Step 1: Identify the Part 2 question requirements The question asks you to describe a friend who learned something independently, without a teacher. You need to mention: - Who this person is - What he or she learned - Why he or she learned it - And explain whether it would be easier to learn from a teacher Step 2: Strategies for a better answer - Expand your answer by giving background about your friend and the learning process. - Ensure coherence by linking each point with logical connectors. - Paraphrase the question and use synonyms for key words like “learned,” “teacher,” and “independently.” - Refer back to your friend and their experience throughout your answer. - Use signposting language such as “Firstly,” “Moreover,” “In addition,” and “To sum up.” - Use a range of vocabulary, including words related to learning, motivation, and challenges. - Demonstrate a variety of grammatical structures, such as conditionals, relative clauses, and complex sentences. - Make sure the answer is detailed and over 300 words. Topic:Learning to play the guitar without a teacher Who he/she is One of my closest friends, whose name is David, is someone I truly admire for his determination and self-discipline. David and I have known each other since high school, and he has always been the type of person who enjoys taking on new challenges. He is quite independent and prefers to figure things out on his own rather than relying on others for help. What he/she learned A few years ago, David decided to learn how to play the guitar. What makes his story unique is that he did not attend any formal classes or hire a private tutor. Instead, he relied entirely on online resources, such as YouTube tutorials, guitar forums, and free apps. He started from scratch, not even knowing how to read music, but gradually he taught himself everything from basic chords to more advanced techniques like fingerpicking and improvisation. Why he/she learned this The main reason David wanted to learn the guitar was that he has always been passionate about music. He used to listen to a lot of rock and folk songs, and he dreamed of being able to play his favorite tunes. Additionally, he wanted to be able to perform at small gatherings with friends and family. Learning the guitar was also a way for him to relax and express himself creatively after a long day at work. He felt that teaching himself would give him more flexibility and allow him to progress at his own pace, without the pressure of scheduled lessons. And explain whether it would be easier to learn from a teacher In my opinion, although David managed to become a fairly skilled guitarist on his own, it probably would have been easier and faster if he had learned from a teacher. A teacher could have provided immediate feedback, corrected his mistakes, and structured his learning more efficiently. However, learning independently also had its advantages, such as allowing David to focus on the music he loved and develop his own style. To sum up, while having a teacher can make the learning process smoother, David’s experience shows that with enough motivation and the right resources, it is definitely possible to master a skill on your own.

This answer demonstrates a strong command of both simple and complex sentence structures. There is effective use of relative clauses ("whose name is David," "which makes his story unique"), conditionals ("although David managed to become a fairly skilled guitarist on his own, it probably would have been easier..."), and a variety of tenses to describe past experiences and present opinions. The answer also uses linking words and signposting language ("Firstly," "Additionally," "To sum up") to organize ideas clearly and logically. The use of passive voice ("he was able to perform") and gerunds ("learning the guitar," "teaching himself") adds grammatical variety, which is important for a higher band score.