Part 1 · Band 6

Do you work or study?

Source-reported band score · 36 words

Sample answer

Recently, I have completed my graduation in Bachelor of Arts from the Ghana Devi University. Later on, I started preparing for my IELTS exam. And, uh, after that, I am focusing on my else GRE exam.

Answer analysis

Fluency & Coherence

The ideas follow a clear timeline: “Recently,” then “Later on,” and finally “after that.” This makes the sequence easy to follow, but the answer ends without explaining your current study plans or giving a direct summary. Text alone cannot show spoken fluency, so no fluency band is assigned. Practise expanding this answer for 20 seconds: state your recent graduation, describe your exam preparation, and finish with your current focus.

Lexical Resource

You use relevant education and exam vocabulary, including “Bachelor of Arts,” “IELTS exam,” and “GRE exam,” so the topic is clear. However, “my else GRE exam” is not a natural word combination, and “exam” is repeated. Next time, use a precise phrase such as “preparing for the GRE” and vary how you refer to your studies, while keeping the answer simple and easy to say.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

The answer attempts to describe completed and ongoing actions, as in “I have completed” and “I am focusing,” but some constructions are inaccurate. “Completed my graduation in Bachelor of Arts” needs a more natural degree structure, and “my else GRE exam” does not form a grammatical phrase. Practise a simple pattern: “I graduated with a degree in …, and I’m now preparing for …”

Pronunciation

No recording is available, so pronunciation cannot be assessed; this practice guide is not an assessment of a recording. Practise the word stress in “graduation” and “university,” then say “preparing for my IELTS exam” as one thought group, with a brief pause before the next idea. Record yourself saying the full answer, check that each word is clear, and compare a second take for consistent stress and phrasing.

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

  • Use the natural degree phrase “I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree” instead of “completed my graduation in Bachelor of Arts.”
  • Replace “my else GRE exam” with “the GRE as well” or “also preparing for the GRE.”
  • Practise a 20-second response with three parts: your recent graduation, when you began IELTS preparation, and what you are focusing on now.

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

I am currently a student focusing on my studies at school, but I am also exploring career options for my future work.

Band 8

I've been working as a medical technologist for the past two years. I recently passed my American licensure and certification exams. Hopefully, by next year, I'll be a certified...

Band 7

I'm currently a student at a special school called Yevgen in my hometown. I just recently finished the 10th grade and will be moving to the 11th grade starting in September.

Band 6

Actually, I am currently a student at a high school. I am studying honors in order to go to a university in Maulana Azad College, which is affiliated to Dhaka University.

Band 5

Currently, I'm working as an English tutor at a center based in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam.

Band 4

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