Band 7 Example

Question: What do you do when you feel tired?

Idea 1

Take a short nap
Model Answer
When I feel tired, I usually take a short nap. Even just 20 minutes can help me feel better. I always set an alarm so I don't sleep too long.
If I'm feeling tired, I like to take a quick nap. Even a 20-minute rest can really recharge my batteries and help me feel refreshed. I always set an alarm to make sure I don't oversleep.
Grammar Analysis
1. First conditional: The answer starts with a first conditional structure ("If I'm feeling tired, I like to...") to talk about a typical response to a situation, which is a natural way to express habits or routines. 2. Modal verb: The use of "can" in "can really recharge my batteries" shows ability or possibility, which is appropriate here. 3. Infinitive of purpose: "to make sure I don't oversleep" uses the infinitive to explain the reason for setting an alarm.
Vocabulary
  • quick nap
  • recharge my batteries
  • refreshed
  • oversleep

Idea 2

Drink tea or coffee
Model Answer
I often drink tea or coffee when I'm tired. It gives me more energy and also gives me a reason to take a break from work.
When I'm tired, I usually grab a cup of tea or coffee for a quick energy boost. It's actually a habit I picked up from my parents, and sometimes I use it as an excuse to step away from my desk for a bit.
Grammar Analysis
1. Present simple tense: The answer uses the present simple ("I usually grab", "I use") to describe regular habits, which is appropriate for this type of question. 2. Relative clause: "a habit I picked up from my parents" uses a defining relative clause without 'that', which is natural and fluent in spoken English.
Vocabulary
  • grab a cup of tea or coffee
  • energy boost
  • habit I picked up from my parents
  • excuse to step away from my desk

Idea 3

Go for a walk
Model Answer
If I'm feeling sleepy, I like to go for a walk outside. The fresh air helps me wake up and I feel less stressed after walking.
When I feel tired, I often go for a walk around my neighborhood or in a nearby park. Getting some fresh air really wakes me up and helps clear my mind, so I come back feeling much more energized.
Grammar Analysis
1. Use of present simple and present continuous: The answer uses the present simple tense ("I often go for a walk") to describe a regular habit, which is appropriate for this type of question. 2. Use of infinitive and gerund: The phrase "Getting some fresh air" uses a gerund as the subject of the sentence, showing a good range of grammatical structures.
Vocabulary
  • go for a walk
  • fresh air
  • wakes me up
  • clear my mind
  • energized

Idea 4

Listen to music
Model Answer
Sometimes I listen to music when I'm tired. It helps me relax and forget about being tired for a while.
Listening to music is another thing I do when I'm tired. I have a special playlist of upbeat songs that lift my mood and give me a burst of energy, so I can get back to what I was doing.
Grammar Analysis
1. Present simple tense: The answer uses present simple ("is another thing I do", "I have", "lift", "give") to describe habits and routines, which is appropriate for this question. 2. Relative clause: "that lift my mood and give me a burst of energy" is a defining relative clause describing the playlist, adding detail and complexity to the sentence.
Vocabulary
  • special playlist
  • upbeat songs
  • lift my mood
  • give me a burst of energy
  • get back to what I was doing

Idea 5

Do some light exercise or stretching
Model Answer
I do some light exercise or stretching to feel more awake. It's easy to do at home and helps me feel less tired.
I also like to do some light exercise or stretching when I'm feeling tired. Even a few simple stretches can relieve tension in my body and make me feel more awake, whether I'm at home or at work.
Grammar Analysis
1. Present simple and present continuous: The answer uses both present simple ("I also like to do...") and present continuous ("when I'm feeling tired") to describe habits and current feelings, which is appropriate for this context. 2. Conditional structure: The phrase "whether I'm at home or at work" shows the ability to use conditional or alternative structures to add detail and flexibility to the answer.
Vocabulary
  • light exercise
  • stretching
  • simple stretches
  • relieve tension
  • make me feel more awake