Band 7 Example

Question: Are children's opinions influenced by their parents?

Idea 1

Yes
Model Answer
Yes, definitely. Children often grow up without realizing they are adopting their parents' opinions and ideas. For instance, if children are raised in a family where parents value hard work, they will likely view their studies as very important. On the other hand, if the parents have negative views about some aspects of life the children might unfortunately develop similar opinions.
Yes, absolutely, for better or worse. Children grow up often unaware that they are picking up the same opinions and ideas as their parents. So, if a child grows up in a household where the parents have a strong work ethic, then it's more than likely that the children will take a similar approach to their studies and believe them to be of utmost importance. However, if a child's parents have a negative opinion of certain aspects of life, it is, unfortunately, very likely that the child will hold the same opinions.
Grammar Analysis
Affirmative and negative sentences combined: "for better or worse" This phrase is used at the beginning, showing both positive and negative situations, adding depth and complexity to the answer. Passive voice: "they are picking up the same opinions" Using the passive voice to express the phenomenon of children unconsciously adopting opinions, making the sentence more objective and neutral. Conditional sentence: "if a child grows up in a household where the parents have a strong work ethic" This conditional sentence clearly indicates the impact of the environment on a child's growth, increasing the logicality and persuasiveness of the sentence. Comparative degree: "it's more than likely" Using the comparative degree emphasizes the likelihood of a certain situation happening, expressing strong certainty.
Vocabulary
  • for better or worse
  • unaware
  • picking up
  • strong work ethic
  • take a similar approach
  • utmost importance
  • negative opinion

Idea 2

No
Model Answer
I believe that children's opinions are not always influenced by their parents. Instead, they're often more swayed by their peers. Friends play a crucial role in shaping their thoughts and ideas. Also, as children grow, they naturally begin to challenge their parents' beliefs and form their own opinions, which can be quite different from their parents’.
In my opinion, the influence of parents on children's opinions is often overstated. In many cases, children are significantly more influenced by their peer groups. The interactions they have with friends can profoundly shape their perspectives, frequently differing from their parents' views. Moreover, it's a common developmental phase for children to question and sometimes oppose the ideologies of their parents, which is a vital part of their journey to forming independent opinions.
Grammar Analysis
Present participle used as an adverb: "differing from their parents' views" in which "differing" functions as a present participle, is used as an adverb to describe that children's views are different from those of their parents, adding complexity to the sentence. Complex noun phrase: "common developmental phase for children to question and oppose the ideologies" this structure is a complex noun phrase that combines multiple concepts to add depth and complexity to the answer. Passive voice: In the sentence "children are significantly more influenced by their peer groups," the passive voice is used to emphasize that children are influenced by their peer groups rather than having an influence on their peers, demonstrating the correct use of the passive construction. Modal verb usage: In "can profoundly shape," the word "can" is used as a modal verb to indicate possibility, adding a description of the possibilities in children's development process, making the answer more flexible and comprehensive.
Vocabulary
  • overstated
  • significantly
  • influenced
  • peer groups
  • interaction
  • profoundly
  • perspective
  • differ from
  • common developmental phase
  • ideologies
  • vital part
  • independent opinion