Band 7 Example
Topic: Describe an important thing you learned (not at school or college)
Example
Learning to cook What it was I'm going to talk about learning to cook, which is a skill I picked up outside of formal education. Cooking is something that I believe everyone should learn at some point in their lives because it is an essential life skill. When you learned it I started learning how to cook when I was around 15 years old. It was during the summer holidays when I had a lot of free time on my hands. My parents were both working, and I was at home with my younger siblings. I realized that I needed to prepare meals for us, so I decided to take on the challenge of learning how to cook. How you learned it I learned to cook primarily through a combination of online resources and hands-on practice. I watched numerous cooking tutorials on YouTube, which were incredibly helpful. These videos provided step-by-step instructions and demonstrated various cooking techniques. Additionally, I experimented with different recipes from cookbooks and websites. I also sought guidance from my grandmother, who is an excellent cook. She taught me some traditional family recipes and shared valuable tips and tricks that had been passed down through generations. And explain why it was important Learning to cook was important for several reasons. Firstly, it gave me a sense of independence and self-sufficiency. I no longer had to rely on others to prepare meals for me, and I could take care of myself and my siblings. Secondly, cooking became a creative outlet for me. I enjoyed experimenting with different ingredients and flavors, which allowed me to express myself in a unique way. Moreover, cooking at home is generally healthier and more cost-effective than eating out, so it contributed to my overall well-being. Lastly, it became a way for me to connect with my family and friends. Sharing a meal that I had prepared brought us closer together and created lasting memories. Overall, learning to cook has been an invaluable skill that has enriched my life in many ways.
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, "I started learning how to cook when I was around 15 years old" is a simple sentence, while "I learned to cook primarily through a combination of online resources and hands-on practice" is a complex sentence. The use of past tense is consistent and appropriate for describing past events, such as "I started learning" and "I watched numerous cooking tutorials." The answer also effectively uses transitional phrases like "Firstly," "Secondly," and "Moreover," which help to organize the explanation and provide a logical flow to the narrative.
Vocabulary
  • essential life skill
  • free time on my hands
  • take on the challenge
  • hands-on practice
  • step-by-step instructions
  • cooking techniques
  • traditional family recipes
  • sense of independence
  • self-sufficiency
  • creative outlet
  • cost-effective
  • lasting memories
  • invaluable skill
  • enriched my life