Level B1 – Threshold: Speaking Mark Scheme – Assessor’s copy

COMMUNICATION
RANGE & ACCURACY FLUENCY & COHERENCE PRONUNCIATION
STRATEGIES
A wide range of Some hesitation while Pronunciation is Initiates maintains and
grammar, lexis and formulating language, clearly intelligible in ends turns satisfactorily
cohesive devices but can effectively spite of evident foreign although not always
attempted to in maintain flow of speech. accent. smoothly. Uses basic
completing the tasks Can link ideas into Occasional repair strategies
although clear, coherent mispronunciations put (clarification,
circumlocution may discourse although with some strain on the circumlocution) where
BAND 5
be necessary. Few noticeable jumpiness in listener but rarely necessary. Uses
(13 – 15)
errors in simple especially in extended impede communication appropriate register.
sentences. contributions.
Errors when attempting
more complex
structures and lexis do
not generally hinder
communication.
BAND 4
Performance shares features of Bands 3 & 5
(10 – 12)
Sufficient range of Keeps going Pronunciation is clearly Attempts made to initiate
grammar, lexis and comprehensibly in spite intelligible, although maintain and end turns
cohesive devices to of frequent hesitation mispronunciations and using basic language.
adequately complete when formulating inability to produce Evidence of ability to use
the tasks although language and certain sounds may repair strategies
circumlocution is considerable jumpiness sometimes impede (clarification,
common and and reformulation communication of the circumlocution) although
BAND 3
avoidance strategies during longer turns. message. not always applied.
(7 – 9)
may be necessary. Requires a patient
Errors, although they listener.
may be frequent even
when using simple
language, do not
significantly hinder
communication.
BAND 2
Performance shares features of Bands 1 & 3
(4 – 6)
Range of grammar, Frequent hesitation and Mispronunciations and Generally, fails to
lexis and cohesive inability to link ideas inability to produce initiate maintain and
devices insufficient to coherently causes great certain sounds end turns satisfactorily.
BAND 1 adequately complete strain on the listener. significantly impedes Does not use repair
(1 – 3) the tasks. Repeated communication of the strategies (clarification,
errors even in simple message. circumlocution).
sentences significantly
hinder communication.
0 Insufficient language for assessment
Level B1 – Threshold: Speaking Mark Scheme – Interlocutor’s copy
OVERALL IMPRESSION
 Sufficient language to achieve tasks successfully without too much circumlocution.
5  Fluent; hesitations not too long or uncomfortable.
 Pronunciation is natural with appropriate intonation, though occasionally problematic.
4 Performance shares features of Band 3 & 5
 Some difficulties fulfilling task requirements but generally successful use of language.
 Many small difficulties or gaps that do not severely impede understanding.
3
 Pronunciation may place some small strain on the listener, but is typically clear and intelligible.
 Conversation is maintained in a generally natural and appropriate manner.
2 Performance shares features of Band 1 & 3
 Noticeable hesitation. Jumpiness.
 Insufficient grammar, lexis and cohesive devices to do the tasks.
1  Frequent errors in simple sentences.
 Avoidance of difficult structures or lexis.
 Significant pronunciation difficulties.
0 Very hard to understand. Clearly significantly below level criteria