Part 1 · Band 7

Do you have many friends?

Source-reported band score · 48 words

Sample answer

I don't have a lot of friends, just a few closer ones who truly understand me. We usually spend time together after work, often on Fridays. I believe that having a small number of meaningful friendships is enough. The choice of companionship doesn't necessarily require a large group.

Answer analysis

Fluency & Coherence

The answer develops in a clear sequence: “just a few closer ones” gives your answer, “often on Fridays” adds a routine, and “a small number of meaningful friendships is enough” explains your view. This gives the response a complete shape. To practise speaking, use a 30-second timer and deliver these same points in order, linking them naturally and avoiding repetition. Fluency cannot be assessed from text alone.

Lexical Resource

Phrases such as “meaningful friendships” and “truly understand me” express your preference clearly, and “companionship” adds some range. The vocabulary is well suited to the topic, though “The choice of companionship” sounds more formal and abstract than the rest of this Part 1 response. As an optional refinement, use a more conversational phrase such as “You don’t need a large group to enjoy good companionship.”

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

Your sentences are grammatically controlled, including the relative clause “who truly understand me” and the gerund construction “having a small number of meaningful friendships.” The range is suitable for a short spoken response, and there is no clear grammatical error to correct. For a more natural spoken finish, simplify “The choice of companionship doesn’t necessarily require a large group” to a direct sentence while keeping the same idea.

Pronunciation

This is a practice guide, not an assessment of a recording. Practise the phrases “meaningful friendships,” “after work,” and “large group,” giving clear stress to MEANingful, FRIENDships, WORK, and LARGE. Group the answer into thought units, for example: “I don’t have a lot of friends / just a few closer ones who truly understand me.” Record yourself reading it, then check whether the stressed words stand out and each thought group 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.

  • Practise saying “a few close friends” rather than “a few closer ones” to make your meaning immediately clear.
  • Replace the abstract final sentence with a direct conversational statement, such as “I don’t feel I need a large group.”
  • Use a 30-second timed practice: state how many friends you have, when you meet, and why a small circle suits you.

Plan your answer

Try your own response before reading the samples.

Ideas to explore

  • Contrast having many acquaintances in the past with having fewer now.
  • Explain that a smaller social circle does not necessarily feel like a negative change.
  • Describe lasting closeness as the quality that makes someone a true friend.

Suggested structure

  1. Begin with a direct answer about your past social circle.
  2. Explain how the number of acquaintances has changed over time.
  3. Give your view on whether that change is bad.
  4. End with the reason: the people who stayed close are your true friends.
Useful vocabulary & examples
a lot of acquaintances
many people you know but may not be close to

I used to have a lot of acquaintances from different parts of my life.

diminish over time
become smaller or less numerous gradually

The number of people I see regularly has diminished over time.

stay close to someone
continue to have a strong relationship with someone

A few friends have stayed close to me over the years.

true friends
people regarded as genuinely close and dependable friends

I value the true friends who have remained part of my life.

Practise your answer →

Compare answers on this topic

Band 9

I used to have a lot of acquaintances whom I frequently hung out with. However, that number has diminished over the years. Nevertheless, I don't think this is inherently bad. On...

Band 8

I have a few close friends rather than many. I prefer quality over quantity because true friends are the ones who support and understand me.

Band 7

Yes. I have a few close friends that I obviously love spending time with. They are like family to me, always. Therefore, through the good times and the bad weather, we are a gro...

Band 6

I have more than 10 friends, and I'm not sure if I should say this many. However, I had more than 30 friends in my neighborhood. I like all of my friends, and if I need help I c...

Band 5

I have more than 10 friends, and I'm not sure if I should say this, but I have maybe 20 friends. I like all of my friends. Then I next play...

Band 4

I have more than 10 friends, and I'm not sure if that's a lot. I've had as many as 20 friends in the past. I like all of you, my friends, and I'm always here to help. I can take...