International English for Speakers

of Other Languages

Assessing Writing Performance

Sample Scripts
Version 01.1

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 Assessing Writing Performance
International ESOL Examinations
Sample Scripts

LanguageCert is an Ofqual-regulated Awarding Organisation responsible for

the development and award of language qualifications. LanguageCert’s mission
is to offer high-quality language qualifications that are fit-for-purpose for the
candidates they serve.

The aim of this handbook is to provide teachers and candidates with a practical
overview of the assessment arrangements for the Writing section of the LanguageCert
International ESOL exams. For more detailed information, please consult the
Qualification Handbooks available online.
Assessing Writing Performance
Contents

CEFR Writing descriptors p. 5

Marking the Writing tasks p. 6

A1 p. 8 - 11

A2 p. 12-15

B1 p. 16 - 21

B2 p. 22 - 27

C1 p. 28 - 33

C2 p. 34 - 39
 CEFR Writing descriptors

The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) ‘can do’ statements for writing are shown below:

Level Can do statements

I can write a short, simple postcard, for example sending holiday greetings.
A1 I can fill in forms with personal details, for example entering my name,
nationality and address on a hotel registration form.

I can write short, simple notes and messages relating to matters in areas
A2 of immediate needs. I can write a very simple personal letter, for example
thanking someone for something.

I can write a simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of

B1 personal interest. I can write personal letters describing experiences
and impressions.

I can write clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects related to my

interests. I can write an essay or report, passing on information or giving
B2
reasons in support of or against a particular point of view. I can write
letters highlighting the personal significance of events and experiences.

I can express myself in clear, well-structured text, expressing points of view

at some length. I can write about complex subjects in a letter, an essay or a
C1
report, underlining what I consider to be the salient issues. I can select style
appropriate to the reader in mind.

I can write clear, smoothly-flowing text in an appropriate style.

I can write complex letters, reports or articles which present a case with an
C2 effective logical structure which helps the recipient to notice and remember
significant points. I can write summaries and reviews of professional or
literary works.

5
 Marking the Writing tasks

In the Writing section, candidates are assessed against four assessment criteria. Each writing task is
assessed separately. Candidates may be awarded 0-3 marks per criterion – or up to 12 marks in total per
writing task. Writing tasks are evaluated through the use of task-specific markschemes. Each level has its
own task-specific markscheme with detailed descriptors for Task Fulfilment, Grammar, Vocabulary, and
Organisation. Brief definitions of the assessment criteria follow in the table below.

Criteria Description

The extent to which the response produced by

the candidate addresses the task in a direct and
Task Fulfilment convincing manner, provides an answer that is
relevant and meaningful, and satisfies task and
genre specifications (e.g. word count).

The extent to which the response produced by the

Accuracy and range of grammar candidate is grammatically accurate, appropriate
and adequate for the level and genre required.

The extent to which the response produced by the

Accuracy and range of vocabulary candidate is lexically accurate, appropriate and
adequate for the level and genre required.

The extent to which the response produced by the

candidate is organized in an appropriate and coherent
Organisation
manner, in terms of paragraphing, cohesion and punc-
tuation, as dictated by the level and genre required.

Spelling
American or British English spelling is accepted.

Over and under length answers

Where an answer fails to reach the minimum word length, this will be taken into account
when awarding marks for Task Fulfilment.

Where an answer obviously exceeds the maximum word length, a candidate is bound to have produced
a text of lower quality (i.e. to have made more mistakes) due to time constraints. No explicit penalty is
to be imposed on over-length responses.

Off-topic answers

Candidates do not receive any credit for off-topic answers.

6
 Sample Examiner’s
Markschemes
Scripts Comments

for levels
A1-C2
8
A1
MARKSCHEME
Preliminary
Level
 Accuracy and range Accuracy and range
Task Fulfilment Organisation
of grammar of vocabulary
Task 1 Task 2 Task 1 Task 2
• four complete • both content • mostly accurate use • adequate range of • text organization • text organization
sentences on topic points covered and of A1 grammar very basic vocabulary is appropriate i.e. in is appropriate, with
communicated (only simple present to transmit meaning sentences sentences, salutation
3 tense is expected) and close
• when vocabulary • appropriate
• when language above level is punctuation i.e. • basic punctuation
above level is attempted, errors capital letters and full used correctly e.g.
attempted, errors occur stops capital letters and full
occur stops
• three complete sen- • both content points • A1 grammar is used, • meaning usually • text organization • text organization
tences on topic covered and message but some serious clear, despite limited mostly appropriate mostly appropriate
or is communicated, but errors occur range i.e. mostly in • some correct use of
2 with some difficulty sentences punctuation
• three/four points • meaning is still • some serious errors
in extended text on usually clear with A1 vocabulary • some accurate
topic (i.e. not four usage and spelling punctuation
complete sentences)

• two separate • mentions one • many serious errors • range too • a series of phrases, • a series of phrases,
sentences/points on content point or • difficult to limited, difficult to not sentences not sentences
topic both content points understand meaning understand meaning • little correct • little correct
1 with unsuccessful • many serious errors punctuation punctuation
communication with A1 vocabulary
and spelling

• one or zero • off topic • very little or no • vocabulary usage or • no structure • no structure
0 sentences/points on coherent usage spelling so poor that • no punctuation • no punctuation
topic it is impossible to
follow

9
 A1 Preliminary Level Writing task 2 Sample Scripts

Write a letter to your friend. He/she wants to meet you. Tell him/her:

• when to meet and

• where to meet

Write between 20 and 30 words.

Dear Erika
I’m writing this letter to tell you about we meet. I’m in a Palermo hotel at this weekend.
Candidate: Paolo

We meet in my flat.
Thats all for now.

See you soon.

Love
Paolo

Dear Arseniy
Candidate: Jivika

Hi! how are you? I meet you on the Suturday. We can meet in a central squear or in a open air
market.

See you soon

Jivika

10
 Writing task 2 Examiner’s Comments

Marking Criteria

Task Fulfilment
1
The message is attempted but not successfully communicated. The meeting location is not
clear, and the weekend requires further clarification which is not provided.

Grammar
2
A1 grammar is used with a few errors, but meaning is still clear.

Vocabulary
2
Meaning is clear despite limited range of vocabulary.

Organisation
3
Punctuation is largely accurate and organisation appropriate.

Pass
8

Task Fulfilment
2
Both content points are covered and the message is largely communicated with some difficulty
for the reader, and a need for more correspondence.

Grammar
3
Mostly accurate use of A1 grammar.

Vocabulary
3
A suitable range of basic vocabulary to transmit the message.

Organisation
3
Appropriate text organisation and largely accurate use of punctuation.

High Pass
11
11
12
A2
MARKSCHEME
Access
Level
 Accuracy and range Accuracy and range
Task Fulfilment of grammar of vocabulary Organisation

• covers all three content points, • mostly accurate use of A2 • adequate range of A2 • text organization is appropriate
message is clear for recipient grammar vocabulary and spelling to clearly i.e. in sentences
• when language above level is transmit meaning • coherent text
3
attempted, errors occur • when vocabulary above level is • accurate basic punctuation
attempted, errors occur

• covers 3 content points, mes- • A2 grammar used, but with • meaning usually clear despite • text organization mostly
sage is mainly clear for recipient some serious errors limited range of vocabulary and/ appropriate i.e. mainly uses
or • meaning is still usually clear or spelling sentences correctly
2
• covers 2 content points and despite errors • some serious errors with A2 • mostly coherent
these are clearly communicated vocabulary and spelling • mostly accurate punctuation

• covers 2 content points, • many serious errors • range and/or spelling so • a series of phrases, not
message is mainly clear for • often difficult to understand limited that it is often difficult to sentences
recipient meaning understand meaning • mostly incoherent
1 or • many serious errors with A2 • little correct punctuation
• covers 1 content point vocabulary and spelling

• doesn’t communicate • grammar so poor that message • vocabulary usage and/or • no organization or coherence
0 or cannot be understood spelling so poor that message
• off topic cannot be understood

13
 A2 Access Level Writing task 2 Sample Scripts

You want to join a cooking class. Write a letter to the teacher.

• Ask when the class is

• Ask about the cost
• Tell her why you want to learn to cook.

Do not write an address. Write 30-50 words.

Dear Miss Brown,

Candidate: Riya

I decided to join in this cooking class and I want to tell me some information. So, when
the class is? Could you tell me the cost about this. I like to learn to cook because I love to make
tasty foods.

Yours faithfully,
Riya

Dear Miss Smith,

Candidate: Abdulaziz

I’m writting this letter because I would like to join a cooking class. I love coocking and I would
be very happy if I would join in a cooking class. What is it cost? When the class is?

Best regards Miss Brown. Thank you,

Abdulaziz

14
 Writing task 2 Examiner’s Comments

Marking Criteria

Task Fulfilment
3
The candidate successfully transmits the three content points.

Grammar
2
A2 grammar is used and meaning is largely clear with some errors which do not impair meaning.

Vocabulary
3
There is an adequate range of A2 vocabulary and spelling, to clearly transmit meaning.

Organisation
3
The text organisation is fully appropriate with correct use of sentences and
accurate basic punctuation.

High Pass
11

Task Fulfilment
3
All three content points are covered and the message is clear for the recipient.

Grammar
2
Although there are some errors with A2 grammar (‘What is it cost?’, ‘When the class is?’),
the message is clearly communicated.

Vocabulary
2
Meaning is clear despite some errors with A2 vocabulary.

Organisation
2
The text is mostly coherent with appropriate use of sentences and accurate punctuation.

Pass
9
15
16
B1
MARKSCHEME
Achiever
Level
 Task Fulfilment Accuracy and range Accuracy and range
Organisation
of grammar of vocabulary
Task 1 Task 2
• communication of all • communication of both • mostly accurate use of • adequate range of • text is generally well-
three content points is fully content points is fully B1 grammar very basic vocabulary to organised and coherent,
achieved achieved • when language above transmit meaning using a variety of linkers
3 and cohesive devices
level is attempted, errors • when vocabulary above
occur level is attempted, errors • very few punctuation
occur errors

• covers 3 content points • covers both • some errors with B1 • meaning usually clear • text is mainly coherent,
and communication is content points and grammar, but generally despite a more limited using basic linkers and
mainly achieved communication is mainly good control range of vocabulary and/ some cohesive devices
2 or achieved or spelling errors
• meaning is usually clear • some punctuation
• communication of 2 despite errors errors that don’t impede
content points is fully communication
achieved

• covers 2 content points • covers both • many serious errors • range and/or spelling • mostly incoherent, with
and communication is main- content points, but with B1 grammar means too limited for B1 so that little use of cohesive
ly achieved communication often message often difficult to message often difficult to devices
1 or breaks down understand understand • organization and
• communication of one or • range of grammar below • many serious errors punctuation errors make
content point • communication of one that expected at B1 with B1 vocabulary and text difficult to follow
or content point spelling
• three content points
attempted, but minimal
communication is achieved

• communication fails • communication fails • errors so serious that • vocabulary usage and/ • no organization or
0 or or communication fails or spelling so poor that coherence
• off topic • off topic message cannot be
understood

17
 B1 Achiever Level Writing task 2 Sample Script

Write a letter to your friend about a book or story you like. Explain why you like it
and why he/she should read it too.

Write between 100 and 120 words.

Dear fried Kaveh,

Candidate: Omid

Hi, how are you? I hope you are well. I want to tell my favorite book. This story is with a boy and
a bream when he saw was like true. It’s very excellent and educasional. I know that book you
like. I hope to get this book in your home and tell me if you like. It tell for a little boy who see a
bream one night with him bied mum and her tell him to hear dady granny whey love him. The
boy don’t see also that bream he see and other dream that night but I don’t tell you!
Bye-Bye

Omid your
friend

18
 Writing task 2 Examiner’s Comments

Marking Criteria

Task Fulfilment
1
Two content points attempted, but minimal communication is achieved, as meaning often
breaks down.

Grammar
1
There are serious errors (‘It tell for a little boy who see a bream one night with him bied mum and
her tell him to hear dady granny whey love him.’), with a range below the expected at B1 level.

Vocabulary
1
Range and spelling are limited and the message is often difficult to understand.

Organisation
2
It is reasonably organised, uses basic linkers and is mainly coherent.

Fail
5

19
 B1 Achiever Level Writing task 2 Sample Script

Write a letter to your friend about a book or story you like. Explain why you like it
and why he/she should read it too.

Write between 100 and 120 words.

Dear Maria
Candidate: Chiara

I thought that I should tell you about my favorite book and why you should read it.

My favorite book is called «mysteries in the town». The book is about five teenagers
that have a dream of being detectives one day. These five teenagers made a team and they
solve mysteries together. But one day a mini market gets robbed by two thieves. Finaly the
team solves the mystery of the robbery.

I think you should read it withought a dought because it has action and plot twists.
I think that you will love it once you read it.

love,
Chiara

20
 Writing task 2 Examiner’s Comments

Marking Criteria

Task Fulfilment
3
Both content points successfully communicated.

Grammar
3
Accurate use of B1 grammar with control (‘I thought that I should tell you about...’).

Vocabulary
3
Some impressive vocabulary is used accurately, and in spite of a couple of spelling errors
near the end that cause re-reading, meaning is conveyed.

Organisation
3
The text is generally well-organised and coherent, using linkers appropriately.

High Pass
12

21
22
B2
MARKSCHEME
Communicator
Level
 Task Fulfilment Accuracy and range Accuracy and range
of grammar of vocabulary Organisation
Task 1 Task 2
• fully addresses and • fully addresses and • uses a range of simple • uses a range of • text is well-organised
confidently communicates communicates both and complex forms with vocabulary, including and coherent, using
all 3 content points content points control and flexibility less common items, a variety of cohesive
3 appropriately devices
• genre and tone • genre and tone • errors do not impede
appropriate appropriate communication • errors do not impede • organization is fully
communication appropriate to text type
• few, if any, punctuation
errors
• covers at least 2 content • covers both content • uses simple and some • uses a range of everyday • text is generally well-
points with some expansion points with some complex forms with a vocabulary accurately, organised and coherent
and communication is expansion and good degree of control with occasional misuse of using a variety of linking
2 mainly achieved communication is mainly less common items words and cohesive devices
• errors do not impede
• genre and tone mostly achieved meaning, but may cause • errors do not impede • organization mainly
appropriate • genre and tone mostly re-reading meaning, but may cause appropriate to text type
appropriate re-reading • some punctuation
errors that don’t impede
communication

• communication of 2/3 • communication is • uses limited range of • uses everyday • text is connected using
content points is minimally minimally achieved simple forms with control vocabulary generally basic linking words and a
achieved or • some serious basic appropriately, while limited range of cohesive
1 or overusing certain devices
• communication of only errors which may impede
• communication of only one content point meaning common items • organization and/
one content point • some serious basic or paragraphing
errors with vocabulary inappropriate
and/or spelling which may • punctuation errors
impede meaning

• communication fails • communication fails • errors so serious that • vocabulary usage and/ • little, or no, organization
0 or or communication fails or spelling so poor that or coherence
• off topic • off topic communication fails

23
 B2 Communicator Level Writing task 1 Sample Script

You’ve seen the advertisement below. Write a letter to the magazine. Mention:
• your writing qualifications and experience
• the kinds of food you like
• why you’d be good at the job

Write between 100 and 150 words.

Can you write? Do you like to eat out? Would you like to get paid to eat out?
Our magazine, Taste Bud, is looking for a restaurant reporter. This means travelling,
tasting and reviewing – and we pay! If you like the idea, why not write to us?

Show us you can write and we’ll consider you for the job.

Dear Sirs
Candidate: Alexander

I am writing this letter to you to tell you about the job of a restaurant reporter.

First of all, I have an experience of this job. I worked for 2 years like a restaurant reporter
in a little town. But it hadn’t many restaurants in this town so I get fired. After that I would like
to say that I have finished the university and I am a cef. So if I got the job I could understand
many things about the food that they cook.

Secondly, I like all the kinds of food, I don’t have favourite. But I don’t eat pineapple
because I am allergic.

Thirdly, I think that I would be good at the job because I have experience of this job and
also I am a cef. In addiction to I love travelling and I don’t be sick of it. Also, I love eat food!

Thank you for your time and I hope to like my letter.

I am looking forward to hearing from you.
With faith
Alexander

24
 Writing task 1 Examiner’s Comments

Marking Criteria

Task Fulfilment
2
All content points are addressed and communication is mainly achieved. The genre and tone are
mostly appropriate.

Grammar
1
There is a limited range and some serious errors which may impede meaning (‘But it hadn’t many
restaurants in this town so I get fired.’).

Vocabulary
1
There are errors with vocabulary and spelling. Some everyday vocabulary is not used accurately.
(‘In addiction to I love travelling and I don’t be sick of it.’)

Organisation
2
The letter is well-organised and mainly appropriate. There are some punctuation and
sentence-construction errors and there is an odd closing mechanism.

Pass
6

25
 B2 Communicator Level Writing task 1 Sample Script

You’ve seen the advertisement below. Write a letter to the magazine. Mention:
• your writing qualifications and experience
• the kinds of food you like
• why you’d be good at the job

Write between 100 and 150 words.

Can you write? Do you like to eat out? Would you like to get paid to eat out?
Our magazine, Taste Bud, is looking for a restaurant reporter. This means travelling,
tasting and reviewing – and we pay! If you like the idea, why not write to us?

Show us you can write and we’ll consider you for the job.

Dear Sirs,
Candidate: Anasztazia

I am writing with regard to your article about a restaurand reporter which was published in the
“Taste Bud”. I believe that this job will be perfect for me.

First of all, I believe that this job is very intresting and I think that I will be very good because
I like writing and I have won a lot of competitions of writing. Furthermore I have gone abroad
a lot of times and I have tasted different foods. My favour kind of food is the Greek food but I
have no problem with the others kinds of food. Finally It will be an amazing experience.

I would like to thank you for your attention. I hope my letter will be taken into account.

Yours faithfully
Anasztazia

26
 Writing task 1 Examiner’s Comments

Marking Criteria

Task Fulfilment
3
The candidate confidently deals with the content points which are fully communicated.

Grammar
2
There is a reasonable range of grammar and it is largely accurate.
Errors do not impede meaning.

Vocabulary
2
The range of vocabulary is a bit informal at times and has a couple of basic spelling errors
(‘restaurand reporter’, ‘my favour kind’) but with some good use of ‘set pieces’ (‘with regard to’,
‘gone abroad’, ‘will be taken into account’).

Organisation
3
The text is well-organised and the style fully appropriate.
There is good use of formal letter job application conventions.

High Pass
10

27
28
C1
MARKSCHEME
Expert
Level
 Accuracy and range Accuracy and range
Task Fulfilment Organisation
of grammar of vocabulary
• fully and appropriately satisfies • uses a wide range of simple and • effectively and precisely uses • text is well-organised and
the demands of the task complex forms with full control a range of vocabulary, including fully coherent using a variety of
• target reader wholly informed and flexibility less common items cohesive devices with flexibility
3 to very good effect
• genre and tone totally • errors, if present, are slips and • errors, if present, are with less
appropriate with complex forms common items • organization is fully appropriate
to text type

• mainly satisfies the demands of • uses a range of simple and • uses a range of vocabulary, • text is well-organised and
the task complex forms with control and including less common items, coherent using a variety of
• target reader is on the whole flexibility appropriately cohesive devices to good effect
2
informed • occasional errors which do not • occasional errors which do not • organization mainly appropriate
• genre and tone mostly impede meaning impede meaning to text type
appropriate

• partially satisfies the demands • uses a range of simple and • uses everyday vocabulary • text is generally well-organised
of the task some complex forms with a good appropriately, with occasional and coherent, using a basic range
• reader is partially informed degree of control inappropriate use of less com- of linking words and cohesive
1 mon items devices
• genre and/or tone mostly • errors occasionally impede
appropriate meaning • errors with vocabulary and/ • some inappropriate
or spelling occasionally impede paragraphing or punctuation
meaning errors

• does not satisfy the demands of • basic grammar repertoire • basic vocabulary repertoire • little, or no, organization or
the task • errors noticeably impede • errors with vocabulary and/ coherence
0
or communication or spelling noticeably impede
• off topic communication

29
 C1 Expert Level Writing task 2 Sample Script

You are visiting a well-known tourist site with your friends and something unexpected has happened.
Write a letter to your parents telling them what has happened and say what you are planning to do now.

Write between 250 and 300 words.

Dear mum,
Candidate: Nastya

I write this letter for you to explain a unexpected moment that happen during our
holidays in Barcelona.

First of all, when we arrived at the hotel we left our suitcases and we went for a walk in
a beach near from our hotel. We saw some people and we went with them for fishing. When we
arrived we waited to caught any fish. After one hour with no fish my friend Nick had the good
idea to swimed and to saw if there is any fish in the sea. He fell in the sea and after few minutes
he started to screamed and to called for help.

In this time I understood that we wanted help and I with my fiends fell in the sea to help
him. When we took him from the sea he said to us that a poisonous fish have hurt him. In this
time he took Nick from the beach and we transported him in the nearest hospital. The nurses
said to us that he is good and that he staid in the hospital for few days. It was a difficult moment
for us and we calmed down when nurse said that Nick is good and healthy.

To conclude, I would say to you that all are good and we’ll come in Madrid very soon.

Your daughter
Nastya

30
 Writing task 2 Examiner’s Comments

Marking Criteria

Task Fulfilment
2
The target reader is mostly informed, and the tone is mostly appropriate with some
noticeable exceptions.

Grammar
1
There are many serious basic errors, particularly with infinitives and prepositions (for example,
‘we went with them for fishing’, ‘we waited to caught’, we had the good idea to swimed’,
‘he started to screamed’).

Vocabulary
1
Vocabulary range is limited for C1 and there are errors with basic items, for example ‘ my fiends
fell in the sea to help him’, ‘he staid in the hotel’.

Organisation
1
The text has some organisation and coherence, but it is limited. Some linkers are inappropriate
for the text type.

Fail
5

31
 C1 Expert Level Writing task 2 Sample Script

You are visiting a well-known tourist site with your friends and something unexpected has happened.
Write a letter to your parents telling them what has happened and say what you are planning to do now.

Write between 250 and 300 words.

Dear Dad,
Candidate: Marta

Mam, Dad I have something to tell you. Well do you remember that I told about a trip
that we were going with my friends? So we went to North Antarctic just to stay and have some
kind of adventure for 5-6 hours. When we arrived there something horrible happened.

Chrish fell into the cold freezing water and we couldn’t pull him up because we were
travelling on a really large boat, so one of us had to dive in the sea with an umbrella. I know that
sounds crazy but we didn’t have any other equipment to pull him up so as they both grabbed the
umbrella they were both trying to get on the boat. Chrish and Andrew got out of the water but
they both collapsed from Hypothermia so we had to find a way to get them warmed.

Then someone showed up from the inside of the boat saying that he had been in the same
situation and then he told us we need to light up a fire but first we had to sail the boat some-
where.

After two hours of trying to warm them they finally opened their eyes without even
knowing what had happened.

And that was one of the craziest adventures in my life. I’m fine so don’t worry.

Yours,
Marta

32
 Writing task 2 Examiner’s Comments

Marking Criteria

Task Fulfilment
2
The candidate mainly satisfies the demands of the task. Genre and tone is appropriate.

Grammar
2
There is some good control, even of complex forms (for example, ‘after two hours of trying to
warm them they finally opened their eyes without even knowing what had happened’). There are
also some relatively basic errors, for example ‘I told about a trip’, but these occasional errors do
not impede meaning.

Vocabulary
2
The candidate uses a range of vocabulary, including less common items such as ‘collapsed’ and
‘grab’, appropriately. Occasional errors do not impede meaning.

Organisation
2
The text organisation is mainly appropriate to text type, coherent, using relatively
straightforward linkers.

Pass
8

33
34
C2
MARKSCHEME
Mastery
Level
 Accuracy and range of Accuracy and range
Task Fulfilment Organisation
grammar of vocabulary

• fully and appropriately satisfies • use is fully controlled, • uses a wide range of • text is organised impressively
the demands of the task sophisticated and assured vocabulary, including less and is fully coherent using a wide
• target reader wholly informed • very few errors which only common items, with fluency and range of cohesive devices with
3 sophistication, and to give style flexibility
• genre and tone totally occur as slips
appropriate • very few errors which only • organization is fully appropriate
occur as slips to text type

• mainly satisfies the demands of • uses a wide range of simple and • uses a range of vocabulary, • text is well-organised and
the task complex forms with full control including less common items, coherent using a variety of
• target reader is on the whole and flexibility effectively and precisely cohesive devices with flexibility
2
informed • few errors which do not impede • few errors which do not impede • organization mostly
• genre and tone almost always meaning meaning appropriate to text type
appropriate

• partially satisfies the demands • uses a range of simple and com- • uses a range of vocabulary, • text is well-organised and
of the task plex forms with control including less common items, coherent, using a range of
• reader is partially informed • occasional errors but these very appropriately cohesive devices
1
• genre and/or tone mostly rarely impede meaning • occasional errors but these very • some inappropriate
appropriate rarely impede meaning paragraphing or punctuation
errors

• does not satisfy the demands of • basic repertoire • basic repertoire • little, or no, organization or
the task • errors which impede • errors which impede coherence
0
or communication communication
• off topic

35
 C2 Mastery Level Writing task 2 Sample Script

You’ve seen this quotation:

‘Wealth is the slave of a wise man, the master of a fool.’
Write a letter to a friend expressing your opinion on the validity of this statement.

Write between 250 and 300 words.

Dear Nicolas,
Candidate: Bartoloměj

I am writing to you, about a quote i read in a local newspaper “wealth is the slave of a
wise man, the master of a fool”. I would like to express my opinion about this matter because I
share the same opinion with this quote.

Nowadays, we are working every day like slaves and for what purpose? Most of employ-
ees, workers etc. trying to accomplish bigger networth that they will ever need. A great amount of
people connects wealth with happiness that is wrong. What if all people in the world were rich? I
think misery is upon us and we cannot realise what is most outstanding for our lives. Also, we have
idolize the wealth but only a wise man can realize and manage money wisely without overwhelm
him in life contitions. On the other hand, people who are lucking sense or judgment about wealth,
trying to accomplish the big purpose. In this way they are spending a lot of effort for example,
working overtime and spending more time with commitees than with their family.

To conclude with, wealth is needing careful handling and need concern about the priori-
ties in life. If we don’t pay attention, we will regret about our choises later.

Yours,
Bartoloměj

36
 Writing task 2 Examiner’s Comments

Marking Criteria

Task Fulfilment
2
The reader is on the whole informed and the candidate mainly satisfies the demands of the task.
The genre and tone of the text are mostly appropriate.

Grammar
1
A range of forms is used with control, but there are too many basic errors for C2 (for example,
‘most of employees’, ‘we have idolize the wealth’, ‘without overwhelm him’, ‘wealth is needing
careful handling’).

Vocabulary
2
There is a wide range of vocabulary which is used effectively in the main body. There are occasional
errors but they rarely impede meaning (for example, ‘overwhelm him in life contition’, ‘need
concern about the priorities in life’).

Organisation
1
There are many punctuation errors and some issues with linkers, which can cause the reader to
pause while reading the text. There is overall organisation, and reasonable coherence.

Pass
6

37
 C2 Mastery Level Writing task 2 Sample Script

You’ve seen this quotation:

‘Wealth is the slave of a wise man, the master of a fool.’
Write a letter to a friend expressing your opinion on the validity of this statement.

Write between 250 and 300 words.

Dear Derek,
Candidate: Štěpán

Hello. I have a while hearing from you. How are you? I am writing to you to tell you my opinion
about a statement I had seen.

The statement says “Wealth is the slave of a wise man, the master of a fool”. First of all, wealth is
a really important thing and it is good for everyone. But in this statement I have to say that a wise
man needs to be wealthy because he can pass messages to the world. But with the caracterizm
‘slave’ I think that a wise man had took and leaved a lot of things from life and he is happy and
plesured from what life gave to him, too. So, even if we got sick and die he would not mind because
he will be rich from the goods of his knowledge.

On the other hand, a fool man had not learn much from life and had not find the meaning of it.
So, he needs that wealth, for him to have the time to live and learn. Because as far as we live, as
much as we learn. So, reasonably that quote caracterize wealth as ‘the monster’ of a fool man. I
think that this quotation has a really big value and it is really deep comming from life.

I look forward hearing from you. I hope that you agree with my opinion. What is your opinion
of this statement? Please, write me as soon as you can.

Best wishes
Štěpán

38
 Writing task 2 Examiner’s Comments

Marking Criteria

Task Fulfilment
1
The demands of the task are partially met, but the reader is minimally informed.

Grammar
1
There are many basic errors, but these largely do not impede communication (for example,
‘I have a while hearing from you’, ‘I think that a wise man had took and learned a lot’,
‘I look forward hearing from you’).

Vocabulary
1
There are gross errors with vocabulary and spelling for C2 level (“with the caracterizm ‘slave’”,
‘he is happy and pleasured’, ‘resonably’, ‘comming’).

Organisation
1
The text has some coherence and plan, but does not flow well. There are punctuation
issues which interrupt the reader (‘Because as far as we live, as much as we learn’).

Fail
4

39
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