Band 7 Example

Question: Do people buy things they don't need?

Idea 1

Yes
Model Answer
Yes, I think a lot of people buy things they don't really need. Advertising and social media have a big influence on us, making us want things just because they're popular or on sale. Sometimes people shop just because they're bored or stressed, and with online shopping, it's so easy to buy things on impulse. I know I've bought things I never used just because they looked cool or were cheap.
Absolutely, many people end up buying things they don't actually need. Advertising and social media are really powerful in shaping our desires, often making us feel like we need the latest gadgets or fashion trends. Shopping has also become a way for some people to deal with stress or boredom. Plus, with all the sales and discounts, it's easy to get tempted into impulse purchases. Online shopping makes it even more convenient to buy unnecessary items with just a few clicks, so it's no surprise that people sometimes end up with things they never use.
Grammar Analysis
1. Present simple tense: Used throughout to state general truths, e.g., "many people end up buying things they don't actually need." 2. Present perfect: "Shopping has also become a way..." shows a change over time and its current relevance. 3. Passive voice: "Advertising and social media are really powerful in shaping our desires" uses passive structure to focus on the effect rather than the agent. 4. Infinitive and gerund phrases: "to deal with stress or boredom," "to buy unnecessary items," and "into impulse purchases" show a good range of grammatical structures. 5. Causative structure: "making us feel like we need..." demonstrates the use of causative verbs to explain influence.
Vocabulary
  • end up buying
  • shaping our desires
  • latest gadgets
  • fashion trends
  • deal with stress or boredom
  • get tempted
  • impulse purchases
  • unnecessary items
  • with just a few clicks
  • end up with things they never use

Idea 2

No
Model Answer
No, not everyone buys things they don't need. Some people are very careful with their money and only buy what is necessary. Minimalist lifestyles are becoming more popular, and people are trying to avoid waste because of environmental concerns. Also, there are budgeting apps now that help people keep track of their spending, so it's easier to control what you buy.
I wouldn't say everyone buys unnecessary things. There are definitely people who are very mindful about their spending. Minimalism is gaining popularity, and more people are choosing to live with less to reduce waste and help the environment. With the rise of budgeting apps and financial tools, it's much easier for people to track their expenses and avoid impulse buying. This growing awareness about money and sustainability means that many people are making more thoughtful choices when it comes to shopping.
Grammar Analysis
1. Modal verb for softening: "I wouldn't say everyone buys unnecessary things" uses the modal verb "wouldn't" to soften the statement, making it less absolute and more nuanced. 2. Present continuous tense: "Minimalism is gaining popularity" uses the present continuous to show an ongoing trend. 3. Infinitive of purpose: "to reduce waste and help the environment" uses the infinitive form to explain the purpose of living with less. 4. Relative clause: "that many people are making more thoughtful choices when it comes to shopping" uses a relative clause to add detail and complexity to the sentence.
Vocabulary
  • mindful about their spending
  • minimalism
  • gaining popularity
  • choosing to live with less
  • budgeting apps
  • financial tools
  • track their expenses
  • avoid impulse buying
  • growing awareness
  • sustainability
  • thoughtful choices