Part 1 · Band 8

Do you work or study?

Source-reported band score · 211 words

Sample answer

Well, right now I'm still studying economics at Gadjah Mada University. This is my fourth year as a college student. I'm actually a bit behind because I've been working at Bank Indonesia, the central bank, for the past six months. It wasn't a regular job, though, I was an intern. I participated in an internship program that allowed me to gain practical experience while continuing my studies. This opportunity has been invaluable, as it has provided me with insights into the banking sector and helped me apply theoretical knowledge from my coursework to real-world situations. Balancing work and study has been challenging at times, but I believe it has enhanced my time management skills. I usually attend classes in the morning and then head to the bank in the afternoon. This schedule has taught me how to prioritize my tasks effectively. Moreover, working at Bank Indonesia has not only improved my understanding of economic policies but also expanded my professional network. I have had the chance to meet industry professionals and learn from their experiences, which I find incredibly motivating. In conclusion, while my primary focus is on completing my degree, my internship has played a crucial role in my personal and professional development, and I am grateful for the experience.

Answer analysis

Fluency & Coherence

The ideas progress clearly from your current studies to the internship, its practical benefits, and the challenge of balancing both commitments. The final paragraph repeats the main point, however, and the overall response is long for Part 1. Because this is text only, spoken fluency cannot be assessed. Practise a 45-second version using this answer: state your situation, give one detail about the internship, then explain one benefit.

Lexical Resource

Phrases such as “practical experience,” “theoretical knowledge,” and “professional network” communicate relevant ideas precisely, while “prioritize my tasks effectively” adds useful specificity. The main limitation is that several expressions, including “invaluable” and “played a crucial role,” sound formal and make a short personal response feel more like an essay. For a more natural Part 1 answer, keep one or two precise terms and use simpler wording for the rest.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

You use a good range of structures, including the contrast in “while continuing my studies” and the paired construction “not only improved … but also expanded.” Most sentences are controlled and easy to follow. One punctuation error appears in “It wasn't a regular job, though, I was an intern,” where two independent clauses are joined with a comma. Use a semicolon or make them two sentences, and check long sentences for similar joins.

Pronunciation

Pronunciation cannot be assessed from text, so this is a practice guide, not an assessment of a recording. Practise the word stress in “Gadjah Mada University” and “Bank Indonesia,” then group “prioritize my tasks effectively” as one thought group. Record yourself saying the full answer, listen back, and check that the names are clear and the phrase groups are easy to follow; repeat any unclear section.

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

  • Aim for a concise Part 1 response: give your study status, one internship detail, and one benefit rather than adding a formal conclusion.
  • Practise the comma-splice sentence aloud and in writing; use a semicolon, a full stop, or a coordinating conjunction to join complete clauses.
  • Replace one or two formal phrases with everyday speech, then record a 45-second version and check that the answer still includes your key details.

Plan your answer

Try your own response before reading the samples.

Ideas to explore

  • Give your current status and where you study or work: you are a student researcher at NIAB.
  • Briefly describe your research focus: crop germplasm and marker-assisted approaches.
  • Add a personal view and a future direction: the work is rewarding, and you see yourself growing in the field.

Suggested structure

  1. Answer the work-or-study question directly.
  2. Name your institution or workplace.
  3. Describe your research area in one concise sentence.
  4. Add how you feel about the work.
  5. Finish with a relevant future plan.
Useful vocabulary & examples
student researcher
A student who carries out research as part of their studies.

I’m a student researcher at NIAB.

marker-assisted approaches
Methods that use genetic markers to support research or selection in crops.

I work on crop germplasm using marker-assisted approaches.

challenging and rewarding
Difficult in some ways but satisfying or worthwhile.

I find my research both challenging and rewarding.

grow in this field
To develop skills or progress in a particular area of work or study.

I can see myself continuing to grow in this field.

Practise your answer →

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