Step 1: Identify the Part 2 question requirements
The question asks you to describe a friend who learned something new without the help of a teacher. You need to mention:
- Who this friend is
- What he/she learned
- Why he/she learned this
- And explain whether it would be easier to learn from a teacher
Step 2: Strategies for a better answer
- Expand your answer with more details or extra stories: Give background about your friend, describe the learning process, and share anecdotes.
- Coherence is important: Make sure each part connects logically.
- Paraphrasing: Use different words to restate the question.
- Referring: Refer back to your friend and their learning journey throughout.
- Signposting: Use phrases like “To begin with,” “Another point is,” “Finally,” etc.
- Vocabulary needs to be appropriate as well as varied: Use words related to learning, self-study, motivation, and challenges.
- Using synonyms or substitution: For example, use “acquire knowledge” instead of “learn.”
- Demonstrating a range of grammar is key factor: Use complex sentences, conditionals, and different tenses.
- Whole Model Answer MUST be more than 300 words: Add details, examples, and reflections.
Topic:A friend who taught himself photography
Who he/she is
To begin with, I’d like to talk about my close friend, Alex, who is one of the most self-motivated people I know. We met in university, and over the years, I’ve seen him pick up a variety of new skills on his own. However, the most impressive thing he learned without any formal instruction was photography.
What he/she learned
Alex became interested in photography about two years ago. He didn’t take any classes or attend workshops; instead, he relied entirely on online resources and his own experimentation. He started with just his smartphone, taking pictures of everyday scenes, but soon he saved up to buy a professional camera. He learned not only how to use the camera’s manual settings, like adjusting the aperture and shutter speed, but also how to edit photos using software such as Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. Over time, his photos became more artistic and technically impressive, and he even started sharing them on social media, where he gained a small following.
Why he/she learned this
The main reason Alex decided to learn photography was because he wanted a creative outlet. He has a demanding job in finance, which can be quite stressful, so he was looking for a hobby that would allow him to express himself and relax. Additionally, he loves traveling, and he wanted to capture the beauty of the places he visited in a more professional way. He also mentioned that he enjoyed the challenge of teaching himself something completely new, as it gave him a sense of accomplishment.
And explain whether it would be easier to learn from a teacher
Finally, when it comes to whether it would have been easier for Alex to learn from a teacher, I think the answer is yes, in some ways. Having a teacher could have provided him with structured lessons and immediate feedback, which might have helped him avoid some common mistakes and progress faster. However, Alex told me that he enjoyed the freedom of learning at his own pace and exploring topics that interested him the most. He felt that self-learning allowed him to develop his own unique style, rather than just following someone else’s instructions. In conclusion, while learning from a teacher can be more efficient, self-study can be more rewarding and personalized, depending on the individual’s motivation and learning style.
Step 1: Identify the Part 2 question requirements
The question asks you to describe a friend who learned something new without the help of a teacher. You need to mention:
- Who this friend is
- What he/she learned
- Why he/she learned this
- And explain whether it would be easier to learn from a teacher
Step 2: Strategies for a better answer
- Expand your answer with more details or extra stories: Give background about your friend, describe the learning process, and share anecdotes.
- Coherence is important: Make sure each part connects logically.
- Paraphrasing: Use different words to restate the question.
- Referring: Refer back to your friend and their learning journey throughout.
- Signposting: Use phrases like “To begin with,” “Another point is,” “Finally,” etc.
- Vocabulary needs to be appropriate as well as varied: Use words related to learning, self-study, motivation, and challenges.
- Using synonyms or substitution: For example, use “acquire knowledge” instead of “learn.”
- Demonstrating a range of grammar is key factor: Use complex sentences, conditionals, and different tenses.
- Whole Model Answer MUST be more than 300 words: Add details, examples, and reflections.
Topic:A friend who taught himself photography
Who he/she is
To begin with, I’d like to talk about my close friend, Alex, who is one of the most self-motivated people I know. We met in university, and over the years, I’ve seen him pick up a variety of new skills on his own. However, the most impressive thing he learned without any formal instruction was photography.
What he/she learned
Alex became interested in photography about two years ago. He didn’t take any classes or attend workshops; instead, he relied entirely on online resources and his own experimentation. He started with just his smartphone, taking pictures of everyday scenes, but soon he saved up to buy a professional camera. He learned not only how to use the camera’s manual settings, like adjusting the aperture and shutter speed, but also how to edit photos using software such as Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. Over time, his photos became more artistic and technically impressive, and he even started sharing them on social media, where he gained a small following.
Why he/she learned this
The main reason Alex decided to learn photography was because he wanted a creative outlet. He has a demanding job in finance, which can be quite stressful, so he was looking for a hobby that would allow him to express himself and relax. Additionally, he loves traveling, and he wanted to capture the beauty of the places he visited in a more professional way. He also mentioned that he enjoyed the challenge of teaching himself something completely new, as it gave him a sense of accomplishment.
And explain whether it would be easier to learn from a teacher
Finally, when it comes to whether it would have been easier for Alex to learn from a teacher, I think the answer is yes, in some ways. Having a teacher could have provided him with structured lessons and immediate feedback, which might have helped him avoid some common mistakes and progress faster. However, Alex told me that he enjoyed the freedom of learning at his own pace and exploring topics that interested him the most. He felt that self-learning allowed him to develop his own unique style, rather than just following someone else’s instructions. In conclusion, while learning from a teacher can be more efficient, self-study can be more rewarding and personalized, depending on the individual’s motivation and learning style.