Small Talk, Big Scores
Transform this into a general statement:
“I enjoy cooking.”
Model Answer:
“Many people nowadays enjoy cooking at home, especially as a way to relax.”
Add more detail to improve the part 2 answer:
“I visited a museum last year.”
Model Answer: “I visited a museum last year, and I remember being impressed by a huge dinosaur skeleton.”
Move this to General:
“I like studying in cafés.”
Model Answer:
“Many people enjoy studying in cafés because the background noise helps them focus.”
Task:
Give a sentence starter for the Opinion step
Model Answer: “On the whole, most people…”
Use “Compared with…” in a sentence.
Model Answer:
“Compared with older generations, young people rely much more on digital tools.”
Give a Band‑7 style Part 1 answer to:
“Do you prefer mornings or evenings.”
Model Answer:
“I’d say evenings, as that’s when I can slow down a bit after work and feel more productive.”
Give one analytical sentence you could add at the end of a Part 2 answer.
Model Answer:
“This experience showed me how important it is to take breaks and explore new things.
Move this to Analytical:
“Many people prefer online shopping.”
Model Answer:
“This may be because modern lifestyles leave people with less time, so convenience becomes a priority.”
Task:
Give a sentence starter for the Impact step
Model Answer:
“So the wider issue is…”
Task:
Use “This could lead to…” in a sentence.
Model Answer:
“This could lead to higher stress levels among students.”
Improve this weak answer:
“Yes, I like reading.”
Model Answer:
“Yes, I enjoy reading, especially in the evenings, as it helps me switch off after a long day.”
Improve this cue‑card note:
“Restaurant — noisy — good food.”
Model Answer:
“It was a noisy restaurant, but the food was so good that I didn’t really mind the atmosphere.”
Give a Band‑7 answer:
“Do young people read less than before?”
Model Answer:
“In general, many young people do read less, mainly because short‑form videos compete for their attention. A broader issue is how this shift affects concentration and long‑term learning.”
Task:
Reorder these into the correct structure:
“In general, most people…”
“One key reason is that…”
“Compared to the past…”
“So the wider issue is…”
Model Answer: Opinion → Reason → Example/Comparison → Impact
In general, most people…
One key reason is that…
Compared to the past…
So the wider issue is…
Task:
Use “Whereas…” to compare two groups.
Model Answer:
“Younger people prefer digital payments, whereas older people often stick to cash.”
Turn this into a General statement:
“I often use social media.”
Model Answer:
“Most people today spend a lot of time on social media, especially for staying connected.”
Create a 1‑sentence comparison for a Part 2 story.
Talk about a new place you visited recently.
Model Answer:
“Compared to the cafés I usually visit, this one felt much more relaxed and welcoming.”
Task:
Here is a weak Part 3 answer. Identify two problems and rewrite it to make it Band‑7 level.
Weak Answer: “Yes, people use technology a lot. It’s normal now.”
Model Answer:
Problems:
Too short — no development.
No reason, example, or wider issue.
Improved Band‑7 Answer:
“In general, people rely on technology far more than before, mainly because so many daily tasks are now digital. For example, even basic services like banking or booking appointments are online. So the wider issue is how this dependence affects people who struggle with digital skills.”
Task:
Build a Reason sentence:
“Should university be free?”
Model Answer:
“One key reason is that free tuition would give more students equal access to education.”
Task:
Use one comparison + one evaluation phrase in the same sentence.
Model Answer:
“Compared with the past, people work longer hours, which can have a negative effect on wellbeing.”
Give a Part 1 answer using a hedging phrase.
Question: Do you like busy or quiet places?
Model Answer:
“I guess I prefer quiet places, mainly because they help me focus, but it depends on my mood.”
Build a 3‑sentence mini Part 2.
Topic: Where do you like to go to relax?
Model Answer:
“One place I like to relax is a small park near my home. It’s quiet and full of trees, which helps me clear my mind. This shows how important green spaces are for people living in busy cities.”
Build a full Part 3 answer:
“Has technology made people less patient?”
Model Answer:
“On the whole, technology has made many people less patient. This is mainly because instant access to information reduces our tolerance for waiting. For example, people get frustrated if a webpage loads slowly. So the wider issue is how constant speed affects our ability to focus on long tasks.”
Task:
Build a 4‑step micro‑answer:
“Is social media good or bad for young people?”
Model Answer:
“On the whole, social media has mixed effects on young people. This is mainly because it offers connection but also distraction. For example, many students use it to stay in touch but struggle to focus on homework. So the bigger issue is how to teach healthy digital habits.”
Task:
Improve this:
“Phones are useful but laptops are also useful.”
Model Answer:
“Phones are convenient for quick tasks, whereas laptops are far more practical for serious study, which has a big impact on productivity.”