Band 7 Example

Question: What environmental laws does your country already have?

Idea 1

Laws about air pollution
Model Answer
My country has some laws about air pollution. For example, factories have to control the smoke and chemicals they release into the air. There are also rules about car exhaust, so cars have to pass tests to make sure they are not too polluting. Sometimes, in big cities, cars are not allowed on the roads on certain days to help reduce pollution.
There are quite a few laws in my country aimed at tackling air pollution. For instance, factories are required to install filters and other equipment to control their emissions. There are also strict limits on car exhaust, and vehicles have to pass regular inspections to make sure they're not polluting too much. In some major cities, they even ban cars from the roads on certain days, especially when pollution levels are high, to help improve air quality.
Grammar Analysis
1. Passive voice: "factories are required to install filters" uses the passive voice to show that the requirement is imposed on factories, not that factories choose to do it themselves. 2. Infinitive of purpose: "to control their emissions" and "to help improve air quality" use the infinitive to explain the purpose of the actions, which is a natural way to add detail in spoken English. 3. Present simple tense: The answer uses present simple tense throughout ("are", "have to pass", "ban cars") to describe laws and general truths, which is appropriate for this context. 4. Relative clause: "that are aimed at tackling air pollution" is a relative clause that adds detail to "laws", making the sentence more complex and informative.
Vocabulary
  • aimed at tackling air pollution
  • required to install filters
  • control their emissions
  • strict limits on car exhaust
  • pass regular inspections
  • ban cars from the roads
  • pollution levels
  • improve air quality

Idea 2

Laws about waste and recycling
Model Answer
We also have laws about waste and recycling. People are supposed to separate their rubbish into different bins for recycling. If someone is caught littering, they can get a fine. In some cities, there are recycling stations everywhere, so it's easy for people to recycle things like bottles and paper.
My country has quite strict regulations regarding waste management and recycling. Citizens are required to separate their rubbish into different categories, like plastics, paper, and food waste. There are fines for anyone caught littering, which helps keep public spaces clean. In many cities, you can find recycling stations on almost every street corner, making it really convenient for people to recycle their waste properly.
Grammar Analysis
1. Present simple tense: Used throughout the answer (e.g., "My country has...", "Citizens are required...", "There are fines...") to state facts and describe current laws and practices. 2. Passive voice: "Citizens are required to separate their rubbish..." uses the passive voice to focus on the rule rather than who enforces it. 3. Relative clause: "...which helps keep public spaces clean" is a relative clause that adds extra information about the fines. 4. Present continuous participle phrase: "making it really convenient for people to recycle their waste properly" uses a participle phrase to explain the result or effect of having recycling stations everywhere.
Vocabulary
  • strict regulations
  • waste management
  • recycling
  • required to separate
  • different categories
  • fines for littering
  • public spaces
  • recycling stations
  • convenient

Idea 3

Laws about protecting wildlife
Model Answer
There are also laws to protect wildlife. For example, it is illegal to hunt endangered animals. Some areas are protected, so people can't build houses or farm there. Certain animals and plants are protected by law, so people can't harm them or take them away.
Wildlife protection is another area covered by environmental laws in my country. Hunting endangered species is strictly illegal, and there are large areas of land set aside as nature reserves where building or farming is not allowed. Additionally, some rare animals and plants are protected by law, so it's forbidden to harm them or remove them from their natural habitats. These measures help preserve biodiversity and protect vulnerable species.
Grammar Analysis
1. Passive voice: "is covered by environmental laws," "is strictly illegal," "are set aside," "is not allowed," "are protected by law," and "is forbidden" all use the passive voice to focus on the actions and laws rather than the people enforcing them. This is a common and effective structure when discussing rules and regulations. 2. Relative clauses: "where building or farming is not allowed" and "so it's forbidden to harm them or remove them from their natural habitats" use relative clauses to add detail and clarify the restrictions. 3. Present simple tense: The answer consistently uses the present simple tense ("is," "are," "help") to talk about laws and general truths, which is appropriate for this context.
Vocabulary
  • wildlife protection
  • hunting endangered species
  • strictly illegal
  • nature reserves
  • building or farming is not allowed
  • rare animals and plants
  • protected by law
  • forbidden
  • natural habitats
  • preserve biodiversity
  • protect vulnerable species