Part 2 · Band 6

Describe a time when you answered phone call from someone you did not kow in a public place

Illustrative target band for this model answer · 249 words

AI-completed learning example

Okay, well, in actual fact, I'm a nutritionist, and there are times that I prefer to use online consultations instead of in-person appointments. It's really common for my clients to call me and ask questions, or for new clients to ask for dietary advice that I need to answer. The phone call I'm thinking of happened last month when I was sitting in a café after work. I was in a public place, with people at nearby tables, when my phone rang. The number wasn't saved, so I didn't know who it was. I hesitated because I usually avoid discussing work in public, but I answered in case it was a new client. A man introduced himself and said a friend had given him my number. He wanted quick advice about what to eat before starting a new exercise routine. I told him I could give only general information over the phone and that a proper consultation would be better. I also tried to keep my voice low and moved outside so I wouldn't disturb anyone or share personal details within earshot. The call was brief, but it felt a little awkward at first because I was caught off guard and didn't know the caller. At the same time, I was pleased that he trusted me enough to get in touch. Afterward, I sent him the details for booking an online consultation. It reminded me that answering unknown calls in public requires politeness as well as care for privacy.

Answer analysis

Fluency & Coherence

The completed response develops in a clear sequence: your work context leads to the call, then the caller’s request, your response, and a reflection. Details such as “I hesitated” and “At the same time” help the story progress naturally. Text alone cannot establish spoken fluency. Practise delivering this answer in two minutes, using brief notes for the setting, caller, action, and reflection, then check that each point connects smoothly.

Lexical Resource

The answer uses relevant, varied language for this situation, including “caught off guard,” “within earshot,” and “care for privacy.” These expressions make the experience specific rather than relying only on basic words such as “good” or “bad.” One phrase is less natural: “dietary advice that I need to answer,” because advice is usually provided rather than answered. Refine this collocation to “dietary advice that I need to provide.”

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

You use a good range of structures, including the time clause “when my phone rang,” the reason clause “because I was caught off guard,” and the reported speech “He wanted quick advice.” Most sentences are clear and controlled. The wording “there are times that I prefer” is understandable but slightly awkward, while “advice that I need to answer” creates a verb-choice problem. Practise making the noun and verb relationship precise when describing clients’ requests.

Pronunciation

A pronunciation score cannot be estimated from text, and this practice guide is not an assessment of a recording. Practise the word stress in “nutritionist” and “consultation,” then group the opening into thought units: “I’m a nutritionist / and there are times / that I prefer online consultations.” Record yourself reading it, mark the stressed syllables, and check whether the phrases sound clearly separated without breaking the sentence unnaturally.

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

  • Replace “dietary advice that I need to answer” with “dietary questions I need to answer” or “dietary advice I need to provide,” depending on what you mean.
  • Practise the answer against a two-minute timer, using only four prompts: work context, public setting, caller and request, outcome and reflection.
  • Record one practice delivery and check that your response includes a clear reason for answering the unknown number and a specific reflection about privacy.

Plan your answer

Try your own response before reading the samples.

Ideas to explore

  • Explain why you answered an unknown number instead of ignoring it.
  • Describe the caller’s request and how you tried to help, even if you could not give exact directions.
  • Contrast your initial surprise with how you felt after the short conversation.

Suggested structure

  1. Set the scene with when and where you were having coffee.
  2. Describe the unexpected call and identify that the caller was a stranger.
  3. Explain what the caller needed and how you responded.
  4. Conclude with your feelings and why you remember the incident.
Useful vocabulary & examples
ring unexpectedly
to make a sound suddenly when you were not expecting a call

My phone rang unexpectedly while I was having coffee.

call the wrong number
to telephone someone by mistake

The caller had called the wrong number but asked me for directions.

give directions
to explain how someone can get to a place

I tried to give directions to the restaurant he was looking for.

carry on with my day
to continue your usual activities

After we said goodbye, I finished my coffee and carried on with my day.

Practise your answer →

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