Band 7 Example
Topic: Describe a time you were late for an important appointment
Example
A missed job interview When it was I'm going to talk about a time I was late for an important job interview. This happened about two years ago when I was applying for my first job after graduating from university. What the appointment was about The appointment was a job interview for a position at a prestigious marketing firm. I had been preparing for this interview for weeks, researching the company, practicing my answers to potential questions, and even planning my outfit meticulously. Why you were late On the day of the interview, I left my house with what I thought was plenty of time to spare. However, I encountered an unexpected traffic jam due to an accident on the main road. To make matters worse, my phone's GPS app malfunctioned, and I ended up taking a wrong turn, which further delayed me. By the time I reached the office, I was already 20 minutes late. Explain how you felt about it I felt a mix of emotions when I finally arrived. First, I was incredibly stressed and anxious because I knew that being late would make a terrible first impression. I was also disappointed in myself because I had put so much effort into preparing for this interview, only to mess up something as basic as arriving on time. When I finally met the interviewer, I apologized profusely and explained the situation. Although they were understanding, I could tell that my tardiness had affected their perception of me. Ultimately, I didn't get the job, which was a hard pill to swallow. However, this experience taught me the importance of allowing extra time for unforeseen circumstances and always having a backup plan. It was a valuable lesson that has helped me become more punctual and better prepared for future appointments.
Grammar Analysis
The answer effectively uses a variety of sentence structures, including simple, compound, and complex sentences, which enhances the fluency and coherence of the speech. For example, "On the day of the interview, I left my house with what I thought was plenty of time to spare" is a complex sentence that provides detailed context. The use of past tense is consistent and appropriate for recounting a past event, as seen in "This happened about two years ago" and "I encountered an unexpected traffic jam." The answer also includes conditional sentences, adding depth to the explanation, such as "Although they were understanding, I could tell that my tardiness had affected their perception of me."
Vocabulary
  • - **prestigious marketing firm**: This phrase indicates the high status of the company and adds weight to the importance of the appointment.
  • - **meticulously**: This adverb shows the careful and detailed preparation, enhancing the description.
  • - **unexpected traffic jam**: This phrase effectively conveys the unforeseen nature of the delay.
  • - **malfunctioned**: This verb accurately describes the failure of the GPS app, adding specificity.
  • - **profusely**: This adverb emphasizes the extent of the apology, showing the speaker's regret.
  • - **hard pill to swallow**: This idiom effectively conveys the difficulty of accepting the outcome.
  • - **unforeseen circumstances**: This phrase generalizes the specific issue, making the lesson learned more broadly applicable.
  • - **backup plan**: This term highlights the practical takeaway from the experience.
  • By incorporating these elements, the answer demonstrates a good command of grammar and vocabulary, contributing to a Band 7.0 performance.