Band 7 Example
Topic: Describe a time when you were stuck in a traffic jam
Example
A frustrating traffic jam When it happened I'm going to talk about a time when I was caught in a traffic jam last summer. It was during the peak holiday season, and I was on my way to visit a friend who lives in a neighboring city. Where you were stuck The traffic jam occurred on the highway that connects my city to the next. It's usually a smooth drive, but on that particular day, there was an unexpected roadblock due to an accident further down the road. The traffic was at a complete standstill, and I found myself stuck in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by other frustrated drivers. What you did while waiting While waiting, I tried to make the best of the situation. I had my phone with me, so I decided to catch up on some podcasts that I had downloaded earlier. Listening to podcasts is something I enjoy, as it allows me to learn new things and stay entertained. I also took the opportunity to call a few friends and family members to pass the time and catch up with them. Additionally, I had a book in the car, so I read a few chapters to keep myself occupied. And explain how you felt in the traffic jam Being stuck in the traffic jam was quite frustrating at first. I was worried about being late and missing out on the plans I had made with my friend. However, as time went on, I realized that there was nothing I could do to change the situation, so I tried to remain calm and patient. I reminded myself that everyone else was in the same predicament and that getting upset wouldn't help. By the time the traffic started moving again, I felt more relaxed and grateful for the chance to slow down and enjoy some quiet time. It was a reminder that sometimes, unexpected delays can provide an opportunity to pause and reflect, even if they are inconvenient at the moment.
Grammar Analysis
The answer uses a variety of sentence structures, including simple, compound, and complex sentences, which contribute to the overall coherence and fluency. For example, "It was during the peak holiday season, and I was on my way to visit a friend who lives in a neighboring city" combines multiple ideas effectively. The use of past tense is consistent and appropriate for recounting a past event, as seen in "I was caught in a traffic jam last summer" and "The traffic jam occurred on the highway." The answer also includes conditional and reflective statements, such as "I realized that there was nothing I could do to change the situation," which adds depth to the narrative.
Vocabulary
  • traffic jam
  • peak holiday season
  • unexpected roadblock
  • complete standstill
  • frustrated drivers
  • catch up on
  • stay entertained
  • pass the time
  • remain calm and patient
  • unexpected delays