Band 7 Example
Topic: Describe a beautiful city
Example
The city of Beijing Where the city is I'm going to talk about the capital city of my country, Beijing. It's located in the East of the country, close to the sea but it's not a coastal city. How you know about the city As it's the capital of my country, I learnt about it in history classes and it has a fascinating history. Nowadays, it's a huge megacity with huge skyscrapers and is a huge business hub where most international companies have a headquarters. What buildings the city has It is home to the Forbidden Palace, which was the home of emperors for over 500 years and is awe-inspiring. The Great Wall is just north of the city too so you can visit that and get a feel for life hundreds of years ago. What it's famous for On top of this, it's famous for its food. You have to try the Chinese dumplings or roasted duck, which are the city's signature dishes. There's also a special drink called Douzhi that is really common in the markets. It's made from mung beans and I've only really seen it in Beijing. Explain what you think this city is beautiful What gets me is how Beijing has changed so much in the last hundred years or so. It has managed to maintain the beauty of its old buildings and blend them with the modern skyscrapers and this gives Beijing an amazing skyline. You have to go and see it for yourself.
Vocabulary
  • capital city
  • fascinating history
  • megacity
  • skyscrapers
  • business hub
  • Forbidden Palace
  • get a feel for life
  • signature dishes
  • maintain the beauty
  • amazing skyline
Example
I'd like to describe Hangzhou, a picturesque city situated in Eastern China, near the famous West Lake. I first learned about Hangzhou through a travel documentary showcasing its scenic beauty and rich cultural heritage. The city is renowned for its historical landmarks and modern architecture. Take, for instance, the West Lake, a serene body of water surrounded by mountains and ancient pagodas. Hangzhou is also home to futuristic buildings like the International Conference Center, demonstrating the city's stride into modernity. Hangzhou is especially famous for its tea culture. It's the birthplace of Longjing tea, one of China's most prestigious green teas. Throughout the year, the city hosts various tea ceremonies and festivals that attract aficionados from all over the globe. What intrigues me the most about Hangzhou is its ability to balance tradition and modernity. As you meander through its ancient streets, you can feel the legacy of a bygone era, yet the city also hums with the energy of contemporary life. This harmonious blend makes Hangzhou perpetually enchanting and a place I'd love to visit again.
Grammar Analysis
Combination of complex and simple sentences: The answer uses complex and compound sentences. For example: "What intrigues me the most about Hangzhou is its ability to balance tradition and modernity." Appropriate use of tenses: The main use of simple present and simple past tenses. For example: "I first learned about Hangzhou through a travel documentary." Logical coherence and timeline: By using "As you meander," "Take, for instance," and "What intrigues," the answer ensures coherence in time and logic. Use of advanced vocabulary and modifiers: Phrases like "As you meander through its ancient streets, you can feel the legacy of a bygone era" use descriptive words and modifiers, enhancing the complexity and descriptiveness of the sentence.
Vocabulary
  • Picturesque
  • Situated
  • Scenic beauty
  • Renowned
  • Stride
  • Birthplace
  • Aficionados
  • Intrigues
  • Meander
  • Perpetually enchanting