Band 7 Example

Question: Why do most people prefer to use a paper map?

Idea 1

Ease of Use
Model Answer
Maybe it's because they are easier to use. Older people might not use digital maps much because they're not used to the technology. They know paper maps better. Also, finding your way from one place to another with a paper map feels like an achievement, since you need to think more about the journey.
It's probably because they don't require any technical knowledge. I think older people tend to shy away from using digital maps because they aren't very confident with using the tech, so a paper map is something they are more familiar with. There's also a sense of achievement when using one to navigate from one place to another as some thought needs to go into planning a journey.
Grammar Analysis
Verb phrase: "tend to shy away from" - Using a verb phrase to describe the attitude of older people towards new technology expresses a tendency and adds complexity to the sentence. Passive voice: "aren't very confident" - Using the passive voice to describe the lack of confidence of older people in using technology emphasizes the emotional state rather than the action itself. Infinitive as a purpose adverbial: "to navigate from one place to another" - Using an infinitive as a purpose adverbial explains the purpose of using a paper map for navigation and emphasizes the importance of planning a journey.
Vocabulary
  • technical knowledge
  • shy away
  • tech
  • familiar
  • sense of achievement
  • navigate
  • some thought needs to go into

Idea 2

Reliability
Model Answer
I think it's about being reliable. Paper maps are always there for you. They don't need a network or battery, so they're more dependable. It's a hassle when our phone dies while trying to find a new place, leaving us lost. But a paper map doesn't have that problem.
It comes down to reliability in my view. Paper maps will never let you down. They don't need network coverage or a battery to work so we can depend on them more. It's really inconvenient when we are trying to get somewhere for the first time and our mobile runs out of battery, leaving us stranded. A paper map just doesn't have this issue.
Grammar Analysis
Gerund as subject: "reliability" - Using a gerund as the subject emphasizes reliability as the main reason for choosing paper maps. Present participle as adverbial of reason: "leaving us stranded" - Using a present participle phrase as an adverbial of reason describes the predicament caused by the phone running out of battery, adding emotional color and complexity to the sentence.
Vocabulary
  • reliability
  • let you down
  • network coverage
  • depend on
  • inconvenient
  • runs out of
  • stranded