Part 1 · Band 8

Do you work or study?

Source-reported band score · 52 words

Sample answer

I studied before graduating from Damascus University in 2015. After that, I started working as a sub-finance consultant at a company here in Egypt. It's a partner company of a German company based in Germany called AB. I've been working at this company since 2015, giving me around six years of experience.

Answer analysis

Fluency & Coherence

The answer develops in a clear sequence: you mention graduating in 2015, explain your subsequent job and the company’s connection to AB, then give your length of experience. This makes the response easy to follow, though the employer detail takes up much of a short Part 1 answer. Practise delivering it in 30 seconds, then again in 20 seconds, keeping the education, current work and experience points.

Lexical Resource

Phrases such as “sub-finance consultant” and “partner company” give specific information about your role and employer, while “based in Germany” adds relevant detail. The vocabulary is clear and appropriate, but “company” is repeated and the answer uses few varied ways to connect the points. For a more concise response, keep the job title and vary or omit repeated references to the company where the meaning remains clear.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

You use several sentence patterns, including the present perfect continuous in “I've been working at this company since 2015” and a participle clause in “giving me around six years of experience.” These communicate the timeline effectively. The phrase “a German company based in Germany called AB” is slightly crowded, making the company name’s connection less immediate. Practise splitting that information into a clearer relative clause.

Pronunciation

This is a practice guide based on the text, not an assessment of a recording. Practise the word stress in “consultant” and “Germany,” and group the answer into thought units: “I graduated from Damascus University in 2015” / “After that, I began working…” / “I have around six years of experience.” Record a 20–30-second version, then check that each key phrase is clearly separated and easy to understand.

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

  • Lead with a direct answer, such as saying that you work, before adding your education background.
  • Keep the employer description to one clear clause and avoid repeating “company” unnecessarily.
  • Check that “since 2015” and “around six years” match the date when you give the answer.

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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