Part 1 · Band 5

Are you a student or do you work?

Source-reported band score · 19 words

Sample answer

I just graduated from grade nine last year and currently I'm a high school student at an arts-focused school.

Answer analysis

Fluency & Coherence

The answer moves directly from a recent milestone—“graduated from grade nine last year”—to the present status, “currently I'm a high school student.” That gives the response a clear time sequence and answers the question, though it does not develop the school detail further. Practise speaking it in 20 seconds: answer first, add the graduation detail, then finish with the arts-focused school detail, without adding unsupported information.

Lexical Resource

The wording is concise and relevant: “high school student” identifies your status, while “arts-focused school” gives a specific detail rather than a generic description. “Currently” also makes the present-time contrast clear. The vocabulary is appropriate, although the response offers little variety because it is only one sentence. As an optional extension, add one truthful detail about what being at an arts-focused school involves for you.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

The sentence is grammatically controlled: “I just graduated from grade nine last year” is linked with “and” to a complete present-tense clause. The past and present references are clear, and the contraction “I'm” is used appropriately. There is no major grammatical error to correct. For a slightly smoother version, place “currently” before “I'm” and consider removing “just,” since “last year” already locates the event in the recent past.

Pronunciation

This is a text-only response, so pronunciation cannot be assessed. For practice, give the main stress to “graduated,” “high school student,” and “arts-focused school.” Try these thought groups: “I graduated from grade nine last year / and I'm currently a high school student / at an arts-focused school.” Record yourself saying the answer, then check whether each phrase is easy to understand. This practice guide is not an assessment of a recording.

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

  • Try the answer once with “I'm currently” instead of “currently I'm” to practise a smoother alternative word order.
  • Practise saying the response in three clear thought groups: your current status, when you finished grade nine, and the kind of school you attend.
  • If you want to extend the answer, add one accurate detail about your arts-focused school, such as an area of study you enjoy; do not add a detail that is not true for you.

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 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...

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.