Band 7 Example

Question: Do you think children are born smart or they learn to become smart?

Idea 1

Both Nature and Nurture
Model Answer
I think it's a mix of both. Some kids are born with special talents or are naturally clever, but a lot depends on how they're raised and what kind of education they get. Parents and teachers can really help children develop their abilities. Even if a child is born smart, they still need to work hard and keep learning to stay ahead.
I believe it's a combination of both nature and nurture. Some children definitely seem to have natural talents or intelligence from a young age, but their environment and the education they receive are just as important. Parents and teachers play a crucial role in helping kids develop their abilities. Even those who are born smart need to keep learning and putting in effort if they want to continue to excel.
Grammar Analysis
1. Compound sentences: The answer uses compound sentences to connect related ideas, such as "Some children definitely seem to have natural talents or intelligence from a young age, but their environment and the education they receive are just as important." This shows the ability to express complex thoughts clearly. 2. Present simple tense: The present simple is used throughout (e.g., "I believe," "Parents and teachers play a crucial role") to state general truths and opinions, which is appropriate for this type of question. 3. Infinitive of purpose: "to help kids develop their abilities" and "to continue to excel" use infinitives to express purpose, adding clarity and variety to the sentence structure. 4. Emphatic structures: Phrases like "definitely seem to have" and "just as important" add emphasis and nuance, making the answer sound more natural and convincing.
Vocabulary
  • nature and nurture
  • natural talents
  • intelligence
  • environment
  • education
  • crucial role
  • develop their abilities
  • born smart
  • keep learning
  • putting in effort
  • continue to excel

Idea 2

Mostly Learn to Become Smart
Model Answer
I think most children learn to become smart. They pick up things from their surroundings, school, and people around them. With good education and encouragement, any child can develop their intelligence. Hard work and curiosity are often more important than just being born smart.
Personally, I think intelligence is mostly developed rather than inherited. Children learn a lot from their environment and experiences. With the right education and encouragement, they can really grow intellectually. In fact, many successful people weren't considered particularly smart as kids, but through hard work and curiosity, they managed to achieve great things.
Grammar Analysis
1. Comparative structure: "mostly developed rather than inherited" uses a comparative structure to clearly contrast two ideas, which adds depth to your answer. 2. Present simple tense: "Children learn a lot from their environment and experiences" uses the present simple to state a general truth, which is appropriate for this kind of question. 3. Conditional structure: "With the right education and encouragement, they can really grow intellectually" uses an implied conditional (if they have the right education...) to show possibility and cause-effect. 4. Past simple passive: "weren't considered particularly smart as kids" uses the past simple passive to describe how others viewed successful people in the past, which is a more advanced grammatical structure.
Vocabulary
  • intelligence is mostly developed
  • rather than inherited
  • learn a lot from their environment
  • grow intellectually
  • weren't considered particularly smart
  • hard work and curiosity
  • achieve great things

Idea 3

Some Are Born Smart
Model Answer
Some children are just born smart. You can see it when they learn to read or solve problems much faster than others. Genetics can play a part in this. But even these kids need support and guidance to reach their full potential.
There are definitely some children who seem to be born with a higher level of intelligence. You can often spot them early on because they pick up reading or problem-solving skills much faster than their peers. Genetics certainly plays a role, but even naturally gifted kids need the right support and opportunities to fully develop their abilities.
Grammar Analysis
1. Modal verb for possibility: "seem to be born" uses the modal verb 'seem' to express possibility or appearance, which adds nuance to the statement. 2. Comparative structure: "much faster than their peers" uses a comparative structure to highlight the difference in learning speed. 3. Present simple tense: The answer uses present simple tense throughout (e.g., "plays a role", "need the right support") to state general truths and opinions. 4. Conditional idea: The phrase "even naturally gifted kids need the right support..." introduces a conditional idea, implying that talent alone is not enough without proper support.
Vocabulary
  • born with a higher level of intelligence
  • pick up skills
  • problem-solving
  • much faster than their peers
  • genetics plays a role
  • naturally gifted
  • support and opportunities
  • fully develop their abilities