Band 7 Example

Question: What should we not talk about when we meet a person for the first time?

Idea 1

Personal or Sensitive Topics
Model Answer
I think when you meet someone for the first time, you shouldn't ask about things like how much money they make or their age. These are really personal topics and can make people feel uncomfortable. Also, talking about things like religion or politics can be risky because people have strong opinions and it might lead to arguments. It's better to avoid these subjects until you know the person better.
When meeting someone for the first time, it's best to steer clear of personal or sensitive topics like salary, age, or relationship status. These questions can come across as rude or intrusive. Also, subjects like health issues, family problems, religion, or politics are usually too private or controversial for a first conversation. People can have very different views, and bringing these up might make things awkward or even cause arguments.
Grammar Analysis
1. Infinitive phrase as subject: "to steer clear of personal or sensitive topics" is used as an infinitive phrase, showing a more advanced way to express advice or recommendations. 2. Modal verbs: The use of "can" in "can come across as rude or intrusive" and "can have very different views" demonstrates the ability to talk about possibility or ability, which is common in spoken English. 3. Adjective phrases: Phrases like "too private or controversial" and "very different" are used to modify nouns, adding detail and nuance. 4. Conditional structure: "bringing these up might make things awkward or even cause arguments" uses a conditional structure to talk about possible negative outcomes, which is a sophisticated way to express caution.
Vocabulary
  • steer clear of
  • personal or sensitive topics
  • come across as rude or intrusive
  • too private or controversial
  • very different views
  • make things awkward
  • cause arguments

Idea 2

Negative or Controversial Subjects
Model Answer
It's not a good idea to talk about negative things when you first meet someone. For example, complaining about your job or life can give a bad impression. Also, gossiping about other people makes you seem untrustworthy. Talking about sad topics like death or divorce can make the conversation uncomfortable, so it's better to avoid them.
I think it's wise to avoid negative or controversial subjects when meeting someone new. Complaining about your life or work can make you seem pessimistic, and gossiping about others can make you look untrustworthy. Sensitive topics like death or divorce are also best left out of first conversations, as they can make people feel uneasy or sad. Keeping things positive helps create a good first impression.
Grammar Analysis
1. Infinitive phrase as subject: "to avoid negative or controversial subjects" is used after "it's wise," showing a clear recommendation and a natural way to give advice. 2. Gerund as subject: "Complaining about your life or work" and "gossiping about others" both use gerunds as the subject of the sentence, which is a common and natural structure in spoken English. 3. Passive voice: "are also best left out of first conversations" uses the passive voice to focus on the topics rather than who is leaving them out, which is appropriate for general advice. 4. Cause and effect: "as they can make people feel uneasy or sad" uses "as" to explain the reason, showing a clear connection between action and consequence.
Vocabulary
  • avoid negative or controversial subjects
  • complaining about your life or work
  • pessimistic
  • gossiping about others
  • untrustworthy
  • sensitive topics
  • death or divorce
  • uneasy or sad
  • keeping things positive
  • good first impression

Idea 3

Overly Personal Questions
Model Answer
We shouldn't ask overly personal questions when we first meet someone. For example, asking about their weight or appearance is not polite. Questions about marriage or having children can also be too personal. It's better to keep things light and friendly until you know the person better.
Overly personal questions are definitely off-limits during a first meeting. Asking about someone's weight, appearance, or private plans like marriage or children can be really intrusive. It's much better to keep the conversation light, friendly, and general at first. This way, both people feel comfortable and can get to know each other gradually.
Grammar Analysis
1. Adjective phrase as subject complement: "off-limits" is used after the verb "are" to describe "overly personal questions," showing a good use of subject complement. 2. Present participle as noun: "Asking about someone's weight..." uses the gerund form "asking" as the subject of the sentence, which is a common and natural structure in spoken English. 3. Comparative structure: "It's much better to keep the conversation light..." uses the comparative "much better" to give advice, which is a natural way to make recommendations. 4. Infinitive of purpose: "to get to know each other gradually" uses the infinitive to explain the purpose of keeping the conversation general, which adds clarity and cohesion to the answer.
Vocabulary
  • off-limits
  • overly personal questions
  • intrusive
  • keep the conversation light
  • friendly
  • general
  • feel comfortable
  • get to know each other gradually
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