Band 7 Example

Question: How does technology affect the way people spend their leisure time?

Idea 1

Makes Leisure More Convenient
Model Answer
Technology definitely makes leisure time more convenient. For example, people can watch movies or listen to music on their phones wherever they are. Also, with apps for shopping or ordering food, you don't need to go out or spend much time. Social media is another thing—people can chat with friends or share photos without leaving home. It saves a lot of effort and makes relaxing easier.
Technology has really made leisure activities much more convenient. Now, you can stream movies, play games, or listen to music on your phone anytime and anywhere you want. Apps for online shopping and food delivery mean you can get what you need without even stepping outside. Plus, social media allows people to stay in touch and share moments with friends and family from the comfort of their own home. It’s all about making life easier and more enjoyable.
Grammar Analysis
1. Present perfect tense: "Technology has really made leisure activities much more convenient" uses the present perfect to show a change over time. 2. Modal verbs: "you can stream movies, play games, or listen to music..." uses 'can' to express possibility and ability. 3. Parallel structure: "stream movies, play games, or listen to music" is a good example of parallelism, making the sentence smooth and clear. 4. Infinitive of purpose: "to stay in touch and share moments" uses the infinitive to explain the purpose of using social media. 5. Prepositional phrase: "from the comfort of their own home" adds detail and context to the sentence.
Vocabulary
  • made leisure activities convenient
  • stream movies
  • play games
  • listen to music
  • online shopping
  • food delivery
  • without even stepping outside
  • social media
  • stay in touch
  • share moments
  • making life easier
  • more enjoyable

Idea 2

Encourages New Hobbies
Model Answer
Technology also encourages people to try new hobbies. For example, you can watch cooking videos or learn to play an instrument online. There are lots of fitness apps and workout videos, so you can exercise at home. Virtual reality games are also becoming popular, giving people new ways to have fun.
Another big impact is that technology opens up opportunities for new hobbies. People can easily pick up new skills, like cooking or learning an instrument, just by watching online tutorials. Fitness apps and online workout videos make it simple to stay active without going to a gym. Plus, things like virtual reality and advanced gaming systems offer totally new and exciting ways to spend free time that weren’t possible before.
Grammar Analysis
1. Present simple tense: Used throughout the answer (e.g., "technology opens up opportunities," "People can easily pick up new skills") to state general truths and facts, which is appropriate for this type of question. 2. Infinitive of purpose: "just by watching online tutorials" and "to stay active" show how technology helps people achieve certain goals, making the answer more specific and clear. 3. Coordinating conjunctions: Words like "and" and "plus" are used to connect ideas smoothly, making the answer sound natural and conversational. 4. Relative clause: "that weren’t possible before" adds extra information about the new ways to spend free time, showing the ability to use complex sentences.
Vocabulary
  • opens up opportunities
  • pick up new skills
  • online tutorials
  • fitness apps
  • online workout videos
  • stay active
  • virtual reality
  • advanced gaming systems
  • exciting ways to spend free time

Idea 3

Can Make People Less Active
Model Answer
On the other hand, technology can make people less active. Many people spend hours sitting and looking at screens instead of going outside. Some even get addicted to their phones or video games, so they forget to exercise or meet friends in person. This can make people less healthy and more isolated.
However, there’s a downside because technology can make people more sedentary. A lot of people spend too much time on their phones or computers, which means they’re sitting for long periods instead of being active outdoors. Some even get hooked on games or social media, which can lead to less face-to-face interaction and less physical activity. This shift can affect both physical health and social skills.
Grammar Analysis
1. Modal verb for possibility: "technology can make people more sedentary" uses the modal verb "can" to express possibility or potential, which is appropriate for discussing effects. 2. Present continuous tense: "spend too much time on their phones or computers" uses the present continuous idea to describe a current, ongoing trend. 3. Causative structure: "which means they’re sitting for long periods instead of being active outdoors" uses a causative structure to show the result of the previous action. 4. Reduced relative clause: "Some even get hooked on games or social media, which can lead to less face-to-face interaction..." uses a reduced relative clause for conciseness and fluency. 5. Parallel structure: "less face-to-face interaction and less physical activity" uses parallel structure to clearly list negative outcomes.
Vocabulary
  • sedentary
  • spend too much time
  • sitting for long periods
  • being active outdoors
  • get hooked on
  • games or social media
  • face-to-face interaction
  • physical activity
  • physical health
  • social skills

Idea 4

Helps People Stay Connected
Model Answer
Technology helps people stay connected, too. With video calls and messaging apps, people can talk to family and friends even if they live far away. There are also online groups where people with the same interests can meet and chat, which is great for making new friends.
Technology also plays a huge role in helping people stay connected. Video calls and instant messaging apps make it easy to keep in touch with loved ones, no matter how far apart they are. Online communities and forums allow people to meet others who share their interests, which can lead to new friendships and support networks. It really breaks down the barriers of distance and helps people maintain relationships.
Grammar Analysis
1. Present simple tense: The answer uses the present simple tense throughout (e.g., "Technology plays a huge role," "apps make it easy," "communities allow people"), which is appropriate for talking about general truths and habits. 2. Infinitive of purpose: Phrases like "to keep in touch" and "to meet others" use the infinitive form to explain the purpose or result of using technology. 3. Relative clause: "who share their interests" is a relative clause that adds detail to "others," showing a good use of complex sentence structure. 4. Coordinating conjunctions: The answer uses "and" several times to join ideas smoothly, making the response cohesive and easy to follow.
Vocabulary
  • huge role
  • stay connected
  • video calls
  • instant messaging apps
  • keep in touch
  • online communities
  • forums
  • meet others
  • share their interests
  • new friendships
  • support networks
  • breaks down the barriers of distance
  • maintain relationships