Band 7 Example

Question: Do you think smart people tend to be selfish?

Idea 1

Yes
Model Answer
Yes, I think smart people can sometimes be selfish. They often focus on their own goals and ambitions, which might make them less interested in social relationships. They might also think their time is too valuable to spend on others. Additionally, they might believe they know better than others, leading them to dismiss other people's opinions.
Yes, I believe that intelligent individuals can sometimes exhibit selfish tendencies. Their focus on personal goals and ambitions might lead them to prioritize their own interests over social connections. They may also perceive their time as too precious to be spent on others. Furthermore, their confidence in their intellectual abilities might lead them to dismiss the opinions of others, believing they know best.
Grammar Analysis
1.Modal verbs: The use of "can" and "might" in "can sometimes exhibit selfish tendencies" and "might lead them to prioritize" expresses possibility and potential, adding nuance and complexity to the answer. 2.Noun phrase as subject: "Their focus on personal goals and ambitions" serves as the subject of the sentence, using a complex noun phrase to describe a characteristic, enhancing the depth and complexity of the expression. 3.Infinitive phrase as adverbial: "to prioritize their own interests over social connections" uses an infinitive phrase as an adverbial to describe the purpose or result of the action, adding complexity to the sentence. 4.Conjunctions: The use of "Furthermore" to introduce an additional point demonstrates the ability to connect ideas logically and cohesively.
Vocabulary
  • intelligent individuals
  • selfish tendencies
  • personal goals and ambitions
  • prioritize their own interests
  • confidence in their intellectual abilities
  • dismiss the opinions of others
  • believing they know best

Idea 2

No
Model Answer
No, I don't think smart people are necessarily selfish. Intelligence often makes people more aware of their social responsibilities. Many smart individuals use their skills to help others and tackle societal issues. They might also be more empathetic because they understand human behavior better. There are many examples of intelligent people who engage in philanthropy and community service.
No, I don't believe that intelligence inherently leads to selfishness. In fact, intelligence often fosters a heightened awareness of social responsibilities. Many intelligent individuals leverage their skills to benefit others and address societal challenges. Their deeper understanding of human behavior can also make them more empathetic. Numerous intelligent people actively participate in philanthropy and community service, demonstrating their commitment to the greater good.
Grammar Analysis
1.Negative statement: "No, I don't believe that intelligence inherently leads to selfishness" effectively uses a negative statement to refute the assumption, showcasing a clear stance. 2.Causative verb: "intelligence often fosters a heightened awareness of social responsibilities" uses the causative verb "fosters" to indicate that intelligence causes an increase in social awareness, demonstrating complex sentence structure. 3.Relative clause: "Many intelligent individuals leverage their skills to benefit others and address societal challenges" uses a relative clause to provide additional information about intelligent individuals, enhancing the depth and detail of the answer. 4.Present participle as an adjective: "demonstrating their commitment to the greater good" uses the present participle "demonstrating" as an adjective to describe the action, adding complexity to the sentence.
Vocabulary
  • intelligence inherently leads to selfishness
  • heightened awareness of social responsibilities
  • leverage their skills to benefit others
  • address societal challenges
  • empathetic
  • philanthropy and community service
  • greater good

Idea 3

It Depends
Model Answer
It really depends on the individual. Personality and upbringing play a big role in whether someone is selfish. Smart people can be both selfish and selfless, just like anyone else. The environment and culture they are in can also influence whether their intelligence leads to selfishness. Selfishness is a complex trait and isn't determined solely by intelligence.
It depends on the individual, as personality and upbringing significantly influence whether someone is selfish. Intelligent individuals, like anyone else, can exhibit both selfish and selfless behaviors. The environment and cultural context they are exposed to can also shape whether their intelligence manifests as selfishness. Selfishness is a multifaceted trait that cannot be attributed solely to intelligence, as it involves a complex interplay of various factors.
Grammar Analysis
1.Conditional clause: "It depends on the individual, as personality and upbringing significantly influence whether someone is selfish" uses a conditional clause to express the dependency of selfishness on personality and upbringing, adding complexity to the sentence. 2.Complex sentence structure: "Intelligent individuals, like anyone else, can exhibit both selfish and selfless behaviors" uses a complex sentence structure with a parenthetical phrase "like anyone else", enhancing the depth and richness of the expression. 3.Noun phrase as subject: "Selfishness is a multifaceted trait" uses a noun phrase as the subject, adding emphasis and clarity to the statement. 4.Prepositional phrase as adverbial: "as it involves a complex interplay of various factors" uses a prepositional phrase as an adverbial to explain the reason, adding complexity and depth to the sentence.
Vocabulary
  • personality and upbringing
  • intelligent individuals
  • selfish and selfless behaviors
  • environment and cultural context
  • selfishness is a multifaceted trait
  • complex interplay of various factors