Band 7 Example

Question: What do you think of people using their mobile phones during a meal?

Idea 1

It's rude or disrespectful
Model Answer
I think it's a bit rude when people use their phones during a meal. It feels like they are not really interested in the people they are eating with. Meals should be a time to talk and connect with each other, not just stare at a screen. If everyone is on their phone, it makes the meal less enjoyable for everyone.
Personally, I find it quite disrespectful when people are glued to their phones during a meal. It sends the message that the company at the table isn't important. Mealtimes are meant for real conversation and bonding, so constantly checking your phone can really ruin the atmosphere. I think it's much better to put the phone away and focus on the people and the food in front of you.
Grammar Analysis
1. Present continuous as adjective: "glued to their phones" uses the past participle "glued" as an adjective to describe people, which is a natural and advanced way to express this idea. 2. Infinitive of purpose: "meant for real conversation and bonding" uses the infinitive "to bond" (implied) to show purpose, which is a common structure in spoken English. 3. Present simple for general truth: "It sends the message..." and "Mealtimes are meant for..." use the present simple to state general opinions and facts, which is appropriate for IELTS Part 3 answers. 4. Gerund as subject: "constantly checking your phone can really ruin the atmosphere" uses a gerund phrase as the subject, showing a good grasp of complex sentence structure.
Vocabulary
  • disrespectful
  • glued to their phones
  • sends the message
  • real conversation and bonding
  • constantly checking your phone
  • ruin the atmosphere
  • put the phone away
  • focus on the people and the food

Idea 2

Sometimes it’s necessary
Model Answer
Sometimes, I think it's okay to use your phone at the table, especially if you need to reply to an urgent message or check something important. For example, parents might need to keep in touch with their kids, or someone might need to answer a work call. As long as it's quick and doesn't disturb others, I think it's understandable.
I believe there are situations where using a mobile phone during a meal is justified. For instance, if someone receives an urgent call or message, it's reasonable to respond. Also, people might use their phones to look up recipes or translate menu items, which can actually add to the meal experience. As long as it's done briefly and doesn't distract from the conversation, I think it's acceptable.
Grammar Analysis
1. Conditional clause: "As long as it's done briefly and doesn't distract from the conversation, I think it's acceptable." This is a good example of using a conditional to express a balanced opinion. 2. Passive voice: "using a mobile phone during a meal is justified" uses the passive voice to focus on the action rather than the person. 3. Present simple tense: The answer uses the present simple tense throughout, which is appropriate for expressing general opinions and facts. 4. Infinitive of purpose: "to look up recipes or translate menu items" uses the infinitive form to explain the purpose of using a phone.
Vocabulary
  • justified
  • urgent call or message
  • reasonable to respond
  • look up recipes
  • translate menu items
  • add to the meal experience
  • briefly
  • distract from the conversation
  • acceptable

Idea 3

It’s become normal
Model Answer
Honestly, using phones during meals has become really normal these days. Lots of people take pictures of their food to post online or just check messages out of habit. Especially students, they often multitask, like chatting with friends or doing homework while eating. It's just part of modern life now.
To be honest, it's pretty common nowadays for people to use their phones while eating. Many people enjoy snapping photos of their meals to share on social media, and it's almost second nature to check messages or scroll through apps during dinner. Especially among students, multitasking during meals—like chatting online or even doing homework—has become the norm. It's just a reflection of how connected we've all become.
Grammar Analysis
1. Present simple tense: Used throughout ("it's pretty common," "people enjoy," "it's almost second nature") to talk about general habits and trends, which is appropriate for this type of question. 2. Gerunds as subjects/objects: "snapping photos," "checking messages," and "scrolling through apps" are all gerunds used as objects, showing a good range of grammatical structures. 3. Relative clause: "like chatting online or even doing homework" adds detail and variety to the sentence structure. 4. Idiomatic expressions: Phrases like "second nature" and "reflection of how connected we've all become" show natural, conversational English.
Vocabulary
  • pretty common nowadays
  • snapping photos of their meals
  • second nature
  • check messages
  • scroll through apps
  • multitasking during meals
  • the norm
  • reflection of how connected we've all become