Language B – Higher Level – Paper 1 – Assessment criteria

Criterion A: Language Criterion B: Message Criterion C: Conceptual

How successfully does the candidate To what extent does the candidate understanding
command written language? fulfil the task? To what extent does the candidate
demonstrate conceptual
understanding?

1-3 Command of the language is 1-3 The task is partially fulfilled. 1-2 Conceptual understanding is
limited. limited.
Few ideas are relevant to the task.
Vocabulary is sometimes The choice of text type is generally
Ideas are stated, but with no
appropriate to the task. inappropriate to the context,
development.
Some basic grammatical structures purpose or audience.
Ideas are not clearly presented and
are used, with some attempts to use The register and tone are
do not follow a logical structure,
more complex structures. inappropriate to the context,
making the message difficult to
Language contains errors in both purpose and audience of the task.
determine.
basic and more complex structures. The response incorporates limited
Errors interfere with recognizable conventions of the
communication. chosen text type.

4-6 Command of the language is 4-6 The task is generally fulfilled. 3-4 Conceptual understanding is
partially effective. Some ideas are relevant to the task. mostly demonstrated.
Vocabulary is generally appropriate Ideas are outlined, but are not fully The choice of text type is generally
to the task and varied. developed. appropriate to the context, purpose
A variety of basic and some more Ideas are generally clearly presented and audience.
complex grammatical structures is and the response is generally The register and tone, while
used. structured in a logical manner, occasionally appropriate to the
Language is mostly accurate for leading to a mostly successful context, purpose and audience of
basic structures but errors occur in delivery of the message. the task, fluctuate throughout the
more complex structures. Errors at response.
times interfere with communication. The response incorporates some
conventions of the chosen text type.

7-9 Command of the language is 7-9 The task is fulfilled. 5-6 Conceptual understanding is
effective and mostly accurate. Most ideas are relevant to the task. fully demonstrated.
Vocabulary is appropriate to the Ideas are developed well, with some The choice of text type is
task, and varied, including the use of detail and examples. appropriate to the context, purpose
idiomatic expressions. Ideas are clearly presented and the and audience.
A variety of basic and more complex response is structured in a logical The register and tone are
grammatical structures is used manner, supporting the delivery of appropriate to the context, purpose
effectively. the message. and audience of the task.
Language is mostly accurate. The response fully incorporates the
Occasional errors in basic and in conventions of the chosen text type.
complex grammatical structures do
not interfere with communication.

10-12 Command of the language is 10-12 The task is fulfilled

mostly accurate and very effective. effectively.
Vocabulary is appropriate to the Ideas are relevant to the task.
task, and nuanced and varied in a Ideas are fully developed, providing
manner that enhances the message, details and relevant examples.
including the purposeful use of Ideas are clearly presented and the
idiomatic expressions. response is structured in a logical
A variety of basic and more complex and coherent manner that supports
grammatical structures is used the delivery of the message.
selectively in order to enhance
communication.
Language is mostly accurate. Minor
errors in more complex grammatical
structures do not interfere with
communication.

© International Baccalaureate
Language B – Standard Level – Paper 1 – Assessment criteria

Criterion A: Language Criterion B: Message Criterion C: Conceptual

How successfully does the candidate To what extent does the candidate understanding
command written language? fulfil the task? To what extent does the candidate
demonstrate conceptual
understanding?

1-3 Command of the language is 1-3 The task is partially fulfilled. 1-2 Conceptual understanding is
limited. Few ideas are relevant to the task. limited.
Vocabulary is sometimes Ideas are stated, but with no The choice of text type is generally
appropriate to the task. development. inappropriate to the context,
Basic grammatical structures are Ideas are not clearly presented and purpose or audience.
used. do not follow a logical structure, The register and tone are
Language contains errors in basic making the message difficult to inappropriate to the context,
structures. Errors interfere with determine. purpose and audience of the task.
communication. The response incorporates limited
recognizable conventions of the
chosen text type.

4-6 Command of the language is 4-6 The task is generally fulfilled. 3-4 Conceptual understanding is
partially effective. Some ideas are relevant to the task. mostly demonstrated.
Vocabulary is appropriate to the Ideas are outlined, but are not fully The choice of text type is generally
task. developed. appropriate to the context, purpose
Some basic grammatical structures Ideas are generally clearly presented and audience.
are used, with some attempts to use and the response is generally The register and tone, while
more complex structures. structured in a logical manner, occasionally appropriate to the
Language is mostly accurate for leading to a mostly successful context, purpose and audience of
basic structures but errors occur in delivery of the message. the task, fluctuate throughout the
more complex structures. Errors at response.
times interfere with communication. The response incorporates some
conventions of the chosen text type.

7-9 Command of the language is 7-9 The task is fulfilled. 5-6 Conceptual understanding is
effective and mostly accurate. Most ideas are relevant to the task. fully demonstrated.
Vocabulary is appropriate to the Ideas are developed well, with some The choice of text type is
task, and varied. detail and examples. appropriate to the context, purpose
A variety of basic and more complex Ideas are clearly presented and the and audience.
grammatical structures is used. response is structured in a logical The register and tone are
Language is mostly accurate. manner, supporting the delivery of appropriate to the context, purpose
Occasional errors in basic and in the message. and audience of the task.
complex grammatical structures do The response fully incorporates the
not interfere with communication. conventions of the chosen text type.

10-12 Command of the language is 10-12 The task is fulfilled

mostly accurate and very effective. effectively.
Vocabulary is appropriate to the Ideas are relevant to the task.
task, and varied, including the use of Ideas are fully developed, providing
idiomatic expressions. details and relevant examples.
A variety of basic and more complex Ideas are clearly presented and the
grammatical structures is used response is structured in a logical
effectively. and coherent manner that supports
Language is mostly accurate. Minor the delivery of the message.
errors in more complex grammatical
structures do not interfere with
communication.

© International Baccalaureate