Part 1 · Band 6

Are you a student or do you work?

Source-reported band score · 55 words

Sample answer

Oh, uh, I'm not a student. I work as a freelancer. I'm an industrial designer, and I started running my business almost 2 years ago. I've been able to use my skills and also, uh, offer good design services to my clients while also pursuing my own interests. It's a really fulfilling job for me.

Answer analysis

Fluency & Coherence

The answer follows a clear sequence: you say whether you study, name your role, explain when you began the business, and finish with why the work is fulfilling. The final point adds a personal reason rather than repeating your job title. A fluency band cannot be judged from text alone. Practise this answer in a 30-second response, aiming to connect each point without adding new facts.

Lexical Resource

The answer uses relevant, specific vocabulary, particularly “industrial designer,” “freelancer,” and “pursuing my own interests.” “Really fulfilling” also communicates your personal attitude clearly. The vocabulary is appropriate, though “good design services” is broad and does not show what kind of design work you do. Next time, add one accurate example of a service or project to make your description more distinctive.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

You use several structures accurately, including the present perfect in “I've been able to use my skills” and a time reference in “I started running my business almost 2 years ago.” The clauses are linked clearly, and there is no major grammatical error in the text. The sentence about your skills and services is long, however. Practise splitting it into two shorter spoken sentences for easier delivery.

Pronunciation

Pronunciation cannot be assessed from this text, and this practice guide is not an assessment of a recording. Practise word stress in “industrial designer” and “fulfilling,” then group the answer into thought units: “I'm an industrial designer” / “I started running my business almost 2 years ago.” Record one practice attempt, check whether each phrase is easy to follow, and adjust the pauses between ideas.

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

  • Practise the answer in a 30-second response, keeping the sequence from your current work to your reason for enjoying it.
  • Replace “good design services” with one accurate example of a service you provide, if you can do so without making the answer much longer.
  • Record a practice version and check whether you pause between the job description, business timeline, and personal benefit.

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.