Band 1:

Confident and
stylistic completion of challenging tasks throughout the portfolio

(36-40 marks)

Candidates describe and reflect effectively upon experience, give detail and analyse
thoughtfully what is felt and imagined. Arguments are cogent and developed in mature, persuasive thought.

Facts, ideas and opinions are ordered logically, each stage in the argument or narrative carefully linked to the next. Paragraphing is a strength, and candidates are confident in experimenting where appropriate in the structure of expressive writing.

Candidates write with assurance, using a wide range of effective vocabulary and varied,
well-constructed sentences.

Candidates vary their style with assurance to suit audience and context in all three assignments.

Candidates write accurately. They use punctuation and grammatical structures to define
shades of meaning. They spell simple, complex and technical words with precision.

Band 2:

Frequent merit and interest
in the choice of content and the manner of writing

(31-25 marks)

Candidates describe and reflect upon experience and analyse with occasional success what is felt and imagined. Some argument is well developed and interesting, although the explanation may not always be consistent.

Facts, ideas and opinions are often well ordered so that the construction of the writing is clear
to the reader. Sentences within paragraphs are mostly well sequenced, although some paragraphs may finish less effectively than they begin.

Candidates write with some confidence, demonstrating an emergent range of varied vocabulary and some fluency in the construction of sentences.

Candidates give evidence of understanding the need to write appropriately to audience and context even if there is not complete consistency in the three assignments.

Candidates show some signs of understanding how punctuation and grammatical structures can be used to aid communication. Errors of spelling, punctuation and grammar are minor, and rare at the top of this band.

Band 3:

Competent writing with some
development of ideas

(26-30 marks)

Candidates express clearly what is felt and imagined and supply some detail, explanation and
exemplification for the benefit of the reader. Arguments are expressed in a competent series of relevant points and a clear attempt is made to develop some of them.

A clear attempt is made to present facts, ideas and opinions in an orderly way, although there may be some insecurity in the overall structure.

Candidates write competently, using appropriate if sometimes unadventurous vocabulary and
writing sentences that mostly link ideas successfully.

Candidates make a clear attempt in at least one assignment to write with a sense of audience and there may also be some evidence of adapting style to context.

Candidates use punctuation and grammar competently although the range is not great. There may be a number of minor errors especially at the bottom of this band and even occasional errors of sentence separation.

Band 4:

Satisfactory content with
brief development and acceptable expression

(21-25 marks)

Candidates express with some clarity what is felt and imagined. Arguments are relevant to the
topic and are developed partially with some brief effectiveness.

There is evidence of overall structure, but the writing may be presented more carefully in
some sections than in others. There may be examples of repetition and the sequence of sentences within paragraphs may be insecure in places.

Candidates write with occasional competence, using a mixture of effective and straightforward
vocabulary and some complex and some simple sentences.

Candidates show occasional evidence of writing with some understanding of audience and context, but this is not sustained.

They use a limited range of punctuation and grammatical structure with some care, although
occasionally grammatical error will cause the reader some difficulty.

There may be quite numerous errors, particularly of sentence separation and the misuse of commas.

Band 5:

Simple writing, the meaning
of which is not in doubt

(16-20 marks)

Candidates express intelligibly what is felt and imagined. Arguments are expressed with
variable relevance, logic and development.

Facts, ideas and opinions are presented in paragraphs which may be inconsistent. The overall
structure is unsound in places.

Candidates use simple straightforward vocabulary. Simple sentences are correctly used and
there may be an attempt to write complex sentences which have a slight lack of clarity.

Candidates make slight variations of style according to audience and context, although this
does not seem deliberate.

Candidates show knowledge of simple punctuation and grammar, but the amount of error, especially of tense and the use of prepositions, is sometimes considerable.

Sentences separation is often poor, but error does not prevent the reader from understanding what is written.

Band 6:

Writing can be followed
despite difficulties with expression

(11-15 marks)

Candidates make a simple attempt to express what is felt and imagined. Arguments are expressed very simply and briefly.

Facts, ideas and opinions may appear in partially formed paragraphs of inappropriate length and some attempt is made to provide a beginning and an end.

Candidates use simple, mainly accurate vocabulary. Attempts to write complex sentences may
involve repetition of conjunctions and some blurring.

Candidates may show occasional, brief acknowledgement of the possibility of writing for
different audiences and contexts, but overall there is little variation of style.

Candidates occasionally use appropriate punctuation and can spell simple words, but the reader is not convinced that their understanding, especially of grammar, is adequate.

Band 7:

Some of the writing can be
followed

(6-10 marks)

Candidates occasionally express what is felt, thought and imagined, but they are hampered by
their command of language.

Inadequate presentation of facts, ideas and opinions creates blurring, although there may be some signs of an overall structure.

Candidates demonstrate a narrow vocabulary and there are unlikely to be more than a few accurate sentences.

Candidates occasionally write inappropriately or their command of language is not strong enough to acknowledge audience or context.

Weaknesses in spelling, punctuation and grammar are persistent, but the reader is able to follow at least part of the writing.

Band 8:

Failure to communicate
adequately

(0-5 marks)

Very simple meanings are attempted, but most of the work is too inaccurate and blurred to make sense.

An absence of overall structure and paragraphing leads to confusion.

Very simple meanings are attempted, but the candidate’s knowledge of vocabulary and sentence structures is too slight to make adequate sense.

There is insufficient evidence of audience or context to reward.

The amount and breadth of error prevents sufficient communication of meaning.

Band 1

(9-10 marks)

Candidates analyse and evaluate several ideas and details from the text(s), and develop lines
of thought.

Their own ideas are closely related to the original text(s) and show a good understanding of the main arguments.

Band 2

(7-8 marks)

Candidates respond in detail to ideas from the text(s), explaining them and expressing views
on them with varying degrees of effectiveness. There is some reference to details in the original. Their own ideas are based on those of the original text(s).

Band 3

(5-6 marks)

Candidates show some response to the ideas in the text(s), summarising them and giving simple
views on them.

Their own thinking is relevant, if not always tightly focused on the original text(s).

Band 4

(3-4 marks)

Candidates give a response
to the original. Their ideas are relevant to the topic but make only
occasional references to individual ideas or details in the original
text(s).

Band 5

(1-2 marks)

Candidates write about the topic but there is little evidence that they have read or understood the
text(s).

Band 6

(0 marks)

There is no discernible reference to the topic or to the text(s).

Band 1

(9-10 marks)

Full and well organised use of content; lively delivery sustaining audience interest; employs a wide range of language devices (e.g. tone, irony, emphasis) accurately and sometimes eloquently.

Band 2

(7-8 marks)

Sound use of content; delivery may occasionally be stilted, but audience interest is generally
maintained; employs a good range of language devices soundly.

Band 3

(5-6 marks)

Adequate use of content; delivery is secure but unimaginative ensuring audience attention;
language devices are used safely.

Band 4

(3-4 marks)

Content is thin or perhaps inconsistently used; delivery is not secure, resulting in some loss of
audience interest; limited employment of language devices with some inaccuracy.

Band 5

(1-2 marks)

Content is mostly undeveloped and/or very thin; delivery is weak and the audience is
generally lost; not able to use language devices or devices used with serious error.

Band 6

(0 marks)

Fails to meet the above criteria.

Speaking

Listening

Band 1

(9-10 marks)

Extends the subject matter and elicits responses from the listener; speaks on equal terms with the listener. Employs a wide range of language devices accurately and
sometimes eloquently.

Responds fully to questions and develops prompts; deals confidently and sometimes enthusiastically with alterations in the direction of the conversation.

Band 2

(7-8 marks)

Subject matter is organised and expressed competently; attempts to speak on equal terms with the listener but with a varying degree of success. Employs a good range of
language devices soundly.

Responds appropriately and in some detail to questions and prompts; deals appropriately with most of the changes in direction of the conversation.

Band 3

(5-6 marks)

Deals with the subject
matter adequately; the listener is generally but not always prominent.
Language devices are used safely.

Responds to questions
adequately but deals less effectively with prompts; changes in the
direction of the conversation are occasionally dealt with.

Band 4

(3-4 marks)

There is evidence of some linking together of ideas relating to the subject matter but it is
inconsistent; accepts that the listener is in full control of the conversation. Limited use of language devices with some inaccuracy.

Provides limited response to the questions and struggles to develop prompts; tends to maintain the direction of the conversation.

Band 5

(1-2 marks)

Simple facts and ideas are expressed with generally unsuccessful attempts at organisation; is barely capable of engaging in a two-way conversation. Not able to use
language devices or devices used with serious error.

Responds simply or is unable to respond to questions or prompts; cannot recognise changes in the direction of the conversation.

Band 6

(0 marks)

Fails to meet the above criteria.

Fails to meet the above criteria.

Band 1

(9-10 marks)

Full and well organised use of content; lively delivery sustaining audience interest; employs a wide range of language devices (e.g. tone, irony, emphasis) accurately and sometimes eloquently.

Band 2

(7-8 marks)

Sound use of content; delivery may occasionally be stilted, but audience interest is generally
maintained; employs a good range of language devices soundly.

Band 3

(5-6 marks)

Adequate use of content; delivery is secure but unimaginative ensuring audience attention;
language devices are used safely.

Band 4

(3-4 marks)

Content is thin or perhaps inconsistently used; delivery is not secure, resulting in some loss of
audience interest; limited employment of language devices with some inaccuracy.

Band 5

(1-2 marks)

Content is mostly undeveloped and/or very thin; delivery is weak and the audience is
generally lost; not able to use language devices or devices used with serious error.

Band 6

(0 marks)

Fails to meet the above
criteria.

Speaking

Listening

Band 1

(9-10 marks)

Extends the subject matter and elicits responses from the listener; speaks on equal terms with the listener. Employs a wide range of language devices accurately and
sometimes eloquently.

Responds fully to questions and develops prompts; deals confidently and sometimes enthusiastically with alterations in the direction of the conversation.

Band 2

(7-8 marks)

Subject matter is organised and expressed competently; attempts to speak on equal terms with the listener but with a varying degree of success. Employs a good range of
language devices soundly.

Responds appropriately and in some detail to questions and prompts; deals appropriately with most of the changes in direction of the conversation.

Band 3

(5-6 marks)

Deals with the subject matter adequately; the listener is generally but not always prominent. Language devices are used safely.

Responds to questions adequately but deals less effectively with prompts; changes in the
direction of the conversation are occasionally dealt with.

Band 4

(3-4 marks)

There is evidence of some linking of ideas relating to the subject matter but it is inconsistent; accepts that the listener is in full control of the conversation. Limited use of language devices with some inaccuracy.

Provides limited response to the questions and struggles to develop prompts; tends to maintain the direction of the conversation.

Band 5

(1-2 marks)

Simple facts and ideas are expressed with generally unsuccessful attempts at organisation; is barely capable of engaging in a two-way conversation. Not able to use
language devices or devices used with serious error.

Responds simply or is unable to respond to questions or prompts; cannot recognise changes in the direction of the conversation.

Band 6

(0 marks)

Fails to meet the above criteria.

Fails to meet the above criteria.

Band 1

(9-10 marks)

Can argue ideas and opinions in persuasive detail without dominating the rest of the group;
adept at acting as group leader; usefully refers back to previous points; always looks to suggest new approaches and to move forward; listens sympathetically and considers the views of others fully.

Band 2

(7-8 marks)

Can argue ideas and opinions soundly but may at times overshadow other members of the group;
is capable of leading the group but with only partial assurance; refers back to previous points soundly but not entirely successfully; recognises the need to suggest new approaches but implements this only partially; listens with a degree of sympathy for others’ views but has a
tendency to interrupt at times.

Band 3

(5-6 marks)

Frequent but generally brief contributions are made; generally accepts a position of group
member rather than facilitator/leader; makes occasional reference to previous points; may help to support new approaches but rarely initiates them; listens carefully and responds briefly but appropriately to others.

Band 4

(3-4 marks)

Brief and infrequent contributions are made; plays a limited part in the group; cannot make
use of previous points; follows the general drift of the discussion but struggles to support new approaches; listens inconsistently and may even drift away from the discussion.

Band 5

(1-2 marks)

May only make one or two contributions or may offer mostly inappropriate contributions; plays no real role in group membership; is largely ignorant of previous points; does not offer support for new approaches; may appear to listen but shows little evidence of listening.

Band 6

(0 marks)

Fails to meet the above criteria.