Band 7 Example
Topic: Describe a time when someone asked for your opinion
Example
Giving advice on a career choice Who asked for your opinion I'm going to talk about a time when my younger cousin asked for my opinion regarding her career path. She's just about to finish high school and is at a crossroads in her life, trying to decide what to do next. Why he/she wanted to know your opinion She wanted to know my opinion because she knows that I have been through a similar situation not too long ago. I had to make a decision about whether to go to university or start working straight away, and she thought I could provide some valuable insights based on my own experiences. What opinion you gave I advised her to consider what she is truly passionate about and what she sees herself doing in the long term. I suggested that she should weigh the pros and cons of each option. For instance, going to university could provide her with more opportunities and a broader perspective, but starting work immediately could give her practical experience and financial independence. I also recommended that she talk to professionals in the fields she's interested in to get a better understanding of what those careers entail. Explain how you felt when he/she asked for your opinion I felt quite honored and pleased when she asked for my opinion. It made me realize that she values my thoughts and trusts my judgment, which was a nice feeling. It also made me reflect on my own decision-making process and how far I've come since then. I was glad to be able to help her in some way and hoped that my advice would assist her in making a decision that she would be happy with in the future. It was a rewarding experience to be able to support her during such an important time in her life.
Grammar Analysis
The answer uses a variety of sentence structures, including simple, compound, and complex sentences, which contribute to the overall fluency and coherence of the response. For example, "I advised her to consider what she is truly passionate about and what she sees herself doing in the long term" is a complex sentence that provides detailed advice. The use of past tense is consistent and appropriate for recounting a past event, as seen in "I felt quite honored and pleased when she asked for my opinion." The answer also effectively uses modal verbs like "could" and "should" to offer suggestions and advice, which adds to the clarity and politeness of the response.
Vocabulary
  • career path
  • crossroads
  • valuable insights
  • pros and cons
  • broader perspective
  • financial independence
  • professionals in the fields
  • entail
  • honored
  • reflect
  • decision-making process
  • rewarding experience
  • support