Part 1 · Band 6

Do you work or are you a student?

Source-reported band score · 25 words

Sample answer

I work as a lunch monitor at an Elementary School. It's very rewarding. I've been doing it for almost 4 years, and it's very rewarding.

Answer analysis

Fluency & Coherence

Your ideas follow a clear sequence: “I work as a lunch monitor” answers the question, and “I've been doing it for almost 4 years” adds duration before you express your opinion. The second “it's very rewarding” repeats the same point, so the answer does not develop much further. Practise expanding it in 20 seconds: state your role, give one true detail about it, then explain why you find it rewarding.

Lexical Resource

“Lunch monitor” is a specific, relevant job title, and “very rewarding” clearly communicates your view. The vocabulary is accurate but limited, and repeating “it's very rewarding” adds no new meaning. To develop your answer, replace the repeated evaluation with one precise detail you can truthfully share about what you enjoy or find worthwhile in the role.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

The answer uses a clear present-tense statement and the well-formed duration phrase “I've been doing it for almost 4 years.” This shows some useful tense range, and the sentences are easy to understand. The sample is short, however, and “Elementary School” is capitalised as though it were a specific name. Use lowercase for a generic school and try linking the role and duration in one sentence.

Pronunciation

This is a text-only response, so pronunciation cannot be assessed from the available evidence. For practice, mark the main stress in “lunch monitor” and “rewarding,” and group the answer into thought units: “I work as a lunch monitor / at an elementary school” and “I've been doing it / for almost 4 years.” Record yourself reading it, then check that each phrase is easy to understand. This 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.

  • Keep the direct opening, then add one real detail about your work to develop the answer beyond the job title.
  • Avoid repeating “very rewarding”; use the next sentence to explain what makes the job rewarding, if you can do so accurately.
  • Practise saying the answer in about 20 seconds, with a brief pause between your job, how long you have done it, and your opinion.

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.