Part 1 · Band 4

Do you work or are you a student?

Source-reported band score · 17 words

Sample answer

I'm currently a student in grade 9. Besides studying English, I'm also learning other subjects at school.

Answer analysis

Fluency & Coherence

The ideas progress clearly: “I'm currently a student in grade 9” answers the question, and the next sentence adds what you study. The development is brief but appropriate for Part 1; one optional extension would be to mention a subject you particularly enjoy. Practise speaking this answer for 20 seconds, aiming to connect the two ideas smoothly and add one relevant detail. Fluency cannot be assessed from text alone.

Lexical Resource

The answer uses clear, relevant vocabulary, including “student in grade 9” and “other subjects at school,” so the listener can readily understand your situation. The wording is accurate but relies on a small set of common expressions, which is natural for this short response. To add variety without sounding memorised, you could name one subject or use a phrase such as “alongside my English studies.”

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

Both sentences are grammatically clear: “I'm currently a student in grade 9” gives a complete statement, while “Besides studying English, I'm also learning other subjects at school” uses an introductory phrase and a main clause. The present continuous forms are understandable in context. For a little more structural variety, you could combine the information with “Although English is one of my subjects, I also study…”; no correction is necessary.

Pronunciation

Pronunciation cannot be assessed from this text, and this practice guide is not an assessment of a recording. Practise the word stress in “currently” (CUR-rent-ly), “student” (STU-dent), and “subjects” (SUB-jects). Say the answer in two thought groups: “I'm currently a student in grade 9” / “Besides studying English, I'm also learning other subjects at school.” Record it, then check that each phrase is easy to understand and the key words are clearly stressed.

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

  • Keep the direct opening, then add one brief detail about a subject you enjoy or find challenging.
  • Try an alternative connector such as “Alongside” to link English with your other school subjects.
  • Record a 20-second response and check that the two ideas are connected clearly, without adding unrelated detail.

Plan your answer

Try your own response before reading the samples.

Ideas to explore

  • Briefly explain when you finished school to establish your timeline.
  • Describe your current plan to explore career options.
  • Give a reason for taking on projects and jobs, such as gaining experience before making a decision.

Suggested structure

  1. Answer directly by stating whether you currently work or study.
  2. Give the relevant background and time reference.
  3. Explain what you are doing at present.
  4. End with the purpose of those activities or your next decision.
Useful vocabulary & examples
explore career options
consider different possible types of work before choosing a direction

I'm taking a year to explore different career options.

short-term project
a piece of work intended to last for a limited period

I've been working on some short-term projects.

gain experience
develop practical knowledge or skills by doing work

I'm taking part-time jobs to gain experience.

decide what to do next
choose the next action or direction

I'm gaining experience before deciding what to do next.

Practise your answer →

Compare answers on this topic

Band 9

I graduated from school last year, and at the moment, I'm taking a year to explore different career options. I've been working on some short-term projects and part-time jobs to...

Band 8

Well, currently, I am working as a math teacher at a secondary school called Alicia. I have been working there for 2 years, and I was a volunteer in my 1st year. Additionally, I...

Band 7

Yes, both. I'm studying and working at my university. It is a great chance to improve my future career. After graduation, I'm going to study abroad.

Band 6

Well, I'm a student at the university, and this is my 3rd year at this place. Also, I have a part-time job as a teacher at a vocational school. I'm still working this term at th...

Band 5

Well, I'm studying at school currently in 9th grade. I have subjects like English and events. Also, I help my father in a market in my free time.

Band 4

For now, I'm still a very school student. But sometimes during my own vacation, I work a part-time job. So I do work and study.