Band 7 Example

Question: What do people often do with a map?

Idea 1

Navigation and Travel
Model Answer
The usual thing is to plan travel routes. Smartphones are good, but for long trips, it's better to use a paper map to see how far we're going. We can see mountains and heights, and interesting places on it too.
The most common thing to do is probably plan travel routes. It's all very well using a smartphone, but when we travel really long distances, it's better to look at a paper map so we can get an understanding of how far we are actually going to travel. Then we can see the mountains and altitudes we'll be passing through, as well as any interesting site too.
Grammar Analysis
Present participle as adverbial of purpose: "using a smartphone" Using the present participle phrase as an adverbial of purpose explains the purpose and context of using a smartphone, adding complexity to the sentence. Past participle as post-modifier: "travel routes" Using the past participle "travel" as a post-modifier to modify "routes" expresses a specific type of routes. Modal verb: "it’s better to look at" Using the modal verb "better" to express advice or preference explains that in specific situations, a paper map is more suitable than a smartphone.
Vocabulary
  • all very well
  • get an understanding
  • altitudes
  • passing through

Idea 2

Outdoor Activities
Model Answer
Even though digital maps are simple to use, I think people who hike or trek use paper maps. In the countryside, there might not be network or places to charge devices, so a paper map is needed for guidance. Paper maps are also easier with many landmarks like mountains and rivers.
Although digital maps are easier to use, I imagine that anyone who goes hiking or trekking uses a paper map. As they are out in the country, they might not have network coverage, or anywhere to charge their devices, so they have to have a paper map to guide them. It's probably easier to use them when there are lots of landmarks like mountains and rivers too.
Grammar Analysis
Adverbial clause of condition: "As they are out in the country" uses an adverbial clause of condition to set a specific scenario, which is the possibility of facing network or charging issues in rural areas. Verb phrase: "have to have" uses the emphatic verb phrase "have to have" to express the necessity of a paper map. Comparative form: "easier to use" uses the comparative form to compare the convenience of using a paper map and a digital map in specific situations, emphasizing the advantages of a paper map in situations with many landmarks.
Vocabulary
  • digital maps
  • trekking
  • network coverage
  • charge their devices
  • guide
  • landmarks

Idea 3

Educational Purposes
Model Answer
I believe paper maps are used in schools, especially in geography classes, so students learn to read them. They're not only for directions but also show land features, like height and slope steepness. This helps students understand different countries and their geography.
I think that they are used in schools these days in geography class so students can learn how to read them. They aren’t just useful for showing where to go, but they also contain lots of information about the lay of the land, like the altitude and steepness of slopes. This helps with students’ understanding of different countries and their structure.
Grammar Analysis
Present simple tense: "are used" Using the present simple tense indicates that the use of paper maps in schools is a continuous phenomenon. Gerund as the subject: "learning how to read them" Using the gerund phrase as the subject emphasizes the process of learning to read maps, adding complexity to the sentence. Participle as an adjective: "the altitude and steepness of slopes" Using the participles "altitude" and "steepness" as adjectives to modify "slopes" provides more detailed geographical information, enhancing the descriptive nature of the sentence.
Vocabulary
  • but also
  • lay of the land
  • altitude
  • steepness
  • slopes