Part 1 · Band 9

are you good at memorizing things?

Source-reported band score · 35 words

Sample answer

It depends on the importance. For things I find significant, I make an effort to understand and memorize them. However, for things I don't care much about, I find it challenging to retain the information.

Answer analysis

Fluency & Coherence

The ideas follow a clear sequence: you distinguish between important and unimportant information, then explain how each affects your ability to remember it. The answer is coherent, though it could develop the contrast a little further with a brief personal example. For practice, give this answer aloud in 30 seconds, then repeat it in 20 seconds while keeping the importance-versus-interest contrast clear. This is a text-only analysis, not an assessment of recorded fluency.

Lexical Resource

The wording is precise and relevant: “significant” conveys importance, while “retain the information” expresses remembering clearly. “Challenging” also gives a measured description rather than an absolute claim. The main opportunity is to make the opening, “It depends on the importance,” more specific about what the importance relates to. You could refine it to “It depends on how important the information is to me.”

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

Your sentences are grammatically controlled, including the contrast introduced by “However” and the fronted phrase “for things I don't care much about.” The present simple is used consistently to describe your general habits. One small refinement is to make “the importance” more explicit in the opening; this is a clarity improvement, not a grammatical error. For further range, you could combine the contrast into a conditional sentence.

Pronunciation

This is a practice guide, not an assessment of a recording. Practise the word stress in “significant” (sig-NIF-i-cant) and “retain” (re-TAIN), then group the answer into thought units: “For things I find significant / I make an effort to understand and memorize them.” Record yourself reading it, check that the stressed syllables are easy to identify, and adjust the grouping if the meaning is unclear.

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

  • Make the opening more precise by saying what you judge as important, such as “how important the information is to me.”
  • Add one brief, truthful example of something you try to understand and memorize to make the answer more personal.
  • Practise delivering the contrast in two clear parts: what you remember when something matters, and what happens when you are not interested.

Plan your answer

Try your own response before reading the samples.

Ideas to explore

  • Explain whether you are good at memorizing things and give one reason, such as being able to recall information accurately.
  • Give a specific example of spatial memory, such as remembering where information appeared on a page while studying.
  • Mention a practical technique—such as acronyms, rhymes, or repetition—and say how it helps you retain material.

Suggested structure

  1. Answer the question directly with yes or no.
  2. Give one brief reason for your answer.
  3. Add a concrete example from studying or everyday life.
  4. Mention one or two memory techniques and finish with their benefit.
Useful vocabulary & examples
spatial memory
The ability to remember where things are or where information was located.

My spatial memory helps me remember where a detail appeared on the page.

mnemonic device
A method, such as an acronym or rhyme, that helps you remember information.

I use a mnemonic device to help me remember a list of facts.

retrieve information
To bring stored information back to mind.

Picturing the page helps me retrieve information during an exam.

retain material
To keep learned information in your memory.

Reviewing my notes several times helps me retain the material.

Practise your answer →

Compare answers on this topic

Band 9

I could certainly say yes to these questions. I excel at memorizing things as I believe I possess a sort of photographic memory that enables me to recall information accurately....

Band 8

Honestly, I don't consider myself very good at memorizing things. Many people have told me I have a goldfish memory, meaning I struggle to remember things, especially numbers an...

Band 7

I could say that I'm really bad at memorizing things. And if I can self-diagnose myself, I would say that I have a short-term memory. Like, for instance, if somebody just taught...

Band 6

I used to have a sharp memory. However, as I get older, I tend to forget things sometimes. So to help myself remember things, I set up alarms for important events and tasks on m...

Band 5

It's a tough question for me. Generally, I think I'm good at memorizing things, but it depends on situations or scenes. For example, some coordinates or names, I'm really bad at...

Band 4

Yes. I'm great at memorizing things. Like, I remember birthdays, I-verses, and special occasions in my life.