Professor Smith is conducting a lecture on the impact of social media on communication skills. He states, 'While social media platforms allow for instantaneous communication, they often lead to a decline in face-to-face interaction. Furthermore, the brevity of messages, primarily through text and emojis, can misrepresent emotions and reduce the depth of conversations.' He emphasizes that younger generations are particularly affected by these changes, as they may prefer online correspondence over traditional verbal exchanges. 'This preference could potentially hinder their ability to express themselves in live conversations,' he adds. Additionally, he mentions that despite the negatives, social media does facilitate networking opportunities and can connect individuals from across various geographical locations.
At the end of the lecture, Professor Smith poses a question to the students: 'What strategies can we implement to mitigate the adverse effects of social media on our communication skills?' During the discussion, students suggest various ideas, focusing on enhancing personal interactions and being more mindful about online usage.
Note: This question has been adapted from its original format to accommodate a reading-based version. In the official TOEFL exam, speaking and listening sections require verbal responses and audio prompts, which are not represented here. Please note that this adaptation may not fully reflect the nature or difficulty of the official exam. The audio feature for these sections will be available soon.
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