Band 7 Example

Question: What are examples of good and poor phone manners?

Idea 1

Good Phone Manners
Model Answer
Good phone manners include speaking politely and clearly so the other person can understand you. It's also important to listen and not interrupt when someone else is talking. If you know someone is busy, you should keep the call short. Also, turning your phone to silent in meetings or classes shows respect for others. And of course, you shouldn't use your phone when talking to someone face-to-face.
Good phone manners are all about being considerate. For example, speaking politely and clearly makes conversations smoother. Listening carefully and not interrupting shows respect. If you know the other person is busy, keeping the call brief is thoughtful. It's also good manners to put your phone on silent in meetings or classes, and to avoid using your phone when you're having a face-to-face conversation. Promptly replying to messages is another sign of respect and reliability.
Grammar Analysis
1. Gerund phrases as subjects: Phrases like "speaking politely and clearly" and "listening carefully and not interrupting" are used as the subjects of sentences, showing a good command of complex sentence structures. 2. Conditional clause: "If you know the other person is busy, keeping the call brief is thoughtful" uses a conditional clause to give advice, which is a natural and effective way to express ideas in spoken English. 3. Infinitive of purpose: "to put your phone on silent" and "to avoid using your phone" use the infinitive form to explain the purpose, which adds clarity and fluency to the answer. 4. Present continuous for general habits: "being considerate" uses the present continuous to describe a general habit or quality, which is common in spoken English.
Vocabulary
  • being considerate
  • speaking politely and clearly
  • listening carefully
  • not interrupting
  • keeping the call brief
  • put your phone on silent
  • avoid using your phone
  • face-to-face conversation
  • promptly replying to messages
  • sign of respect and reliability

Idea 2

Poor Phone Manners
Model Answer
Poor phone manners are things like talking loudly in public, which can annoy others. Also, checking your phone all the time when you're with someone is rude. Taking calls in places like cinemas or libraries is not polite, and ignoring people around you because you're on your phone is bad manners. Sending messages during meals or meetings is also disrespectful.
Poor phone manners include talking loudly on your phone in public places, which can be really disruptive. Constantly checking your phone during conversations is also quite rude, as it shows you're not paying attention. Taking calls in cinemas or libraries is inconsiderate to others. Ignoring people around you because you're glued to your phone, or sending messages during meals or meetings, are also examples of bad etiquette. Using speakerphone in crowded areas is another habit that bothers a lot of people.
Grammar Analysis
1. Present participle as subject: Phrases like "talking loudly on your phone" and "constantly checking your phone" use present participles as the subject of the sentence, making the answer sound more natural and fluent. 2. Relative clauses: "which can be really disruptive" and "as it shows you're not paying attention" are relative clauses that add detail and explanation, making the answer more complex and informative. 3. Parallel structure: The answer lists several examples using a similar grammatical structure, which helps with clarity and coherence. 4. Causative structure: "because you're glued to your phone" uses a causative phrase to explain the reason for ignoring people, adding depth to the explanation.
Vocabulary
  • talking loudly on your phone
  • disruptive
  • constantly checking your phone
  • not paying attention
  • taking calls in cinemas or libraries
  • inconsiderate
  • glued to your phone
  • sending messages during meals or meetings
  • bad etiquette
  • using speakerphone
  • crowded areas