Band 7 Example

Question: What were your favourite activities when you were a child?

Idea 1

Playing Outside
Model Answer
When I was a child, I loved playing outside with my friends. We played games like hide and seek and tag. It was really fun and helped me make a lot of friends.
As a child, my favorite activity was definitely playing outside with my friends. We used to play games like hide and seek or tag, and sometimes we’d ride our bikes around the neighborhood. It was a great way to stay active and make new friends.
Grammar Analysis
1. Past tense: The answer uses the simple past tense ("was," "used to play," "we’d ride") to describe past habits and activities, which is appropriate for talking about childhood memories. 2. "Used to" and "would": The use of "used to play" and the contracted form "we’d ride" (we would ride) shows a good grasp of expressing repeated actions or habits in the past.
Vocabulary
  • playing outside with my friends
  • hide and seek
  • tag
  • ride our bikes around the neighborhood
  • stay active
  • make new friends

Idea 2

Drawing and Painting
Model Answer
I liked drawing and painting when I was young. I spent a lot of time coloring and making crafts. My parents still keep some of my old drawings at home.
I really enjoyed drawing and painting as a child. I would spend hours coloring and making crafts, and it was a great way for me to express my creativity. My parents actually still have some of my childhood artwork at home.
Grammar Analysis
1. Past tense: The answer uses the past simple tense ("enjoyed," "would spend," "was") to describe past habits and experiences, which is appropriate for talking about childhood activities. 2. Modal verb for past habit: "would spend hours" uses "would" to talk about repeated actions in the past, which is a natural and advanced way to describe past routines.
Vocabulary
  • drawing and painting
  • making crafts
  • express my creativity
  • childhood artwork

Idea 3

Watching Cartoons
Model Answer
Watching cartoons was my favorite thing to do after school. I always looked forward to my favorite shows and still remember some of the songs from them.
I used to love watching cartoons, especially on weekends. It was such a fun way to relax after school, and I still remember some of the theme songs from my favorite shows.
Grammar Analysis
1. Past habits: The phrase "used to love" is a great way to talk about habits or activities from the past that you don't necessarily do anymore. 2. Past simple tense: "It was such a fun way to relax" and "I still remember" both use the past simple tense appropriately to describe past experiences and ongoing memories.
Vocabulary
  • used to love
  • fun way to relax
  • theme songs

Idea 4

Playing Video Games
Model Answer
I enjoyed playing video games with my brother when I was little. We liked to see who could get the highest score. It was really exciting.
Playing video games was one of my favorite childhood activities. I used to play with my siblings or friends, and we’d always compete to see who could get the highest score. I think it really helped me develop quick thinking and problem-solving skills.
Grammar Analysis
1. Past tense: The answer uses the past simple tense ("was," "used to play," "we’d always compete") to describe past habits and activities, which is appropriate for talking about childhood. 2. Modal verb: "could" is used correctly to talk about ability in the past ("who could get the highest score"). 3. Infinitive of purpose: "to see who could get the highest score" uses the infinitive to explain the purpose of competing.
Vocabulary
  • compete to see who could get the highest score
  • develop quick thinking
  • problem-solving skills