Part 1 · Band 9

Are you a student or do you work?

Source-reported band score · 50 words

Sample answer

I am a student and I've just finished my Ontario Secondary School diploma. I'm currently waiting for my results while preparing to apply to universities. I've looked into majors to apply for, and I'm extremely intrigued by biotechnology. I think that's what I'm going to choose for my university program.

Answer analysis

Fluency & Coherence

The answer develops in a clear sequence: you identify yourself as a student, explain that you are waiting for results and preparing university applications, then name biotechnology as a likely choice. That progression gives the response a natural sense of development in the text, but spoken fluency cannot be assessed from text alone. Practise saying this answer in 30 seconds, keeping each idea in that order and finishing with your intended program.

Lexical Resource

Phrases such as “preparing to apply to universities” and “intrigued by biotechnology” communicate your plans and interest precisely, with a strong topic-specific term. “Majors to apply for” is understandable but slightly less natural than “possible majors” or “majors I’m considering.” As a refinement, learn a few natural collocations for discussing study choices and use one in place of that phrase.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

The answer uses accurate structures, including the present perfect in “I've just finished” and the time relationship in “while preparing to apply to universities.” The final sentence also clearly expresses a considered future choice. There is no clear grammatical error to correct; an optional next step is to practise combining these accurate structures with a short reason for your choice, while keeping the response concise and conversational.

Pronunciation

This text does not provide evidence for assessing your pronunciation, and this practice guide is not an assessment of a recording. Practise the word stress in “biotechnology” (bi-o-TECH-nol-o-gy) and “universities” (u-ni-VER-si-ties). Divide the answer into thought groups at the sentence boundaries. Record a 30-second version, then check whether those key words are clear and each idea is easy to follow.

A transcript shows language and organisation. Fluency, delivery and pronunciation require an audio recording; the synthetic voice demonstrates the text, not the original speaker.

  • Replace “majors to apply for” with “possible majors” or “majors I’m considering” to make the collocation more natural.
  • Practise a 30-second spoken version that moves from your current status to your application plans and then your likely major.
  • Record the answer and check that “biotechnology” and “universities” are clearly stressed; this is a practice check, not a pronunciation score.

Plan your answer

Try your own response before reading the samples.

Ideas to explore

  • Briefly state your current education status before describing what happens next.
  • Connect waiting for results with preparing university applications.
  • Name a possible major and, if you want to extend the answer, give a short reason for your interest.

Suggested structure

  1. Answer directly: say whether you are a student or work.
  2. Give a brief detail about your current education.
  3. Explain your immediate next step, such as waiting for results or applying.
  4. Name a major you are considering and close with your likely choice.
Useful vocabulary & examples
wait for my results
Expect to receive the outcome of an exam or course.

I'm waiting for my results while preparing to apply to universities.

prepare to apply to universities
Get ready to submit applications to universities.

I'm preparing to apply to universities.

be intrigued by
Feel curious and interested in something.

I'm especially intrigued by biotechnology.

a possible major
A university subject area you may choose to study.

Biotechnology is a possible major I'm considering.

Practise your answer →

Compare answers on this topic

Band 9

I'm a student. More specifically, I'm a college student majoring in early childhood education. I'm a senior at Pugyeong University and will graduate soon.

Band 8

I am working now. I've been working since I was 21 after graduation. My first job was at the university as an international relations officer. I was there for two years, and aft...

Band 7

I'm actually a graduate of both high school and university. I've been working as a backend developer in a software company since the early 2000s. I've been there for quite a whi...

Band 6

Well, currently, I'm a medical practitioner. I work as a doctor, taking care of patients and providing for my family.

Band 5

I am a student at Forest Grace University, which is located on La Street. My school is about 5 kilometers away from where I live.

Band 4

Well, currently, I am still a student. I'm pursuing a bachelor's degree in Business Administration at National Taiwan University.