Band 7 Example

Question: Were there any kind of fruits and vegetables you disliked as a child?

Idea 1

Yes
Model Answer
Yes, when I was a kid, I really didn't like bitter melon because it tasted too strong and bitter for me. I also hated tomatoes because of the seeds and the weird texture.
Yes, as a child, I really disliked bitter melon because of its strong, bitter taste. I also wasn't a fan of tomatoes, mainly because of their texture and all the seeds inside. I remember always picking them out of my food!
Grammar Analysis
1. Past tense: The answer correctly uses the past tense ("disliked," "wasn't a fan," "remember") to talk about childhood experiences, which is appropriate for the question. 2. Cause and effect: The use of "because of" and "mainly because of" clearly explains the reasons for the dislikes, showing good use of linking words for explanation.
Vocabulary
  • disliked
  • bitter melon
  • wasn't a fan of
  • texture
  • picking them out of my food

Idea 2

No
Model Answer
No, I actually liked most fruits and vegetables when I was young. My parents always encouraged me to try different things, so I got used to the tastes early on.
No, I wasn't a picky eater as a child. My parents encouraged me to try all kinds of fruits and vegetables, so I got used to different tastes from a young age and actually enjoyed eating them.
Grammar Analysis
1. Past simple tense: The answer uses the past simple tense ("wasn't," "encouraged," "got used to," "enjoyed") to talk about childhood experiences, which is appropriate for describing past habits and actions. 2. Complex sentence structure: The use of "so" to connect two clauses shows cause and effect, making the answer more coherent and natural.
Vocabulary
  • picky eater
  • encouraged me to try
  • got used to
  • different tastes