Band 7 Example

Question: Do you think parents should give their children advice?

Idea 1

Yes
Model Answer
I think parents should give advice to their children, at least to some degree. Parents usually understand their kids more than the kids understand themselves, which means they can guide them to prevent big mistakes. However, it's important for children to learn to decide for themselves, even if they make mistakes. If parents always decide for their kids, they might end up raising someone who can't be independent, so it's good for parents to give advice, but not too much.
I'd say probably yes, up to an extent anyway. Parents know their children often better than they know themselves and so they can help guide them so they avoid making some pretty big mistakes. Having said this though, children should learn to make their own decisions and live by them, even if they are wrong. If parents continuously tell their children what to do with their lives, then they might raise an adult baby who can't do anything for themselves, so parental advice is ok, but in small doses.
Grammar Analysis
Adverbial phrase: "up to an extent" This expression is used as an adverbial clause to limit the extent of advice given by parents, increasing the accuracy and complexity of the answer. Conjunctive usage: "Having said this though" As a contrasting conjunction, it effectively introduces opposing viewpoints, enhancing the balance and logic of the answer. Subjunctive mood: "If parents continuously tell their children what to do" This sentence uses the subjunctive mood to express a hypothetical situation, reflecting the advanced structure and complexity of language. Use of noun phrase: "an adult baby who can't do anything for themselves" This noun phrase vividly describes an adult who overly relies on their parents, enriching the language in expression and creativity.
Vocabulary
  • up to an extent
  • guide them
  • avoid making some pretty big mistakes
  • make their own decisions
  • adult baby
  • in small doses

Idea 2

No
Model Answer
I think parents shouldn't always tell their kids what to do. Sometimes kids don't listen to their parents, especially if they're being told what to do. They might do the opposite just to show they're independent. Also, parents can be biased. They see things from their own point of view, which might not be the best for their kids. In some cases, it's better for children to get advice from teachers who can offer a more unbiased perspective, helping them make decisions that are right for them.
I believe parents shouldn't always give their children advice. One reason is that children, especially teenagers, might rebel against their parents' suggestions. This resistance can sometimes lead to conflicts or the child ignoring good advice simply because it came from a parent. Furthermore, parents can be quite subjective, often letting their own experiences or fears influence the advice they give, which might not always be in the child's best interest. Additionally, teachers or other mentors can provide more objective and varied perspectives that might be more beneficial for the child's development.
Grammar Analysis
Conditional clause: The use of the conditional clause in the sentence "One reason is that children, especially teenagers, might rebel against their parents' suggestions" increases the complexity of the sentence, indicating a possible result that may occur in a certain situation. Present participle as adverbial: In the sentence "ignoring good advice simply because it came from a parent," the use of the present participle "ignoring" as an adverbial explains the reason why children ignore advice, adding to the amount of information and complexity in the sentence. Passive voice: In the sentence "which might not always be in the child's best interest," the passive voice (be in the child's best interest) expresses a passive state or situation, demonstrating the flexible use of this voice in grammar. Compound sentence structure: The entire answer employs multiple subordinate and coordinated clauses (such as "parents can be quite subjective, often letting their own experiences or fears influence the advice they give" and "teachers or other mentors can provide more objective and varied perspectives"), forming complex compound sentence structures that showcase the advanced level and diversity in grammar of the answer.
Vocabulary
  • rebel
  • suggestion
  • resistance
  • conflicts
  • ignor
  • subjective
  • fears
  • best interest
  • mentors
  • objective
  • perspective