IELTS Speaking Part 2

Something You Did That Helped You Learn Another Language

最近一次出现于 2026年5–8月

题卡

Describe something you did that helped you to learn another language

You should say:

  • what you did
  • where you did it
  • who you did it with
  • and explain how doing this helped you to learn another language

范文:6.5、7.0、7.5 三档

同一题目的三个版本,分别写到对应分数的真实水平——对比着看,能清楚看到分数之间到底差在哪里。

6.5 分

The answer gives one plain, direct reason for why the practice helped ('it made English feel normal, not just something from a textbook') and closes with a simple present habit, a clear but modest structure typical of Band 6.5.回答给出一个简单直接的理由来说明这个做法为何有帮助('它让英语感觉很自然,不只是课本里的东西'),并以一个简单的现在习惯收尾,结构清晰但比较朴素,是Band 6.5的典型特征。

Something that really helped me learn English was talking with a colleague called Nam every day during lunch at my office.

I did this at the studio where I work, on the eighteenth floor of a building by the river in Da Nang. Nam is a developer who lived in Singapore for two years, so his English was much better than mine. We used to eat lunch together in the small kitchen area, and one day he suggested that we only speak English while we ate, just for practice.

Who I did it with was mainly Nam, though sometimes one or two other colleagues joined us and tried too. We did this almost every working day for about a year. At first it was slow and I made a lot of mistakes, but Nam never laughed at me, he just corrected me gently and kept talking.

This helped me a lot because it made English feel normal, not just something from a textbook. I had to think quickly and use simple words to explain myself, instead of writing perfect sentences. After some months, I noticed I could understand my foreign clients much better in meetings, and I felt less nervous speaking. Nam has since moved to another company, but I still try to use a few English words with my new colleagues at lunch.

查看中文翻译

真正帮助我学英语的是每天午饭时间和公司同事阿南聊天。

我是在我工作的工作室做的,那栋楼在岘港江边,我们办公室在十八楼。阿南是一名开发人员,他曾在新加坡生活过两年,所以他的英语比我好很多。我们经常在办公室的小茶水间一起吃午饭,有一天他提议我们吃饭的时候只说英语,就当作练习。

跟我一起做这件事的主要是阿南,不过有时候一两个同事也会加入,一起尝试。我们几乎每个工作日都这样做,坚持了大概一年。一开始进展很慢,我犯了很多错误,但阿南从来没有笑话我,他只是温和地纠正我,然后继续聊下去。

这对我帮助很大,因为它让英语变得很自然,而不只是课本上的东西。我必须快速思考,用简单的词把意思表达出来,而不是写出完美的句子。几个月后,我发现在开会时能更好地听懂外国客户说的话了,说英语时也不那么紧张了。阿南后来跳槽去了另一家公司,不过我现在还是会试着在午饭时跟新同事说几句英语。

224 词 · 约 2 分钟

为什么是这个分数

  • FCThis helped me a lot because it made English feel normal, not just something from a textbook.The speaker states the benefit and its cause in a single sentence, using "because" to link them and then adding a brief negative contrast ("not just something from a textbook") to sharpen the point. This is a plain but genuinely effective way to develop an answer — one clear cause, one small contrastive detail — matching the Band 6.5 fluency target of developing an idea with one reason rather than several. The phrase "feel normal" is common and unspecific compared to a more precise alternative a higher band might use, such as "second nature" or "instinctive," but it communicates the point clearly.说话人在同一句话里说明了好处及其原因,用"because"把两者连接起来,再加上一个简短的否定式对比("not just something from a textbook")来强化观点。这是一种朴素但确实有效的展开方式——一个明确的原因,加一个小小的对比细节——符合6.5分流利度目标中「用一个理由而非多个理由来展开一个想法」的要求。相较于高分答案可能使用的更精确的替代说法,如"second nature"或"instinctive","feel normal"这个短语比较笼统、不够具体,但它依然把意思表达得很清楚。
  • LRNam never laughed at me, he just corrected me gently and kept talking"Corrected me gently" is a simple adverb-verb combination rather than a more specific or idiomatic phrase (like "let me off the hook" or "talked me through it patiently") that a higher-band speaker might use to convey the same supportive behaviour. The three actions here — not laughing, correcting gently, continuing to talk — are simply listed with commas and "and," keeping the sentence additive rather than more tightly structured. This plain, concrete description of a colleague's patience is clear and specific to the story, even though the vocabulary itself stays within the everyday range the Band 6.5 descriptor expects."Corrected me gently"是一个简单的副词加动词的组合,而不是更具体或习语化的说法(比如"let me off the hook"或"talked me through it patiently"),而高分考生可能会用后者来表达同样的关怀行为。这里的三个动作——没有笑、温和地纠正、继续交谈——只是用逗号和"and"简单罗列出来,让句子更偏向并列累加,而非更紧密的结构。这种朴素、具体地描写同事耐心的方式,清楚且贴合故事本身,尽管所用词汇仍停留在6.5分描述所要求的日常范围内。
  • GRAAt first it was slow and I made a lot of mistakes, but Nam never laughed at meThe sentence joins two simple clauses with 'but' rather than a more varied subordinate structure, showing the mostly simple grammar typical of Band 6.5.这句话用'but'把两个简单分句连在一起,而不是采用更多样的主从句结构,体现出Band 6.5以简单语法为主的特征。
7.0 分

The answer develops its point with a clear contrast — a decade of school English against still struggling to order a coffee — and a natural spoken aside ('Here's what made it work'), giving fuller, connected development than the 6.5 answer while staying less layered than the 7.5 version's imagery.回答通过一个鲜明的对比来展开论点——在学校学了十年英语却仍然点不好一杯咖啡——并用一句自然的口语插话('真正起作用的地方在这里'),展现出比Band 6.5答案更充分、更连贯的展开,但意象层次上不及Band 7.5版本。

What actually moved the needle on my English was a free conversation group that met every Saturday evening on the Da Nang riverside, back when I was nineteen and in my second year at college.

An Australian man named Bruce, retired and living locally, ran it — he'd set up a folding chair on the promenade near the bridge at six sharp each Saturday, and anyone could join, no cost, no sign-up sheet. Numbers varied wildly, sometimes just four of us, sometimes closer to twenty. He had a single rule, printed on a card he kept tucked by the chair: no apologising for mistakes. Say sorry, and you owed the group the same sentence again, properly this time.

I kept going for close to two years, sitting on that bench with motorbikes streaming past, usually alongside my classmate Hòa, who'd talked me into coming in the first place because she didn't want to go alone.

Here's what made it work: by that point I'd sat through roughly a decade of English lessons at school and still couldn't manage a coffee order with any confidence. School had drilled the rules into me but left me terrified of getting them wrong out loud. Sitting on that bench each week wore the fear down bit by bit. Bruce rarely jumped in to correct anything — he'd ask a question and just wait, and something about that silence pulled sentences out of me I didn't realise I had. Inside six months I caught myself thinking in English while sitting there. The bigger lesson, though, was that language lives in conversation, not textbooks — I picked up more from disagreeing with Hòa over a film than from any exam I ever sat. Bruce passed away a couple of years ago, but from what I hear, someone still sets up a chair on that same spot every Saturday.

查看中文翻译

真正让我的英语实现突破的,是每周六傍晚在岘港江边举行的一个免费英语角,那时我十九岁,读大二。

一位名叫Bruce的澳大利亚人退休后住在当地,是他发起了这个活动——他每周六六点整准时在桥边的江滨路上支起一把折叠椅,任何人都可以加入,不收费,也不用报名。人数变化很大,有时只有四个人,有时接近二十人。他只有一条规矩,写在一张他一直放在椅子旁边的卡片上:不许为犯错道歉。一旦你说"对不起",就得把刚才那句话原样再说一遍,这次说对为止。

我坚持了将近两年,就坐在那条长椅上,任摩托车川流不息地从旁边驶过,通常还有我的同学阿和(Hòa)陪着——最初就是她说服我来的,因为她不想一个人去。

真正起作用的地方在这里:到那个时候,我已经在学校上了差不多十年的英语课,却连点一杯咖啡都没什么自信。学校把语法规则死死地灌进我脑子里,却让我一开口就害怕说错。每周坐在那条长椅上,那种恐惧被一点点磨掉了。Bruce很少插话纠正错误——他只是提出一个问题,然后等着,而那种沉默里似乎有某种力量,把我自己都没意识到能说出口的句子给"拽"了出来。不到六个月,我发现自己坐在那儿的时候已经开始用英语思考了。不过更大的收获是,语言活在对话里,而不是课本里——我和阿和为了一部电影争论时学到的东西,比我考过的任何一场考试都多。Bruce几年前去世了,但听说,每周六还是有人在那个老地方摆上一把椅子。

312 词 · 约 2 分钟

为什么是这个分数

  • FCHere's what made it workThe phrase functions as a spoken-style signpost, marking the transition from describing the conversation group to explaining why it actually worked, rather than moving into the explanation without any verbal marker at all. Using this kind of informal, conversational connector instead of a written-style transition like 'The reason this was effective is...' is exactly the 'natural spoken connectors' the Band 7.0 fluency target asks for, sitting between the very plain topic sentences a 6.5 answer would use and the more elaborate reflective openings a 7.5 answer might build. It also creates a small sense of anticipation before the most important part of the answer.这个短语起到口语化路标的作用,标志着话题从描述对话小组转向解释它为什么真正奏效,而不是没有任何语言标记就直接进入解释。使用这种非正式、口语化的连接方式,而不是像'The reason this was effective is...'这样书面化的过渡语,正是Band 7.0流利度标准所要求的"自然的口语连接词",介于Band 6.5答案会使用的非常平淡的主题句和Band 7.5答案可能构建的更精心的反思式开场之间。它还在答案最重要的部分到来之前,营造出一丝小小的期待感。
  • LRsomething about that silence pulled sentences out of me I didn't realise I hadInstead of stating plainly that Bruce's patient silence helped the speaker talk, the phrase personifies the silence as something that actively 'pulled sentences out' of them, a more figurative and flexible way of describing a fairly abstract psychological process. That kind of imaginative but still natural phrasing, going beyond a literal description like 'his silence made me feel comfortable speaking,' is the flexible topic-specific vocabulary the Band 7.0 lexical target rewards without pushing into the denser figurative language a 7.5 answer might use. It also captures something genuinely specific about the teaching method described — that waiting, rather than prompting, was what worked.这句话没有平铺直叙地说Bruce耐心的沉默帮助说话者开口,而是把沉默拟人化为一种主动"把句子拽出来"的力量,以一种更具比喻色彩、更灵活的方式描述了一个相当抽象的心理过程。这种富有想象力却依然自然的表达方式,超越了像'his silence made me feel comfortable speaking'这样字面化的描述,正是Band 7.0词汇标准所奖励的灵活、贴合话题的词汇,但还没有达到Band 7.5可能使用的更密集的比喻语言。它也真实地捕捉到所描述教学方法的独特之处——起作用的是等待,而不是催促。
  • GRAby that point I'd sat through roughly a decade of English lessons at school and still couldn't manage a coffee order with any confidenceThe sentence uses the past perfect ('I'd sat through') to establish a completed backstory before the main narrative time, then coordinates it with a second clause using 'still' to show that all those years of study hadn't produced a practical result. Combining a past perfect time-frame with a coordinated contrastive result clause in one sentence is the comfortable mix of simple and complex structures the Band 7.0 grammar target expects, positioned between the mostly simple sentences of a 6.5 answer and the more layered embedding a 7.5 answer would attempt. The self-deprecating detail about failing to order coffee also makes the abstract claim concrete and credible.这句话用过去完成时('I'd sat through')建立起一个在主要叙事时间之前就已完成的背景,然后用一个带'still'的并列从句表明,所有那些年的学习都没有带来实际的成果。在同一句话里把一个过去完成时的时间框架与一个并列的对比性结果从句结合起来,正是Band 7.0语法标准所期待的简单句与复合句的自如混合,介于Band 6.5答案以简单句为主和Band 7.5答案会尝试的更多层嵌套之间。关于点咖啡失败的自嘲细节,也让这个抽象的论断变得具体而可信。
7.5 分

The line 'School had taught me grammar and terror' uses a sharp, unexpected pairing to summarise years of language learning in one clause, the kind of precise, economical phrasing typical of Band 7.5.'学校教会了我语法,也教会了我恐惧'这句话用一种犀利、出人意料的搭配,把多年的语言学习浓缩进一个分句里,正是Band 7.5那种精准而简练的表达方式。

The thing I did that helped me most with English was join a free conversation club that met on the Da Nang riverside every Saturday evening, when I was nineteen and in my second year of college.

What it was: a retired Australian teacher named Bruce, who'd settled in the city, put a folding chair on the promenade near the bridge at six every Saturday, and anyone who wanted to practise English could come and talk. No fee, no textbook, no registration. Some evenings there were four of us, some evenings twenty. He had one rule, which he'd written on a piece of card: nobody was allowed to apologise for a mistake. If you said sorry, you had to say the sentence again.

Where I did it was, literally, on a bench by the river, with motorbikes going past, for about two years. Who I did it with was mostly my classmate Hòa, who'd dragged me there because she was too shy to go alone and thought I'd be worse at it than her.

How it helped is the interesting part, because I'd had ten years of English at school and could barely order a coffee. School had taught me grammar and terror: I knew the rules and was afraid to break them out loud. The riverside removed the fear. Bruce didn't correct much; he asked questions and waited, and the waiting forced sentences out of me that I didn't know I could make. Within six months I was thinking in English on the bench. The other thing it taught me was that language is social before it's academic — I learned more from arguing with Hòa about a film in bad English than from any exam. I still speak with a slight Australian rise at the end of my sentences. Bruce died a few years ago. There's still a chair on the promenade on Saturdays; someone else runs it now.

查看中文翻译

对我的英语帮助最大的一件事,是加入了一个免费的英语角,每周六傍晚在岘港江边聚会,那时我十九岁,读大二。

那是什么呢:一位退休的澳大利亚老师,名叫Bruce,在这座城市定居下来,每周六六点在靠近大桥的江边人行道上摆一把折叠椅,任何想练习英语的人都可以过来聊天。不收费,没有课本,不用报名。有些晚上只有我们四个人,有些晚上能有二十个人。他只有一条规矩,写在一张卡片上:任何人都不许为犯错道歉。如果你说了对不起,就得把那句话重新说一遍。

我在哪里做这件事呢,真的就是在江边的一条长椅上,摩托车不断从旁边驶过,持续了大约两年。我和谁一起做这件事呢,主要是我的同学Hòa,是她把我拖去的,因为她一个人去太害羞,还觉得我英语会比她差。

它是怎么帮到我的,这才是有意思的部分,因为我在学校学了十年英语,却连一杯咖啡都点不利索。学校教会了我语法和恐惧:我知道规则,却害怕在说出口的时候打破它们。江边则消除了这种恐惧。Bruce不怎么纠正错误;他提问然后等待,而这种等待逼出了我自己都不知道能说出来的句子。六个月之内,我坐在那条长椅上就已经能用英语思考了。它教给我的另一件事是,语言首先是社交性的,其次才是学术性的——我用蹩脚的英语和Hòa争论一部电影,从中学到的东西比任何考试都多。我说话至今还带着一点句尾上扬的澳式语调。Bruce几年前去世了。人行道上周六依然摆着一把椅子;现在是别人在张罗了。

321 词 · 约 2 分钟

为什么是这个分数

  • LRSchool had taught me grammar and terrorPairing an abstract emotion ('terror') with 'grammar' as parallel objects is a natural but unusual collocation, characteristic of Band 7.5 lexical resource.把一种抽象情绪('恐惧')与'语法'并列作为宾语,是一种自然却不寻常的搭配,体现出Band 7.5的词汇资源特点。
  • FCThe riverside removed the fear.This short, punchy sentence marks a clear turning point in the story, converting the abstract idea of overcoming language anxiety into a single, almost personified action ("removed the fear") rather than a longer explanatory sentence. Using a brief, declarative sentence purely for narrative pivot and emphasis, right after the longer explanation of what school had taught, is a controlled fluency device the 7.5 tier rewards; a 7.0 answer would more likely fold this idea into a longer sentence, such as "going to the riverside every week helped me stop being afraid of making mistakes." The personification of "the riverside" as the active agent also gives the sentence more narrative force than a plain description would.这个简短、有力的句子标志着故事里一个明确的转折点,把“克服语言焦虑”这个抽象概念,转化成了一个单一的、近乎拟人化的动作(“removed the fear”),而不是用一个更长的解释性句子。紧接在对学校所教内容做完较长解释之后,用一句简洁的陈述句纯粹作为叙事转折点和强调之用,是 7.5 档次所奖励的一种受控的流畅性手法;Band 7.0 的答案更可能把这个想法并入一个更长的句子里,比如“going to the riverside every week helped me stop being afraid of making mistakes”。把“the riverside”拟人化为主动的施动者,也让这句话比平铺直叙的描述更具叙事力量。
  • GRAI still speak with a slight Australian rise at the end of my sentences.This packs a precise, specific noun phrase, "a slight Australian rise," describing a subtle intonation pattern into one economical sentence, rather than explaining the same idea across a longer, more literal sentence like "because of Bruce, I sometimes speak with an accent similar to his." Compressing a nuanced observation about pronunciation into a compact noun phrase like this reflects the varied, accurate grammar and lexical precision the 7.5 tier rewards together; a 7.0 answer would more likely need more words to convey the same specific detail. It also functions as a lasting, physical trace of the whole story, closing the anecdote on a detail that's still true in the present.这句话把一个精准、具体的名词短语“a slight Australian rise”(一丝澳式尾音上扬)——描述一种细微的语调模式——压缩进了一个精简的句子里,而不是用一个更长、更按字面意思的句子来解释同样的意思,比如“because of Bruce, I sometimes speak with an accent similar to his”。像这样把一个关于发音的细腻观察压缩进一个紧凑的名词短语里,体现了 7.5 档次所共同奖励的多样、准确的语法和精准的词汇;Band 7.0 的答案很可能需要更多的词才能传达出同样具体的细节。它也充当了整个故事一个持久的、实体的印记,让这段轶事以一个至今仍然成立的细节收尾。

各考试时段出题记录

  • Describe something you did that helped you to learn another language2026年5–8月

Part 3 追问

这些是考官在该题卡之后提出的讨论题,已编写范文的题目附有参考答案。

  1. 1. What are the most difficult parts of learning a new language?

    2026年5–8月
    查看这道题的6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5三档对比
    6.5 分

    'But I think the biggest problem... is being afraid of sounding stupid' closes with a plain personal judgement."But I think the biggest problem... is being afraid of sounding stupid" 以一个平实的个人判断收尾。

    I think the hardest parts are the things that don't exist in your own language, and also fear. My foreign friends learning Vietnamese cannot hear the tones that change the meaning of a word completely. I still drop English articles, because Vietnamese doesn't have them, and even after many years I don't notice they're missing. Listening to natural speed speech is also hard, because it's nothing like the recordings used in class. Idioms and jokes are difficult too, because they come from culture. But I think the biggest problem, for me and for most learners, is being afraid of sounding stupid.

    查看中文翻译

    我觉得最难的部分,是那些你自己母语里根本不存在的东西,还有恐惧。我学越南语的外国朋友根本听不出那些能彻底改变一个词意思的声调。我至今还是会漏掉英语的冠词,因为越南语没有冠词,甚至过了这么多年,我都没意识到它们不见了。听自然语速的口语也很难,因为跟课堂上用的录音完全不一样。习语和笑话也很难,因为它们来自文化本身。但我觉得,对我和对大多数学习者来说,最大的问题是害怕自己听起来很蠢。

    为什么是这个分数

    • FCBut I think the biggest problem, for me and for most learners, is being afraid of sounding stupid.'But' introduces the final, biggest point directly, a clear but basic device. The 7.5 answer instead closes with two short separate sentences, a more compact and rhetorical device for the same conclusion."But" 直接引出了最后、也是最重要的一点,这是一种清晰但基础的手法。7.5的答案则用两个简短分开的句子收尾,处理同一个结论时更紧凑、也更有修辞感。
    • LRbeing afraid of sounding stupid'Stupid' is a plain, blunt adjective. The 7.5 answer's 'sounding foolish' is a slightly softer, more natural collocation for this particular fear in spoken English."Stupid" 是一个平实、直白的形容词。7.5答案中的 "sounding foolish" 是一个稍微更柔和、在口语英语中对这种恐惧更自然的搭配。
    • GRAI still drop English articles, because Vietnamese doesn't have them, and even after many years I don't notice they're missing.A sentence with two coordinated 'because... and' clauses — clear and controlled. The 7.5 answer instead uses a semicolon to fuse the Vietnamese-tones and English-articles examples into one denser sentence.一个带两个用 "because... and" 并列的从句的句子——清晰、有控制力。7.5答案则用分号把越南语声调和英语冠词这两个例子融合成一个更密集的句子。
    7.0 分

    'the hardest features seem to be the ones your first language never taught you to notice' generalises from the two examples with a reflective final clause."the hardest features seem to be the ones your first language never taught you to notice" 用一个反思性的收尾从句,把这两个例子归纳成了一条通则。

    Honestly, I'd say it's the parts that simply don't exist in your own language, plus the fear. Foreign friends learning Vietnamese can't hear the tones that change 'ma' from ghost to mother, and I still drop English articles because Vietnamese has none, so after twenty years my ear doesn't even register their absence — the hardest features seem to be the ones your first language never taught you to notice. Beyond that, there's listening to natural speed speech, which is nothing like the classroom recording, and idioms and humour, which are really culture in disguise. But honestly, the biggest obstacle I've seen, in myself and in every student I've met, is the fear of sounding foolish.

    查看中文翻译

    老实说,我会说是那些你自己母语里根本不存在的部分,再加上恐惧。我学越南语的外国朋友听不出把 "ma" 从鬼变成妈妈的那些声调,而我至今还是会漏掉英语的冠词,因为越南语没有冠词,所以过了二十年,我的耳朵甚至都不再注意到它们不见了——最难的语言特征似乎正是那些你的母语从来没教过你去留意的东西。除此之外,还有听自然语速的口语,这跟课堂录音完全不是一回事,以及习语和幽默,它们其实是伪装成语言的文化。但老实说,我在自己身上和每个学生身上都见过的最大障碍,是害怕自己听起来很蠢。

    为什么是这个分数

    • FCBeyond that, there's listening to natural speed speech, which is nothing like the classroom recording, and idioms and humour, which are really culture in disguise.'Beyond that' signals a shift to a new category of difficulty, a more developed transition than a plain listing sentence, though the 7.5 answer manages a similar shift using semicolons instead of a full new sentence."Beyond that" 标志着转向一类新的难点,是比一句平淡的罗列句更展开的过渡,不过7.5用分号在同一段落更早处也实现了类似的转折。
    • LRwhich are really culture in disguise'Culture in disguise' is a vivid, compact metaphor for idioms and humour, more developed than a plain description, and shared closely with the 7.5 version."Culture in disguise" 是一个生动、紧凑的比喻,用来形容习语和幽默,比平实的描述更展开,和7.5版本的用法非常接近。
    • GRAso after twenty years my ear doesn't even register their absence — the hardest features seem to be the ones your first language never taught you to noticeA dash introduces a generalising clause after the personal example, a more integrated structure than two separate sentences, though the 7.5 answer achieves something similar with a semicolon earlier in the same passage.一个破折号引出的概括性从句,接在个人例子之后,这种结构比两个分开的句子更融合,不过7.5在同一段落更早处用分号也实现了类似的效果。
    7.5 分

    The closing two-sentence pair 'Grammar can be learned in a year. Courage takes longer.' uses parallel short sentences instead of a connector.结尾那对句子 "Grammar can be learned in a year. Courage takes longer." 用两个平行的短句代替了连接词。

    The parts that don't exist in your own language, and the fear. Foreign friends learning Vietnamese can't hear the tones that change 'ma' from ghost to mother; I still drop English articles because Vietnamese has none, and after twenty years my ear doesn't register their absence — the hardest features are the ones your first language never taught you to notice. Beyond that, listening to natural speed speech, which is nothing like the classroom recording; idioms and humour, which are culture in disguise; and the plateau, where you're good enough to survive and progress slows to nothing. But the biggest obstacle I've seen, in myself and in every student on that riverside, is fear of sounding foolish. Grammar can be learned in a year. Courage takes longer.

    查看中文翻译

    那些你自己母语里根本不存在的部分,还有恐惧。学越南语的外国朋友听不出把 "ma" 从鬼变成妈妈的那些声调;我至今还是会漏掉英语的冠词,因为越南语没有冠词,过了二十年,我的耳朵甚至都不再注意到它们不见了——最难的语言特征正是那些你的母语从来没教过你去留意的东西。除此之外,还有听自然语速的口语,这跟课堂录音完全不是一回事;习语和幽默,它们其实是伪装成语言的文化;还有那个所谓的平台期,你已经能应付日常生活,进步却几乎停滞了。但我在自己身上、以及在江边遇到的每一个学生身上见过的最大障碍,是害怕自己听起来很蠢。语法一年就能学会。勇气却需要更久。

    为什么是这个分数

    • FCGrammar can be learned in a year. Courage takes longer.Two short parallel sentences with no connector close the answer on a compact, memorable contrast — a more economical piece of cohesion than the single 'But I think...' sentence used to close the 6.5 answer.两个没有连接词的平行短句,用一个紧凑、令人印象深刻的对比收尾——这种衔接手法,比6.5用来收尾的单一 "But I think..." 句子更经济。
    • LRthe plateau, where you're good enough to survive and progress slows to nothing'The plateau' is a precise, almost technical metaphor for a specific stage of language learning that neither lower band names directly, adding a layer of vocabulary neither 6.5 nor 7.0 reaches."The plateau" 是一个精确、近乎专业术语的比喻,用来形容语言学习中的一个特定阶段,两个低分段都没有直接点出,这为词汇增添了两个低分段都没能达到的一个层次。
    • GRAForeign friends learning Vietnamese can't hear the tones that change 'ma' from ghost to mother; I still drop English articles because Vietnamese has none, and after twenty years my ear doesn't register their absenceA semicolon fuses the Vietnamese and English examples into one sentence without a connecting word, a tighter structure than the coordinated 'and' sentence used for similar content at 6.5.一个分号把越南语和英语的例子融合成一个句子,没有连接词,比6.5用于相似内容的 "and" 并列结构更紧凑。
  2. 2. What benefits does learning a foreign language bring?

    2026年5–8月
    查看这道题的6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5三档对比
    6.5 分

    'It also opens up people, because a second language lets you understand someone on their own terms' is the most developed sentence, using one 'because' clause."It also opens up people, because a second language lets you understand someone on their own terms" 是最展开的一句,用了一个 "because" 从句。

    Learning a foreign language gave me a career. My work with a German client, a Japanese designer, and hospital app documents would not exist without the English I learned. A language opens up jobs, travel, study, and most of the internet. It also opens up people, because a second language lets you understand someone on their own terms, and it shows you that your own way of saying things isn't the only way. Learning a language may also help the brain and slow how it ages. It also gives you access to films and books in their original language, which are usually better.

    查看中文翻译

    学一门外语给了我一份事业。我和一位德国客户、一位日本设计师的合作,还有医院应用文档的工作,要是没有我学过的英语,根本不会存在。一门语言能打开工作、旅行、学习,还有大半个互联网的大门。它也能打开人心,因为第二语言能让你按照对方自己的方式去理解他,也能让你明白自己说事情的方式并不是唯一的方式。学一门语言也许还能帮助大脑,延缓它的衰老。它也能让你接触到原文的电影和书籍,那通常都更好看。

    为什么是这个分数

    • FCA language opens up jobs, travel, study, and most of the internet.A flat listing sentence states the practical benefits directly. The 7.5 answer instead labels this category with the adverb 'Practically', signalling the shift from career to broader benefits more explicitly.一句平铺直叙的罗列句直接陈述了实际的好处。7.5的答案则用副词 "Practically" 来标记这一类别,更明确地表示从事业转向更广泛好处的转折。
    • LRIt also opens up peoplePlain and functional. The 7.5 answer's 'it opens people' (dropping 'up') reads slightly more compact and idiomatic, treating 'opens' almost as a transitive verb for a person rather than a door.朴素、功能性的表达。7.5答案中的 "it opens people"(去掉了 "up")读起来更紧凑、更地道,把 "opens" 几乎当成了一个直接作用于人的及物动词,而不是作用于一扇门。
    • GRALearning a language may also help the brain and slow how it ages.A single sentence with two coordinated verbs — safe and clear. The 7.5 answer instead uses a more hedged, evidence-based construction for the same claim.一个用两个并列动词构成的句子——安全清晰。7.5答案则对同一个断言使用了一个更带让步语气、更基于证据的结构。
    7.0 分

    'none of my working life really exists without the English I learned on that riverside bench' closes the career point with a slightly dramatic final clause."none of my working life really exists without the English I learned on that riverside bench" 用一个略带戏剧性的收尾从句,为事业这一点画上了句号。

    Honestly, in my case, a career: the German client, the Japanese designer I wrote to, the hospital app documentation — none of my working life really exists without the English I learned on that riverside bench. Practically, a language opens up jobs, travel, study and a good deal of the internet. Less obviously, though, it opens up people — a second language lets you meet someone on their own terms, and it teaches you that your way of saying things is just one option, not the only truth. There's also some evidence it sharpens the brain and slows its ageing, and it gives access to films and books in the original, which are almost always better.

    查看中文翻译

    老实说,就我的情况来说,是一份事业:那位德国客户、我写信联系的那位日本设计师、医院应用的文档——我职业生涯中的一切,如果没有我在那条江边长椅上学到的英语,几乎都不会存在。实际来说,一门语言打开了工作、旅行、学习,还有相当一部分的互联网。不那么明显的是,它也打开了人心——第二语言能让你按照对方自己的方式去认识他,也教会你,自己说事情的方式只是一种选项,而不是唯一的真理。也有一些证据表明它能让大脑更敏锐,延缓它的衰老,还能让你接触到原文的电影和书籍,那几乎总是更好看。

    为什么是这个分数

    • FCLess obviously, though, it opens up people — a second language lets you meet someone on their own terms'Less obviously, though' signals the shift from practical to personal benefits, a more developed transition than the plain listing pattern at 6.5."Less obviously, though" 标志着从实际好处转向个人好处的转折,是比6.5那种平铺的罗列模式更展开的过渡。
    • LRit teaches you that your way of saying things is just one option, not the only truthThis phrase is more precise and reflective than the plain 6.5 equivalent, and nearly identical to the 7.5 version, showing this level of insight is reachable from 7.0 upward.这个短语比6.5那种平淡的对应表达更精确、更有反思性,并且和7.5的版本几乎相同,说明这个层次的洞见从7.0起就已经能够达到。
    • GRAthe German client, the Japanese designer I wrote to, the hospital app documentation — none of my working life really exists without the English I learned on that riverside benchA dash-set list of three examples precedes the main clause, a more flexible opening structure than the plain declarative sentence used at 6.5.一个破折号引出的三项例子清单放在主句之前,这种开场结构比6.5用到的平铺陈述句更灵活。
    7.5 分

    The closing sentence about changing how you see your own language adds a final, more abstract benefit beyond the lower bands' lists.结尾那句关于改变自己看待母语的方式的句子,新增了一个比低分段的清单更抽象的收尾好处。

    In my case, a career: the German client, the Japanese type designer I wrote to, the hospital app documentation — none of my working life exists without the English I learned on that bench by the river. Practically, a language opens jobs, travel, study and a great deal of the internet. Less obviously, it opens people: a second language lets you meet a person on their own terms, and it teaches you that your own way of saying things is one option, not the truth. There's evidence it sharpens the brain and delays its ageing. It gives access to films, songs and books in the original, which are always better. And it changes how you see your own language, which you never really notice until you've stood outside it.

    查看中文翻译

    就我的情况来说,是一份事业:那位德国客户、我写信联系的那位日本字体设计师、医院应用的文档——我职业生涯中的一切,如果没有我在那条江边长椅上学到的英语,都不会存在。实际来说,一门语言打开了工作、旅行、学习,还有相当大一部分的互联网。不那么明显的是,它也打开了人心:第二语言能让你按照对方自己的方式去认识他,也教会你,自己说事情的方式只是一种选项,而不是真理本身。也有证据表明它能让大脑更敏锐,延缓它的衰老。它让你能接触到原文的电影、歌曲和书籍,那些永远都更好看。而且它也改变了你看待自己母语的方式,而这一点,你要等到自己站到母语之外去看它之后,才真的会注意到。

    为什么是这个分数

    • FCPractically, a language opens jobs, travel, study and a great deal of the internet. Less obviously, it opens peopleThe paired adverbs 'Practically' and 'Less obviously' explicitly structure the answer into two categories of benefit, a more organised piece of cohesion than the single flat listing sentence used at 6.5.配对的副词 "Practically" 和 "Less obviously" 明确地把答案组织成了两类好处,这是比6.5那句单一的平铺罗列句更有条理的衔接手法。
    • LRit changes how you see your own language, which you never really notice until you've stood outside itThis final, more abstract benefit — seeing your own language from outside — is not mentioned at all in the lower bands, showing a wider range of ideas as well as vocabulary.这个最后、更抽象的好处——从外部看待自己的语言——在低分段中完全没有被提及,这说明思路的广度和词汇的广度一样重要。
    • GRAthe German client, the Japanese type designer I wrote to, the hospital app documentation — none of my working life exists without the English I learned on that bench by the riverThis dash-set list matches the 7.0 structure closely, but drops the hedge 'really', making the final claim land more directly and confidently.这个破折号引出的清单和7.0的结构很接近,但去掉了让步词 "really",让最后的断言更直接、更自信。
  3. 3. What are the best ways to learn a foreign language?

    2026年5–8月
    查看这道题的6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5三档对比
    6.5 分

    'The difference was that one was about the language, and the other was about actually saying something to someone' is the most developed sentence here."The difference was that one was about the language, and the other was about actually saying something to someone" 是这里发展得最充分的一句。

    I think the best way is to use the language before you feel ready, with people who will let you make mistakes. Ten years of school grammar left me unable to speak, but two years of talking badly on a bench made me fluent. The difference was that one was about the language, and the other was about actually saying something to someone. I think conversation, watching and reading things you enjoy, and making mistakes safely are the best ways to learn. Doing a little every day is better than doing a lot once a week. Apps are good for vocabulary but not for confidence.

    查看中文翻译

    我觉得最好的方法,是在你觉得自己还没准备好的时候就开始使用这门语言,和那些愿意让你犯错的人一起练习。十年的学校语法课让我根本没法开口说话,但两年在长椅上说得磕磕绊绊的对话,却让我变得流利。区别在于,一个是关于语言本身的,另一个是关于真正对某个人说出点什么的。我觉得对话、看和读自己喜欢的东西,以及安全地犯错,是最好的学习方式。每天做一点,比一周集中做一次要好。应用程序适合学词汇,但不适合建立自信。

    为什么是这个分数

    • FCI think conversation, watching and reading things you enjoy, and making mistakes safely are the best ways to learn.A single listing sentence states the methods directly. The 7.5 answer instead introduces a similar list by explicitly linking it back to the earlier example, a more developed transition.一句罗列句直接陈述了这些方法。7.5答案则把类似的清单明确地和前面的例子联系起来,是更展开的过渡方式。
    • LRmade me fluentPlain and direct. This phrase appears almost identically across all three bands, showing the core claim stays stable while the surrounding sentence structure grows more complex at higher bands.朴素直接。这个短语在三个分段中几乎一模一样地出现,说明核心断言保持稳定,而周围句子的结构在高分段变得更复杂。
    • GRATen years of school grammar left me unable to speak, but two years of talking badly on a bench made me fluent.A single 'but' sentence states the contrast directly — clear and safe. The 7.5 answer instead uses a semicolon to fuse the same contrast without any connecting word at all.一个用 "but" 直接陈述对比的句子——清晰安全。7.5答案则用分号把同一个对比融合起来,完全不用任何连接词。
    7.0 分

    'which is really what most classrooms fail to teach' closes with a critical reflection on classroom teaching rather than a plain final tip."which is really what most classrooms fail to teach" 用一句对课堂教学的批判性反思收尾,而不是一句平淡的最后小贴士。

    Honestly, I'd say use it before you're ready, with people who'll actually let you. Ten years of school grammar left me completely silent, while two years of talking on a bench, badly, made me fluent — the difference was that one was about the language and the other was about saying something to someone. To be fair, the best methods share that quality: conversation, immersion where possible, watching and reading things you'd enjoy anyway, and making mistakes somewhere they're cheap. Regularity beats intensity, so twenty minutes daily usually outperforms a weekend course. Apps are fine for vocabulary and pretty useless for courage, which is really what most classrooms fail to teach.

    查看中文翻译

    老实说,我会说,要在你觉得自己还没准备好的时候就使用它,和那些真的愿意让你去用的人在一起。十年的学校语法课让我彻底沉默,而两年在长椅上磕磕绊绊的对话却让我变得流利——区别在于,一个是关于语言本身的,另一个是关于真正对某个人说点什么的。说句公道话,最好的方法都有这个共同点:对话、尽可能的沉浸式体验、看和读你反正也会喜欢的东西,还有在犯错代价很低的地方去犯错。规律胜过强度,所以每天二十分钟通常比一个周末的课程效果更好。应用程序适合学词汇,却几乎对建立勇气毫无用处,而这恰恰是大多数课堂真正没能教好的东西。

    为什么是这个分数

    • FCTo be fair, the best methods share that quality: conversation, immersion where possible, watching and reading things you'd enjoy anyway, and making mistakes somewhere they're cheap.'To be fair' introduces the list of methods as a considered generalisation from the personal example, a more developed transition than the plain listing sentence at 6.5."To be fair" 把这份方法清单引出成一种经过思考的概括,是比6.5那句平铺的罗列句更展开的过渡。
    • LRsomewhere they're cheap'Cheap' used metaphorically for low-cost mistakes is a precise, idiomatic choice, more developed than the plain 'safely' at 6.5, and shared closely with the 7.5 phrase 'where mistakes are cheap'."Cheap" 用来比喻低成本的错误,是一个精确、地道的选择,比6.5那句平淡的 "safely" 更展开,并且和7.5的短语 "where mistakes are cheap" 非常接近。
    • GRATen years of school grammar left me completely silent, while two years of talking on a bench, badly, made me fluent — the difference was that one was about the language and the other was about saying something to someone.A 'while' clause plus a dash-attached explanation extend the contrast into one long sentence, more ambitious than the two-clause 'but' sentence at 6.5, though not as compact as the semicolon fusion at 7.5.一个 "while" 从句加一个破折号引出的解释,把这个对比延伸成了一个长句,比6.5那种两分句的 "but" 句子更有野心,不过没有7.5的分号融合那么紧凑。
    7.5 分

    The closing sentence turns a criticism of classrooms into the final, sharpest point of the answer.结尾那句把对课堂的批判变成了整个答案中最犀利的一点。

    Use it before you're ready, with people who'll let you. Ten years of school grammar left me silent; two years of talking on a bench, badly, made me fluent — the difference was that one was about the language and the other was about saying something to someone. The best methods share that: conversation, immersion where possible, watching and reading things you'd enjoy anyway, and making mistakes in a place where mistakes are cheap. Regularity beats intensity; twenty minutes daily outperforms a weekend course. Some structure helps early on, and a good teacher speeds everything. Apps are fine for vocabulary and terrible for courage. What doesn't work is waiting to be good before you speak, which is what most classrooms quietly teach.

    查看中文翻译

    在你觉得自己还没准备好的时候就使用它,和那些愿意让你用的人在一起。十年的学校语法课让我彻底沉默;两年在长椅上磕磕绊绊的对话却让我变得流利——区别在于,一个是关于语言本身的,另一个是关于真正对某个人说点什么的。最好的方法都有这个共同点:对话、尽可能的沉浸式体验、看和读你反正也会喜欢的东西,还有在一个犯错代价很低的地方去犯错。规律胜过强度;每天二十分钟胜过一个周末的课程。早期有一点结构会有帮助,一位好老师能让一切都加速。应用程序适合学词汇,却对建立勇气毫无用处。真正行不通的,是等到自己足够好了才开口说话,而这恰恰是大多数课堂在悄悄教给学生的东西。

    为什么是这个分数

    • FCWhat doesn't work is waiting to be good before you speak, which is what most classrooms quietly teach.A cleft sentence ('What doesn't work is...') closes the answer with a pointed criticism, a more developed and confident piece of cohesion than the plain final tips used to close the 6.5 and 7.0 answers.一个分裂句("What doesn't work is...")以一句犀利的批判收尾,这种衔接手法比6.5和7.0用来收尾的平淡最后小贴士更展开、也更自信。
    • LRmaking mistakes in a place where mistakes are cheapThe repetition of 'mistakes... mistakes' within the same clause is a deliberate rhetorical device, slightly more polished than the equivalent phrase at 7.0, which doesn't repeat the noun.在同一个分句里重复 "mistakes... mistakes",是一种刻意的修辞手法,比7.0对应的短语稍微更精致,后者没有重复这个名词。
    • GRATen years of school grammar left me silent; two years of talking on a bench, badly, made me fluent — the difference was that one was about the language and the other was about saying something to someone.A semicolon fuses the two examples without any connecting word like 'but' or 'while', the tightest version of this contrast across all three bands.一个分号把两个例子融合起来,不用任何像 "but" 或 "while" 这样的连接词,是三个分段中对这个对比处理得最紧凑的版本。
  4. 4. How can learning a new language change people's views of their own society?

    2026年5–8月
    查看这道题的6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5三档对比
    6.5 分

    'I never noticed how much my own society is based on rank until I learned a language that mostly ignores it' is the most developed sentence, using one 'until' clause."I never noticed how much my own society is based on rank until I learned a language that mostly ignores it" 是这里发展得最充分的一句,用了一个 "until" 从句。

    I think learning a new language makes hidden parts of your own culture visible. English has one word for 'you', but Vietnamese has many different words, each showing the other person's age and status. I never noticed how much my own society is based on rank until I learned a language that mostly ignores it. Learning another language shows you which of your habits are just human, and which are actually local. It can make you more critical of your own culture, because you see its problems more clearly, but it can also make you appreciate it more.

    查看中文翻译

    我觉得学一门新语言,能让你自己文化里那些隐藏的部分显现出来。英语只有一个 "you",但越南语有很多不同的说法,每一种都体现出对方的年龄和身份。直到我学了一门大体上忽略这一点的语言,我才第一次注意到自己的社会有多么建立在等级之上。学另一种语言会让你看清,你的哪些习惯只是人类共通的,而哪些其实是本地才有的。它可能让你对自己的文化更挑剔,因为你能更清楚地看到它的问题,但它也可能让你更欣赏自己的文化。

    为什么是这个分数

    • FCIt can make you more critical of your own culture, because you see its problems more clearly, but it can also make you appreciate it more.Two contrasting effects (critical, appreciative) are joined by 'but' in one sentence — a clear, basic device. The 7.5 answer instead separates the two effects into parallel clauses joined by 'and', letting each stand with its own explanation.两种对比的效果(批判、欣赏)在一个句子里用 "but" 连接起来——一种清晰、基础的手法。7.5答案则把这两种效果拆成用 "and" 连接的平行分句,让每一个都带着各自的解释独立成句。
    • LRthat mostly ignores itPlain and functional. This exact phrase is echoed closely in the higher bands, showing this specific wording is accessible even at 6.5, while the surrounding sentence structure is what actually varies by band.朴素、功能性。这个短语在高分段中被几乎原样重复,说明这个具体的措辞即使在6.5也是可以达到的,而周围的句子结构才是随分段真正变化的地方。
    • GRAEnglish has one word for 'you', but Vietnamese has many different words, each showing the other person's age and status.A single 'but' sentence states the contrast plainly — clear and safe. The 7.5 answer instead uses a semicolon in place of 'but', a more compact structure for the identical content.一个用 "but" 直接陈述对比的句子——清晰安全。7.5答案则用分号代替 "but",对同样的内容采用了更紧凑的结构。
    7.0 分

    'Either way, it makes you a foreigner for a while, which is oddly useful' closes with a hedge-softened final judgement."Either way, it makes you a foreigner for a while, which is oddly useful" 用一句被让步语软化过的最终判断收尾。

    Honestly, it makes the invisible visible. English has one word for 'you'; Vietnamese has a dozen, each telling everyone your relative age and status, and I never really noticed how much my own society is built on rank until I spent two years in a language that mostly ignores it. To be fair, a second language shows you which of your habits are human and which are local, and it exposes assumptions about politeness, directness or time by giving you a culture where they simply don't hold. It can make people more critical of home, seeing its rigidities, or more appreciative, seeing what other places lack. Either way, it makes you a foreigner for a while, which is oddly useful.

    查看中文翻译

    老实说,它能让看不见的东西变得看得见。英语只有一个 "you";越南语有十几种不同的说法,每一种都在告诉每个人你相对的年龄和身份,而我从来没有真正注意到自己的社会有多么建立在等级之上,直到我在一门大体上忽略这一点的语言里生活了两年。说句公道话,第二语言会让你看清哪些习惯是人类共通的、哪些只是本地才有的,它还会通过让你置身于一种礼貌、直接或时间观念根本不成立的文化里,暴露出你对这些方面的种种假设。它可能让人更挑剔自己的家乡,看清它的僵化之处,也可能让人更欣赏它,看清别处所缺少的东西。不管哪一种,它都会让你暂时变成一个外国人,而这种感觉出奇地有用。

    为什么是这个分数

    • FCTo be fair, a second language shows you which of your habits are human and which are local, and it exposes assumptions about politeness, directness or time'To be fair' introduces a generalisation extending beyond the pronoun example, a more developed transition than the single example-based sentence at 6.5."To be fair" 引出了一个超越代词例子的概括,是比6.5那种只靠单一例子的句子更展开的过渡。
    • LRit exposes assumptions about politeness, directness or time by giving you a culture where they simply don't hold'Exposes assumptions' is a more precise, analytical phrase than the plain 'shows you which of your habits' at 6.5, though the 7.5 answer extends the same list further with a dash-set four-item version."Exposes assumptions" 是一个比6.5那句平淡的 "shows you which of your habits" 更精确、更有分析性的短语,不过7.5答案用一个破折号引出的四项清单把同一个清单又进一步延伸了。
    • GRAEnglish has one word for 'you'; Vietnamese has a dozen, each telling everyone your relative age and status, and I never really noticed how much my own society is built on rank until I spent two years in a language that mostly ignores itA semicolon replaces 'but' to join the two clauses, then a further 'and... until' clause extends the sentence considerably, a more ambitious structure than the two-clause sentence at 6.5.一个分号代替了 "but" 来连接这两个分句,接着又用一个 "and... until" 从句大幅延伸了这个句子,比6.5的两分句句子更有野心。
    7.5 分

    The closing sentence 'You come back to your own society as a slightly informed visitor' extends the whole answer's argument into a final, self-aware image.结尾那句 "You come back to your own society as a slightly informed visitor" 把整个答案的论证延伸成了一个自省的最终意象。

    It makes the invisible visible. English has one word for 'you'; Vietnamese has a dozen, each telling everyone your relative age and status, and I never noticed how much my society is built on rank until I spent two years in a language that mostly ignores it. A second language shows you which of your habits are human and which are local. It exposes assumptions — about politeness, directness, family, time — by giving you a culture where they don't hold. It can make people more critical of home, seeing its rigidities, and more appreciative, seeing what other places lack. And it makes you a foreigner for a while, which is the fastest cure for assuming your own way is the default. You come back to your own society as a slightly informed visitor.

    查看中文翻译

    它能让看不见的东西变得看得见。英语只有一个 "you";越南语有十几种不同的说法,每一种都在告诉每个人你相对的年龄和身份,我从来没有注意到自己的社会有多么建立在等级之上,直到我在一门大体上忽略这一点的语言里生活了两年。第二语言会让你看清哪些习惯是人类共通的、哪些只是本地才有的。它会暴露出各种假设——关于礼貌、直接、家庭、时间观念——因为它把你置身于一种这些假设根本不成立的文化里。它可能让人更挑剔自己的家乡,看清它的僵化之处,也可能让人更欣赏它,看清别处所缺少的东西。而它还会让你暂时变成一个外国人,这是治愈那种以为自己的方式才是默认标准的最快良药。你回到自己的社会时,就像一个稍微有点见识的访客。

    为什么是这个分数

    • FCIt can make people more critical of home, seeing its rigidities, and more appreciative, seeing what other places lack.Two parallel participle clauses ('seeing its rigidities... seeing what other places lack') are joined by 'and' inside one sentence, a tighter structure than the 'but' sentence used for a similar contrast at 6.5.两个平行的分词从句("seeing its rigidities..."、"seeing what other places lack")用 "and" 连接在同一个句子里,比6.5用 "but" 处理相似对比的结构更紧凑。
    • LRYou come back to your own society as a slightly informed visitor.'A slightly informed visitor' is a genuinely idiomatic, self-deprecating final image that neither lower band attempts, closing the answer with real personality rather than a flat statement."A slightly informed visitor" 是一个真正地道、带自嘲意味的收尾意象,两个低分段都没有尝试过,给答案画上了一个真正有个性的句号,而不是一句平淡的陈述。
    • GRAEnglish has one word for 'you'; Vietnamese has a dozen, each telling everyone your relative age and status, and I never noticed how much my society is built on rank until I spent two years in a language that mostly ignores it.A semicolon joins the two clauses before a further 'and... until' extension, matching the 7.0 structure closely but dropping 'really' and 'own', making the sentence marginally tighter.一个分号连接了这两个分句,接着再用一个 "and... until" 从句延伸,和7.0的结构很接近,但去掉了 "really" 和 "own",让这个句子略微更紧凑。
  5. 5. Why do some languages become dominant?

    2026年5–8月
    查看这道题的6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5三档对比
    6.5 分

    'I don't think any language became global by being pleasant. It became global by being useful.' closes with two short parallel sentences."I don't think any language became global by being pleasant. It became global by being useful." 用两个平行的短句收尾。

    I think languages become dominant mostly because of power. English reached my hometown because of an empire, then an economy, then the internet, and this says nothing about how beautiful the language is, and everything about who controlled the money and media. Languages become dominant when their speakers control trade, technology or culture, which is why Latin, French and Mandarin have each had their turn for similar reasons. Once a language becomes big enough, more people learn it just so they can talk to everyone else who already knows it. I don't think any language became global by being pleasant. It became global by being useful.

    查看中文翻译

    我觉得语言之所以变得占主导地位,主要是因为权力。英语能传到我的家乡,靠的是先是帝国,然后是经济,再然后是互联网,这跟这门语言有多美完全无关,而完全关乎谁掌握着钱和媒体。当一种语言的使用者掌握了贸易、科技或文化的主导权,这种语言就会变得占主导地位,这也是为什么拉丁语、法语和普通话各自都曾因为类似的原因而风光一时。一旦一种语言变得足够庞大,更多人学它就只是为了能和已经会说这种语言的其他所有人交流。我不认为有哪种语言是靠让人愉悦才变得全球通用的。它是靠有用才变得全球通用的。

    为什么是这个分数

    • FCI don't think any language became global by being pleasant. It became global by being useful.Two short sentences repeat 'became global by being' with different endings, a clear rhetorical device already present at this band, though the 7.5 answer extends the identical pattern with a third clause for a fuller conclusion.两个短句重复了 "became global by being" 加上不同的结尾,这是这个分段就已经具备的一种清晰的修辞手法,不过7.5答案用第三个分句延伸了同样的模式,得出了更完整的结论。
    • LRmore people learn it just so they can talk to everyone else who already knows itPlain and functional. The 7.5 answer compresses the same idea slightly, dropping 'just so they can' and 'already knows', a more economical phrasing.朴素、功能性。7.5答案把这个想法稍微压缩了一些,去掉了 "just so they can" 和 "already knows",措辞更经济。
    • GRALanguages become dominant when their speakers control trade, technology or culture, which is why Latin, French and Mandarin have each had their turn for similar reasons.A single 'which is why' clause connects the general claim to the historical examples — clear and controlled. The 7.5 answer instead uses a semicolon to join the same two ideas without a connector.一个 "which is why" 从句把这条通则和历史例子连接了起来——清晰、有控制力。7.5答案则用分号连接同样的两个想法,不用任何连接词。
    7.0 分

    'in whatever form the century offers' extends the opening claim about power with a reflective aside."in whatever form the century offers" 用一个反思性的补充延伸了开头关于权力的断言。

    Honestly, I'd say it's power, mostly, in whatever form the century offers. English reached my hometown because of an empire, then an economy, then the internet, and the fact that people there needed it says nothing about the language's beauty and everything about who held the money and the media. To be fair, languages tend to dominate when their speakers dominate trade, technology, science or culture — Latin, French, Arabic and Mandarin have each had their turn for the same basic reason. Once a language reaches a certain size it feeds itself, since everyone learns it just to talk to everyone else who learned it. But no language, I'd say, ever went global by being pleasant.

    查看中文翻译

    老实说,我会说主要是权力,以什么形式出现取决于当下这个世纪。英语能传到我的家乡,靠的是先是帝国,然后是经济,再然后是互联网,而当地人需要它这个事实,和这门语言美不美没有任何关系,却和谁掌握着钱和媒体密切相关。说句公道话,当一种语言的使用者主导着贸易、科技、科学或文化时,这种语言就往往会占据主导地位——拉丁语、法语、阿拉伯语和普通话各自都因为同样的基本原因而风光一时。一旦一种语言达到某个规模,它就会自我强化,因为每个人学它都只是为了和其他学过它的人交流。但我会说,没有哪种语言是靠让人愉悦才走向全球的。

    为什么是这个分数

    • FCTo be fair, languages tend to dominate when their speakers dominate trade, technology, science or culture — Latin, French, Arabic and Mandarin have each had their turn for the same basic reason.'To be fair' introduces the historical generalisation as a considered claim, a more developed transition than the plain 'which is why' clause at 6.5."To be fair" 把这条历史性的概括引出成一种经过思考的断言,是比6.5那句平淡的 "which is why" 从句更展开的过渡。
    • LRno language, I'd say, ever went global by being pleasantThe inserted hedge 'I'd say' softens a fairly strong claim, a more considered version of the same idea than the flatter 'I don't think' opening used at 6.5.插入的让步语 "I'd say" 软化了一个相当强硬的断言,比6.5那句更平淡的 "I don't think" 开场更经过思考。
    • GRAOnce a language reaches a certain size it feeds itself, since everyone learns it just to talk to everyone else who learned it.A 'since' clause explains the self-reinforcing effect — a fairly standard structure, similar to but slightly less compact than the 7.5 version of the identical idea.一个 "since" 从句解释了这种自我强化的效果——一个相当标准的结构,和7.5对同一想法的版本相似,但稍微不那么紧凑。
    7.5 分

    The closing chain 'It became global by being useful, and useful means powerful' repeats 'useful' to link two separate claims into one final sentence.结尾那句连锁句 "It became global by being useful, and useful means powerful" 重复了 "useful" 这个词,把两个不同的论断连接进了同一个最终句子。

    Power, mostly, in whatever form the century offers. English reached that riverside because of an empire, then an economy, then an internet, and the fact that a Vietnamese teenager needed it says nothing about the language's beauty and everything about who held the money and the media. Languages dominate when their speakers dominate trade, technology, science or culture; Latin, French, Arabic and Mandarin have each had their turn for the same reason. Once a language reaches a certain size it feeds itself, because everyone learns it to talk to everyone else who learned it. Simplicity helps a little, and English grammar is forgiving. But no language ever became global by being pleasant. It became global by being useful, and useful means powerful.

    查看中文翻译

    主要是权力,以什么形式出现取决于当下这个世纪。英语能传到那条江边,靠的是先是帝国,然后是经济,再然后是互联网,而一个越南青少年需要它这个事实,和这门语言美不美没有任何关系,却和谁掌握着钱和媒体密切相关。当一种语言的使用者主导着贸易、科技、科学或文化时,这种语言就会占据主导地位;拉丁语、法语、阿拉伯语和普通话各自都因为同样的原因而风光一时。一旦一种语言达到某个规模,它就会自我强化,因为每个人学它都是为了和其他学过它的人交流。简单性有一点帮助,英语的语法也比较宽容。但没有哪种语言是靠让人愉悦才走向全球的。它是靠有用才走向全球的,而有用就意味着有权力。

    为什么是这个分数

    • FCBut no language ever became global by being pleasant. It became global by being useful, and useful means powerful.The repeated word 'useful' links two short sentences into a chain of reasoning, a tighter and more deliberate piece of cohesion than the plain two-sentence pairing used at 6.5.重复出现的 "useful" 一词把两个短句连成了一条推理链,比6.5那种平淡的两句并列更紧密、也更刻意。
    • LReveryone learns it to talk to everyone else who learned itThis compact phrasing, dropping 'just so they can' and 'already knows' used at 6.5, is a more economical, confident version of the identical idea.这种紧凑的措辞,去掉了6.5用到的 "just so they can" 和 "already knows",是对同一个想法更经济、更自信的表达。
    • GRALanguages dominate when their speakers dominate trade, technology, science or culture; Latin, French, Arabic and Mandarin have each had their turn for the same reason.A semicolon joins the general claim to its historical examples without a connector, a tighter structure than the 'which is why' clause at 6.5 or the dash used at 7.0.一个分号把这条通则和它的历史例子连接了起来,不用任何连接词,这比6.5的 "which is why" 从句或7.0的破折号都更紧凑。
  6. 6. Is it easier for younger people or older people to learn a foreign language?

    2026年5–8月
    查看这道题的6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5三档对比
    6.5 分

    'Young people are better at pronunciation, but adults can be faster at learning vocabulary' states the final comparison plainly with 'but'."Young people are better at pronunciation, but adults can be faster at learning vocabulary" 用 "but" 平铺直叙地陈述了最后的比较。

    I think it is easier for younger people, but older people can still do it. My nephew picks up English from cartoons without even trying, and his accent is already better than mine will ever be. Children learn sounds and grammar naturally just by being around a language. But my neighbour Mr Bảy started learning English at seventy, just through stubbornness, and now he talks with tourists on the beach. Adults have discipline and clear reasons to learn, which children usually lack. Young people are better at pronunciation, but adults can be faster at learning vocabulary and understanding grammar rules.

    查看中文翻译

    我觉得对年轻人来说更容易,但年长的人依然可以学。我侄子看卡通片就能不知不觉学会英语,他的口音已经比我这辈子能达到的还要好。孩子只需要待在一种语言周围,就能自然而然地学会发音和语法。但我的邻居七叔七十岁才开始学英语,纯粹靠一股倔劲,现在他能在海滩上跟游客聊天了。成年人有纪律,也有明确的学习理由,这些是孩子通常缺乏的。年轻人在发音上更有优势,但成年人在学词汇和理解语法规则上可能更快。

    为什么是这个分数

    • FCYoung people are better at pronunciation, but adults can be faster at learning vocabulary and understanding grammar rules.A single 'but' sentence states the final comparison directly. The 7.5 answer instead separates the same comparison into two short sentences, giving each side its own sentence for more rhetorical weight.一个用 "but" 直接陈述最后比较的句子。7.5答案则把这个比较拆成两个短句,让对比的每一方都拥有自己的句子,以获得更强的修辞力度。
    • LRjust through stubbornnessPlain and functional. The 7.5 answer's 'through pure stubbornness' adds the intensifier 'pure', making the same trait sound more admirable and deliberate.朴素、功能性。7.5答案的 "through pure stubbornness" 加入了强调词 "pure",让同样的特质听起来更令人敬佩、更出于意志。
    • GRAChildren learn sounds and grammar naturally just by being around a language.A single sentence with one prepositional phrase — clear and safe. The 7.5 answer instead uses a longer sentence contrasting children's learning directly against what 'adults simply can't' do, a more ambitious comparative structure.一个带一个介词短语的句子——清晰安全。7.5答案则用了一个更长的句子,直接把孩子的学习方式和 "adults simply can't" 做的事进行对比,这种比较结构更有野心。
    7.0 分

    'less impossible for the old than people tend to believe' softens the claim about older learners with a double negative."less impossible for the old than people tend to believe" 用一个双重否定软化了关于年长学习者的断言。

    Honestly, easier for the young, and less impossible for the old than people tend to believe. My nephew absorbs English from cartoons without even trying, and his accent is already better than mine will ever be — children pick up sounds and grammar through exposure in a way adults simply can't. But Mr Bảy, my swimming neighbour, started English at seventy through pure stubbornness and now chats happily with tourists on the beach; adults have discipline, strategies and a reason, which children generally lack. To be fair, the young win on pronunciation and effortless grammar, while adults often win on vocabulary speed and understanding how a language actually works.

    查看中文翻译

    老实说,对年轻人来说更容易,而对年长的人来说,也没有大家想的那么不可能。我侄子看卡通片就能吸收英语,几乎不用费什么力,他的口音已经比我这辈子能达到的还要好——孩子能通过接触自然而然地学会发音和语法,这是成年人根本做不到的。但我那位游泳的邻居七叔,七十岁才开始学英语,纯粹靠一股倔劲,现在他能开开心心地跟海滩上的游客聊天了;成年人有纪律、有策略、有理由,这些是孩子通常缺乏的。说句公道话,年轻人在发音和毫不费力的语法上占优势,而成年人往往在学词汇的速度和理解语言运作方式上占优势。

    为什么是这个分数

    • FCTo be fair, the young win on pronunciation and effortless grammar, while adults often win on vocabulary speed and understanding how a language actually works.'To be fair' introduces the final balanced comparison as a considered claim, joined by 'while' into one sentence — a more developed structure than the plain 'but' sentence used at 6.5."To be fair" 把最后这个平衡的比较引出成一种经过思考的断言,并用 "while" 连成一个句子——这是比6.5那句平淡的 "but" 句子更展开的结构。
    • LRless impossible for the old than people tend to believeThe double negative 'less impossible' is a more nuanced, careful phrasing than a plain positive claim would be, and it's shared closely with the 7.5 answer's near-identical opening.双重否定 "less impossible" 是一种比直接肯定的断言更有分寸、更谨慎的措辞,而且和7.5几乎相同的开场句非常接近。
    • GRAchildren pick up sounds and grammar through exposure in a way adults simply can'tA relative clause ('in a way adults simply can't') closes the sentence with an implied comparison, a more compact structure than the plain prepositional phrase used at 6.5.一个关系从句("in a way adults simply can't")用一个隐含的比较来收尾这个句子,比6.5用到的平淡介词短语更紧凑。
    7.5 分

    The closing line 'Given both, the gap is smaller than the excuses' compresses the whole argument about age and language learning into one final image.结尾那句 "Given both, the gap is smaller than the excuses" 把关于年龄和语言学习的整个论证浓缩进了一个最终意象。

    Easier for the young, and less impossible for the old than people believe. My nephew absorbs English from cartoons without trying, and his accent is already better than mine will ever be — children learn sounds and grammar by exposure in a way adults can't. But Mr Bảy, my swimming neighbour, started English at seventy through pure stubbornness and now chats with tourists on the beach; adults have discipline, strategies and a reason, which children lack. The young win on pronunciation and effortless grammar. Adults often win on speed of vocabulary and on understanding how a language works. What older learners mostly lack is time, and permission to sound foolish. Given both, the gap is smaller than the excuses.

    查看中文翻译

    对年轻人来说更容易,而对年长的人来说,也没有大家想的那么不可能。我侄子看卡通片就能吸收英语,毫不费力,他的口音已经比我这辈子能达到的还要好——孩子能通过接触学会发音和语法,这是成年人做不到的。但我那位游泳的邻居七叔,七十岁才开始学英语,纯粹靠一股倔劲,现在他能跟海滩上的游客聊天了;成年人有纪律、有策略、有理由,这些是孩子所缺乏的。年轻人在发音和毫不费力的语法上占优势。成年人往往在学词汇的速度和理解语言运作方式上占优势。年长的学习者最缺乏的,是时间,还有允许自己听起来很蠢的许可。两者都具备之后,差距就会比借口小得多。

    为什么是这个分数

    • FCThe young win on pronunciation and effortless grammar. Adults often win on speed of vocabulary and on understanding how a language works.Two short parallel sentences, both opening with the relevant group as subject, replace the single 'but'/'while' sentence used at 6.5 and 7.0, giving each side of the comparison its own independent weight.两个短小的平行句子,都以相关的群体作为主语,取代了6.5和7.0用到的单一 "but"/"while" 句子,让对比的每一方都拥有了各自独立的分量。
    • LRthe gap is smaller than the excusesThis closing phrase plays 'gap' against 'excuses' as a precise, almost aphoristic final judgement, well beyond the plain vocabulary used to close the 6.5 and 7.0 answers.这句收尾的话把 "gap" 和 "excuses" 对立起来,作为一句精确、近乎格言式的最终判断,远远超越了6.5和7.0用来收尾的平淡词汇。
    • GRAWhat older learners mostly lack is time, and permission to sound foolish.A cleft sentence ('What older learners mostly lack is...') followed by a two-item list is a more sophisticated structure than the plain comparative sentences used at 6.5 and 7.0.一个分裂句("What older learners mostly lack is...")后接一个两项清单,这种结构比6.5和7.0用到的平淡比较句更精致。
  7. 7. Do you agree or disagree that speaking other languages is more important today than in the past?

    2026年5–8月
    查看这道题的6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5三档对比
    6.5 分

    'But it hasn't replaced the need to actually talk to people directly' closes with a plain final qualification."But it hasn't replaced the need to actually talk to people directly" 用一句平实的最后限定语收尾。

    I agree that speaking other languages is more important today than in the past, at least for most people. My grandmother lived her whole life without needing any language except Vietnamese, but I use three languages in an ordinary week, because my clients, my tools and much of my reading come in English. Work, travel and information now cross borders much more than before, so a second language is almost necessary for people with ambition. Translation technology can now handle simple tasks, and I use it every day. But it hasn't replaced the need to actually talk to people directly.

    查看中文翻译

    我同意,说其他语言在今天比过去更重要,至少对大多数人来说是这样。我奶奶一辈子除了越南语什么语言都不需要,但我一个普通的星期就会用到三种语言,因为我的客户、我用的工具,还有我读的很多东西都是用英语的。如今工作、旅行和信息跨越国界的程度,比以前大得多,所以对有抱负的人来说,第二语言几乎是必需的。翻译技术现在已经能处理一些简单的任务了,我每天都在用它。但它还没有取代直接和人交流的需要。

    为什么是这个分数

    • FCBut it hasn't replaced the need to actually talk to people directly.A short final sentence states the qualification directly. The 7.5 answer instead extends the identical idea with a further consequence about the bar being raised, adding a surprising twist to the same point.一个简短的收尾句直接陈述了这个限定语。7.5答案则用一个进一步的后果——关于标准被提高了——延伸了同样的想法,给同一个观点增添了一个出人意料的转折。
    • LRTranslation technology can now handle simple tasksPlain and functional. The 7.5 answer's 'now handles the routine' uses the more abstract noun 'the routine' instead of 'simple tasks', a slightly more compact and idiomatic phrasing.朴素、功能性。7.5答案的 "now handles the routine" 用了更抽象的名词 "the routine",而不是 "simple tasks",措辞更紧凑、更地道。
    • GRAWork, travel and information now cross borders much more than before, so a second language is almost necessary for people with ambition.A single 'so' clause draws the conclusion directly — clear and safe. The 7.5 answer instead extends a similar clause with a further coordinated clause adding more specificity about Vietnam.一个 "so" 从句直接得出结论——清晰安全。7.5答案则用一个进一步的并列从句延伸了类似的从句,加入了更多关于越南的具体信息。
    7.0 分

    'my client's team argues in German' adds a small, specific detail that sharpens the abstract claim about crossing borders."my client's team argues in German" 加入了一个小而具体的细节,让关于跨越国界这个抽象论断变得更犀利。

    Agree, for most people, honestly. My grandmother lived eighty-five years without needing a word of any language but Vietnamese; my ordinary week, though, runs in three, because my clients, my tools and half my reading arrive in English, and my client's team argues in German. To be fair, work, travel and information have all crossed borders in a way that makes a second language close to necessary for anyone with real ambition. The counter-argument is translation technology, which now handles the routine, and I use it daily. But it hasn't replaced the need to actually speak to people — if anything, it's raised the bar, since the routine part is automated now.

    查看中文翻译

    同意,老实说,对大多数人来说是这样。我奶奶活了八十五年,除了越南语一个字都不需要;而我平常的一周,却要用三种语言,因为我的客户、我用的工具,还有我一半的阅读都是用英语的,而我客户的团队开会用的是德语。说句公道话,工作、旅行和信息跨越国界的方式,已经让第二语言对任何真正有抱负的人来说几乎成了必需品。反面的论点是翻译技术,它现在能处理常规工作,我每天都在用它。但它还没有取代真正和人交流的需要——如果说有什么变化的话,那就是它反而提高了标准,因为常规的部分现在已经自动化了。

    为什么是这个分数

    • FCThe counter-argument is translation technology, which now handles the routine, and I use it daily.'The counter-argument is' explicitly labels this as a concession to the opposite view, a more developed cohesive marker than the plain 'but' sentence used at 6.5."The counter-argument is" 明确地把这一点标记为对反方观点的一种让步,比6.5那句平淡的 "but" 句子更展开的衔接标记。
    • LRif anything, it's raised the bar'Raised the bar' is a vivid idiomatic phrase, more developed than the plain 'hasn't replaced' language at 6.5, and shared closely with the identical phrase at 7.5."Raised the bar" 是一个生动的地道短语,比6.5那种平淡的 "hasn't replaced" 措辞更展开,而且和7.5几乎相同的短语非常接近。
    • GRAmy ordinary week, though, runs in three, because my clients, my tools and half my reading arrive in English, and my client's team argues in GermanA sentence with an inserted 'though' and two coordinated 'because' reasons — a moderately complex structure, close to but slightly less compact than the equivalent 7.5 sentence.一个带插入语 "though" 和两个并列 "because" 理由的句子——中等复杂的结构,接近但稍微不如7.5对应句子那么紧凑。
    7.5 分

    The closing clause 'the routine is now automated and the human part is what's left' closes with a compact final contrast built on a cleft structure.结尾那个分句 "the routine is now automated and the human part is what's left" 用一个建立在分裂结构上的紧凑最终对比收尾。

    Agree, for most people. My grandmother lived eighty-five years without needing a word of any language but Vietnamese; my ordinary week runs in three, because my clients, my tools and half my reading arrive in English and my client's team argues in German. Work, travel and information have all crossed borders in a way that makes a second language close to necessary for anyone with ambition, and essential for a country like mine that trades with everyone. The counter-argument is translation technology, which now handles the routine, and I use it daily. But it hasn't replaced the need to actually speak to people; if anything, it's raised the bar, since the routine is now automated and the human part is what's left.

    查看中文翻译

    同意,对大多数人来说是这样。我奶奶活了八十五年,除了越南语一个字都不需要;而我平常的一周,却要用三种语言,因为我的客户、我用的工具,还有我一半的阅读都是用英语的,而我客户的团队开会用的是德语。工作、旅行和信息已经跨越国界的方式,让第二语言对任何有抱负的人来说几乎成了必需品,对像我们这样与全世界做生意的国家来说更是不可或缺。反面的论点是翻译技术,它现在能处理常规工作,我每天都在用它。但它还没有取代真正和人交流的需要;如果说有什么变化的话,那就是它反而提高了标准,因为常规的部分现在已经自动化了,剩下的正是需要人的那部分。

    为什么是这个分数

    • FCBut it hasn't replaced the need to actually speak to people; if anything, it's raised the bar, since the routine is now automated and the human part is what's left.A semicolon joins the concession to its surprising consequence within one sentence, a tighter and more developed structure than the separate final sentence used to state a similar qualification at 6.5.一个分号把这个让步和它出人意料的结果连接进同一个句子,比6.5用来陈述类似限定语的单独收尾句更紧凑、更展开。
    • LRessential for a country like mine that trades with everyoneThis phrase names the country's situation directly and specifically, a more developed and confident claim than the vaguer 'almost necessary for people with ambition' used alone at 6.5.这个短语直接、具体地点出了这个国家的处境,比6.5单独使用的那句更模糊的 "almost necessary for people with ambition" 更展开、更自信。
    • GRAmy client's team argues in GermanThis same short factual clause appears in the 7.0 answer too, but here it closes a longer, more integrated sentence rather than being tacked on with 'though', showing the identical content handled with slightly tighter control.同样这句简短的事实分句在7.0答案里也出现过,但在这里它收尾于一个更长、更整合的句子里,而不是像7.0那样用 "though" 硬接上去,说明处理同样的内容时控制力略有提升。
  8. 8. What impact does having a dominant global language have?

    2026年5–8月
    查看这道题的6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5三档对比
    6.5 分

    'That is the big benefit' isolates the conclusion into its own very short sentence."That is the big benefit" 把结论单独隔成了一句非常短的句子。

    I think a dominant global language connects people who would never speak to each other otherwise, but it also gives some people an advantage. A Vietnamese designer, a German client and a Japanese designer all met and worked together in one shared language, and none of us could have done the work without it. That is the big benefit. But native speakers of the dominant language always arrive fluent and confident, while everyone else has to work twice as hard. Also, science and business favour that language, so ideas from smaller languages don't travel as far. Small languages can also become weaker over time.

    查看中文翻译

    我觉得一种全球主导语言能把原本永远不会交谈的人连接起来,但它也让一些人占了便宜。一位越南设计师、一位德国客户和一位日本设计师,靠着一种共同的语言相遇并合作,如果没有这门语言,我们谁都无法完成这份工作。这就是最大的好处。但这门主导语言的母语者总是天生就流利又自信,而其他所有人都得付出双倍的努力。而且科学和商业更青睐这门语言,所以来自小语种的想法传播得没那么远。小语种也可能会随时间变弱。

    为什么是这个分数

    • FCThat is the big benefit.A very short standalone sentence marks the conclusion of the first part of the answer. The 7.5 answer instead folds a similar idea into a longer sentence ending in a vivid spatial metaphor, giving the same conclusion more descriptive weight.一个非常短的独立句子标记了答案前半部分的结论。7.5答案则把类似的想法折进一个更长的句子里,以一个生动的空间比喻收尾,给同样的结论增添了更多的描写分量。
    • LReveryone else has to work twice as hardPlain and literal. The 7.5 answer's continuous form for the same idea gives a more vivid, ongoing sense of effort, and follows it with a compact label naming the advantage directly.朴素、按字面意思。7.5答案对同样想法用了进行时,带来一种更生动、更持续的努力感,并在后面紧跟一个紧凑的标签,直接点出了这种优势。
    • GRAA Vietnamese designer, a German client and a Japanese designer all met and worked together in one shared language, and none of us could have done the work without it.A single sentence with two coordinated clauses — clear and controlled. The 7.5 answer instead adds a dash before a further descriptive clause, a more layered structure for the identical content.一个带两个并列分句的句子——清晰、有控制力。7.5答案则在前面加上一个破折号,再接一个进一步的描写性分句,对同样的内容采用了更有层次的结构。
    7.0 分

    'The costs, though, are quieter' isolates the pivot to disadvantages into its own short sentence."The costs, though, are quieter" 把转向弊端的这个转折单独隔成了一个短句。

    Honestly, it connects people who'd never otherwise speak, and it decides who speaks with an advantage. A Vietnamese designer, a German client and a Japanese type designer all met in one borrowed language, and none of us could have done our work without it — that's the huge gain, a shared room for the whole planet. The costs, though, are quieter. Native speakers of the global language arrive in every room fluent and confident, while everyone else works twice as hard — a permanent, mostly invisible advantage. To be fair, science, business and the internet all tilt toward that language, so ideas expressed in others simply travel less far, and small languages weaken as parents choose the global one for their kids.

    查看中文翻译

    老实说,它把原本永远不会交谈的人连接起来,也决定了谁能带着优势去交流。一位越南设计师、一位德国客户和一位日本字体设计师,都靠一种借来的语言相遇,如果没有它,我们谁都无法完成这份工作——这就是巨大的收获,是整个星球共有的一间房间。不过,代价则安静得多。这门全球语言的母语者走进任何一个房间都天生流利又自信,而其他所有人都要付出双倍的努力——这是一种永久的、大多看不见的优势。说句公道话,科学、商业和互联网都在向那门语言倾斜,所以用其他语言表达的想法传播得没那么远,而随着父母为孩子选择那门全球语言,小语种也在慢慢变弱。

    为什么是这个分数

    • FCThe costs, though, are quieter.This short sentence marks the pivot from benefits to costs clearly, a more developed transitional device than the flat 'But' sentence used at 6.5 to introduce the same shift.这个短句清晰地标记了从好处到代价的转折,比6.5那句平淡的 "But" 句子更展开的过渡手法,后者也是用来引入同样的转折。
    • LRa permanent, mostly invisible advantage'Mostly invisible' hedges the claim slightly, a more careful phrasing than the unhedged 7.5 version, showing a small but real difference in confidence between the two bands."Mostly invisible" 稍微软化了这个断言,比7.5那句不加让步的版本更谨慎,说明这两个分段之间在自信程度上确实存在细微差别。
    • GRANative speakers of the global language arrive in every room fluent and confident, while everyone else works twice as hard — a permanent, mostly invisible advantage.A 'while' clause is followed by a dash-attached appositive summarising the whole sentence in a noun phrase, a more layered structure than the two separate sentences used for similar content at 6.5.一个 "while" 从句后面接一个破折号引出的同位语,用一个名词短语总结了整个句子,这种结构比6.5用两个分开句子表达类似内容更有层次。
    7.5 分

    The closing sentence balances gain and loss in one symmetrical final clause.结尾那句用一个对称的最终分句,把收获和损失平衡了起来。

    It connects people who'd never otherwise speak, and it decides who speaks with an advantage. A Vietnamese designer, a German client and a Japanese type designer all met in one borrowed language, and none of us could have done our work without it — that's the enormous gain, a shared room for the whole planet. The costs are quieter. Native speakers of the global language arrive in every room fluent and confident while everyone else is working twice as hard; that's a permanent, invisible advantage. Science, business and the internet tilt toward that language, so ideas in others travel less far. Small languages weaken as parents choose the global one for their children. The world gains a common tongue and loses some of its accents, and both are real.

    查看中文翻译

    它把原本永远不会交谈的人连接起来,也决定了谁能带着优势去交流。一位越南设计师、一位德国客户和一位日本字体设计师,都靠一种借来的语言相遇,如果没有它,我们谁都无法完成这份工作——这就是巨大的收获,是整个星球共有的一间房间。代价则安静得多。这门全球语言的母语者走进任何一个房间都天生流利又自信,而其他所有人都要付出双倍的努力;这是一种永久的、看不见的优势。科学、商业和互联网都在向那门语言倾斜,所以用其他语言表达的想法传播得没那么远。随着父母为孩子选择那门全球语言,小语种也在慢慢变弱。世界获得了一门共通的语言,也失去了一部分自己的口音,而这两者都是真实的。

    为什么是这个分数

    • FCThe world gains a common tongue and loses some of its accents, and both are real.This closing sentence balances two parallel verb phrases ('gains... loses...') before a short final judgement, a more symmetrical and developed piece of cohesion than the shorter separate sentences used to close the 6.5 and 7.0 answers.这句收尾的话平衡了两个平行的动词短语("gains... loses..."),再接一句简短的最终判断,这种衔接手法比6.5和7.0用来收尾的更短的分开句子更对称、也更展开。
    • LRthat's the enormous gain, a shared room for the whole planet'A shared room for the whole planet' is a vivid, spatial metaphor for a shared language, considerably more figurative than the plain 'that is the big benefit' at 6.5."A shared room for the whole planet" 是一个生动的空间比喻,比6.5平淡的 "that is the big benefit" 更有比喻色彩得多。
    • GRANative speakers of the global language arrive in every room fluent and confident while everyone else is working twice as hard; that's a permanent, invisible advantage.A semicolon joins the observation to its compact summary label without a connecting word, a tighter structure than the dash-attached appositive used for similar content at 7.0.一个分号把这个观察和它紧凑的总结标签连接了起来,不用任何连接词,比7.0用破折号引出同位语来处理类似内容的结构更紧凑。
  9. 9. Do you think accepting a global language also means accepting a global culture?

    2026年5–8月
    查看这道题的6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5三档对比
    6.5 分

    'I think culture lives in family, food and memory, none of which a language really replaces' closes with a plain final generalisation."I think culture lives in family, food and memory, none of which a language really replaces" 用一句平实的最终概括收尾。

    I don't think accepting a global language always means accepting a global culture. I speak English with a slight Australian accent that I picked up by a river, but I still worship at my family's altar every Tết without feeling any contradiction. A global language does carry some culture with it, like idioms and ways of arguing, and people who use it often absorb some of that, especially younger people. But Vietnamese people usually speak English at work and stay completely Vietnamese at home. I think culture lives in family, food and memory, none of which a language really replaces.

    查看中文翻译

    我不认为接受一门全球语言就等于接受一种全球文化。我说的英语带着一点在江边学来的澳大利亚口音,但我每年除夕依然会在家族的祭台前拜祭,一点都不觉得矛盾。一门全球语言确实会带来一些文化,比如习语和辩论的方式,而经常使用它的人也会不知不觉吸收一些这样的东西,尤其是年轻人。但越南人通常在工作时说英语,回到家却完完全全是越南人。我觉得文化存在于家庭、食物和记忆之中,而这些都不是一门语言真正能取代的。

    为什么是这个分数

    • FCBut Vietnamese people usually speak English at work and stay completely Vietnamese at home.'But' signals the contrast directly. The 7.5 answer instead extends a nearly identical contrast by broadening the point beyond Vietnam specifically to the rest of the world."But" 直接标出了这个对比。7.5答案则把一个几乎相同的对比进一步延伸,把这一点从越南延伸到了世界其他地方。
    • LRI still worship at my family's altar every Tết without feeling any contradictionPlain and functional. The 7.5 answer's phrase uses the more specific, ritual-accurate 'offer incense' instead of the more general 'worship'.朴素、功能性。7.5答案的短语用了更具体、更符合仪式的 "offer incense",而不是更笼统的 "worship"。
    • GRAA global language does carry some culture with it, like idioms and ways of arguing, and people who use it often absorb some of that, especially younger people.A single sentence with one 'like' example and one coordinated clause — clear and safe. The 7.5 answer instead uses a dash-set four-item list for the examples, a denser structure for the same content.一个带一个 "like" 例子和一个并列从句的句子——清晰安全。7.5答案则用一个破折号引出的四项清单来处理这些例子,结构更密集。
    7.0 分

    'the language came in, and the culture didn't really leave' closes the personal example with a compact, image-based final clause."the language came in, and the culture didn't really leave" 用一个紧凑、带画面感的最终分句为这个个人例子收尾。

    Honestly, not necessarily, and I'm a small piece of evidence for that. I speak English with a faint Australian rise picked up on a riverside bench, and I offer incense at my family's altar every Tết without feeling any contradiction — the language came in, and the culture didn't really leave. To be fair, a global language does carry some culture with it, idioms, films, ways of arguing, a certain informality, and people who use it daily absorb some of that, especially the young. But Vietnamese people speak English at work and are entirely Vietnamese at dinner, and most of the world does the same with its second language.

    查看中文翻译

    老实说,不一定,而我自己就是一个小小的证据。我说英语带着一点在江边长椅上学来的澳大利亚口音,而我每年除夕依然会在家族的祭台前上香,不觉得有任何矛盾——语言进来了,但文化并没有真正离开。说句公道话,一门全球语言确实会带来一些文化,习语、电影、争论的方式、一种特定的随意感,而每天使用它的人也会吸收一些这样的东西,尤其是年轻人。但越南人在工作时说英语,在晚餐时完全是越南人,世界上大多数地方对待自己的第二语言也是这样。

    为什么是这个分数

    • FCTo be fair, a global language does carry some culture with it, idioms, films, ways of arguing, a certain informality, and people who use it daily absorb some of that, especially the young.'To be fair' introduces the concession about cultural transfer as a considered claim, a more developed transition than the plain 'A global language does carry' opening used at 6.5."To be fair" 把关于文化转移的这个让步引出成一种经过思考的断言,是比6.5那句平淡的 "A global language does carry" 开场更展开的过渡。
    • LRthe language came in, and the culture didn't really leaveThis personifying, image-based phrase is more figurative than the plain 'without feeling any contradiction' at 6.5, and nearly identical to the unhedged version at 7.5.这个拟人化、带画面感的短语,比6.5那句平淡的 "without feeling any contradiction" 更有比喻色彩,而且和7.5不加让步的版本几乎相同。
    • GRAidioms, films, ways of arguing, a certain informality, and people who use it daily absorb some of that, especially the youngA four-item asyndetic list is folded into the main sentence before the final clause, a denser structure than the single 'like' example used at 6.5, matching the 7.5 structure closely.一个四项的无连接词清单被折进了主句里,放在最后一个分句之前,这种结构比6.5用到的单一 "like" 例子更密集,和7.5的结构非常接近。
    7.5 分

    The closing line 'a global tongue is a tool, not a conversion' ends the whole answer with a compact, almost aphoristic final contrast.结尾那句 "a global tongue is a tool, not a conversion" 用一个紧凑、近乎格言式的最终对比,为整个答案画上句号。

    Not necessarily, and I'm a small piece of evidence. I speak English with a faint Australian rise picked up on a riverside bench, and I offer incense at my family's altar every Tết without any sense of contradiction; the language came in, and the culture didn't leave. A global language does carry culture with it — idioms, films, ways of arguing, a certain informality — and people who use it daily absorb some of that, especially the young. But Vietnamese people speak English at work and are entirely Vietnamese at dinner, and most of the world does the same with its second language. Culture lives in family, food, ritual and memory, none of which a language replaces. The risk is real for small languages that vanish entirely. For the rest, a global tongue is a tool, not a conversion.

    查看中文翻译

    不一定,而我自己就是一个小小的证据。我说英语带着一点在江边长椅上学来的澳大利亚口音,而我每年除夕依然会在家族的祭台前上香,没有任何矛盾的感觉;语言进来了,但文化并没有离开。一门全球语言确实会带来文化——习语、电影、争论的方式、一种特定的随意感——而每天使用它的人也会吸收一些这样的东西,尤其是年轻人。但越南人在工作时说英语,在晚餐时完完全全是越南人,世界上大多数地方对待自己的第二语言也是这样。文化存在于家庭、食物、仪式和记忆之中,没有一种是语言能取代的。对那些彻底消失的小语种来说,这种风险是真实存在的。而对其余的语言来说,一门全球语言是一种工具,不是一种皈依。

    为什么是这个分数

    • FCthe language came in, and the culture didn't leaveDropping the hedge 'really' used at 7.0 makes this personifying claim land more directly and confidently, a small but genuine difference in assurance between the two bands.去掉7.0用到的让步词 "really",让这个拟人化的断言表达得更直接、更自信,这是两个分段之间在把握程度上一个虽小却真实的差别。
    • LRa global tongue is a tool, not a conversionThis closing metaphor plays 'tool' against 'conversion' as a precise, almost religious-toned contrast, a considerably more idiomatic and pointed final image than the plain generalisations used to close the 6.5 and 7.0 answers.这个收尾的比喻把 "tool" 和 "conversion" 对立起来,作为一个精确、近乎带宗教色彩的对比,比6.5和7.0用来收尾的平铺概括要更地道、更犀利得多的最终意象。
    • GRAA global language does carry culture with it — idioms, films, ways of arguing, a certain informality — and people who use it daily absorb some of that, especially the young.A dash-set four-item list interrupts the main clause before it continues with the coordinated clause about absorption, a denser structure than the single 'like' example used at 6.5.一个破折号引出的四项清单打断了主句,然后主句继续接上关于吸收的并列从句,这种结构比6.5用到的单一 "like" 例子更密集。

常见问题

这道 Part 2 题应该讲多长?
讲 1 到 2 分钟。考官会在 2 分钟时打断你,因此目标约 220-300 词,覆盖题卡上的每一点,并以你的感受收尾。
这张题卡之后会问哪些 Part 3 问题?
在"Something You Did That Helped You Learn Another Language"之后,考官提出过 9 个讨论题,见上方列表。问题会从你的个人经历转向同一主题的普遍观点。
这张题卡还在使用吗?
考生最近一次报告它出现在 2026年5–8月。题卡每四个月轮换一次,许多话题会在之后的季度以略有不同的措辞回归。