Part 1 · Band 5

Do you work or study?

Source-reported band score · 18 words

Sample answer

Actually, last May, I finished 9th grade. And this year, I will study 10th grade, and that's all.

Answer analysis

Fluency & Coherence

The answer has a clear time sequence: “last May” marks the completed school year, while “this year” introduces what comes next. The closing “and that’s all” makes the response feel slightly abrupt. For practice, give this same answer in 20 seconds, then add one relevant detail, such as what you are looking forward to in 10th grade. This is an analysis of the text, not a recording.

Lexical Resource

The words “finished 9th grade” communicate the key school detail clearly, and the grade numbers are specific. The vocabulary range is narrow, though, and “study 10th grade” is not the natural English expression for moving into that school year. Practise the phrase “be in 10th grade” and use one additional school-related word, such as “student” or “classes,” where it fits.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

The answer uses understandable past and future forms in “I finished” and “I will study,” so the timeline is clear. The main issue is the construction “study 10th grade”: English speakers normally say “be in 10th grade.” The sentences also rely on simple clauses linked with “And.” Practise combining the two time points in one sentence while keeping the verb forms accurate.

Pronunciation

Pronunciation cannot be assessed from this text. As a practice guide, mark the stress in “ninth grade” and “tenth grade,” and treat “last May” as a small thought group: “I finished ninth grade last May / and this year I’ll be in tenth grade.” Record yourself saying the answer, then check whether the phrases are clear and the pauses follow the thought groups. 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.

  • Answer the work-or-study question directly by identifying yourself as a student before giving the grade details.
  • Replace “study 10th grade” with “be in 10th grade” and practise using that phrase in a complete sentence.
  • Give the past and future information in one connected sentence, then add one brief, relevant detail if you have time.

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 →

Compare answers on this topic

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Band 6

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Band 4

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