Band 7 Example

Question: Do people need to have goals?

Idea 1

Yes, they do
Model Answer
Definitely. If we don't have goals, we lack direction and purpose. I believe everyone has goals, even if they don't know it. For some, it's about work, and for others, it's about family. But I think everyone has goals, whether they know it or not. We need something to aim for, or else we don't grow as individuals.
Absolutely. Without goals, we don’t really have a direction or purpose. I think everyone sets themselves goals whether they realize it or not. For some, it may be at work, while for others it may be for family but I think everyone sets them, consciously or not. We need something to work towards, otherwise we aren’t growing as a person.
Grammar Analysis
Conditional sentence: "Without goals, we don’t really have a direction or purpose." This conditional sentence expresses the consequences of not having goals, adding logicality and complexity to the statement. Simple present tense: "everyone sets themselves goals" This expression uses the simple present tense, indicating that setting goals is a common and ongoing behavior, highlighting the universality and timeliness of the statement. Passive voice: "we aren’t growing as a person" Expressing the lack of personal growth in the passive voice emphasizes the importance of growth, not who causes it, demonstrating the complexity of sentence structure and the precision of language.
Vocabulary
  • goals
  • direction
  • purpose
  • set themselves goals
  • realize
  • consciously or not

Idea 2

No, not necessarily
Model Answer
No, I believe goals can distract us and create too much pressure. Life is so fast now that our goals might prevent us from noticing opportunities right in front of us. We focus too much on them. We should be more flexible and open to chances that come, so we can be spontaneous and respond to things happening around us.
No, I think goals distract people and put them under unnecessary pressure. Life moves so fast these days that the goals we set for ourselves can stop us from seeing opportunities in front of us, as that’s all we focus on. We need to be open to opportunities that come our way in a more flexible way so that we can be spontaneous and react to what happens around us.
Grammar Analysis
Conditional clause: "that the goals we set for ourselves can stop us" This conditional clause illustrates the potential negative effects of setting goals, adding logical complexity to the sentence. Present continuous tense: "Life moves so fast" Using the present continuous tense emphasizes the rapid pace of life, demonstrating the timeliness and dynamism of language. Passive voice: "be open to opportunities" This expression in passive voice emphasizes the attitude of being open to opportunities, rather than who is creating these opportunities, showcasing the complexity of the sentence structure.
Vocabulary
  • distract
  • under unnecessary pressure
  • set for
  • opportunities
  • focus
  • flexible
  • spontaneous
  • react