Band 7 Example

Question: What rules should students follow at school?

Idea 1

Respect Others
Model Answer
I think the most important rule is to respect others. Students should always be polite to their teachers and classmates. They should listen when someone else is talking and never bully or tease anyone. If everyone respects each other, the school will be a much better place.
One of the key rules students should follow is respecting others. This means being polite to both teachers and classmates, listening carefully when someone else is speaking, and absolutely avoiding any kind of bullying or teasing. When everyone treats each other with respect, it creates a positive and supportive school environment.
Grammar Analysis
1. Gerund as subject complement: "respecting others" is used as a gerund phrase after "is," showing what the key rule is. 2. Parallel structure: The answer uses parallel structure with the phrases "being polite," "listening carefully," and "absolutely avoiding," which makes the answer clear and organized. 3. Present continuous tense: The use of gerunds (being, listening, avoiding) gives the answer a sense of ongoing action, which is natural in spoken English when talking about rules or habits. 4. Zero conditional: "When everyone treats each other with respect, it creates a positive and supportive school environment." This is a zero conditional sentence, used for general truths.
Vocabulary
  • respecting others
  • being polite
  • listening carefully
  • avoiding any kind of bullying or teasing
  • positive and supportive school environment

Idea 2

Follow School Policies
Model Answer
Students should also follow the school's policies. For example, if the school has a uniform, they should wear it. They should try to arrive on time for classes and not use their phones during lessons. Doing homework on time is also important. These rules help keep the school organized and make sure everyone can learn properly.
It's also important for students to stick to school policies. This includes things like wearing the school uniform if it's required, being punctual for classes, and not using mobile phones during lessons. Completing homework on time is another big one. These rules are there to help the school run smoothly and to make sure everyone gets the most out of their education.
Grammar Analysis
1. Modal verbs: The use of "should" in the question and implied in the answer shows the ability to talk about obligation and advice, which is common in IELTS Part 3. 2. Present continuous as a general rule: "wearing the school uniform" and "being punctual" use the gerund form to describe ongoing or habitual actions, which is a natural way to talk about rules. 3. Infinitive of purpose: "to help the school run smoothly" and "to make sure everyone gets the most out of their education" use the infinitive to explain the purpose of the rules, which adds clarity and coherence to the answer. 4. Listing structure: The answer uses a clear listing structure (wearing uniform, being punctual, not using phones, completing homework), which is a good way to organize ideas in spoken English.
Vocabulary
  • stick to school policies
  • wearing the school uniform
  • being punctual for classes
  • not using mobile phones during lessons
  • completing homework on time
  • help the school run smoothly
  • get the most out of their education

Idea 3

Take Care of School Property
Model Answer
Another rule is to take care of school property. Students shouldn't damage desks, chairs, or books. They should keep the classroom clean and not write on the walls or furniture. If everyone looks after the school, it stays nice for everyone.
Taking care of school property is another important rule. Students should avoid damaging desks, chairs, or books, and always try to keep the classroom tidy. Writing on walls or furniture is definitely not acceptable. When everyone takes responsibility for their surroundings, the school remains a pleasant place for all.
Grammar Analysis
1. Modal verbs: The use of "should" in "Students should avoid damaging..." and "should...try to keep..." shows advice and obligation, which is appropriate for discussing rules. 2. Imperative structure: "Writing on walls or furniture is definitely not acceptable" uses a negative statement to clearly express a rule, making the answer direct and strong. 3. Conditional clause: "When everyone takes responsibility for their surroundings, the school remains a pleasant place for all" uses a conditional clause to show cause and effect, adding complexity and cohesion to the answer.
Vocabulary
  • take care of school property
  • avoid damaging
  • keep the classroom tidy
  • writing on walls or furniture
  • not acceptable
  • take responsibility for their surroundings
  • pleasant place

Idea 4

Participate Actively
Model Answer
Students should also participate actively in class. They should join in discussions and activities, ask questions if they don't understand something, and help their classmates when they can. This makes learning more fun and helps everyone do better.
Active participation is another rule students should follow. This means getting involved in class discussions and activities, asking questions whenever they're unsure, and offering help to classmates when possible. Being engaged not only makes learning more enjoyable but also helps everyone improve together.
Grammar Analysis
1. Gerund phrases as subjects and objects: Phrases like "getting involved," "asking questions," and "offering help" are gerunds used as objects of the phrase "This means..." which adds variety and fluency to the answer. 2. Present simple tense: The answer uses the present simple tense throughout (e.g., "students should follow," "being engaged...makes learning...") to talk about general rules and truths, which is appropriate for this kind of question. 3. Conditional phrase: "whenever they're unsure" is a conditional phrase that adds nuance and shows the ability to use complex sentence structures. 4. Not only...but also: The phrase "not only makes learning more enjoyable but also helps everyone improve together" is a correlative conjunction structure that adds emphasis and balance to the sentence.
Vocabulary
  • active participation
  • getting involved
  • class discussions
  • asking questions
  • offering help
  • being engaged
  • enjoyable
  • improve together