Band 7 Example

Question: Who do you think should set goals for children?

Idea 1

Parents
Model Answer
I think parents should set goals for their children. They know what their kids are good at and what they need to work on, so they can make good goals for them.
I believe that parents are best suited to set goals for their children. They understand their children's strengths and weaknesses better than anyone else, and can therefore tailor goals that not only challenge them but also play to their strengths.
Grammar Analysis
1. Modal verbs: The use of "are best suited" and "can" effectively expresses capability and suitability, which is crucial in delivering a persuasive argument. 2. Relative clauses: The sentence "They understand their children's strengths and weaknesses better than anyone else" uses a relative clause to provide additional information about the parents' understanding, enhancing the clarity and depth of the response.
Vocabulary
  • - **tailor goals**: This phrase suggests customizing or modifying goals to fit specific needs, showing a high level of vocabulary usage.
  • - **challenge**: Indicates setting goals that push the children to grow, which is a positive and dynamic verb in this context.
  • - **play to their strengths**: This idiom means to use one’s advantages effectively, demonstrating the use of nuanced language to convey complex ideas.

Idea 2

Children Themselves
Model Answer
Children should set their own goals because it makes them feel independent. When they choose what they want to achieve, they are more interested in working towards it.
Children themselves should have a significant role in setting their own goals. This practice fosters independence and self-motivation, as they are more likely to be passionate about achieving goals they have set for themselves.
Grammar Analysis
1. Modal verb usage: The use of "should" effectively expresses the speaker's opinion about what is advisable or desirable in the context of children setting goals. 2. Causal clause: "as they are more likely to be passionate about achieving goals they have set for themselves" - This clause explains the reason behind the initial statement, enhancing the logical flow of the answer.
Vocabulary
  • - fosters independence and self-motivation
  • - passionate about achieving goals

Idea 3

Teachers
Model Answer
Teachers should set goals for kids because they know a lot about what skills are important at school. They can make good goals that help kids do well in their studies.
Teachers, with their understanding of educational development, are well-positioned to set academic goals for children. They can provide realistic objectives that are aligned with educational standards and offer a more objective perspective that might be overlooked by parents.
Grammar Analysis
1. Use of passive voice: "are well-positioned" - This passive construction emphasizes the role of teachers without specifying who positions them, focusing on the subject (teachers) rather than the actor. 2. Relative clauses: "that are aligned with educational standards" - This clause provides additional information about the objectives, enhancing the detail of the response.
Vocabulary
  • well-positioned
  • realistic objectives
  • aligned with educational standards
  • objective perspective

Idea 4

A Combination of All
Model Answer
I think everyone should help set goals for children. Parents, teachers, and the kids themselves can all give ideas so that the goals are good for different parts of their lives.
A collaborative approach involving parents, children, and teachers is ideal for setting well-rounded goals. This method ensures that the goals are comprehensive, incorporating personal development and academic achievement, and benefit from the diverse perspectives of each party involved.
Grammar Analysis
1. Use of passive voice: "This method ensures that the goals are comprehensive" - The passive voice is effectively used here to emphasize the goals rather than who makes them comprehensive. 2. Complex sentence structures: The answer uses complex sentences with multiple clauses, demonstrating a higher level of grammatical proficiency. For example, "A collaborative approach involving parents, children, and teachers is ideal for setting well-rounded goals."
Vocabulary
  • - **collaborative approach**: Indicates teamwork and joint effort.
  • - **well-rounded goals**: Suggests goals that are balanced and consider multiple aspects of development.
  • - **comprehensive**: Implies thoroughness and completeness.
  • - **diverse perspectives**: Highlights the value of having different viewpoints.