Scoring the writing test Task Achievement

Task achieved at a very high level

Each task is scored separately by two examiners. For each task you receive 25 marks. Intention: Entirely clear
Instructions: Completely followed
Task Achievement (10 marks) - how good is the content of your writing? Would your writing achieve its 10 Effect: A very positive effect on the target reader
purpose in real life? (e.g. would the hotel be booked, would the complaint be understood?) Have you followed Outcome: Sure to achieve a successful outcome
all the instructions and included all the relevant information? Content: All relevant details included
Some original ideas or presentation
Coherence and Cohesion (5 marks) - Coherence: Does your writing make sense? You lose marks for
writing nonsense! Cohesion: Have you written logically? Are there paragraphs, linking words: e.g. however, 9
first, second, in addition. Your writing should be logical and structured. Task well achieved
Intention: Generally clear
Range and Accuracy (5 marks) - are you using grammar, vocabulary and other language appropriate for Instructions: All important ones followed
the level? And to what extent are you getting it right?
8 Effect: A positive effect on the target reader
Writing - MARKING SCHEMES

Appropriacy (5 marks) - is the text suitable for a particular situation; e.g. formality: Im therefore returning Outcome: Sure to achieve a successful outcome
the purchased goods. Or So Im sending what I bought back. Content: Most relevant details included
Some original ideas or presentation
7
Coherence and Cohesion Range and Accuracy Appropriacy Task achieved, some gaps
Structure: Clear Intention: Clear in most areas
Style: Appropriate to Instructions: All important ones followed
Purpose: Clear Range: Wide 6
genre Effect: A generally positive effect on the reader
Information: Well organised
5 Cohesive
5 Errors: Very few
5 Outcome: Likely to achieve a successful outcome
Register: Range of registers Content: Many relevant details included
Devices: Used to link naturally
Reference: Skilled use 5
4 4 4 Task not achieved, many gaps
Intention: Unclear in some areas
Structure: Adequate Range: Adequate Style: Usually appropriate Instructions: Some key instructions not followed
Purpose: Mostly clear. to genre 4 Effect: The reader may be confused
Information: Some confusion Errors: Some but do Outcome: Unlikely to achieve a successful outcome
3 Cohesive
3 not significantly impede
3 Register: Limited exponents Content: Some important details left out
Devices: Adequate meaning but awareness of register is Some irrelevant information
Reference: Limited use shown
9
2 2 2 Task entirely unachieved
Structure: Muddled Intention: Very unclear
Style: Inappropriate to Instructions: Most / all not followed
Purpose: Unclear. Range: Narrow
genre 2 Effect: Very negative
Information: Very confused
1 Cohesive
1 Errors: Many
1 Outcome: Will not achieve a successful outcome
Register: Minimal Content: Omission, irrelevance
Devices: Minimal
Reference: Simple / none 1
Not enough language to make an Not enough language to Not enough language to make Task unattempted / partially attempted
0 assessment.
0 make an assessment
0 an assessment. 0 Not enough language to make an assessment
Page 1
Page 2 Writing - SAMPLE ANSWERS

Sample Answers
Task Two:
An article (191 words)

What place does a three story concrete monstrosity have in the centre of a
mediaeval town? Absolutely none, if eighty-six percent of the residents of
Meckham are to be believed.
The council planning committee last night approved the application by PLZ
Engineering to demolish the old art gallery on the Old Town Square and replace
it with a three storey modern concrete office.
We havent completed the design, yet, says managing director Edgar Grice,
Were open to suggestions from anybody.
The chairman of the planning committee, Sarah Jones, was unapologetic, We
have already spent over three million euros on the mediaeval town centre this
year. But we also need jobs in this town.
A recent opinion poll carried out by this paper shows the majority of Meckhams
inhabitants oppose the new building. Part of that 86% majority is civic campaigner,
Bridget Reninson.
How can anybody believe that a concrete building in the middle of a mediaeval
town square is acceptable? says an angry Bridget. Next Saturday we are holding
a demonstration in the square, and we want the whole town there to send a
message to PLZ Engineering and the council.

Personal letter (188 words)

Hi Louise,

I received your email yesterday and was so sorry to hear about your exam
results. I really dont think you should be so upset. You did pass all your other
examinations except for the philosophy; and everybody knows that the Modern
Philosophy course at Grenberg University is extremely difficult.
I think you were also very unlucky in that both your written paper and your
viva voce were assessed by Professor White. Sarah, who also failed the philosophy
exam this semester, says that he is preoccupied with questions about Kant. If you
dont know your Kant inside out, then he fails you.
Im sure youve got plenty of exciting things lined up for summer. Tom told me
that youre spending a month in Italy. Im sure that after a few days in the sun
everything will seem better. Just dont forget to take your Kant notes with you.
Im spending much of the summer in Austria in a cottage near Graz that my
step-father owns. I hope there is something interesting to do there!
Anyway, cheer up and Ill see you in September.

Love and kisses,

Hannah.
Writing - SAMPLE ANSWERS Page 3

An essay (147 words)

While there are powerful arguments in favour of having English as the official
language of EU, the balance of argument must be against it.
On account of the United States, English is the most powerful language in the
World. English grew, particularly since the Second World War, as the dominant
commercial language in the West and rapidly became the first foreign language
taught in schools. Thus today if A Greek meets a Swede in Italy the chance is, if
they can communicate at all, that they will communicate in English.
In the EU itself, though English is the mostly widely known language (particularly
after the accession of the former socialist countries in 2004 and 2007), the official
position of the EU is one of language equality but with French as the official legal
language. Peace in language policy is maintained by this modus operandi.
The usage of English is growing everyday in the EU, but to suggest making it
the official language, though perhaps practical, would open a can of worms.
There would be no question of a majority of the member states supporting such
a proposal.
In conclusion, it is far better then not to have English as the official language of
the EU, but simply to let its usage grow by stealth.