Band 7 Example

Question: ls physical activity good for relaxation?

Idea 1

Yes, can help reduce stress
Model Answer
Yes, I think the two go hand in hand. We live increasingly stressful lives, so exercise gives stress an outlet. It prevents pent-up emotions from overwhelming us. There's nothing better than going for a run after a bad day at work or college. Afterwards, we can relax more efficiently.
Yes, I think the two go hand in hand. We live more and more stressful lives these days and so exercise gives this stress an outlet; it stops any pent up emotions getting on top of us. There’s nothing better than going for a run after a bad day at work or college and, afterwards, we are able to relax in a much more efficient way.
Grammar Analysis
Present participle serving as an adverb: "giving this stress an outlet" uses present participle as an adverb to describe the effect of exercise, making the sentence more vivid and profound. Present participle serving as the subject: "going for a run" as the subject of the sentence, emphasizes the act of exercising, adding vitality and directness to the sentence. Adjective clause: "after a bad day at work or college" This adjective clause modifies "going for a run," providing the context for the exercise, adding detail and complexity to the sentence.
Vocabulary
  • go hand in hand
  • outlet
  • pent up
  • get on top of
  • nothing better than

Idea 2

Sometimes it helps
Model Answer
Yes, I think exercise does help most of the time. There's research that says doing physical stuff helps you sleep better, and good sleep is really important for relaxing. When we don't sleep enough, we face a lot of problems. Doing exercise means we can chill out in our bodies, but also in our minds. Basically, if our body is in good shape and strong, our mind feels better too.
Yes,in most of the time it helps. There is a lot of research now showing how physical exertion leads to better sleep and this is key to being able to relax. Lack of sleep causes all kinds of problems for us. If we do exercise, we can relax physically sure, but it’s the mental side of relaxation that is just as important. I mean, if we are physically well and feel strong, then mentally, we are just much healthier too.
Grammar Analysis
Using the present participle as the subject: "showing how physical exertion leads to better sleep" here the present participle is used as the subject to describe the research content, adding complexity and depth to the sentence. Relative clause: "that is key to being able to relax" this relative clause modifies "this" (referring to better sleep), emphasizing the importance of better sleep, and increasing the amount of information and complexity in the sentence. Conditional clause: "If we do exercise" using a conditional clause to express "if we exercise", introducing a possible result, enhancing the logicality of the sentence and clarity of expression.
Vocabulary
  • physical exertion
  • key to….
  • better sleep
  • Lack of sleep
  • physically well
  • mental side

Idea 3

Mental Health and Well-being
Model Answer
Yes, for sure. Doing exercise regularly makes us feel happier. People come out of the gym feeling full of energy and like they've done something good. Exercise and feeling good about yourself are connected because it makes your body release dopamine, which is a hormone that makes you happy.
Yes, definitely. Regular physical activity is what improves our overall mood. When coming out the gym after a session there, people feel energized and feel like they have actually achieved something. There is definitely a connection between self-esteem and doing physical exercise as it releases the happy hormone dopamine that gives us a lift.
Grammar Analysis
Using the present participle as an adverb: "coming out the gym after a session there" here uses a present participle phrase as an adverb to describe the state of people after exercising, increasing the vividness and specificity of the sentence. Using the present participle as an adjective: "doing physical exercise" the present participle "doing" used as an adjective describes the action of doing physical exercise, enhancing the amount of information and complexity of the sentence. Relative clause: "that gives us a lift" this relative clause modifies "dopamine", explaining the positive effect of dopamine, increasing the detail and depth of the sentence.
Vocabulary
  • overall mood
  • energized
  • self-esteem
  • physical exercise
  • dopamine
  • release
  • give us a lift