Part 1 · · 18 samples

Do you work or study?

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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.

Sample answers

Band 8 sample

34 words · Source-reported band

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 laboratory scientist in the US.

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Band 8 sample

211 words · Source-reported band

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…

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Band 8 sample

52 words · Source-reported band

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.

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