Part 1 · Band 5

Do you work or study?

Source-reported band score · 28 words

Sample answer

In last summer, I completed my diploma in First Year to add value at High Secondary School. Currently, I have joined IELTS classes for further studies in abroad.

Answer analysis

Fluency & Coherence

The answer follows a clear timeline: “In last summer” introduces a completed qualification, and “Currently” shifts to IELTS classes and future study. This gives a basic response to whether you study, though the purpose of the diploma is not fully clear and the answer could state your current study status more directly. Practise speaking for 20 seconds: answer the question first, then add the past qualification and your reason for studying IELTS.

Lexical Resource

Relevant expressions such as “completed my diploma” and “further studies” communicate education-related ideas, and “Currently” helps signal the time change. However, “add value at High Secondary School” is not a natural collocation in this context, and “in abroad” uses an unnecessary preposition. Practise these ideas as complete chunks, such as “add value to my education” and “study abroad,” then use them in a direct answer about your current studies.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

The response uses two complete sentences and makes a clear past-to-present contrast with “completed” and “Currently, I have joined.” There are, however, clear form and preposition problems: “In last summer” should be “Last summer,” and “in abroad” should be “abroad.” The phrase “I have joined” is grammatical but less natural for describing an ongoing class. Practise a past-time sentence followed by “I’m currently taking…”

Pronunciation

This is a text-only response, so pronunciation cannot be assessed, and this practice guide is not an assessment of a recording. Practise the word stress in “completed” (com-PLET-ed) and “diploma” (di-PLO-ma), then group the answer into thought units: “Last summer, I completed my diploma / and currently, I’m taking IELTS classes.” Record yourself reading it, check that each phrase is easy to follow, and replay the recording to compare your word stress with a dictionary audio model.

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 question directly at the start by saying that you are currently taking IELTS classes.
  • Use “Last summer” without “in,” and use “abroad” without “in.”
  • Practise the answer aloud in two thought groups: your completed diploma first, then your current IELTS classes and study goal.

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

Band 9

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Band 8

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Band 7

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Band 6

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Band 5

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Band 4

I recently graduated from Ipekaunar School. I finished my last semester and graduated two months ago.