Band 7 Example
Topic: Describe a drawing/painting that you like
Example
A picture of Yao Ming When you first saw the painting I'm going to talk about a painting I saw in an art exhibition about famous Chinese sportspeople last month in my hometown. What the painting is about The painting that stood out most to me was one of Yao Ming, a basketball player who played in the NBA. It's a painting of him giving a fist bump to an elephant, which is really well done and it has a clear message about the ivory trade and how it needs to be stopped. Who drew/painted it I don't know who did the painting but it was commissioned by WildAid, a charity that helps protect wildlife around the world. And explain why you like this painting/drawing What stands out to me is the message. It's saying that people need to stop buying ivory goods to protect elephants. He's done lots of work about this, visiting countries where poaching is an issue, trying to raise the profile of this problem. It's something that I also believe in and I think this is why the painting made such an impression on me.
Vocabulary
  • art exhibition
  • stand out
  • fist bump
  • ivory trade
  • commission
  • WildAid
  • protect wildlife
  • charity
  • ivory goods
  • poach
  • raise the profile
Example
The first time I laid eyes on the painting "Starry Night" was during a high school art history class. This iconic masterpiece was created by the Dutch Post-Impressionist artist Vincent van Gogh in 1889. The painting primarily portrays a serene yet turbulent night sky filled with swirling stars over a quaint French village. The juxtaposition of the vibrant sky and the tranquil town makes for a striking contrast. What stands out is the cypress tree that stretches up like a pillar, connecting earth and heaven, almost as if it's reaching for the stars. Vincent van Gogh, a genius plagued by mental illnesses, managed to convey a plethora of emotions through this painting. Many art critics believe that "Starry Night" reflects van Gogh's emotional turmoil and his awe for the mysteriousness of the night sky. Every time I look at the painting, I'm consumed by a complex blend of feelings—there's a sense of peace, tinged with a bit of melancholy. The swirling patterns in the sky often remind me of life's unpredictability yet inherent beauty. It evokes a strong emotional response, bordering on transcendental, as if I'm momentarily lifted out of the mundanity of everyday life. In summary, "Starry Night" isn't just a painting; it's an experience, a window into van Gogh's soul, and a representation of the human condition. Its mesmerizing aesthetic and profound emotional depth make it an unforgettable piece of art that continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
Grammar Analysis
Combining complex and simple sentences: For example, "The juxtaposition of the vibrant sky and the tranquil town makes for a striking contrast." Uses "of the" and "and" to form a parallel compound noun. Appropriate use of tenses: The answer uses simple past and present tenses to describe past and present feelings. Expression of hierarchy: By using "Every time," "In summary," and "tinged with," the answer demonstrates the hierarchy and depth of expression. Logical coherence and timeline: The use of "Moreover," "Every time," and "In summary," ensures the coherence of time and logic. Effective use of modifiers and nouns: For example, "iconic," "masterpiece," and "transcendental" add depth and richness to the description.
Vocabulary
  • Laid eyes on
  • Iconic
  • Masterpiece
  • Juxtaposition
  • Tranquil
  • Cypress
  • Plagued
  • Plethora
  • Melancholy
  • Transcendental