a small percentage of people exercise regularly, mainly because most jobs here involve long hours sitting at a desk.
Weak
Yes, everyone gets two days off.
Upgraded
Most people do, yeah - a large percentage of office workers get the weekend off, though a few industries like retail still work Saturdays.
Weak
No, nobody works from home in my country.
Upgraded
Not many people do, actually - I'd say it's still a minority, mostly people in tech or freelance jobs.
Common mistake

When you're asked who something suits

"How do I answer 'What kind of people is this suitable for?' without just naming one group?"

Naming a single group makes it sound like you only thought of one example - name two contrasting types of people and use "suitable for" / "suited to" language to say briefly why each one does or doesn't fit.

Why this works
— Use "suitable for" / "suited to" phrasing Precise suitability phrases like "suited to" or "appropriate for" sound more natural and more exact than a vague "good for".
— Contrast two different groups Mentioning who it does and doesn't suit shows you can weigh an idea instead of giving a flat, one-sided answer.
Weak
It's suitable for young people.
Upgraded
I'd say it's really suited to younger people who have more energy, but it might be less appropriate for older people with joint problems, unless they do a gentler version.
Weak
It's a good job for outgoing people.
Upgraded
It's especially suitable for outgoing people who enjoy talking to clients, though it can be quite stressful for anyone who prefers working alone.
Weak
It's good for kids.
Upgraded
It's suitable for younger children because of the simple language, but it's probably too slow-paced to stay appropriate for teenagers.
Keep exploring

Ready to practise this out loud?

Browse more skills