Part 1 · Band 4

what do you Study?

Source-reported band score · 22 words

Sample answer

Alright. Now I am taking English courses in Paris, which is located in France. To increase my English skills to study abroad.

Answer analysis

Fluency & Coherence

The ideas follow a clear sequence: you say what you are studying (“taking English courses”), give the location (“in Paris”), and explain the purpose (“to study abroad”). The final sentence is incomplete, so the answer does not quite finish as a connected spoken response. Practise giving this answer in 20 seconds, linking the course and its purpose with “so,” then add one relevant detail that is true for you.

Lexical Resource

The answer uses relevant study vocabulary, including “English courses” and “study abroad,” and the meaning is generally understandable. However, “increase my English skills” is less natural than “improve my English,” and “which is located in France” adds detail that can be expressed more concisely as “Paris, France.” Practise a few natural collocations for learning languages and use them in a complete answer about your studies.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

The first sentence uses a present continuous form correctly in “I am taking English courses,” and the relative clause “which is located in France” is formed clearly. However, “To increase my English skills to study abroad” is a sentence fragment rather than a complete statement. Join the purpose to the main idea with “so I can,” for example: “I’m taking courses to improve my English so I can study abroad.”

Pronunciation

Pronunciation cannot be assessed from text, and this practice guide is not an assessment of a recording. For practice, stress the main words in “English courses” and “study abroad,” and group the answer into thought units: “I’m taking English courses / in Paris, France / to improve my English.” Record yourself saying it, then check whether the key words are easy to hear and the thought groups are clear.

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 by naming the subject or course you are taking in your opening clause.
  • Connect your reason to the course with a complete purpose clause, such as “so I can study abroad.”
  • Practise a 20-second version aloud, using “Paris, France” for the location and checking that every sentence has a complete main clause.

Plan your answer

Try your own response before reading the samples.

Ideas to explore

  • Explain what you study and your current stage of study.
  • Give a brief reason for choosing the subject, such as family encouragement or personal interest.
  • Mention a challenge, an enjoyable aspect, and a future plan to make the answer personal and complete.

Suggested structure

  1. State your subject and year of study.
  2. Explain how you came to choose it.
  3. Describe one challenge and one part you enjoy.
  4. Finish with a short goal or reason the subject suits you.
Useful vocabulary & examples
career path
the direction of someone's working life or choice of profession

I was initially unsure about my career path.

financial stability
having a dependable level of income and financial security

My parents value the financial stability that a medical career can offer.

clinical placement
a period of practical learning in a healthcare setting

Clinical placements let students apply theoretical knowledge in practice.

a particular specialty
a specific area of professional focus, especially within medicine

I have not decided on a particular specialty yet.

Practise your answer →

Compare answers on this topic

Band 9

I am currently in my fifth year of medical school where I study medicine. Initially, I wasn't sure about my career path, but my parents encouraged me to pursue a career in medic...

Band 8

At my school, I studied physics, applied mathematics, and international languages like Russian, Japanese, and English.

Band 7

Currently, I'm a student at Foreign Trade University. My major is international business. At school, I study logistics, marketing, sales, and other aspects related to the econom...

Band 6

As a high school student, I study a variety of subjects, including math, science, English, and history. This diverse curriculum helps me gain a well-rounded education and prepar...

Band 5

I study four languages. It's a really thorough study of languages, and I hope to pursue it as a career in the future.

Band 4

No, I am taking an English course located near my place to improve my English level so I can continue my master's degree in offices.