Band 7 Example

Question: What are the differences between friends made inside and outside the workplace?

Idea 1

Workplace Friends
Model Answer
Friends made at work usually share the same professional goals and experiences. They understand the stress and challenges that come with the job, which can be a great support system. However, these friendships often don't extend beyond work hours. The workplace hierarchy can also affect these relationships, making them more formal. Conversations with workplace friends often revolve around work-related topics.
Workplace friendships are typically built on shared professional goals and experiences. These friends have a unique understanding of the work-related stress and challenges you face, which can be incredibly supportive. However, these relationships often remain within the confines of work hours and are influenced by the workplace hierarchy, which can add a layer of formality. Conversations with colleagues tend to focus on work-related topics, which can limit the scope of the relationship.
Grammar Analysis
1.Relative clauses: "which can be incredibly supportive" and "which can add a layer of formality" are relative clauses that provide additional information about the preceding noun phrases, enhancing the complexity and depth of the sentences. 2.Present simple tense: The use of present simple tense in "Workplace friendships are typically built on shared professional goals and experiences" and "Conversations with colleagues tend to focus on work-related topics" indicates general truths or habitual actions, demonstrating a solid grasp of tense usage. 3.Prepositional phrases: "within the confines of work hours" and "influenced by the workplace hierarchy" are prepositional phrases that add detail and specificity to the sentences, showcasing advanced sentence structure.
Vocabulary
  • shared professional goals and experiences
  • unique understanding
  • confines of work hours
  • workplace hierarchy
  • work-related topics
  • limit the scope

Idea 2

Friends Outside the Workplace
Model Answer
Friends made outside of work are usually based on shared personal interests and hobbies. These friendships are more relaxed and informal, as they're not limited by professional boundaries. People often engage in a variety of social activities with these friends, and conversations cover a wide range of topics beyond work. They can offer different perspectives on life issues, which can be refreshing.
Friendships formed outside the workplace are generally rooted in shared personal interests and hobbies, making them more relaxed and informal. These relationships aren't constrained by professional boundaries, allowing for a broader range of social activities and interactions. Conversations with these friends can cover a wide array of topics beyond work, providing diverse perspectives on life issues. This variety can be refreshing and enriching, offering a more holistic view of the world.
Grammar Analysis
1.Adjective phrase as a modifier: "rooted in shared personal interests and hobbies" uses an adjective phrase to modify "friendships," adding depth and specificity to the description. 2.Present participle as an adverb: "making them more relaxed and informal" uses the present participle "making" to describe the effect of the friendships, enhancing the sentence's complexity. 3.Noun phrase as a subject: "Conversations with these friends" serves as the subject of the sentence, demonstrating the ability to use complex noun phrases effectively. 4.Adjective phrase as a complement: "refreshing and enriching" functions as a complement to describe the variety, adding richness to the expression.
Vocabulary
  • shared personal interests and hobbies
  • relaxed and informal
  • professional boundaries
  • social activities and interactions
  • wide array of topics beyond work
  • diverse perspectives on life issues
  • refreshing and enriching
  • holistic view of the world