Writing
Name the criteria for assessment and what they mean
Task response: task 1 (relevant factual information, format, overview, details), task 2 (ideas, their development, argumentation, examples)
Coherence and cohesion: organization of the text: paragraphs, cohesive devices (linking words, references, synonyms etc)
Lexical resource: sufficient range of vocabulary, spelling, collocations
Grammar: sentence structure, use of tenses and gramma structures, punctuation
What words can be used for upward and downward trends in graphs?
Example: rise steadily
Mention at least 5 different examples for each
grow sharply, increase rapidly, climb gradually, jump substantially, surge, rocket
fall shraply, drop quickly, decline steadily, decrease moderately, plummet, plunge
Fill in the gaps and explain the difference:
I _____ ________ in this city for five years.
I _____ in this city for five years.
Present Perfect: I have lived in this city for five years.
(This suggests the person still lives there now.)
Past Simple: I lived in this city for five years.
(This suggests the person no longer lives there.)
What might be the problems of this introduction?
Task:
Increasing the price of petrol is the best way to solve growing traffic and pollution problems.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
What other measures do you think might be effective?
Nowadays the use of the petrol is largely considered essential for the everyday life. However, the petrol has become highly detrimental for the health of the community. Therefore, the government should adequately take steps in order to solve two of the most discussed issues, namely traffic and pollution. One potential measure might focus on the rise of the price of petrol. This essay will agree with those who firmly believe that if the price of petrol rises, it will make the difference in favour of supporting sustainable environment. Moreover, it may be even underlined that there are other salient actions who might guarantee the same positive outcome. This point of view may be supported by some convincing reasons.
The length, unnecessary details
Name words (conjunctions) that can be used to show contrast and make examples
For example: ________ some people prefer to exercise in the morning, others find it more convenient to work out in the evening.
At least 5
While, whereas, although, however, unlike, despite
Fill in the gaps with appropriate narrative tenses:
Between 2010 and 2015, the company’s revenue _________ (increase) steadily, reaching $2 million by 2015. While the marketing team _______ (implement) new strategies, sales _________ (already begin), laying the groundwork for future growth.
Between 2010 and 2015, the company’s revenue increased steadily, reaching $2 million by 2015. While the marketing team was implementing new strategies, sales had already begun to rise, laying the groundwork for future growth.
Consider the arguments for the essay. What band would you give for task response?
Task:
Increasing the price of petrol is the best way to solve growing traffic and pollution problems.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
What other measures do you think might be effective?
Arguments
The response has not been completely addressed as the test taker has only presented one ‘other’ measure. The test taker introduces one key measure (public transportation) but does not add to this in the response. Though both questions have been addressed, one question has only been partially addressed thus limiting the rating to Band 5.
Name words (conjunctions, linking words) that can be used to show cause and effect and make at least 5 examples
For example: The flight was delayed ____ ___ bad weather conditions.
due to, because, consequently, therefore, hence, thus, as a result
Fill in the gaps:
If governments _______ (invest) more in renewable energy, they _______ (reduce) global carbon emissions significantly. This change would also help mitigate the effects of climate change and create a more sustainable future.
If governments invested more in renewable energy, they would reduce global carbon emissions significantly. This change would also help mitigate the effects of climate change and create a more sustainable future.
Give the band for task achievement to this graph description:
The task (picture)
The introduction (picture)
You have the right format for the report, but your overview is not as strong as it could be.
Try not to just list countries or items – look for a way to summarise what is increasing and falling.
For 8 and 9 you should write that the level of emissions is more similar at the end of the period than the beginning.
More importantly, there is nowhere near enough comparisons in your report for a very high score.
An improved overall statement:
Overall, it can be clearly seen that while the highest producers at the start of the period decreased, the countries with the lowest amount of emissions increased. As a result, although the UK remained the biggest producer of CO2 throughout the period, the difference between the highest and lowest was much smaller at the end than the beginning.
Name the words to give arguments and explanations, mention at least 5 examples
The most important factor, another solution can be..., it means that, what I am trying to say is, as for, when it comes to
Name alternative ways of expressing future and mention at least 3 examples
For example:
He is ______ to win the match
is likely to, is about to, on the verge of, is certain to, is bound to, is expected to
What word is missing here:
Secondly, the data on Italy and Portugal needs to be examined. It is evident that in 1967, the figures for Italy and Portugal started at just over 4 and about 1, _______-.
respectively
Name at least 5 words to describe conditions, mention at least 5 examples
For example: you will pass the exam ___ _____ ___ you prepare thoroughly
if, unless, provided that, as long as, whether
Fill in the gaps and name the structure, come up with more examples:
_________ finished the research, they decided to share the results
Having finished the research, they decided to share the results - partciple clause
The number of students grew that year, reaching its peak of 2500