A Person Who Improved His or Her Fitness

Part 3 follow-up questions

These are the discussion questions examiners asked after this cue card. Sample answers are shown where available.

1. 1. What can people do to become fitter and healthier?

   Sep–Dec 2026
   Compare Band 6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5 for this question

   Band 6.5

   The 6.5 answer states the plain, common-sense position with everyday vocabulary like 'boring' and 'really the routine', using the simple connector 'too' to add extra points one after another.

   I think the basics still work best - regular exercise, balanced meals, and enough sleep, even if that sounds boring. Being consistent matters more than doing something hard once in a while. I run along My Khe Beach most weekends, and it's really the routine that has made the biggest difference, not one single hard session. Small choices help too, like taking the stairs instead of the lift, or walking instead of calling a Grab bike. Reducing stress is also important for health, since stress affects the body just as much as diet or exercise does.

   Why this band

   • GRA“I run along My Khe Beach most weekends, and it's really the routine that has made the biggest difference, not one single hard session.” — A main clause joined with 'and', followed by a simple negative contrast, a fairly basic way of linking the example to the claim. A band 7 answer would likely fold this comparison into a tighter, single clause.
   • LR“even if that sounds boring” — A very plain, informal aside. A higher band answer would likely replace this with a more specific evaluative phrase, such as calling the advice 'unglamorous', rather than the general word 'boring'.
   • FC“Small choices help too, like taking the stairs instead of the lift, or walking instead of calling a Grab bike.” — A new point simply tacked on with 'too', the same additive pattern used elsewhere in the answer. A 7.5 answer would more likely vary how each new point is introduced instead of repeating this connector.

   Band 7.0

   The 7.0 answer sharpens the contrast with the semicolon-linked 'Consistency matters more than intensity', and adds the reflective phrase 'than people often realise', showing more nuance than the flatter band 6.5 listing.

   The basics are still the most effective, honestly - regular exercise, reasonably balanced meals, and enough sleep, even though none of that sounds exciting. Consistency matters more than intensity; I run along My Khe Beach most weekends, and it's really the routine, not any single hard session, that's made the biggest difference over time. Small daily choices add up too, like taking the stairs instead of the lift or walking short distances rather than always grabbing a Grab bike. Reducing stress also plays a bigger role in overall health than people often realise, since chronic stress affects the body just as much as diet or exercise does.

   Why this band

   • GRA“Consistency matters more than intensity; I run along My Khe Beach most weekends, and it's really the routine, not any single hard session, that's made the biggest difference over time.” — A semicolon links an abstract claim to the concrete example in one flowing sentence, with an inserted 'not any single hard session' aside, a more layered structure than the separate sentences a band 6.5 answer used for the same idea.
   • LR“Small daily choices add up too” — A more natural, idiomatic-leaning collocation than the plainer 'Small choices help too' phrasing at band 6.5, though not yet as vivid as the wording a 7.5 answer would choose.
   • FC“Reducing stress also plays a bigger role in overall health than people often realise” — A reflective addition suggesting the point is underappreciated, adding a layer of interpretation typical of band 7.0. A band 6.5 answer would more likely state the same fact plainly without this extra framing.

   Band 7.5

   The 7.5 answer opens with the compact 'none of it glamorous' fragment and closes with the punchy short sentence 'None of it needs to be extreme to work', showing more flexible, compressed grammar than the fuller band 7.0 sentences.

   The basics still do most of the work, I'd say - regular exercise, reasonably balanced meals, enough sleep, none of it glamorous. Consistency beats intensity every time; running along My Khe Beach most weekends has shaped my fitness far more than any single punishing session ever could. Small daily choices add up too, taking the stairs instead of the lift, walking short distances rather than reflexively grabbing a Grab bike. Stress reduction plays a bigger role than people generally credit it for, since chronic stress wears down the body just as thoroughly as poor diet or inactivity does. None of it needs to be extreme to work.

   Why this band

   • GRA“regular exercise, reasonably balanced meals, enough sleep, none of it glamorous” — A verbless noun-phrase list capped with a compact fragment, 'none of it glamorous', instead of a full finite clause, a more compressed construction than the 'even though none of that sounds exciting' clause used at band 7.0.
   • LR“reflexively grabbing a Grab bike” — A more vivid, precise adverb ('reflexively') describing the habit, going beyond the plainer 'always grabbing a Grab bike' phrasing at band 7.0.
   • FC“None of it needs to be extreme to work.” — A short, punchy closing sentence that lands the whole answer's argument in one compact line, a more polished, deliberate finish than the fuller closing sentence used at band 7.0.

2. 2. Do you think young people now are fitter and healthier than young people in the past?

   Sep–Dec 2026
   Compare Band 6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5 for this question

   Band 6.5

   The 6.5 answer states a direct 'no' opinion with one main reason and one contrast, using the connector 'that said' once and simple vocabulary like 'more knowledge' and 'a bit of a contradiction'.

   Actually, I'd say no, even though there's much more information about fitness available now than before. Screen time has replaced a lot of the physical activity kids used to get just from playing outside, and processed food is much easier to get now. That said, awareness has improved - my generation talks about mental health, nutrition and exercise more openly than our parents did, so there's more knowledge, even if it doesn't always lead to better habits. It's a bit of a contradiction really: more health information, but an environment that makes it harder to stay active.

   Why this band

   • FC“Actually, I'd say no, even though there's much more information about fitness available now than before.” — A short, direct opinion with a single 'even though' qualifier stated plainly. A band 7 answer would more likely soften this opening further with a phrase like 'on average', while keeping the same basic structure.
   • GRA“Screen time has replaced a lot of the physical activity kids used to get just from playing outside, and processed food is much easier to get now.” — Two separate reasons joined only with 'and', a basic coordination pattern. A higher band would likely connect these two ideas with more varied linking, such as embedding one inside a relative clause.
   • LR“a bit of a contradiction really” — A plain, informal phrase. A band 7.5 answer would likely reach for a more specific or idiomatic word to capture the same tension between more knowledge and worse habits.

   Band 7.0

   The 7.0 answer adds the precise qualifier 'on average' and the more developed phrase 'isn't always translated into better habits', showing more nuance and a wider vocabulary range than the plainer band 6.5 version.

   I'd actually say no, on average, despite having far more fitness information available than previous generations did. Screen time has replaced a lot of the casual physical activity kids used to get just from playing outside, and processed food is far more accessible and appealing than it used to be. That said, awareness has improved - my generation talks about mental health, nutrition and exercise far more openly than our parents' generation did, so there's more knowledge even if it isn't always translated into better habits. It's a bit of a contradiction, really: more information about health, but an environment that's arguably less conducive to actually being active day to day.

   Why this band

   • LR“far more accessible and appealing” — A more precise, natural collocation than the plainer 'much easier to get' phrasing used at band 6.5, showing deliberate word choice, though not yet the more distinctive vocabulary a 7.5 answer would select.
   • GRA“so there's more knowledge even if it isn't always translated into better habits” — A concessive 'even if' clause embedded within the main sentence, a more complex structure than the separate short clauses a band 6.5 answer used to express the same contrast.
   • FC“I'd actually say no, on average” — The precise qualifier 'on average' signals a more careful, considered opinion than the flatter 'Actually, I'd say no' statement at band 6.5, a small but meaningful reflective addition.

   Band 7.5

   The 7.5 answer uses the vivid verb phrase 'quietly displaced' and the more precise 'something of a paradox' in place of the plainer 'a bit of a contradiction', showing more idiomatic, deliberate vocabulary than band 7.0.

   I'd actually say no, on balance, despite having access to far more fitness information than any previous generation. Screen time has quietly displaced much of the casual physical activity kids used to pick up simply by playing outside, and processed food is more accessible and more tempting than it's ever been. Awareness has genuinely improved, though - my generation talks about mental health, nutrition and exercise far more openly than our parents' generation did, so the knowledge is there even when it doesn't always translate into better habits. It's something of a paradox: more information about health, paired with an environment that's arguably less conducive to actually staying active day to day.

   Why this band

   • LR“quietly displaced much of the casual physical activity” — A vivid, precise verb choice ('displaced') replacing the plainer 'replaced a lot of the casual physical activity' phrasing at band 7.0, an example of the less-common vocabulary expected at band 7.5.
   • GRA“paired with an environment that's arguably less conducive to actually staying active day to day” — A participial phrase ('paired with...') used to attach the final contrast to the main clause, a more compact, flexible construction than the separate colon-led clause used at band 7.0.
   • FC“It's something of a paradox” — A more precise, slightly formal evaluative phrase than the plainer 'a bit of a contradiction, really' used at band 7.0, giving the closing reflection a sharper, more deliberate feel.

3. 3. Why do people often find it hard to improve their health and fitness?

   Sep–Dec 2026
   Compare Band 6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5 for this question

   Band 6.5

   The 6.5 answer gives several reasons one after another using the plain connectors 'another big reason' and 'too' and 'as well', with everyday vocabulary like 'feels good' and 'know I shouldn't'.

   Mostly because real results take time, and it's easy to lose motivation before you see any change. Busy schedules are another big reason - after a long day at the studio, especially with a tight deadline, exercise is often the first thing that gets skipped, even when I know I shouldn't. Old habits are hard to break too, especially with food, since comfort eating after a stressful day feels good straight away in a way exercise doesn't. The people around you matter as well, since it's harder to eat well or stay active if others aren't doing the same.

   Why this band

   • GRA“Mostly because real results take time, and it's easy to lose motivation before you see any change.” — A single 'because' clause followed by 'and', a fairly basic way of linking two ideas. A band 7 answer would more likely open with a general claim and connect the reasoning with a comma instead.
   • LR“feels good straight away” — A plain, general phrase. A higher band answer would likely use a more precise or idiomatic word, such as 'immediately rewarding', to describe the same feeling.
   • FC“The people around you matter as well, since it's harder to eat well or stay active if others aren't doing the same.” — A final point added with 'as well', the same additive pattern repeated across the answer. A 7.5 answer would more likely close with a summarising remark instead of simply adding one more item to the list.

   Band 7.0

   The 7.0 answer upgrades 'feels good straight away' to the collocation 'feels immediately rewarding', and adds a summarising closing sentence that reframes the whole answer, showing more elaboration than band 6.5.

   Mostly because meaningful results take time, and it's easy to lose motivation before you see any real change. Busy schedules are another big factor - after a full day at the studio, especially with a tight deadline, exercise is often the first thing that gets skipped, even when I know better. Old habits are hard to break too, particularly around food, since comfort eating after a stressful day feels immediately rewarding in a way that exercise doesn't. Social environment matters as well; it's much harder to eat well or stay active if the people around you aren't doing the same. So it's less about willpower alone and more about time, habit and environment working against people at once.

   Why this band

   • LR“feels immediately rewarding” — A more precise, natural collocation than the plainer 'feels good straight away' phrasing used at band 6.5, showing deliberate word choice, though not yet as vivid as the language a 7.5 answer would use.
   • GRA“Social environment matters as well; it's much harder to eat well or stay active if the people around you aren't doing the same.” — A semicolon links a general claim to its explanation in one sentence, followed by a conditional clause, a more layered structure than the plain 'as well, since' sentence used at band 6.5.
   • FC“So it's less about willpower alone and more about time, habit and environment working against people at once” — A reflective closing sentence that reframes the whole list of reasons into a single unifying idea, typical of band 7.0's mild elaboration beyond the flatter listing style of band 6.5.

   Band 7.5

   The 7.5 answer uses the vivid verb 'sacrificed' and the idiomatic 'conspiring against people', giving more precise, image-based vocabulary than the plainer band 7.0 wording, especially in its closing summary.

   Mostly because meaningful results take time, and motivation tends to fade long before any real change shows up. Busy schedules are another culprit - after a full day at the studio, especially against a tight deadline, exercise is usually the first thing sacrificed, even when I know better. Old habits, particularly around food, resist change too, since comfort eating after a stressful day feels immediately rewarding in a way exercise simply doesn't. Social environment plays its part as well; staying active or eating well is much harder when the people around you aren't doing the same. So it's less a question of willpower alone, and more time, habit and environment conspiring against people all at once.

   Why this band

   • LR“exercise is usually the first thing sacrificed” — A more vivid, less-common verb choice ('sacrificed') than the plainer 'the first thing that gets skipped' phrasing at band 7.0, showing the kind of precise vocabulary expected at 7.5.
   • GRA“motivation tends to fade long before any real change shows up” — The abstract noun 'motivation' is made the subject of an active verb ('tends to fade'), a more sophisticated construction than the passive-feeling 'it's easy to lose motivation' phrasing used at band 7.0.
   • FC“more time, habit and environment conspiring against people all at once” — The closing summary uses the vivid personifying verb 'conspiring' instead of the plainer 'working against people' phrase at band 7.0, giving the final reflection a sharper, more memorable finish.

4. 4. How can stress affect physical and mental health?

   Sep–Dec 2026
   Compare Band 6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5 for this question

   Band 6.5

   The 6.5 answer lists physical and mental effects one after another using the connectors 'physically' and 'mentally', with a personal example added at the end using the plain connector 'too'.

   Quite a lot, actually, not always in ways that are obvious at first. Physically, long-term stress can raise blood pressure, disrupt sleep, and weaken the immune system, so stressed people tend to get sick more often. Mentally, it can show up as irritability and trouble concentrating, and if it continues long enough, it can turn into anxiety or depression. I noticed this myself during a difficult project last year - I wasn't sleeping properly, and it affected both my focus and my mood. The two sides affect each other too, so it can become a cycle that's hard to break.

   Why this band

   • GRA“Physically, long-term stress can raise blood pressure, disrupt sleep, and weaken the immune system, so stressed people tend to get sick more often.” — A list of three effects joined with commas and 'and', followed by a simple 'so' clause, a basic way of stacking information. A band 7 answer would likely vary this structure across the sentence.
   • LR“trouble concentrating” — A plain, everyday phrase. A higher band answer would likely use a more formal or precise word, such as 'difficulty concentrating', to match the more careful register of a higher band.
   • FC“The two sides affect each other too, so it can become a cycle that's hard to break.” — A short, direct closing sentence using the plain connector 'so'. A 7.5 answer would more likely develop this cycle idea across two connected clauses rather than a single flat statement.

   Band 7.0

   The 7.0 answer upgrades 'affect each other' to the more precise 'feed into each other', and traces the cycle in more detail with a chain of clauses, showing more developed reasoning than band 6.5.

   Quite significantly, and in ways that aren't always obvious at first. Physically, chronic stress raises blood pressure, disrupts sleep and weakens the immune system over time, so stressed people tend to get sick more often. Mentally, it shows up as irritability, difficulty concentrating and, if it goes on long enough, can develop into anxiety or depression. I noticed this myself during a particularly demanding project last year - I wasn't sleeping properly for weeks, and it affected both my focus at work and my mood at home. The two sides feed into each other too; poor sleep from stress makes it harder to cope emotionally, which then increases stress further, creating a cycle that's hard to break.

   Why this band

   • LR“feed into each other” — A more precise, natural collocation than the plainer 'affect each other' phrasing used at band 6.5, capturing the idea of a reinforcing loop more specifically.
   • GRA“poor sleep from stress makes it harder to cope emotionally, which then increases stress further, creating a cycle that's hard to break” — A chain of clauses linked by 'which' and a participle ('creating'), tracing cause and effect through several steps in one sentence, more grammatical range than the short, single 'so' clause used at band 6.5.
   • FC“Mentally, it shows up as irritability, difficulty concentrating and, if it goes on long enough, can develop into anxiety or depression” — An 'if' clause is inserted mid-sentence to add a time dimension to the point, a small reflective elaboration typical of band 7.0 that a band 6.5 answer would likely leave out.

   Band 7.5

   The 7.5 answer uses the participial phrase 'leaving stressed people more prone to getting sick' and the vivid verb 'chipped away at', giving more compact, image-rich phrasing than the fuller band 7.0 sentences.

   Quite significantly, and often in ways that aren't obvious until later. Physically, chronic stress raises blood pressure, disrupts sleep and wears down the immune system over time, leaving stressed people more prone to getting sick. Mentally, it surfaces as irritability and difficulty concentrating, tipping into anxiety or depression if it drags on long enough. I felt this myself during a particularly demanding project last year - weeks of poor sleep chipped away at both my focus at work and my mood at home. The two sides feed each other, too: poor sleep makes it harder to cope emotionally, which raises stress further still, locking the whole thing into a cycle that's hard to break.

   Why this band

   • GRA“leaving stressed people more prone to getting sick” — A participial phrase ('leaving...') tacked onto the main clause instead of the separate 'so' clause used at band 7.0, a more compact and flexible way of expressing the same result.
   • LR“weeks of poor sleep chipped away at both my focus at work and my mood at home” — A vivid, less-common verb phrase ('chipped away at') replacing the plainer 'affected both my focus...and my mood' construction at band 7.0, showing the kind of precise vocabulary expected at band 7.5.
   • FC“locking the whole thing into a cycle that's hard to break” — A compact closing image using the verb 'locking' folds the whole cause-and-effect chain into a single memorable phrase, a more polished finish than the plainer 'creating a cycle' ending at band 7.0.

5. 5. Why is it important to stay physically and mentally active throughout life?

   Sep–Dec 2026
   Compare Band 6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5 for this question

   Band 6.5

   The 6.5 answer gives a direct 'because' reason, two supporting points, and one personal example, using the plain connector 'also' and simple vocabulary like 'get worse' and 'a lot'.

   Because both tend to get worse without effort, especially as people get older and daily life naturally involves less movement and fewer new challenges. Staying physically active helps people keep their mobility and independence later in life, which affects quality of life. Being mentally active, like learning new skills or staying social, also seems to protect against memory loss. My grandmother in Hue, in her seventies, looks after her small garden and does the crossword each morning, and she seems noticeably sharper than relatives who stopped staying active after retirement. So really it's about keeping both together.

   Why this band

   • GRA“Because both tend to get worse without effort, especially as people get older and daily life naturally involves less movement and fewer new challenges.” — A single long sentence built with 'because' and 'and', joining several ideas with the most basic connectors. A band 7 answer would likely split this into a cleaner main clause plus a separate elaboration.
   • LR“get worse without effort” — A plain, general phrase. A higher band answer would likely use a more specific verb, such as 'decline', paired with a more precise qualifier, instead of the vaguer 'get worse'.
   • FC“So really it's about keeping both together.” — A short, flat closing sentence that restates the main idea with minimal elaboration. A 7.5 answer would more likely close with a slightly more developed reflective remark instead of this bare summary.

   Band 7.0

   The 7.0 answer upgrades 'get worse' to the more precise 'decline', and extends the closing with a reflective 'since' clause, giving a more developed final point than the bare summary at band 6.5.

   Because both tend to decline without deliberate effort, especially as people get older and daily life naturally involves less movement and fewer new challenges. Staying physically active helps maintain mobility and independence later in life, which affects quality of life enormously. Mental activity, like learning new skills or staying socially engaged, seems to help protect against cognitive decline too. My grandmother in Hue, who's in her seventies, still tends her small garden and does the crossword every morning, and she's noticeably sharper than some relatives who stopped staying active after retirement. So it's really about maintaining both together, since neglecting either one tends to affect overall wellbeing more than people expect.

   Why this band

   • LR“both tend to decline without deliberate effort” — A more precise, formal verb ('decline') than the plainer 'get worse' phrasing used at band 6.5, showing deliberate word choice appropriate to the topic.
   • GRA“So it's really about maintaining both together, since neglecting either one tends to affect overall wellbeing more than people expect” — A 'since' clause is added onto the closing summary sentence, giving a reason for the conclusion rather than leaving it as a bare statement, more grammatical range than the flat closing sentence at band 6.5.
   • FC“Mental activity, like learning new skills or staying socially engaged, seems to help protect against cognitive decline too” — The hedge 'seems to' softens the claim slightly, a small reflective touch typical of band 7.0 that a band 6.5 answer would more likely state as a flat fact instead.

   Band 7.5

   The 7.5 answer uses the vivid phrase 'let themselves go idle' and closes with the compact 'keeping both in motion together', showing more idiomatic, image-based vocabulary than the plainer band 7.0 sentences.

   Because both tend to decline without deliberate effort, especially once life naturally involves less movement and fewer new challenges with age. Staying physically active helps preserve mobility and independence later on, which shapes quality of life enormously. Mental activity, learning new skills or staying socially engaged, seems to guard against cognitive decline just as much. My grandmother in Hue, in her seventies now, still tends her small garden and does the crossword every morning, and she's noticeably sharper than relatives who let themselves go idle after retirement. So it's really about keeping both in motion together, since neglecting either one tends to erode overall wellbeing more than people expect.

   Why this band

   • LR“relatives who let themselves go idle after retirement” — A vivid, idiomatic phrase ('let themselves go idle') replacing the plainer 'relatives who stopped staying active' wording at band 7.0, exactly the kind of distinctive vocabulary expected at band 7.5.
   • GRA“especially once life naturally involves less movement and fewer new challenges with age” — The phrase 'with age' is moved to the end of the clause rather than embedded as a separate 'as people get older' clause, a more compact way of expressing the same idea than the fuller construction at band 7.0.
   • FC“keeping both in motion together” — A compact, image-based closing phrase replacing the plainer 'maintaining both together' wording at band 7.0, giving the final summary a more polished, deliberate feel.

6. 6. Do you think having social connections contributes to a person's physical and mental wellbeing?

   Sep–Dec 2026
   Compare Band 6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5 for this question

   Band 6.5

   The 6.5 answer states a direct 'yes, definitely' opinion with one supporting reason and one work example, using the plain connector 'on the other hand' once and simple vocabulary like 'a nice extra' and 'a basic health need'.

   Yes, definitely, quite a lot actually. People with strong social connections tend to recover from illness faster and feel less stressed generally, probably because having people to rely on makes problems feel less overwhelming. I notice it a bit at work too - weeks our team has lunch together feel noticeably less stressful than weeks everyone eats alone at their desk, even though the workload hasn't actually changed. On the other hand, being isolated is increasingly linked to problems like depression and other issues. So social connection isn't just a nice extra; it seems almost like a basic health need.

   Why this band

   • GRA“People with strong social connections tend to recover from illness faster and feel less stressed generally, probably because having people to rely on makes problems feel less overwhelming.” — A main clause with two verbs joined by 'and', followed by a 'because' clause, a fairly basic way of stacking a claim and its reason. A band 7 answer would likely separate the claim and reason with a comma and 'probably because' placed differently for smoother flow.
   • LR“a nice extra” — A plain, informal phrase. A higher band answer would likely choose a more precise word, such as calling social connection a 'nice-to-have', or simply a more formal equivalent, rather than this everyday phrase.
   • FC“So social connection isn't just a nice extra; it seems almost like a basic health need.” — A short, direct closing sentence stating the conclusion plainly. A 7.5 answer would likely phrase the same conclusion with more precise, less-common vocabulary instead of the plain 'basic health need'.

   Band 7.0

   The 7.0 answer adds the precise qualifier 'quite substantially I'd say' and the more formal collocation 'reduces the sense of facing problems alone', showing more careful, reflective phrasing than band 6.5.

   Definitely, yes, quite substantially I'd say. People with strong social connections tend to recover from illness faster and report lower stress levels generally, probably because having people to rely on reduces the sense of facing problems alone. I notice it in a small way at work too - the weeks our team has lunch together regularly feel noticeably less stressful than weeks everyone eats alone at their desk, even though the actual workload hasn't changed. Isolation, on the other hand, is increasingly linked to problems like depression and even earlier mortality in research I've come across. So social connection isn't just a nice extra; it seems to function almost like a basic health requirement.

   Why this band

   • LR“reduces the sense of facing problems alone” — A more precise, formal collocation than the plainer 'makes problems feel less overwhelming' phrasing used at band 6.5, showing deliberate word choice appropriate to a reflective answer.
   • GRA“Isolation, on the other hand, is increasingly linked to problems like depression and even earlier mortality in research I've come across.” — The subject 'Isolation' opens the sentence, with the qualifying phrase 'in research I've come across' added at the end, a more layered construction than the simpler sentence a band 6.5 answer used for the same point.
   • FC“Definitely, yes, quite substantially I'd say” — The added qualifier 'quite substantially I'd say' signals a more considered, graded opinion than the flatter 'Yes, definitely, quite a lot actually' phrasing at band 6.5.

   Band 7.5

   The 7.5 answer uses the idiomatic 'takes the edge off facing problems alone' and closes with 'in its own right', giving more precise, idiomatic phrasing than the fuller band 7.0 sentences.

   Definitely, yes, and quite substantially. People with strong social connections tend to recover from illness faster and report lower stress overall, probably because having people to lean on takes the edge off facing problems alone. I see it in a small way at work too - weeks when our team eats lunch together feel noticeably calmer than weeks everyone eats alone at their desk, even though the workload itself hasn't shifted at all. Isolation, meanwhile, is increasingly tied to outcomes like depression and even earlier mortality in research I've come across. So social connection isn't merely a nice extra; it functions almost like a basic health requirement in its own right.

   Why this band

   • LR“having people to lean on takes the edge off facing problems alone” — A vivid, idiomatic phrase ('takes the edge off') replacing the plainer 'reduces the sense of facing problems alone' wording at band 7.0, exactly the kind of less-common collocation expected at band 7.5.
   • GRA“even though the workload itself hasn't shifted at all” — The reflexive 'itself' and the emphatic 'at all' tighten the concessive clause, a more compact and idiomatic version of the plainer 'even though the actual workload hasn't changed' clause used at band 7.0.
   • FC“it functions almost like a basic health requirement in its own right” — The closing phrase 'in its own right' adds a small evaluative flourish absent from the plainer band 7.0 ending, giving the conclusion a more deliberate, finished feel.

7. 7. Some people believe that a healthy community is one where people feel a sense of belonging. What do you think?

   Sep–Dec 2026
   Compare Band 6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5 for this question

   Band 6.5

   The 6.5 answer gives a direct 'I mostly agree' opinion with one contrast and one example, using the plain connector 'but' once and simple vocabulary like 'doesn't really work well' and 'matters more than people often think'.

   I mostly agree with that idea. Physical things like parks or clinics matter, of course, but a community where people feel isolated or unwelcome doesn't really work well even with good facilities. A sense of belonging encourages people to look out for each other and take part in local life, instead of just passing through. In my neighbourhood near Dragon Bridge, a small group of residents organises a weekend clean-up along the riverbank, and it has brought neighbours together, improving the atmosphere, not just the tidiness. So belonging matters more than people often think.

   Why this band

   • FC“I mostly agree with that idea.” — A short, direct statement of agreement with no elaboration. A band 7 answer would more likely follow this immediately with a qualifying clause in the same breath rather than a separate short sentence.
   • GRA“Physical things like parks or clinics matter, of course, but a community where people feel isolated or unwelcome doesn't really work well even with good facilities.” — Two ideas joined with 'but', a basic coordination pattern. A higher band would likely connect these with a more varied structure, such as starting with a concession and a comma rather than a full 'but' clause.
   • LR“doesn't really work well” — A plain, vague verb phrase. A higher band answer would likely use a more specific or formal collocation, such as saying the community 'doesn't function well', to describe the same idea more precisely.

   Band 7.0

   The 7.0 answer upgrades 'doesn't really work well' to the more precise 'doesn't function well', and adds the reflective closing qualifier 'one of the more overlooked ingredients', showing sharper vocabulary and framing than band 6.5.

   I largely agree with that. Physical health infrastructure, like parks or clinics, matters, but a community where people feel isolated or unwelcome doesn't function well even with good facilities. Belonging encourages people to look out for each other, participate in local life, and generally invest in their surroundings rather than just passing through them. My own neighbourhood near Dragon Bridge has a small group of residents who organise a weekend clean-up along the riverbank, and it's brought neighbours together in a way that's improved the general atmosphere beyond just tidiness. So while belonging alone isn't sufficient for a fully healthy community, I do think it's one of the more overlooked ingredients.

   Why this band

   • LR“Physical health infrastructure, like parks or clinics, matters” — A more precise, formal collocation ('health infrastructure') than the plainer 'Physical things like parks or clinics' phrasing at band 6.5, showing deliberate word choice appropriate to the topic.
   • GRA“Belonging encourages people to look out for each other, participate in local life, and generally invest in their surroundings rather than just passing through them.” — A list of three parallel verb phrases followed by a 'rather than' contrast, more grammatical range than the shorter, simpler sentence a band 6.5 answer used for the same idea.
   • FC“I do think it's one of the more overlooked ingredients” — A reflective closing hedge, 'I do think', softening a confident claim, a small nuance typical of band 7.0 that a band 6.5 answer would more likely state flatly instead.

   Band 7.5

   The 7.5 answer uses the vivid verb 'knitted' and the idiomatic 'nudges people to look out for one another', giving more precise, image-based vocabulary than the fuller band 7.0 sentences.

   I largely agree. Physical health infrastructure, parks, clinics, that sort of thing, matters, but a community where people feel isolated or unwelcome rarely functions well even with excellent facilities. A sense of belonging nudges people to look out for one another, take part in local life, and invest in their surroundings rather than simply passing through them. My own neighbourhood near Dragon Bridge has a small group of residents who run a weekend clean-up along the riverbank, and it's knitted neighbours together in a way that's lifted the general atmosphere well beyond mere tidiness. So while belonging alone isn't sufficient for a fully healthy community, it's one of the more overlooked ingredients compared to physical infrastructure.

   Why this band

   • LR“it's knitted neighbours together in a way that's lifted the general atmosphere” — A vivid, less-common verb choice ('knitted') replacing the plainer 'brought neighbours together' phrasing used at band 7.0, showing the kind of precise, image-based vocabulary expected at band 7.5.
   • GRA“Physical health infrastructure, parks, clinics, that sort of thing, matters” — A string of appositive noun phrases inserted directly after the subject rather than introduced with 'like', a more compressed and flexible construction than the equivalent phrase at band 7.0.
   • FC“A sense of belonging nudges people to look out for one another” — The personifying verb 'nudges' gives the sentence a subtler, more idiomatic feel than the plainer 'encourages people to look out for each other' phrasing at band 7.0.

8. 8. What role can governments play in promoting a healthy society?

   Sep–Dec 2026
   Compare Band 6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5 for this question

   Band 6.5

   The 6.5 answer gives a direct opinion with two examples and one qualifying point, using the plain connector 'also' once and simple vocabulary like 'a good small example' and 'basic conditions'.

   Governments can shape the environment people live in, and that affects health more than individual willpower alone usually can. Spending on public parks, affordable healthcare and clean air rules creates the basic conditions for a healthier population, regardless of individual effort. Public health campaigns can also raise awareness about things like diet or smoking, though I think they don't work as well without proper infrastructure behind them. Da Nang's investment in riverside walking paths and public exercise equipment is a good small example - it's made staying active easier for people who wouldn't otherwise join a gym.

   Why this band

   • GRA“Governments can shape the environment people live in, and that affects health more than individual willpower alone usually can.” — A main clause joined with 'and' plus a simple comparative clause, a fairly basic way of connecting cause and effect. A band 7 answer would more likely combine this into a relative clause instead of a separate 'and' clause.
   • LR“a good small example” — A plain, general evaluative phrase. A higher band answer would likely use a more precise word, such as calling it a 'small-scale example', to describe the same idea more specifically.
   • FC“Public health campaigns can also raise awareness about things like diet or smoking, though I think they don't work as well without proper infrastructure behind them.” — A qualifying 'though' clause added to soften the claim, a fairly direct way of showing nuance. A 7.5 answer would more likely phrase this limitation more compactly and with more precise vocabulary.

   Band 7.0

   The 7.0 answer replaces the 'and' clause with a smoother 'which' clause, and adds a reflective closing sentence about government action as 'a foundation', giving more developed reasoning than band 6.5.

   Governments can shape the environment people live in, which affects health more than individual willpower alone usually can. Investing in public parks, affordable healthcare and clean air regulations creates the basic conditions for a healthier population, regardless of individual effort. Public health campaigns can also raise awareness about issues like diet or smoking, though I think their effect is limited without supporting infrastructure. Da Nang's recent investment in riverside walking paths and public exercise equipment is a good small-scale example - it's made staying active more accessible for people who might not otherwise join a gym. Ultimately, though, government action works best as a foundation, with individual choices still doing a lot of the remaining work.

   Why this band

   • GRA“Governments can shape the environment people live in, which affects health more than individual willpower alone usually can.” — A 'which' relative clause links cause and effect smoothly within one sentence, a more sophisticated construction than the separate 'and that affects' clause used at band 6.5.
   • LR“a good small-scale example” — A more precise, natural collocation than the plainer 'a good small example' phrasing at band 6.5, showing deliberate word choice appropriate to the more formal register of band 7.0.
   • FC“Ultimately, though, government action works best as a foundation, with individual choices still doing a lot of the remaining work.” — A reflective closing sentence that reframes the whole answer around one unifying metaphor ('a foundation'), typical of band 7.0's mild elaboration beyond the flatter listing style of band 6.5.

   Band 7.5

   The 7.5 answer uses the vivid verb phrase 'lays down the basic conditions' and the idiomatic 'set foot in a gym', giving more precise, image-based vocabulary than the plainer band 7.0 wording.

   Governments can shape the environment people live in, which affects health more than individual willpower alone usually manages to. Investing in public parks, affordable healthcare and clean air regulations lays down the basic conditions for a healthier population, regardless of individual effort. Public health campaigns can raise awareness too, around diet or smoking, say, though their effect seems limited without infrastructure to back them up. Da Nang's recent investment in riverside walking paths and public exercise equipment is a good small-scale example, making staying active far more accessible for people who'd never otherwise set foot in a gym. Ultimately, though, government action works best as a foundation, with individual choices still doing most of the remaining work.

   Why this band

   • LR“lays down the basic conditions for a healthier population” — A more vivid, precise verb phrase ('lays down') than the plainer 'creates the basic conditions' construction at band 7.0, showing the kind of distinctive vocabulary expected at band 7.5.
   • GRA“making staying active far more accessible for people who'd never otherwise set foot in a gym” — A participial phrase ('making...') attached directly to the previous clause instead of a new finite sentence, a more compact and flexible construction than the separate sentence used at band 7.0.
   • FC“Public health campaigns can raise awareness too, around diet or smoking, say” — The inserted aside 'say' functions as a natural spoken hedge offering an example, a more conversational, idiomatic touch than the plainer 'issues like diet or smoking' phrasing at band 7.0.

9. 9. Do you think societies in the future will priorities happiness rather than wealth?

   Sep–Dec 2026
   Compare Band 6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5 for this question

   Band 6.5

   The 6.5 answer gives a hedged 'I'd like to think so' opinion with two supporting points and one final doubt, using the plain connector 'but' once and simple vocabulary like 'difficult economic times' and 'give up'.

   I'd like to think so, though I'm not completely sure it will happen quickly. There does seem to be a generational change already - people my age talk more openly about work-life balance and mental health than our parents' generation did, who focused more on stability and income after difficult economic times. Some countries that measure wellbeing alongside GDP, like Bhutan's happiness index, suggest this idea is becoming more popular around the world too. But wealth still supports a lot of what makes happiness possible, like healthcare and safety, so I doubt societies will fully give up economic priorities.

   Why this band

   • FC“I'd like to think so, though I'm not completely sure it will happen quickly.” — A short opening hedge stated directly with 'though'. A band 7 answer would more likely add a further qualifying clause in the same sentence rather than stopping at this simple concession.
   • GRA“people my age talk more openly about work-life balance and mental health than our parents' generation did, who focused more on stability and income after difficult economic times” — A comparative clause followed by a 'who' relative clause tacked on at the end, a fairly basic way of adding extra detail. A higher band would likely integrate this contrast more smoothly within the sentence.
   • LR“give up economic priorities” — A plain, general verb phrase. A higher band answer would likely use a more formal or precise word, such as 'abandon', instead of the everyday phrasal verb 'give up'.

   Band 7.0

   The 7.0 answer upgrades 'give up' to the more formal 'abandon', and adds a fuller concluding sentence about happiness and wealth as 'connected goals', giving a more developed final point than band 6.5.

   I'd like to think so, though I'm not fully convinced it'll happen quickly. There does seem to be a generational shift already - people my age talk more openly about work-life balance and mental health than our parents' generation did, who were more focused on stability and income after difficult economic periods. Countries that measure wellbeing alongside GDP, like Bhutan's happiness index, suggest the idea is gaining some traction globally too. But wealth still underpins a lot of what makes happiness possible, like healthcare and security, so I doubt societies will fully abandon economic priorities. A more realistic future probably treats happiness and wealth as connected goals, rather than happiness fully replacing wealth.

   Why this band

   • LR“wealth still underpins a lot of what makes happiness possible” — A more precise, formal collocation ('underpins') than the plainer 'wealth still supports a lot of' phrasing used at band 6.5, showing deliberate word choice appropriate to the topic.
   • GRA“A more realistic future probably treats happiness and wealth as connected goals, rather than happiness fully replacing wealth.” — A 'rather than' clause is added to contrast two possible outcomes within one sentence, a more developed structure than the simpler final sentence a band 6.5 answer used to close the same idea.
   • FC“Countries that measure wellbeing alongside GDP, like Bhutan's happiness index, suggest the idea is gaining some traction globally too” — A specific supporting example (Bhutan's happiness index) is woven into the sentence to support the claim, a small elaborative touch typical of band 7.0 beyond the more general statement at band 6.5.

   Band 7.5

   The 7.5 answer uses the compact appositive 'Bhutan's happiness index among them' and the participial phrase 'having been shaped more by stability and income', showing more flexible, compressed grammar than the fuller band 7.0 sentences.

   I'd like to think so, though I'm not fully convinced it'll happen quickly. A generational shift does seem underway - people my age talk more openly about work-life balance and mental health than our parents' generation ever did, having been shaped more by stability and income after difficult economic periods. Countries measuring wellbeing alongside GDP, Bhutan's happiness index among them, suggest the idea is gaining traction globally too. But wealth still underpins much of what makes happiness possible, healthcare and security chief among them, so I doubt societies will fully abandon economic priorities anytime soon. A more realistic future probably treats happiness and wealth as connected goals rather than happiness simply displacing wealth.

   Why this band

   • GRA“having been shaped more by stability and income after difficult economic periods” — A participial phrase ('having been shaped...') replaces the finite 'who were more focused on' relative clause used at band 7.0, a more compact and flexible construction.
   • LR“healthcare and security chief among them” — An idiomatic appositive phrase ('chief among them') replacing the plainer 'like healthcare and security' construction at band 7.0, showing the kind of distinctive phrasing expected at band 7.5.
   • FC“rather than happiness simply displacing wealth” — The more precise verb 'displacing' gives the closing contrast a sharper, more deliberate finish than the plainer 'happiness fully replacing wealth' phrasing used at band 7.0.

10. 10. Which group pays more attention to health, young people or old people?

    Sep–Dec 2026
    Compare Band 6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5 for this question

    Band 6.5

    Gives a plain, hedged opinion and closes with a simple 'while' contrast, using common phrasing throughout.

    I'd say older people usually pay more attention to their health, though it's not always true. For example, my aunt started taking morning walks near her house in Hue after turning fifty. She also began eating lighter food, like bánh bèo and vegetables, because her doctor warned her about high cholesterol. Most of my younger friends in Da Nang are quite relaxed about their health unless they're training for something, like a marathon. I think older people become more aware of health risks, while young people often feel invincible until something happens.

    Why this band

    • FC“I'd say older people usually pay more attention to their health, though it's not always true.” — A plain hedged claim, less analytical than 7.5's framing that 'awareness of health tends to arrive with age'.
    • LR“She also began eating lighter food, like bánh bèo and vegetables” — Plain phrasing, compared to 7.5's 'swapped heavier meals for things like bánh bèo and steamed vegetables'.
    • GRA“I think older people become more aware of health risks, while young people often feel invincible until something happens.” — A simple 'while' contrast, less layered than 7.5's closing sentence.

    Band 7.0

    Softens the claim with 'tend to' and adds a longer 'whereas' clause for slightly more developed reasoning.

    Honestly, I'd say older people tend to pay more attention to their health, though it's not a hard rule. My aunt, for example, started taking morning walks near her house in Hue after turning fifty, and switched to lighter meals, like bánh bèo and steamed vegetables, after her doctor warned her about high cholesterol. In contrast, most of my younger friends in Da Nang stay pretty relaxed about their health unless they're training for something specific, like a marathon. I think older people just become more aware of the risks over time, whereas young people often feel a bit invincible, at least until something forces them to notice.

    Why this band

    • FC“Honestly, I'd say older people tend to pay more attention to their health, though it's not a hard rule.” — Adds 'tend to' and 'Honestly' for a softer, more considered tone than 6.5, though still a fairly direct claim next to 7.5's more abstract framing.
    • LR“switched to lighter meals, like bánh bèo and steamed vegetables, after her doctor warned her about high cholesterol” — Slightly more connected phrasing than 6.5's separate sentence, though less vivid than 7.5's 'swapped... the moment her doctor mentioned cholesterol'.
    • GRA“I think older people just become more aware of the risks over time, whereas young people often feel a bit invincible, at least until something forces them to notice.” — A longer 'whereas' sentence with an added qualifier, more developed than 6.5's shorter version.

    Band 7.5

    Frames health awareness as something that 'arrives with age' and closes with a layered 'not X, so much as Y... whereas' construction.

    If I had to generalise, I'd say awareness of health tends to arrive with age, more than it's something older people were simply born with. My aunt is a good illustration: she took up morning walks around the park near her house in Hue only after turning fifty, and swapped heavier meals for things like bánh bèo and steamed vegetables the moment her doctor mentioned cholesterol. Most of my younger friends in Da Nang, by contrast, treat their bodies with a kind of casual confidence, unless they happen to be training for something specific, like a marathon. I suspect it isn't that young people don't care, so much as risk hasn't yet introduced itself to them personally, whereas for someone my aunt's age, it already has.

    Why this band

    • FC“I'd say awareness of health tends to arrive with age, more than it's something older people were simply born with.” — An abstract, almost philosophical framing that reframes the whole question, well beyond the direct claims at 6.5 and 7.0.
    • LR“swapped heavier meals for things like bánh bèo and steamed vegetables the moment her doctor mentioned cholesterol” — More precise, connected phrasing ('the moment... mentioned') than the plainer versions at the lower bands.
    • GRA“I suspect it isn't that young people don't care, so much as risk hasn't yet introduced itself to them personally, whereas for someone my aunt's age, it already has.” — A 'not X, so much as Y' construction combined with a 'whereas' clause, considerably more complex than the simpler sentences at 6.5 and 7.0.

11. 11. Do young people today pay more attention to their health than young people did in the past?

    Sep–Dec 2026
    Compare Band 6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5 for this question

    Band 6.5

    States the opinion plainly and closes with a simple 'but' contrast, using everyday phrasing like 'rarely thought about exercise'.

    I think young people today are more health-conscious than in the past. There's much more access to health information now, through social media, apps, and YouTube. For example, my colleague Linh and I started using a running app called Nike Run Club about a year ago to track our weekend runs at My Khe Beach. When I was growing up in Hue, most of my friends rarely thought about exercise outside of PE class. Some people still have unhealthy habits, like staying up late on TikTok, but overall I think young people care more about fitness now.

    Why this band

    • FC“I think young people today are more health-conscious than in the past.” — A plain direct claim, less nuanced than 7.5's 'it's less... and more that health has become genuinely visible'.
    • LR“most of my friends rarely thought about exercise outside of PE class” — Plain phrasing, compared to 7.5's 'exercise pretty much began and ended with PE class'.
    • GRA“Some people still have unhealthy habits, like staying up late on TikTok, but overall I think young people care more about fitness now.” — A simple 'but' contrast, less developed than 7.5's closing sentence.

    Band 7.0

    Adds a causal clause ('mainly because') and a longer concession-plus-conclusion sentence for more development.

    I think, overall, young people today are definitely more health-conscious than a decade or two ago, mainly because there's so much more access to health information now, through social media, fitness apps, and YouTube. My colleague Linh and I, for instance, started using a running app called Nike Run Club about a year ago to track our weekend runs along My Khe Beach. Back when I was growing up in Hue, honestly, most of my friends rarely thought about exercise beyond PE class. That said, some people still struggle with unhealthy habits, like staying up late on TikTok or drinking too much bubble tea, but overall I'd say there's been a real shift towards valuing fitness.

    Why this band

    • FC“I think, overall, young people today are definitely more health-conscious than a decade or two ago, mainly because there's so much more access to health information now” — Adds a causal clause ('mainly because') for more development than 6.5's flat claim, though less nuanced than 7.5's 'less X, more Y' reframing.
    • LR“most of my friends rarely thought about exercise beyond PE class” — Very close to 6.5's phrasing but slightly tightened, still less vivid than 7.5's 'began and ended with'.
    • GRA“That said, some people still struggle with unhealthy habits, like staying up late on TikTok or drinking too much bubble tea, but overall I'd say there's been a real shift towards valuing fitness.” — A longer sentence linking concession and conclusion with 'but', more developed than 6.5's shorter version.

    Band 7.5

    Reframes the whole answer with a 'less X, more Y' structure and closes with an abstract comparative sentence about 'visibility'.

    Yes, and I'd say the shift isn't subtle - it's less that young people today care more in the abstract, and more that health has become genuinely visible to us, through fitness apps, YouTube, whatever's trending on social media that week. My colleague Linh and I started using Nike Run Club about a year ago just to track our weekend runs along My Khe Beach, something that would never have occurred to most of my classmates growing up in Hue, where exercise pretty much began and ended with PE class. Plenty of people still undercut this with genuinely unhealthy habits, doom-scrolling TikTok till 2am or living on bubble tea, so the picture isn't uniformly rosy. But on balance, visibility has done more for young people's health than good intentions ever could.

    Why this band

    • FC“it's less that young people today care more in the abstract, and more that health has become genuinely visible to us” — A 'less X, more Y' reframing that adds real conceptual nuance, beyond the direct claims at 6.5 and 7.0.
    • LR“doom-scrolling TikTok till 2am or living on bubble tea” — Vivid, idiomatic phrasing ('doom-scrolling') well beyond the plainer 'staying up late on TikTok' at the lower bands.
    • GRA“But on balance, visibility has done more for young people's health than good intentions ever could.” — A comparative sentence with an abstract subject ('visibility') acting as the agent, more sophisticated grammatically than the simpler concessive sentences at 6.5 and 7.0.

12. 12. Do you think staying healthy when people are young can benefit them when they get older?

    Sep–Dec 2026
    Compare Band 6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5 for this question

    Band 6.5

    States the opinion directly and describes Phuong's routine plainly, closing with a short 'but' sentence.

    Yes, I really think staying healthy when you're young helps later in life. For example, my friend Phuong from university used to wake up at 5am to swim at the pool near our campus in Hanoi, even during exam season. At the time, I thought she was a bit extreme, but now, years later, she hardly ever gets sick and still has a lot of energy for her job as a teacher. I've noticed people like her, who built healthy habits early, have fewer problems like back pain or stress. It's never too late to get healthy, but starting early seems to help more.

    Why this band

    • FC“Yes, I really think staying healthy when you're young helps later in life.” — A plain direct claim, less figurative than 7.5's 'compound' metaphor.
    • LR“she hardly ever gets sick and still has a lot of energy for her job as a teacher” — Plain phrasing, compared to 7.5's 'the kind of energy... that the rest of us seem to have traded away somewhere in our twenties'.
    • GRA“It's never too late to get healthy, but starting early seems to help more.” — A simple 'but' sentence, less complex than 7.5's closing sentence about 'buying something'.

    Band 7.0

    Adds mild emphasis ('really do', 'loads of') and an embedded relative clause for slightly more grammatical range.

    Yes, I really do think staying healthy when you're young pays off later in life. My friend Phuong from university used to wake up at 5am to swim laps at the pool near our campus in Hanoi, even during exam season. Honestly, back then I thought she was being a bit extreme, but now, years later, she hardly ever gets sick and still has loads of energy for her job as a teacher. I've noticed that people like her, who developed healthy habits early on, tend to have fewer issues with things like back pain or stress. Of course, it's never too late, but the earlier you start, the more it seems to stick.

    Why this band

    • FC“Yes, I really do think staying healthy when you're young pays off later in life.” — Very close to 6.5 but adds 'really do' for mild emphasis; still a fairly plain claim next to 7.5's compound-interest metaphor.
    • LR“she hardly ever gets sick and still has loads of energy for her job as a teacher” — 'Loads of' is a bit more colloquial than 6.5's 'a lot of', though still simpler than 7.5's imagery.
    • GRA“I've noticed that people like her, who developed healthy habits early on, tend to have fewer issues with things like back pain or stress.” — An embedded relative clause adds more grammatical complexity than 6.5's simpler sentence, though less than 7.5's extended metaphor sentence.

    Band 7.5

    Builds the whole answer around an extended 'compound interest' metaphor for early habits, closing on a matching comparative sentence.

    Yes, and I'd go further - I think early habits don't just help later, they quietly compound, the way interest does on money left untouched. My university friend Phuong used to wake at 5am to swim laps near our campus in Hanoi, even through exam season, and at the time I honestly thought she was overdoing it. Years later, though, she barely gets sick and still has the kind of energy for her teaching job that the rest of us seem to have traded away somewhere in our twenties. What strikes me is that people like her rarely mention back pain or chronic stress, the things that quietly wear the rest of us down. It's never too late to start, but early habits seem to buy you something later ones simply can't.

    Why this band

    • FC“I think early habits don't just help later, they quietly compound, the way interest does on money left untouched” — An extended financial metaphor ('compound... interest') that reframes the whole idea abstractly, well beyond the direct claims at 6.5 and 7.0.
    • LR“the kind of energy for her teaching job that the rest of us seem to have traded away somewhere in our twenties” — A vivid, reflective image ('traded away') more evocative than the plainer descriptions at the lower bands.
    • GRA“It's never too late to start, but early habits seem to buy you something later ones simply can't.” — A compact comparative sentence extending the earlier financial metaphor, more structurally unified than the simpler sentences at 6.5 and 7.0.

13. 13. What effect does stress have on people’s physical and mental health?

    Sep–Dec 2026
    Compare Band 6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5 for this question

    Band 6.5

    States the effect plainly and lists symptoms simply, closing with a short conditional sentence.

    I think stress can really affect both physical and mental health, sometimes without us noticing at first. For example, last winter my colleague Quân went through a very demanding project. He started getting headaches and couldn't sleep well, and he became more withdrawn at work and even lost weight. He told me he felt constantly on edge and couldn't focus on simple tasks, like replying to messages. I've seen this pattern before - stress can weaken the immune system, make people more irritable, and sometimes cause back pain or stomach problems. If it goes on too long, it can lead to bigger health issues.

    Why this band

    • FC“I think stress can really affect both physical and mental health, sometimes without us noticing at first.” — A plain direct claim, less figurative than 7.5's framing of stress as 'deceptive' and something that 'erodes people from the inside'.
    • LR“he became more withdrawn at work and even lost weight” — Plain factual description, compared to 7.5's 'the toll showed up sideways' imagery.
    • GRA“If it goes on too long, it can lead to bigger health issues.” — A short conditional sentence, less complex than 7.5's closing sentence about stress ceasing to be 'a mood' and becoming 'a diagnosis'.

    Band 7.0

    Adds the idiom 'take a toll' and a colon-led explanatory clause for slightly more structured reasoning.

    I think stress can really take a toll on both physical and mental health, sometimes without us even noticing at first. Last winter, for instance, my colleague Quân went through a really demanding project - he started having headaches and barely slept, and it showed, he became more withdrawn at work and even lost weight. He told me he felt constantly on edge and couldn't focus on simple tasks like replying to messages. Honestly, I've seen this pattern before: stress can weaken the immune system and trigger things like back pain or stomach problems. Of course, some people manage stress better than others, but if it drags on too long, it can lead to bigger health issues.

    Why this band

    • FC“I think stress can really take a toll on both physical and mental health, sometimes without us even noticing at first.” — The phrase 'take a toll' adds slightly more idiomatic color than 6.5's plainer 'affect', though it's still a fairly direct statement next to 7.5's 'deceptive' framing.
    • LR“it showed, he became more withdrawn at work and even lost weight” — A dash-linked build-up that's a bit more connected than 6.5's plain listing, though less vivid than 7.5's 'the toll showed up sideways'.
    • GRA“Honestly, I've seen this pattern before: stress can weaken the immune system and trigger things like back pain or stomach problems.” — A colon-led explanatory clause, more structurally developed than 6.5's short conditional sentence, though simpler than 7.5's extended list.

    Band 7.5

    Personifies stress as something that 'erodes' and 'rarely announces itself', closing on the parallel 'stops being a mood and starts being a diagnosis'.

    I think stress is deceptive precisely because it rarely announces itself - it just quietly erodes people from the inside before anyone, including the person themselves, notices what's happening. Last winter, my colleague Quân went through a brutal project cycle, and the toll showed up sideways: headaches, broken sleep, a noticeable withdrawal at work, and weight he hadn't meant to lose. He described feeling permanently on edge, unable to focus even on something as trivial as replying to a message. I've watched this pattern often enough to trust it - stress weakens the immune system, frays people's patience, and eventually surfaces as something physical, back pain, stomach trouble, whatever the body's weakest point happens to be. Left unchecked long enough, it stops being a mood and starts being a diagnosis.

    Why this band

    • FC“stress is deceptive precisely because it rarely announces itself - it just quietly erodes people from the inside before anyone, including the person themselves, notices what's happening” — A personifying, abstract metaphor (stress as something that 'erodes' and fails to 'announce itself') well beyond the plain claims at 6.5 and 7.0.
    • LR“the toll showed up sideways: headaches, broken sleep, a noticeable withdrawal at work, and weight he hadn't meant to lose” — A vivid idiom ('showed up sideways') followed by a precise list, more evocative than the plainer descriptions at the lower bands.
    • GRA“Left unchecked long enough, it stops being a mood and starts being a diagnosis.” — A compact fronted participial clause plus a parallel 'stops being... starts being' structure, considerably more sophisticated than the simpler conditional sentence at 6.5 and the colon-led sentence at 7.0.

14. 14. What are the main factors that affect people’s health?

    Sep–Dec 2026
    Compare Band 6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5 for this question

    Band 6.5

    Lists the factors plainly and closes with a simple 'but' sentence, using everyday phrasing like 'feeling tired'.

    I think the main factors that affect health are lifestyle, environment, and sometimes genetics. For example, a few months ago, my colleague Thảo started bringing homemade lunches instead of ordering mì Quảng or bánh mì with the rest of us. She told me she wanted to cut back on greasy food after feeling tired during a big app launch. She also started cycling along the river after work. After about six weeks, she seemed more energetic and her mood improved too. Of course, some things like air quality or family history are outside our control, but I think daily habits like food and exercise make the biggest difference.

    Why this band

    • FC“I think the main factors that affect health are lifestyle, environment, and sometimes genetics.” — A plain listed claim, less structured than 7.5's 'layered mix' metaphor.
    • LR“She told me she wanted to cut back on greasy food after feeling tired during a big app launch.” — Plain description, compared to 7.5's 'feeling sluggish one too many times during an intense app launch'.
    • GRA“Of course, some things like air quality or family history are outside our control, but I think daily habits like food and exercise make the biggest difference.” — A single 'but' sentence, less complex than 7.5's closing sentence about 'leverage'.

    Band 7.0

    Links ideas into a longer connected clause and adds 'honestly' for a touch more natural flow.

    I think the main factors that affect people's health are lifestyle choices, environment, and sometimes genetics. A few months ago, for instance, I noticed my colleague Thảo start bringing homemade lunches instead of ordering mì Quảng or bánh mì with the rest of us, after deciding to cut back on greasy food when she felt sluggish during an intense app launch. Along with that, she started cycling along the river after work. Within about six weeks, she seemed more energetic and even her mood improved. Of course, not everything is within our control, like air quality or family history, but honestly, small daily habits like food and exercise probably matter most.

    Why this band

    • FC“I think the main factors that affect people's health are lifestyle choices, environment, and sometimes genetics.” — Nearly identical to 6.5 but slightly expanded ('lifestyle choices'), still a plain list compared to 7.5's layered metaphor.
    • LR“Thảo start bringing homemade lunches instead of ordering mì Quảng or bánh mì with the rest of us, after deciding to cut back on greasy food when she felt sluggish” — A longer, more connected clause than 6.5's separate sentences, though less structurally unified than 7.5's single flowing sentence.
    • GRA“Of course, not everything is within our control, like air quality or family history, but honestly, small daily habits like food and exercise probably matter most.” — Adds 'honestly' and a dash-like list for slightly more natural flow, more developed than 6.5's shorter version.

    Band 7.5

    Organises the whole answer around an extended 'layered mix' metaphor and closes with a cleft sentence about 'leverage'.

    I'd say health comes down to a layered mix of things - lifestyle sitting on top, environment underneath, and genetics as the fixed foundation nobody gets to choose. My colleague Thảo made that first layer visible to me a few months back: she swapped ordering mì Quảng or bánh mì for homemade lunches, after feeling sluggish one too many times during an intense app launch, and started cycling along the river most evenings. Within six weeks she was noticeably more energetic, and her mood had lifted too, which surprised me more than the physical change did. Nobody controls the air they breathe or the genes they inherit, but what struck me was how much leverage still sits in the layer we actually can adjust.

    Why this band

    • FC“health comes down to a layered mix of things - lifestyle sitting on top, environment underneath, and genetics as the fixed foundation nobody gets to choose” — An extended architectural metaphor ('layered', 'foundation') that organises the whole answer, well beyond the plain listing at 6.5 and 7.0.
    • LR“feeling sluggish one too many times during an intense app launch” — The phrase 'one too many times' adds a natural, idiomatic rhythm beyond the plainer versions at the lower bands.
    • GRA“Nobody controls the air they breathe or the genes they inherit, but what struck me was how much leverage still sits in the layer we actually can adjust.” — A cleft-style closing clause ('what struck me was...') extending the earlier metaphor, more structurally ambitious than the simpler contrast sentences at 6.5 and 7.0.

15. 15. What can people do to maintain good physical and mental health?

    Sep–Dec 2026
    Compare Band 6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5 for this question

    Band 6.5

    States the advice plainly and closes with a simple conditional sentence, using everyday phrasing like 'relax after long, busy days'.

    I think it's important to build small routines that fit your own lifestyle. For example, a few months ago, I started joining my neighbor, Minh, for evening jogs along the Han River. At first, I was just doing it for the company and a bit of exercise after work, but it quickly became a good way to relieve stress too. The fresh air and chatting while running really helped me relax after long, busy days. Even if someone doesn't like intense workouts, just moving regularly and spending time with others can improve both mood and fitness. It's not always easy to keep the habit going, though.

    Why this band

    • FC“I think it's important to build small routines that fit your own lifestyle.” — A plain direct claim, less figurative than 7.5's 'chore in disguise' framing.
    • LR“The fresh air and chatting while running really helped me relax after long, busy days.” — Plain phrasing, compared to 7.5's 'unwind whatever the day's screen time and client calls had knotted up'.
    • GRA“Even if someone doesn't like intense workouts, just moving regularly and spending time with others can improve both mood and fitness.” — A single conditional-style sentence, less layered than 7.5's closing comparison sentence.

    Band 7.0

    Adds specific detail ('screen time and client calls') and the hedge 'I'd say' for a slightly more natural, developed answer.

    To maintain good physical and mental health, I think it's important to build small routines that actually fit your lifestyle. A few months back, I started joining my neighbor, Minh, for early evening jogs along the Han River. At first, I was honestly just doing it for the company, but it quickly turned into a real stress reliever. The fresh air and chatting while running helped me unwind after long days full of screen time and client calls. I'd say, even if someone doesn't enjoy intense workouts, just moving regularly and connecting with others can boost both mood and fitness. Of course, it's not always easy to keep the habit going, but having someone to motivate you helps a lot.

    Why this band

    • FC“To maintain good physical and mental health, I think it's important to build small routines that actually fit your lifestyle.” — A fronted infinitive clause gives slightly more shape than 6.5's plainer version, though it's still a direct statement next to 7.5's 'chore in disguise' metaphor.
    • LR“The fresh air and chatting while running helped me unwind after long days full of screen time and client calls.” — Adds specific detail ('screen time and client calls') beyond 6.5's vaguer 'busy days', though less vivid than 7.5's 'knotted up' imagery.
    • GRA“I'd say, even if someone doesn't enjoy intense workouts, just moving regularly and connecting with others can boost both mood and fitness.” — Adds the hedge 'I'd say' to a similar conditional structure as 6.5, showing slightly more natural spoken flow.

    Band 7.5

    Frames the whole idea around 'a chore in disguise' and closes with a comparative sentence contrasting a person with 'any app'.

    I think the trick to maintaining physical and mental health is finding routines that don't feel like a chore in disguise. A few months back, I started tagging along with my neighbor, Minh, for early evening jogs by the Han River, mostly for the company at first, if I'm honest, rather than any grand fitness plan. What surprised me was how quickly it turned into genuine stress relief - something about the fresh air and half-distracted conversation while running seemed to unwind whatever the day's screen time and client calls had knotted up. Even people who dread structured workouts can get most of the benefit just from moving regularly alongside someone else. The habit is never effortless to sustain, but having someone quietly expecting you turns out to be more motivating than any app I've tried.

    Why this band

    • FC“the trick to maintaining physical and mental health is finding routines that don't feel like a chore in disguise” — A figurative framing ('chore in disguise') that reframes the whole question, well beyond the direct claims at 6.5 and 7.0.
    • LR“something about the fresh air and half-distracted conversation while running seemed to unwind whatever the day's screen time and client calls had knotted up” — An extended, vivid metaphor ('knotted up') far more evocative than the plainer descriptions at the lower bands.
    • GRA“having someone quietly expecting you turns out to be more motivating than any app I've tried” — A comparative sentence with an abstract subject as the agent, more structurally sophisticated than the simpler conditional sentences at 6.5 and 7.0.

16. 16. Why is it important to have a healthy community?

    Sep–Dec 2026
    Compare Band 6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5 for this question

    Band 6.5

    States the opinion plainly and describes the yoga sessions simply, closing with a basic compound sentence.

    I think having a healthy community matters because it shapes how people live every day. When everyone around you values exercise or eats well, it motivates you to do the same, and it makes public spaces more lively and positive. For example, last year my apartment building started weekly yoga sessions on the rooftop, and I joined with my neighbor, Vy. I wasn't very interested in yoga at first, but seeing familiar faces each week made me stick with it. Over time, the atmosphere felt more supportive, and people seemed more connected, not just physically but socially too.

    Why this band

    • FC“I think having a healthy community matters because it shapes how people live every day.” — A plain direct claim, less figurative than 7.5's 'contagious' metaphor.
    • LR“seeing familiar faces each week made me stick with it” — Plain phrasing, compared to 7.5's 'the sight of the same familiar faces, people of every age, showing up week after week'.
    • GRA“Over time, the atmosphere felt more supportive, and people seemed more connected, not just physically but socially too.” — A simple compound sentence, less layered than 7.5's closing sentence about 'the cure'.

    Band 7.0

    Adds a bit more specific detail ('people of all ages') and the natural aside 'you could tell' for slightly more flow.

    I think having a healthy community matters because it shapes how people live and interact every day. When everyone around you values exercise or eats well, it sort of motivates you to do the same, and it makes public spaces feel more lively and positive. For example, last year my apartment building started weekly yoga sessions on the rooftop, and I joined in with my neighbor, Vy. I wasn't super into yoga at first, but seeing a group of familiar faces each week, people of all ages, made me stick with it. Over time, the atmosphere felt more supportive, and you could tell people felt more connected and confident, not just physically but socially too.

    Why this band

    • FC“I think having a healthy community matters because it shapes how people live and interact every day.” — Adds 'and interact' for slightly more precision than 6.5, though still a fairly literal claim next to 7.5's 'contagious' framing.
    • LR“seeing a group of familiar faces each week, people of all ages, made me stick with it” — Adds the detail 'people of all ages' beyond 6.5's plainer version, though less developed than 7.5's fuller clause about 'letting the group down'.
    • GRA“Over time, the atmosphere felt more supportive, and you could tell people felt more connected and confident, not just physically but socially too.” — Adds 'you could tell' for a slightly more natural spoken feel, a small step up from 6.5's plainer version.

    Band 7.5

    Builds an extended metaphor around health being 'contagious' and closes with the simile 'part of the cure'.

    I think a healthy community matters because health, it turns out, is contagious in a way that has nothing to do with germs - it spreads through visibility, through simply seeing other people doing it. When my apartment building started weekly rooftop yoga sessions last year, I joined mostly out of curiosity, dragged along by my neighbor Vy, and I wasn't remotely sold on yoga itself. What kept me coming back was the sight of the same familiar faces, people of every age, showing up week after week, which made skipping feel like letting the group down. Over time the rooftop developed a quiet kind of trust, and people grew more confident, not just physically but socially, as if the community itself had become part of the cure.

    Why this band

    • FC“health, it turns out, is contagious in a way that has nothing to do with germs - it spreads through visibility, through simply seeing other people doing it” — An extended, almost paradoxical metaphor ('contagious... nothing to do with germs') that reframes the whole idea, well beyond the direct claims at 6.5 and 7.0.
    • LR“the sight of the same familiar faces, people of every age, showing up week after week, which made skipping feel like letting the group down” — A longer, more textured image than the plainer versions at the lower bands.
    • GRA“as if the community itself had become part of the cure” — A simile ('as if') closing the answer on an abstract, figurative note, more sophisticated than the simple compound sentences at 6.5 and 7.0.

17. 17. Can a healthy community give people a sense of belonging?

    Sep–Dec 2026
    Compare Band 6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5 for this question

    Band 6.5

    Gives a direct 'yes' and describes the running group plainly, closing with a simple compound sentence.

    Yes, I think a healthy community definitely helps people feel like they belong. When I first moved to Da Nang for work, I didn't know many people outside the office, and it felt a bit lonely. But after a few weeks, I joined a weekend running group that meets near My Khe Beach. The group is a mix of locals and a few expats, and we usually get cà phê sữa đá together after our runs. That routine and the encouragement from others really made me feel part of something. Even on tired days, knowing people expected me kept me motivated, and it made Da Nang feel more like home.

    Why this band

    • FC“Yes, I think a healthy community definitely helps people feel like they belong.” — A plain direct answer, less nuanced than 7.5's claim that 'belonging is really the by-product, not the goal'.
    • LR“That routine and the encouragement from others really made me feel part of something.” — Plain phrasing, compared to 7.5's 'the group stopped being strangers I ran beside and started being people I'd actually miss'.
    • GRA“Even on tired days, knowing people expected me kept me motivated, and it made Da Nang feel more like home.” — A compound sentence with simple coordination, less complex than 7.5's semicolon-linked closing sentence.

    Band 7.0

    Tightens the description and adds a 'not only... it also' construction for a bit more grammatical range.

    Yes, I think a healthy community definitely helps people feel like they belong. When I first moved to Da Nang for work, I honestly didn't know many people outside the office, and it felt a bit lonely. After a few weeks, though, I joined a weekend running group near My Khe Beach - a relaxed mix of locals and a few expats who usually grab cà phê sữa đá together after runs. That sense of routine and the encouragement from others really made me feel like part of something. So being in that community not only improved my health, it also made Da Nang feel a lot more like home.

    Why this band

    • FC“Yes, I think a healthy community definitely helps people feel like they belong.” — Identical opening to 6.5, though the answer that follows adds slightly more descriptive detail; still less conceptual than 7.5's 'by-product, not the goal' framing.
    • LR“a relaxed mix of locals and a few expats who usually grab cà phê sữa đá together after runs” — More compact, natural phrasing than 6.5's slightly clunkier listing, though less reflective than 7.5's 'stopped being strangers I ran beside'.
    • GRA“So being in that community not only improved my health, it also made Da Nang feel a lot more like home.” — A 'not only... it also' construction, a step up from 6.5's simple compound sentence.

    Band 7.5

    Reframes belonging as 'the by-product, not the goal' and closes with a semicolon-linked comparative sentence.

    Yes, and I'd say belonging is really the by-product, not the goal - it sneaks up on you through routine rather than arriving on purpose. When I first moved to Da Nang for work, I barely knew anyone outside the office and the loneliness was quietly draining in a way I didn't fully register at the time. A few weeks in, I joined a weekend running group near My Khe Beach, an easygoing mix of locals and expats who invariably end up over cà phê sữa đá once the run is done, and somewhere in that routine, without my really noticing, the group stopped being strangers I ran beside and started being people I'd actually miss. So the community didn't just make me fitter; it quietly rebuilt something closer to home than my actual apartment ever managed to.

    Why this band

    • FC“I'd say belonging is really the by-product, not the goal - it sneaks up on you through routine rather than arriving on purpose” — An abstract, reflective reframing of the whole question, well beyond the direct claims at 6.5 and 7.0.
    • LR“the group stopped being strangers I ran beside and started being people I'd actually miss” — A parallel 'stopped being... started being' structure with genuine emotional precision, more vivid than the plainer descriptions at the lower bands.
    • GRA“the community didn't just make me fitter; it quietly rebuilt something closer to home than my actual apartment ever managed to” — A semicolon-linked sentence with a comparative clause, more structurally ambitious than the simpler 'not only... also' sentence at 7.0 and the compound sentence at 6.5.

18. 18. What can governments do to build healthier communities?

    Sep–Dec 2026
    Compare Band 6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5 for this question

    Band 6.5

    States the opinion plainly and describes the fitness zone simply, closing with a basic 'but' sentence.

    I think governments can do a lot, but I believe investing in public spaces makes the biggest difference. For example, a couple of years ago, Da Nang's city council built free outdoor fitness zones along the Han River. When the area near Tran Hung Dao street opened, I noticed more people, even elderly neighbors, coming out in the mornings to use the equipment or just walk. It created a friendly, active atmosphere that made it easier for everyone to join in, not just people who already exercise. Education about healthy living matters too, but without good public facilities, people aren't as motivated to be active.

    Why this band

    • FC“I think governments can do a lot, but I believe investing in public spaces makes the biggest difference.” — A plain direct opinion, less rhetorically pointed than 7.5's 'moves the needle' framing.
    • LR“I noticed more people, even elderly neighbors, coming out in the mornings to use the equipment or just walk.” — Plain description, compared to 7.5's 'watched the demographic shift in real time'.
    • GRA“Education about healthy living matters too, but without good public facilities, people aren't as motivated to be active.” — A simple 'but' sentence, less layered than 7.5's semicolon-linked closing sentence.

    Band 7.0

    Adds small elaborations ('quite a few ways', 'personally') and the natural aside 'honestly' for a bit more flow.

    I think governments have quite a few ways to support healthier communities, but personally, I believe investing in accessible public spaces makes the biggest difference. A couple of years ago, for example, Da Nang's city council introduced free outdoor fitness zones along the Han River, and when the area near Tran Hung Dao street first opened, I noticed more people, even elderly neighbors, coming out in the early mornings to use the equipment or simply walk. It created a friendly, active atmosphere that made it easier for everyone to join in, not just fitness enthusiasts. Of course, education matters too, but honestly, without convenient public facilities, people just aren't as motivated to get active.

    Why this band

    • FC“I think governments have quite a few ways to support healthier communities, but personally, I believe investing in accessible public spaces makes the biggest difference.” — Adds 'quite a few ways' and 'personally' for a bit more elaborated framing than 6.5, though still a fairly direct claim next to 7.5's 'moves the needle' idiom.
    • LR“I noticed more people, even elderly neighbors, coming out in the early mornings to use the equipment or simply walk” — Nearly identical to 6.5 with minor additions ('early'), still simpler than 7.5's 'wandering out each morning' and 'demographic shift'.
    • GRA“Of course, education matters too, but honestly, without convenient public facilities, people just aren't as motivated to get active.” — Adds 'honestly' and 'just' for slightly more natural emphasis, a small step up from 6.5's plainer version.

    Band 7.5

    Opens with the idiom 'moves the needle' and closes with a cleft-plus-semicolon sentence: 'the space itself did the persuading'.

    Governments have plenty of levers to pull, but if I had to name the one that actually moves the needle, it's accessible public space, not campaigns or slogans. A couple of years ago, Da Nang's city council installed free outdoor fitness zones along the Han River, and when the stretch near Tran Hung Dao street opened, I watched the demographic shift in real time - suddenly it wasn't just the usual fitness crowd but elderly neighbors, people who'd probably never set foot in a gym, wandering out each morning to use the equipment. What struck me was how the space itself did the persuading; nobody had to be convinced. Education still has its place, but I suspect no campaign moves people the way a free, well-lit patch of equipment outside their door does.

    Why this band

    • FC“if I had to name the one that actually moves the needle, it's accessible public space, not campaigns or slogans” — A confident, idiomatic claim ('moves the needle') with a 'not X' contrast, well beyond the direct opinions at 6.5 and 7.0.
    • LR“suddenly it wasn't just the usual fitness crowd but elderly neighbors, people who'd probably never set foot in a gym, wandering out each morning” — A vivid, specific description with the idiom 'set foot in a gym', far more textured than the plainer versions at the lower bands.
    • GRA“What struck me was how the space itself did the persuading; nobody had to be convinced.” — A cleft sentence followed by a semicolon-linked short clause, more structurally sophisticated than the simple 'but' sentences at 6.5 and 7.0.