Band 7 Example
Topic: Describe the time when you first talked in a foreign language
Example
First conversation in a foreign language Where you were I'm going to talk about the first time I spoke in a foreign language, which was during a trip to Paris, France. I was in a small café near the Eiffel Tower, a place bustling with tourists and locals alike. Who you were with I was with my friend, Sarah, who had been studying French for a couple of years. She was much more confident in the language than I was, but she encouraged me to try speaking it as well. We were sitting at a small table, sipping coffee and enjoying the ambiance of the city. What you talked about The conversation was with the waiter who came to take our order. I remember feeling quite nervous, but I decided to give it a shot. I asked him, in my best French, for a croissant and a cup of tea. He smiled and responded in French, asking if I wanted anything else. I managed to understand him and replied, "Non, merci." It was a simple exchange, but it felt monumental to me at the time. Explain how you felt about it I felt a mix of emotions after that brief conversation. Initially, I was quite anxious, worried that I might mispronounce words or not understand what was being said. However, once the interaction was over, I felt a sense of accomplishment and relief. It was empowering to realize that I could communicate, even at a basic level, in a language that was not my own. This experience boosted my confidence and motivated me to continue learning and practicing French. It was a small step, but it opened up a whole new world of possibilities for me, making me eager to explore more languages and cultures in the future.
Grammar Analysis
The answer uses a variety of sentence structures, including simple, compound, and complex sentences, which contribute to the fluency and coherence of the response. For example, "I was with my friend, Sarah, who had been studying French for a couple of years" is a complex sentence that provides additional information about Sarah. The use of past tense is consistent and appropriate for recounting a past event, as seen in "I remember feeling quite nervous" and "I felt a mix of emotions after that brief conversation." The answer also effectively uses direct speech to illustrate the conversation, such as "Non, merci," which adds authenticity to the narrative.
Vocabulary
  • bustling
  • confident
  • ambiance
  • give it a shot
  • monumental
  • mispronounce
  • accomplishment
  • empowering
  • boosted my confidence
  • eager to explore