Band 7 Example
Topic: Describe a time when you had a problem with using the computer
Example
Triumph over Technological Hurdles When it happened I'm going to talk about the time my work computer got a virus last month. Where it happened I was at work in the office and my computer started moving very slowly. When I opened new files, it took forever for them to open, and booting it up took an age. What the problem was It was then that I knew something wasn't right so I opened the antivirus software and ran a scan. It took a long time and when it had finished, it said that it had found a virus. I have no idea how it got there as it's my work computer and we have a firewall that should, in theory, protect us from these things. And explain how you solved the problem I'm not particularly computer literate so I followed the instructions of the antivirus program. Once it had removed the virus, I restarted the computer. It was still a bit slow so, just to make sure, I contacted the IT department and they sent someone to check my computer. He told me though that I had solved the problem myself so I was rather proud of myself.
Vocabulary
  • virus
  • boot up
  • take an age
  • antivirus software
  • scan
  • firewall
  • computer literate
  • remove the virus
  • restart
  • IT department
  • instructions
  • solve the problem
Example
I vividly recall experiencing a computer problem during my college years. It happened in the library while I was working on a crucial project, with the deadline just around the corner. Out of the blue, my laptop screen displayed the dreaded "Blue Screen of Death," making my heart skip a beat. Essentially, my computer crashed, leaving me in a state of panic as I hadn't saved my work. I rebooted the laptop multiple times but to no avail. Feeling utterly frustrated, I turned to the Internet from my smartphone and started researching potential fixes. I stumbled upon a troubleshooting forum that suggested entering 'Safe Mode' and performing a system restore. With a glimmer of hope, I followed the steps meticulously and, voila, my computer sprung back to life, albeit with some lost data. Though the experience was nerve-wracking, it taught me the importance of regularly saving my work and keeping backup files. Now, I always make sure to safeguard my digital assets.
Grammar Analysis
Combining complex and simple sentences: For example, "Feeling utterly frustrated, I turned to the Internet from my smartphone and started researching potential fixes." This sentence uses an adverbial clause "Feeling utterly frustrated," to introduce the main clause. Appropriate use of tenses: The answer mainly uses the simple past tense, as well as the present perfect tense, to describe past events and their effects on the present. Expression of hierarchical sense: By using "Though," "Now," and "Essentially," the answer demonstrates rich expression levels. Precise and vivid modifiers: For example, "dreaded 'Blue Screen of Death,'" "state of panic," and "nerve-wracking experience" add vividness and accuracy to the description. Logical coherence and clear structure: By using "Though," "With," and "Now," the answer ensures logical and chronological coherence.
Vocabulary
  • Vividly recall
  • Crucial
  • Out of the blue
  • Dreaded
  • Rebooted
  • Utterly frustrated
  • Stumbled upon
  • Glimmer of hope
  • Nerve-wracking
  • Safeguard