Band 7 Example

Question: Does technology help people communicate better with others?

Idea 1

Yes
Model Answer
Yes, technology really helps us communicate better. We can message or call anyone instantly, no matter where they are. It's great for keeping in touch with friends and family who live far away.
Absolutely, technology significantly enhances our ability to communicate. With instant messaging apps and social media, we can connect with anyone around the globe in real-time. Video calls allow us to see and interact with each other as if we were in the same room, which is invaluable for maintaining relationships across long distances.
Grammar Analysis
1. Present simple tense: The use of the present simple ("enhances", "allow") effectively describes general truths and ongoing situations, which is appropriate for discussing the role of technology. 2. Relative clauses: The phrase "which is invaluable for maintaining relationships across long distances" is a relative clause that adds additional information about the benefits of video calls, enhancing the depth of the response.
Vocabulary
  • - significantly enhances
  • - instant messaging apps
  • - social media
  • - video calls
  • - invaluable

Idea 2

No
Model Answer
No, I think technology sometimes makes communication worse. People don't meet face-to-face as much, and it's easy to misunderstand what someone means in a text. It feels less personal.
No, technology can sometimes hinder effective communication. The convenience of digital platforms might reduce the frequency of in-person interactions, which are crucial for building deeper relationships. Additionally, texts and emails can lead to misunderstandings since they lack non-verbal cues, making communication less personal and more prone to misinterpretation.
Grammar Analysis
1. Modal verbs: The use of "can" and "might" effectively expresses possibility and uncertainty, which is appropriate for discussing the potential negative impacts of technology on communication. 2. Complex sentences: The answer effectively uses complex sentences to explain the reasoning, such as "The convenience of digital platforms might reduce the frequency of in-person interactions, which are crucial for building deeper relationships."
Vocabulary
  • - hinder effective communication
  • - reduce the frequency of in-person interactions
  • - crucial for building deeper relationships
  • - misunderstandings
  • - non-verbal cues
  • - prone to misinterpretation