Band 7 Example

Question: Why do some people feel angry when others don't reply to their message?

Idea 1

They feel ignored or unimportant
Model Answer
Some people get angry when others don't reply because they feel ignored. These days, everyone expects fast replies, so when someone doesn't answer, it can feel like they're not important or being rejected. This is especially true if it's a close friend or family member. It can really hurt their feelings.
People often feel upset when their messages go unanswered because it makes them feel ignored or unimportant. In today's world, instant replies are almost expected, so when someone doesn't respond, it can feel like a form of rejection. This is even more hurtful if the person is someone close, like a good friend or family member, because it feels personal and can really affect their emotions.
Grammar Analysis
1. Causative structure: "because it makes them feel ignored or unimportant" uses the causative verb "make" followed by an object and a bare infinitive, which is a common and natural spoken structure. 2. Passive voice: "when their messages go unanswered" uses the passive voice to focus on the action rather than the doer, which is appropriate in this context. 3. Conditional clause: "if the person is someone close, like a good friend or family member, because it feels personal" uses a conditional structure to explain when the feeling is even stronger, adding depth to the answer. 4. Present simple tense: The answer uses present simple throughout, which is suitable for talking about general feelings and situations.
Vocabulary
  • feel ignored
  • feel unimportant
  • instant replies
  • almost expected
  • form of rejection
  • even more hurtful
  • someone close
  • feels personal
  • affect their emotions

Idea 2

They worry something is wrong
Model Answer
Another reason is that people worry something might be wrong. If someone usually replies quickly and suddenly doesn't, it can make you anxious. You might think they're upset with you or maybe something bad happened. This worry can make people feel angry or stressed.
Another reason is that people sometimes worry that something is wrong if they don't get a reply. For example, if someone usually responds quickly and suddenly goes silent, it can make you anxious. You might start to wonder if they're upset with you or if something bad has happened. This uncertainty can lead to frustration or even anger, especially if you're concerned about the person's well-being.
Grammar Analysis
1. Zero conditional: "if they don't get a reply" uses the zero conditional to talk about a general situation and its result, which is a common structure in spoken English. 2. Present simple and present continuous: The answer uses both present simple ("people worry", "someone responds") and present continuous ("you're concerned") to describe general truths and current feelings, showing a good range of tenses. 3. Modal verbs: "might start to wonder" uses the modal verb "might" to express possibility, which adds nuance to the explanation. 4. Complex sentences: The answer uses complex sentences with conjunctions like "if" and "especially if" to add detail and show relationships between ideas, which is important for higher-level speaking.
Vocabulary
  • worry that something is wrong
  • responds quickly
  • goes silent
  • anxious
  • wonder if they're upset
  • something bad has happened
  • uncertainty
  • frustration
  • anger
  • concerned about the person's well-being

Idea 3

They think it's rude or disrespectful
Model Answer
Some people think not replying is just rude. They see it as bad manners, like the other person doesn't care about them or the relationship. In some cultures, replying quickly is a sign of respect, so not doing it can be seen as disrespectful.
For some, not replying to messages is seen as quite rude or disrespectful. They might feel that the other person doesn't value the relationship or simply doesn't care. In certain cultures, responding promptly is considered a basic sign of respect, so when someone ignores a message, it can come across as inconsiderate or even offensive.
Grammar Analysis
1. Passive voice: "not replying to messages is seen as quite rude or disrespectful" uses the passive structure, which is common in formal and semi-formal spoken English and helps focus on the action rather than the doer. 2. Modal verbs: "They might feel..." uses the modal verb "might" to express possibility, showing a nuanced and polite way to discuss feelings or opinions. 3. Present simple tense: "responding promptly is considered a basic sign of respect" and "it can come across as inconsiderate or even offensive" use the present simple to express general truths or common beliefs, which is appropriate for Part 3 answers.
Vocabulary
  • rude
  • disrespectful
  • doesn't value the relationship
  • doesn't care
  • responding promptly
  • basic sign of respect
  • ignores a message
  • inconsiderate
  • offensive