Band 7 Example

Question: What are the reasons that cause people to break rules?

Idea 1

Lack of Awareness
Model Answer
I believe that most of the time, people don't think about others when they act. For example, I often see people littering on the streets as if it doesn't matter. Take smokers, for instance, they carelessly throw their cigarette butts on the ground but might throw other trash in the bin. This doesn't make sense to me because they don't seem to realize that cigarette butts are also trash. It's a strange way of thinking. They just don't consider the consequences of their actions.
I think most of the time it's a lack of consideration for others. I mean, I see people throwing rubbish on the street all the time and it's like they see it as no big deal. Take smokers for instance, they throw their cigarette butts in the street without thinking about it but they might put their rubbish in the bin. This makes no sense but they don't make the connection that their cigarette butt is also rubbish; it's a very strange way of thinking. They just don't think about things.
Grammar Analysis
it acts as the subject: using "it" in "it's like" and "it's a very strange way of thinking" as the subject, replacing the real subject, makes the sentence more smooth and standard. Comparative structures: the comparison between "might put their rubbish in the bin" and "throw their cigarette butts in the street" demonstrates the ability to use comparative structures to emphasize inconsistency and contradictions, which is a sign of advanced spoken English. Combination of direct and indirect language: the direct statement "They just don't think about things" combined with the earlier indirect description showcases the ability to flexibly use different narrative styles.
Vocabulary
  • lack of consideration for others
  • throw rubbish on the street
  • see it as no big deal
  • cigarette butts
  • make the connection
  • strange way of thinking
  • just don't think about things

Idea 2

Personal Gain
Model Answer
People often break rules for personal benefits. Like, they might do it to get money or things faster, instead of the right way. Also, if they're impatient and don't want to wait for things to happen properly, they might break rules to speed things up.
One primary reason people flout rules is the pursuit of personal gain. This might manifest as a quest for financial or material benefits, where individuals bypass legitimate processes for quicker gains. Additionally, impatience plays a significant role; when individuals are unwilling to endure the time it takes for rightful outcomes, they may resort to breaking rules to expedite their goals.
Grammar Analysis
Present participle phrases as adverbial clauses: In "flout rules," the present participle phrase "flout" is used to describe people's behavior, adding complexity and richness to the sentence. Infinitive phrases as purpose adverbials: In "to expedite their goals," the infinitive phrase "to expedite" serves as a purpose adverbial, explaining the reason for violating rules and adding depth and clarity to the sentence. Noun phrases as subjects: In "impatience plays a significant role," "impatience" as the subject emphasizes the importance of impatience in the process of breaking rules, enhancing the complexity of the sentence. Conditional sentence patterns: In "when individuals are unwilling to endure," a conditional sentence pattern is used to express possible behaviors under specific circumstances, increasing the complexity and logic of the sentence.
Vocabulary
  • Flout
  • Pursuit
  • Personal gain
  • Manifest
  • Quest
  • Financial benefits
  • Material benefits
  • Bypass
  • Legitimate process
  • Quicker gain
  • Impatience
  • Endure
  • Rightful outcomes
  • Resort to
  • Breaking rules
  • Expedite

Idea 3

Psychological Factors
Model Answer
Some people break rules because they want excitement or to rebel. Like, they might do something risky just for the thrill. Or, they might not agree with a rule and choose to go against it to show they're against authority or society's norms.
Rule-breaking is sometimes driven by psychological factors like the pursuit of excitement or an inclination to rebel. Individuals might engage in risky behaviors simply for the adrenaline rush it provides. Additionally, there's an element of rebellion against perceived oppressive authority or societal norms, where breaking the rules is a form of expressing dissent or asserting individuality.
Grammar Analysis
Noun phrases as subjects: "Rule-breaking" as the subject raises a central issue, enhancing the focus and structure of the sentence. Infinitive phrases as adverbials of purpose: In "for the adrenaline rush it provides," the infinitive phrase "for the adrenaline rush" serves as an adverbial of purpose, explaining the reason for an individual's participation in adventurous activities, adding depth and clarity to the sentence. Participle phrases as postpositive attributive: In "rebellion against perceived oppressive authority," "perceived" as a participle phrase modifies "oppressive authority," showing an individual's personal perception of authority, increasing the complexity of expression.
Vocabulary
  • Rule-breaking
  • Pursuit of excitement
  • Inclination to rebel
  • Risky behaviors
  • Adrenaline rush
  • Rebellion
  • Oppressive authority
  • Societal norms
  • Break the rules
  • Express dissent
  • Assert individuality