Scoring Levels
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Scoring Information
Level 12. Advanced proficiency in workplace and community contexts
Content/Coherence
Communicate in demanding non-routine situations for a full range of purposes, intentions, and objectives
Present information and develop ideas with complex, clear, and precise descriptions or details
Vocabulary
Use a very broad range of concrete and abstract language.
Use a broad range of figures of speech and idioms
Listenability
Speak with very good control of a very broad range of complex and diverse grammatical structuresSpeak intelligibly with fluent rhythm, pronunciation, and intonation
Task Fulfillment
Adapt my language to the situation, my desired purposes and my relationships to listeners.
Precisely communicate my ideas to others when I speak
When
I speak with peers or authority figures
I speak face-to-face, online, or on the phone
the situation is formal or informal
Task A
Your friend has just graduated with a business degree and has been offered a job overseas. Although the job would be an excellent opportunity, she is not sure about moving so far away from her friends and family. Give her advice on what she should consider when making her decision.
Sample Response A
Transcript.
Hi Joanne. So I head you got a job overseas in China, but I know that you are a little bit concerned because it’s really far from here. And also, you’ll be away from your friends and family a lot. But after thinking about a few things, I would like to give you an advice based on why you should take this opportunity. First of all, it’s a really good paying job. You probably would not be able to get a salary like this here in Canada. So, it would be best if you take this job. Also, since it’s a higher paying job, you would be able to take care of your family more cuz I know that your dad has some health issues and I know that he’s not being able to take care of his self. So because of that, you’d be able to take care of your parents more. Also, I know that your job is providing you one free ticket, it’s a return ticket, back and forth once a year. So, you would always be able to come and visit your family. And when you’re visiting your family, you’d always be able to visit your friends. And I would never mind visiting you in China because I really wanna see that place and I’m pretty sure every once in a while, I’d be able to come and visit you there, too. We can always chat on Skype online, that way you won’t have to feel so lonely. Overall, I think it’s a perfect opportunity
Task B
Your friend has just graduated with a business degree and has been offered a job overseas. Although the job would be an excellent opportunity, she is not sure about moving so far away from her friends and family. Give her advice on what she should consider when making her decision.
Sample Response B
Transcript.
Hi Joanne. So I head you got a job overseas in China, but I know that you are a little bit concerned because it’s really far from here. And also, you’ll be away from your friends and family a lot. But after thinking about a few things, I would like to give you an advice based on why you should take this opportunity. First of all, it’s a really good paying job. You probably would not be able to get a salary like this here in Canada. So, it would be best if you take this job. Also, since it’s a higher paying job, you would be able to take care of your family more cuz I know that your dad has some health issues and I know that he’s not being able to take care of his self. So because of that, you’d be able to take care of your parents more. Also, I know that your job is providing you one free ticket, it’s a return ticket, back and forth once a year. So, you would always be able to come and visit your family. And when you’re visiting your family, you’d always be able to visit your friends. And I would never mind visiting you in China because I really wanna see that place and I’m pretty sure every once in a while, I’d be able to come and visit you there, too. We can always chat on Skype online, that way you won’t have to feel so lonely. Overall, I think it’s a perfect opportunity
Content/Coherence
Speakers can communicate in demanding non-routine situations for a full range of purposes, intentions, and objectives. In Task A, the speaker lessens the certainty of some statements (e.g., “You probably would not be able to get a salary like this here in Canada”) and strengthens other statements to indicate more certainty (e.g. “So, you would always be able to come and visit your family”).
Speakers are also able to present information and develop ideas with complex, clear, and precise descriptions or details. In Task B, the speaker provides clear and precise details when stating, “I should note that on the back of the chair, there’s a switch to control the reading light above your head.”
Vocabulary
Speakers can use a broad range of concrete and abstract vocabulary and use figures of speech and idioms accurately. In Task B, the speaker describes the chair by stating, “there’s a light on the top of it which kind of winds around to focus in on where you would be sitting in the center of the chair” and later indicates that “if you fancied a snooze as you tend to do when you’re reading, you could just turn off the light and drift off.”
Listenability
Speakers have very good control of a very broad range of complex and diverse grammatical structures. In Both Tasks A and B, the speakers can produce extended responses and incorporate a range of complex structures (e.g., “But after thinking about a few things, I would like to give you an advice based on why you should take this opportunity” and “If you did fall asleep, you would probably fall off the chair.”)
Speakers can speak intelligibly with fluent rhythm, pronunciation, and intonation.
Task Fulfillment
Speakers can communicate their ideas to others and adapt their language to the situation, their desired purposes, and their relationship to listeners. In Task A, the speaker indicates that he is aware of the challenges the other person is experiencing when stating, “I know that you are a little bit concerned because it’s really far from here.” In this way, the speaker assumes the role of a sympathetic advisor. In Task B, the speaker expresses excitement at finding the chair and the need to “ring you to tell you about it.” In this way, the speaker assumes the role of a friend offering information of interest to the listener.
Level 11. Advanced proficiency in workplace and community contexts
Content/Coherence
Communicate in demanding non-routine situations for a full range of purposes, intentions, and objectives
Present information and develop ideas with complex, clear, and precise descriptions or details
Vocabulary
Use a very broad range of concrete and abstract language.
Use a broad range of figures of speech and idioms
Listenability
Speak with very good control of a very broad range of complex and diverse grammatical structuresSpeak intelligibly with fluent rhythm, pronunciation, and intonation
Task Fulfillment
Adapt my language to the situation, my desired purposes and my relationships to listeners.
Precisely communicate my ideas to others when I speak
When
I speak with peers or authority figures
I speak face-to-face, online, or on the phone
the situation is formal or informal
Task A
Your friend has just graduated with a business degree and has been offered a job overseas. Although the job would be an excellent opportunity, she is not sure about moving so far away from her friends and family. Give her advice on what she should consider when making her decision.
Sample Response A
Transcript.
Hi Joanne. So I head you got a job overseas in China, but I know that you are a little bit concerned because it’s really far from here. And also, you’ll be away from your friends and family a lot. But after thinking about a few things, I would like to give you an advice based on why you should take this opportunity. First of all, it’s a really good paying job. You probably would not be able to get a salary like this here in Canada. So, it would be best if you take this job. Also, since it’s a higher paying job, you would be able to take care of your family more cuz I know that your dad has some health issues and I know that he’s not being able to take care of his self. So because of that, you’d be able to take care of your parents more. Also, I know that your job is providing you one free ticket, it’s a return ticket, back and forth once a year. So, you would always be able to come and visit your family. And when you’re visiting your family, you’d always be able to visit your friends. And I would never mind visiting you in China because I really wanna see that place and I’m pretty sure every once in a while, I’d be able to come and visit you there, too. We can always chat on Skype online, that way you won’t have to feel so lonely. Overall, I think it’s a perfect opportunity
Task B
Your friend has just graduated with a business degree and has been offered a job overseas. Although the job would be an excellent opportunity, she is not sure about moving so far away from her friends and family. Give her advice on what she should consider when making her decision.
Sample Response B
Transcript.
Hi Joanne. So I head you got a job overseas in China, but I know that you are a little bit concerned because it’s really far from here. And also, you’ll be away from your friends and family a lot. But after thinking about a few things, I would like to give you an advice based on why you should take this opportunity. First of all, it’s a really good paying job. You probably would not be able to get a salary like this here in Canada. So, it would be best if you take this job. Also, since it’s a higher paying job, you would be able to take care of your family more cuz I know that your dad has some health issues and I know that he’s not being able to take care of his self. So because of that, you’d be able to take care of your parents more. Also, I know that your job is providing you one free ticket, it’s a return ticket, back and forth once a year. So, you would always be able to come and visit your family. And when you’re visiting your family, you’d always be able to visit your friends. And I would never mind visiting you in China because I really wanna see that place and I’m pretty sure every once in a while, I’d be able to come and visit you there, too. We can always chat on Skype online, that way you won’t have to feel so lonely. Overall, I think it’s a perfect opportunity
Content/Coherence
Speakers can communicate in demanding non-routine situations for a full range of purposes, intentions, and objectives. In Task A, the speaker lessens the certainty of some statements (e.g., “You probably would not be able to get a salary like this here in Canada”) and strengthens other statements to indicate more certainty (e.g. “So, you would always be able to come and visit your family”).
Speakers are also able to present information and develop ideas with complex, clear, and precise descriptions or details. In Task B, the speaker provides clear and precise details when stating, “I should note that on the back of the chair, there’s a switch to control the reading light above your head.”
Vocabulary
Speakers can use a broad range of concrete and abstract vocabulary and use figures of speech and idioms accurately. In Task B, the speaker describes the chair by stating, “there’s a light on the top of it which kind of winds around to focus in on where you would be sitting in the center of the chair” and later indicates that “if you fancied a snooze as you tend to do when you’re reading, you could just turn off the light and drift off.”
Listenability
Speakers have very good control of a very broad range of complex and diverse grammatical structures. In Both Tasks A and B, the speakers can produce extended responses and incorporate a range of complex structures (e.g., “But after thinking about a few things, I would like to give you an advice based on why you should take this opportunity” and “If you did fall asleep, you would probably fall off the chair.”)
Speakers can speak intelligibly with fluent rhythm, pronunciation, and intonation.
Task Fulfillment
Speakers can communicate their ideas to others and adapt their language to the situation, their desired purposes, and their relationship to listeners. In Task A, the speaker indicates that he is aware of the challenges the other person is experiencing when stating, “I know that you are a little bit concerned because it’s really far from here.” In this way, the speaker assumes the role of a sympathetic advisor. In Task B, the speaker expresses excitement at finding the chair and the need to “ring you to tell you about it.” In this way, the speaker assumes the role of a friend offering information of interest to the listener.
Level 10. Advanced proficiency in workplace and community contexts
Content/Coherence
Communicate in demanding non-routine situations for a full range of purposes, intentions, and objectives
Present information and develop ideas with complex, clear, and precise descriptions or details
Vocabulary
Use a very broad range of concrete and abstract language.
Use a broad range of figures of speech and idioms
Listenability
Speak with very good control of a very broad range of complex and diverse grammatical structuresSpeak intelligibly with fluent rhythm, pronunciation, and intonation
Task Fulfillment
Adapt my language to the situation, my desired purposes and my relationships to listeners.
Precisely communicate my ideas to others when I speak
When
I speak with peers or authority figures
I speak face-to-face, online, or on the phone
the situation is formal or informal
Task A
Your friend has just graduated with a business degree and has been offered a job overseas. Although the job would be an excellent opportunity, she is not sure about moving so far away from her friends and family. Give her advice on what she should consider when making her decision.
Sample Response A
Transcript.
Hi Joanne. So I head you got a job overseas in China, but I know that you are a little bit concerned because it’s really far from here. And also, you’ll be away from your friends and family a lot. But after thinking about a few things, I would like to give you an advice based on why you should take this opportunity. First of all, it’s a really good paying job. You probably would not be able to get a salary like this here in Canada. So, it would be best if you take this job. Also, since it’s a higher paying job, you would be able to take care of your family more cuz I know that your dad has some health issues and I know that he’s not being able to take care of his self. So because of that, you’d be able to take care of your parents more. Also, I know that your job is providing you one free ticket, it’s a return ticket, back and forth once a year. So, you would always be able to come and visit your family. And when you’re visiting your family, you’d always be able to visit your friends. And I would never mind visiting you in China because I really wanna see that place and I’m pretty sure every once in a while, I’d be able to come and visit you there, too. We can always chat on Skype online, that way you won’t have to feel so lonely. Overall, I think it’s a perfect opportunity
Task B
Your friend has just graduated with a business degree and has been offered a job overseas. Although the job would be an excellent opportunity, she is not sure about moving so far away from her friends and family. Give her advice on what she should consider when making her decision.
Sample Response B
Transcript.
Hi Joanne. So I head you got a job overseas in China, but I know that you are a little bit concerned because it’s really far from here. And also, you’ll be away from your friends and family a lot. But after thinking about a few things, I would like to give you an advice based on why you should take this opportunity. First of all, it’s a really good paying job. You probably would not be able to get a salary like this here in Canada. So, it would be best if you take this job. Also, since it’s a higher paying job, you would be able to take care of your family more cuz I know that your dad has some health issues and I know that he’s not being able to take care of his self. So because of that, you’d be able to take care of your parents more. Also, I know that your job is providing you one free ticket, it’s a return ticket, back and forth once a year. So, you would always be able to come and visit your family. And when you’re visiting your family, you’d always be able to visit your friends. And I would never mind visiting you in China because I really wanna see that place and I’m pretty sure every once in a while, I’d be able to come and visit you there, too. We can always chat on Skype online, that way you won’t have to feel so lonely. Overall, I think it’s a perfect opportunity
Content/Coherence
Speakers can communicate in demanding non-routine situations for a full range of purposes, intentions, and objectives. In Task A, the speaker lessens the certainty of some statements (e.g., “You probably would not be able to get a salary like this here in Canada”) and strengthens other statements to indicate more certainty (e.g. “So, you would always be able to come and visit your family”).
Speakers are also able to present information and develop ideas with complex, clear, and precise descriptions or details. In Task B, the speaker provides clear and precise details when stating, “I should note that on the back of the chair, there’s a switch to control the reading light above your head.”
Vocabulary
Speakers can use a broad range of concrete and abstract vocabulary and use figures of speech and idioms accurately. In Task B, the speaker describes the chair by stating, “there’s a light on the top of it which kind of winds around to focus in on where you would be sitting in the center of the chair” and later indicates that “if you fancied a snooze as you tend to do when you’re reading, you could just turn off the light and drift off.”
Listenability
Speakers have very good control of a very broad range of complex and diverse grammatical structures. In Both Tasks A and B, the speakers can produce extended responses and incorporate a range of complex structures (e.g., “But after thinking about a few things, I would like to give you an advice based on why you should take this opportunity” and “If you did fall asleep, you would probably fall off the chair.”)
Speakers can speak intelligibly with fluent rhythm, pronunciation, and intonation.
Task Fulfillment
Speakers can communicate their ideas to others and adapt their language to the situation, their desired purposes, and their relationship to listeners. In Task A, the speaker indicates that he is aware of the challenges the other person is experiencing when stating, “I know that you are a little bit concerned because it’s really far from here.” In this way, the speaker assumes the role of a sympathetic advisor. In Task B, the speaker expresses excitement at finding the chair and the need to “ring you to tell you about it.” In this way, the speaker assumes the role of a friend offering information of interest to the listener.
Level 12. Advanced proficiency in workplace and community contexts
Content/Coherence
Write complex formal and informal texts for a full range of purposes, intentions, and objectives
Develop ideas with relevant and sufficient facts, extended descriptions, details, or quotations
Vocabulary
Choose specialized, formal, and common words to express my precise meaning
Readability
Connect ideas and make transitions within and between paragraphs
Write with very good control of a very broad range of complex and diverse grammatical structures
Task Fulfillment
Present information using a tone and style appropriate to the situation
Precisely communicate my ideas
When
I write for a diverse and undefined audience and the situation is formal or informal
Task A: Writing an Email
You use the local public library several times every week. However, the library is closed on Sundays and Mondays. You think the library should be open every day.
Write an email to the chief librarian in about 150–200 words. Your email should do the following things:
- Describe the importance of the library for you.
- Explain why the opening hours don’t work for you.
- Suggest how people could use the library if it were open every day.
Sample Response A
Dear Ms. Sonora,
My name is Charles Stevens. As a longstanding resident of the neighbourhood, I have had an Annex Library Card for two decades. I truly appreciate the work that you do as the Chief Librarian, in making it such an inclusive environment and fostering the local community.
Now, as a parent of two children (Gary, 6, and Sofia, 4) it is clear to me that the library’s service to the community could be enhanced if opening hours were extended to Sundays and Mondays. As you know, many families have sports activities and shopping scheduled on Saturday mornings. Sunday is the only day on which we could all enjoy the library’s play rooms, youth groups, and creative programs. Monday is the only night on which all member of the Annex Theatrical Troupe can practice in the auditorium.
These opinions are widely shared: parents at Annex Kindergarten are unanimous in their desire to share a Sunday cappuccino in the downstairs coffee shop, and to rehearse their lines in the auditorium on Mondays.
Please consider opening the library seven days a week; I hope to raise the issue at your next steering committee meeting.
Warm regards,
Charles Stevens
Task B: Responding to Survey Questions
Mail Delivery Survey
The government wants to either make people pick up their own mail at the post office or have it delivered only twice a week. This will save the government money. The government is asking your opinion of the change.
Choose the option that you prefer. Why do you prefer your choice? Explain the reasons for your choice. Write about 150–200 words.
Option A: I prefer to get my mail at the local post office.
Option B: I prefer to have mail delivered to my home twice a week.
Sample Response B
There are two primary reasons that I prefer to pick up my mail at the local post office: security and availability.
As a person who regularly sends and receives confidential documents, security is a crucial aspect of my use of Canada Post. The standard mailboxes attached to duplexes in downtown Toronto are insecure. In contrast, the postal storage in Canada Post locations (and pharmacies throughout the city) are protected from casual theft.
The second primary reason that I prefer to pick up my mail is that, even though receiving the mail would require a short walk, it would remain available daily. In my line of work as a commissioner of oaths, two-day delay in receiving a document can be a serious professional problem. Furthermore, a good walk never did anyone any harm, even, perhaps especially, in the teeth of the February winter.
Finally, I would hope that — should the government institute the new pick-up-your-mail policy — they will also lengthen the hours at Canada Post locations, and broaden the range of pharmacies that can serve as mail handling locations.
Content/Coherence
Writers can compose complex texts for a full range of purposes, intentions, and objectives. Both Task A and Task B exhibit consistently high clarity, depth, and precision. Every sentence of Task A includes precise details, such as the name of the library, the programs it offers, and exactly who is hoping for a change in opening hours. These details strengthen the writer’s case for expanding the opening hours of the library. Likewise, Task B contains precise details about the writer’s profession and housing situation that fulfill the purpose of explaining why picking up his mail would be a more desirable option.
Writers can develop ideas with relevant and sufficient facts, extended descriptions, details, or quotations. All of the main ideas are developed thoroughly in both tasks. No examples of disorganized ideas, irrelevant details, or vague information can be found in either Task A or Task B.
Vocabulary
Writers can choose specialized, formal, and common words to express their precise meaning. The writer’s use of vocabulary is precise throughout both responses. The writer uses everyday language fluently, and uses specialized language where appropriate (e.g., “longstanding resident,” “inclusive environment,” “confidential documents,” and “commissioner of oaths”). There is even some figurative language: “never did anyone any harm” and “the teeth of the February winter.” The language use is overall more vivid and specific than in the Level 11 responses below.
Readability
Writers can connect ideas and make transitions within and between paragraphs. In both tasks, ideas are connected via transitions that communicate precise meaning and an appropriate tone: e.g., “Now” and “As you know” in Task A; “In contrast,” “The second primary reason,” and “Finally” in Task B.
Writers have very good control of a very broad range of complex and diverse grammatical structures. Tasks A and B contain longer and shorter sentences, sentences using a range of verb tenses, coordinate and subordinate clauses, a relative pronoun used as the object of a preposition (“the only day on which we could all enjoy”), and hypotheticals (“if the library’s opening hours were extended,” “should the government institute the new pick-up-your-mail policy”). The very few minor errors (e.g., the missing “s” in “member” in Task A and a couple of misused commas) have little/no impact on comprehension.
Task Fulfillment
Writers can connect ideas and make transitions within and between paragraphs. In both tasks, ideas are connected via transitions that communicate precise meaning and an appropriate tone: e.g., “Now” and “As you know” in Task A; “In contrast,” “The second primary reason,” and “Finally” in Task B.
Writers have very good control of a very broad range of complex and diverse grammatical structures. Tasks A and B contain longer and shorter sentences, sentences using a range of verb tenses, coordinate and subordinate clauses, a relative pronoun used as the object of a preposition (“the only day on which we could all enjoy”), and hypotheticals (“if the library’s opening hours were extended,” “should the government institute the new pick-up-your-mail policy”). The very few minor errors (e.g., the missing “s” in “member” in Task A and a couple of misused commas) have little/no impact on comprehension.
Level 11. Advanced proficiency in workplace and community contexts
Content/Coherence
Write formal and informal texts for a range of purposes
Develop ideas with relevant facts, descriptions, details, or quotations
Vocabulary
Choose specialized, formal, and common words to express my meaning
Readability
Connect ideas and make transitions within and between paragraphs
Write with good control of a broad range of complex and diverse grammatical structures
Task Fulfillment
Present information using a tone and style usually appropriate to the situation
Accurately communicate my ideas
When
I write for an undefined audience and the situation is formal or informal
Task A: Writing an Email
You use the local public library several times every week. However, the library is closed on Sundays and Mondays. You think the library should be open every day.
Write an email to the chief librarian in about 150–200 words. Your email should do the following things:
- Describe the importance of the library for you.
- Explain why the opening hours don’t work for you.
- Suggest how people could use the library if it were open every day.
Sample Response A
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am an avid user of my local public library. I visit the library several times a week, and would like to use it more, but I find the opening hours somewhat restrictive.
I am a single mother currently studying for a Masters at the Open University. As I am undertaking my studies from home, I don’t have access to a university library. Unfortunately I have very poor internet connection where I live and so rely heavily on the public library to conduct online research.
In addition, my daughter is book fanatic – she simply loves to read. Our favourite thing to do together is to spend time in the library at weekends. However, her swimming lessons have now been scheduled for Saturdays, on the opposite side of town. She does not have time to visit the library on the same day. As the library is closed on Sundays, we have to live without our weekly library visit together.
I feel the library should be open to the public every day of the week. It is an important resource for people looking for work, studying, or for those who simply wish to expand their minds.
B. Smith
Task B: Responding to Survey Questions
Mail Delivery Survey
The government wants to either make people pick up their own mail at the post office or have it delivered only twice a week. This will save the government money. The government is asking your opinion of the change.
Choose the option that you prefer. Why do you prefer your choice? Explain the reasons for your choice. Write about 150–200 words.
Option A: I prefer to get my mail at the local post office.
Option B: I prefer to have mail delivered to my home twice a week.
Sample Response B
Mail Delivery Survey
The government wants to either make people pick up their own mail at the post office or have it delivered only twice a week. This will save the government money. The government is asking your opinion of the change.
Choose the option that you prefer. Why do you prefer your choice? Explain the reasons for your choice. Write about 150–200 words.
Option A: I prefer to get my mail at the local post office.
Option B: I prefer to have mail delivered to my home twice a week.
Content/Coherence
Writers can produce formal and informal texts for a range of purposes. Task A is appropriately formal for its situation: the writer uses a suitably respectful greeting to the Head Librarian and makes his request courteously. Likewise, in Task B, the writer maintains a polite register throughout the survey response.
Writers can develop ideas with relevant facts, descriptions, details, or quotations. Both responses achieve their purpose through an appropriate mix of personal details and more general/conceptual facts and ideas.
Vocabulary
Writers can choose specialized, formal, and common words to express their meaning. Examples of specialized language include “rely heavily” and “book fanatic” in Task A and “circling the block,” “loading zone,” and “parking fine” in Task B. Examples of formal language include “somewhat restrictive” (Task A) and “I must admit” (Task B). On some occasions, language choice could be more precise or varied: for example, in Task A, “studying for a Masters,” “spend time in the library,” and the repetition of “visit the library,” “work long hours,” and in Task B, “have mail delivered to my home.”
Readability
Writers can connect ideas within and between paragraphs. In Tasks A and B, this is achieved through many strategies, including conjunctions (“As”), transition words and phrases (“Unfortunately,” “I must admit,” “In addition,” “Thus”), and relative pronouns (“which”).
Writers have good control of a broad range of complex and diverse grammatical structures. Only minor errors occur in these responses: e.g., in Task A, “a Masters” and “my daughter is book fanatic”; in Task B, “There has been times,” “a registered mail,” ”down town,” and the unneeded comma after “local post office” in the second paragraph.
Task Fulfillment
Writers can present information using a tone and style that is usually appropriate to the situation. The tone suits the context in both Task A and Task B: among other strategies, the writer makes adept use of restrained language (e.g., “somewhat restrictive” in Task A and “I must admit” in Task B) to maintain appropriate formality. The tone of Task B is arguably less than ideal in some isolated places: the use of exclamation points, for example, could be considered inappropriate.
Level 10. Highly effective proficiency in workplace and community contexts
Content/Coherence
Write short formal and informal texts of some complexity
Support key ideas with a range of facts, descriptions, details, or quotations
Vocabulary
Choose words and phrases to provide precise details, descriptions, and comparisons
Readability
Connect ideas and make transitions within and between paragraphs
Write with good control of a range of complex and diverse grammatical structures
Task Fulfillment
Present information using a tone and style that follows most formal and informal writing conventions
Convey my intended meaning
When
I write for a defined audience and the situation is formal or informal
Task A: Writing an Email
You use the local public library several times every week. However, the library is closed on Sundays and Mondays. You think the library should be open every day.
Write an email to the chief librarian in about 150–200 words. Your email should do the following things:
- Describe the importance of the library for you.
- Explain why the opening hours don’t work for you.
- Suggest how people could use the library if it were open every day.
Sample Response A
Dear Chief Librarian,
I use the local public library several times a week to research material, and access word processing for my studies. Access to the library is integral to my schooling, and as such, flexible opening hours are vital.
I recently started a part-time job which requires me to cover shifts on the weekend, and varying week days. Unfortunately, this restricts my ability to access the library given the current opening hours. I feel that if the hours were extended to be open 7 days a week, it would enhance the experience of many patrons.
For many people, the library is a place of leisure and recreation; as such, if it were to open on both Saturday’s and Sunday’s, kids and adults alike could enjoy the enriching activities offered at your facility over the entire weekend. 7 day access would make this possible for all persons, regardless of their weekly work/study structure.
Thank you for reviewing this request, and I hope you will consider extending opening hours to 7 days a week.
Kind regards,
Vanessa
Task B: Responding to Survey Questions
Mail Delivery Survey
The government wants to either make people pick up their own mail at the post office or have it delivered only twice a week. This will save the government money. The government is asking your opinion of the change.
Choose the option that you prefer. Why do you prefer your choice? Explain the reasons for your choice. Write about 150–200 words.
Option A: I prefer to get my mail at the local post office.
Option B: I prefer to have mail delivered to my home twice a week.
Sample Response B
I would prefer option B be implemented, rather than option A. The convenience of having mail and packages delivered to my home outweighs the option of ready access to the items at my own discretion.
Typically I only check the mail box at my apartment 2-3 times a week, so the delivery restrictions would not affect me greatly. So long as there were assigned delivery days, I would be able to obtain my mail at regular intervals and not waste time checking an empty post box.
If option A were implemented, the onus to collect the post would be on me. Realistically, there wouldn’t be time to make the trip to the post office more than once or twice a week, which makes option B all the more appealing.
The time saving method of mail delivery (option B) is a much preferred option. Please c
Content/Coherence
Writers can support key ideas with a range of facts, descriptions, details, or quotations. Task B includes a number of contextually suitable facts (e.g., “If option A were implemented, the onus to collect the post would be on me“). Task A includes support in the form of descriptions (e.g., the third paragraph) and details (e.g., the first paragraph). Task B is incomplete, but the text is still coherent: its purpose is fully and clearly expressed.
Vocabulary
Writers can choose words and phrases to provide precise details, descriptions, and comparisons. Tasks A and B demonstrate a wider range of vocabulary than the Level 9 responses below. The word choice is more varied, concise, and precise; e.g., “integral,” “enriching activities,” “ready access,” “at my own discretion,” “the onus,” and “realistically.” In Task B, the writer also uses an array of comparative language; e.g., “The convenience…outweighs,” “all the more appealing,” and “much preferred.”
Readability
Writers can connect ideas and make transitions within and between paragraphs. A range of transitions and connectors are used appropriately throughout Task A and Task B to link ideas: e.g., “as such,” “given,” “So long as,” and “which.”
Writers have good control of a range of complex and diverse grammatical structures. These include subjunctive mood and conditional statements: e.g., “if it were to open” in Task A, and “If option A were implemented,” “So long as there were assigned delivery days,” and “there wouldn’t be time” in Task B.
Task Fulfillment
Writers can present information in a tone and style that follows most formal and informal writing conventions. A suitable level of formality is achieved in each task through considered use of vocabulary (e.g., “Thank you for reviewing this request,” “I hope you will consider,” “Please”) and grammatical structures (e.g., polite use of modal verbs).
Level 12. Advanced proficiency in workplace and community contexts
Content/Coherence
Communicate in demanding non-routine situations for a full range of purposes, intentions, and objectives
Present information and develop ideas with complex, clear, and precise descriptions or details
Vocabulary
Use a very broad range of concrete and abstract language.
Use a broad range of figures of speech and idioms
Listenability
Speak with very good control of a very broad range of complex and diverse grammatical structuresSpeak intelligibly with fluent rhythm, pronunciation, and intonation
Task Fulfillment
Adapt my language to the situation, my desired purposes and my relationships to listeners.
Precisely communicate my ideas to others when I speak
When
I speak with peers or authority figures
I speak face-to-face, online, or on the phone
the situation is formal or informal
Task A
Your friend has just graduated with a business degree and has been offered a job overseas. Although the job would be an excellent opportunity, she is not sure about moving so far away from her friends and family. Give her advice on what she should consider when making her decision.
Sample Response A
Transcript.
Hi Joanne. So I head you got a job overseas in China, but I know that you are a little bit concerned because it’s really far from here. And also, you’ll be away from your friends and family a lot. But after thinking about a few things, I would like to give you an advice based on why you should take this opportunity. First of all, it’s a really good paying job. You probably would not be able to get a salary like this here in Canada. So, it would be best if you take this job. Also, since it’s a higher paying job, you would be able to take care of your family more cuz I know that your dad has some health issues and I know that he’s not being able to take care of his self. So because of that, you’d be able to take care of your parents more. Also, I know that your job is providing you one free ticket, it’s a return ticket, back and forth once a year. So, you would always be able to come and visit your family. And when you’re visiting your family, you’d always be able to visit your friends. And I would never mind visiting you in China because I really wanna see that place and I’m pretty sure every once in a while, I’d be able to come and visit you there, too. We can always chat on Skype online, that way you won’t have to feel so lonely. Overall, I think it’s a perfect opportunity
Task B
Your friend has just graduated with a business degree and has been offered a job overseas. Although the job would be an excellent opportunity, she is not sure about moving so far away from her friends and family. Give her advice on what she should consider when making her decision.
Sample Response B
Transcript.
Hi Joanne. So I head you got a job overseas in China, but I know that you are a little bit concerned because it’s really far from here. And also, you’ll be away from your friends and family a lot. But after thinking about a few things, I would like to give you an advice based on why you should take this opportunity. First of all, it’s a really good paying job. You probably would not be able to get a salary like this here in Canada. So, it would be best if you take this job. Also, since it’s a higher paying job, you would be able to take care of your family more cuz I know that your dad has some health issues and I know that he’s not being able to take care of his self. So because of that, you’d be able to take care of your parents more. Also, I know that your job is providing you one free ticket, it’s a return ticket, back and forth once a year. So, you would always be able to come and visit your family. And when you’re visiting your family, you’d always be able to visit your friends. And I would never mind visiting you in China because I really wanna see that place and I’m pretty sure every once in a while, I’d be able to come and visit you there, too. We can always chat on Skype online, that way you won’t have to feel so lonely. Overall, I think it’s a perfect opportunity
Content/Coherence
Speakers can communicate in demanding non-routine situations for a full range of purposes, intentions, and objectives. In Task A, the speaker lessens the certainty of some statements (e.g., “You probably would not be able to get a salary like this here in Canada”) and strengthens other statements to indicate more certainty (e.g. “So, you would always be able to come and visit your family”).
Speakers are also able to present information and develop ideas with complex, clear, and precise descriptions or details. In Task B, the speaker provides clear and precise details when stating, “I should note that on the back of the chair, there’s a switch to control the reading light above your head.”
Vocabulary
Speakers can use a broad range of concrete and abstract vocabulary and use figures of speech and idioms accurately. In Task B, the speaker describes the chair by stating, “there’s a light on the top of it which kind of winds around to focus in on where you would be sitting in the center of the chair” and later indicates that “if you fancied a snooze as you tend to do when you’re reading, you could just turn off the light and drift off.”
Listenability
Speakers have very good control of a very broad range of complex and diverse grammatical structures. In Both Tasks A and B, the speakers can produce extended responses and incorporate a range of complex structures (e.g., “But after thinking about a few things, I would like to give you an advice based on why you should take this opportunity” and “If you did fall asleep, you would probably fall off the chair.”)
Speakers can speak intelligibly with fluent rhythm, pronunciation, and intonation.
Task Fulfillment
Speakers can communicate their ideas to others and adapt their language to the situation, their desired purposes, and their relationship to listeners. In Task A, the speaker indicates that he is aware of the challenges the other person is experiencing when stating, “I know that you are a little bit concerned because it’s really far from here.” In this way, the speaker assumes the role of a sympathetic advisor. In Task B, the speaker expresses excitement at finding the chair and the need to “ring you to tell you about it.” In this way, the speaker assumes the role of a friend offering information of interest to the listener.
Level 11. Advanced proficiency in workplace and community contexts
Content/Coherence
Communicate in demanding non-routine situations for a full range of purposes, intentions, and objectives
Present information and develop ideas with complex, clear, and precise descriptions or details
Vocabulary
Use a very broad range of concrete and abstract language.
Use a broad range of figures of speech and idioms
Listenability
Speak with very good control of a very broad range of complex and diverse grammatical structuresSpeak intelligibly with fluent rhythm, pronunciation, and intonation
Task Fulfillment
Adapt my language to the situation, my desired purposes and my relationships to listeners.
Precisely communicate my ideas to others when I speak
When
I speak with peers or authority figures
I speak face-to-face, online, or on the phone
the situation is formal or informal
Task A
Your friend has just graduated with a business degree and has been offered a job overseas. Although the job would be an excellent opportunity, she is not sure about moving so far away from her friends and family. Give her advice on what she should consider when making her decision.
Sample Response A
Transcript.
Hi Joanne. So I head you got a job overseas in China, but I know that you are a little bit concerned because it’s really far from here. And also, you’ll be away from your friends and family a lot. But after thinking about a few things, I would like to give you an advice based on why you should take this opportunity. First of all, it’s a really good paying job. You probably would not be able to get a salary like this here in Canada. So, it would be best if you take this job. Also, since it’s a higher paying job, you would be able to take care of your family more cuz I know that your dad has some health issues and I know that he’s not being able to take care of his self. So because of that, you’d be able to take care of your parents more. Also, I know that your job is providing you one free ticket, it’s a return ticket, back and forth once a year. So, you would always be able to come and visit your family. And when you’re visiting your family, you’d always be able to visit your friends. And I would never mind visiting you in China because I really wanna see that place and I’m pretty sure every once in a while, I’d be able to come and visit you there, too. We can always chat on Skype online, that way you won’t have to feel so lonely. Overall, I think it’s a perfect opportunity
Task B
Your friend has just graduated with a business degree and has been offered a job overseas. Although the job would be an excellent opportunity, she is not sure about moving so far away from her friends and family. Give her advice on what she should consider when making her decision.
Sample Response B
Transcript.
Hi Joanne. So I head you got a job overseas in China, but I know that you are a little bit concerned because it’s really far from here. And also, you’ll be away from your friends and family a lot. But after thinking about a few things, I would like to give you an advice based on why you should take this opportunity. First of all, it’s a really good paying job. You probably would not be able to get a salary like this here in Canada. So, it would be best if you take this job. Also, since it’s a higher paying job, you would be able to take care of your family more cuz I know that your dad has some health issues and I know that he’s not being able to take care of his self. So because of that, you’d be able to take care of your parents more. Also, I know that your job is providing you one free ticket, it’s a return ticket, back and forth once a year. So, you would always be able to come and visit your family. And when you’re visiting your family, you’d always be able to visit your friends. And I would never mind visiting you in China because I really wanna see that place and I’m pretty sure every once in a while, I’d be able to come and visit you there, too. We can always chat on Skype online, that way you won’t have to feel so lonely. Overall, I think it’s a perfect opportunity
Content/Coherence
Speakers can communicate in demanding non-routine situations for a full range of purposes, intentions, and objectives. In Task A, the speaker lessens the certainty of some statements (e.g., “You probably would not be able to get a salary like this here in Canada”) and strengthens other statements to indicate more certainty (e.g. “So, you would always be able to come and visit your family”).
Speakers are also able to present information and develop ideas with complex, clear, and precise descriptions or details. In Task B, the speaker provides clear and precise details when stating, “I should note that on the back of the chair, there’s a switch to control the reading light above your head.”
Vocabulary
Speakers can use a broad range of concrete and abstract vocabulary and use figures of speech and idioms accurately. In Task B, the speaker describes the chair by stating, “there’s a light on the top of it which kind of winds around to focus in on where you would be sitting in the center of the chair” and later indicates that “if you fancied a snooze as you tend to do when you’re reading, you could just turn off the light and drift off.”
Listenability
Speakers have very good control of a very broad range of complex and diverse grammatical structures. In Both Tasks A and B, the speakers can produce extended responses and incorporate a range of complex structures (e.g., “But after thinking about a few things, I would like to give you an advice based on why you should take this opportunity” and “If you did fall asleep, you would probably fall off the chair.”)
Speakers can speak intelligibly with fluent rhythm, pronunciation, and intonation.
Task Fulfillment
Speakers can communicate their ideas to others and adapt their language to the situation, their desired purposes, and their relationship to listeners. In Task A, the speaker indicates that he is aware of the challenges the other person is experiencing when stating, “I know that you are a little bit concerned because it’s really far from here.” In this way, the speaker assumes the role of a sympathetic advisor. In Task B, the speaker expresses excitement at finding the chair and the need to “ring you to tell you about it.” In this way, the speaker assumes the role of a friend offering information of interest to the listener.
Level 10. Advanced proficiency in workplace and community contexts
Content/Coherence
Communicate in demanding non-routine situations for a full range of purposes, intentions, and objectives
Present information and develop ideas with complex, clear, and precise descriptions or details
Vocabulary
Use a very broad range of concrete and abstract language.
Use a broad range of figures of speech and idioms
Listenability
Speak with very good control of a very broad range of complex and diverse grammatical structuresSpeak intelligibly with fluent rhythm, pronunciation, and intonation
Task Fulfillment
Adapt my language to the situation, my desired purposes and my relationships to listeners.
Precisely communicate my ideas to others when I speak
When
I speak with peers or authority figures
I speak face-to-face, online, or on the phone
the situation is formal or informal
Task A
Your friend has just graduated with a business degree and has been offered a job overseas. Although the job would be an excellent opportunity, she is not sure about moving so far away from her friends and family. Give her advice on what she should consider when making her decision.
Sample Response A
Transcript.
Hi Joanne. So I head you got a job overseas in China, but I know that you are a little bit concerned because it’s really far from here. And also, you’ll be away from your friends and family a lot. But after thinking about a few things, I would like to give you an advice based on why you should take this opportunity. First of all, it’s a really good paying job. You probably would not be able to get a salary like this here in Canada. So, it would be best if you take this job. Also, since it’s a higher paying job, you would be able to take care of your family more cuz I know that your dad has some health issues and I know that he’s not being able to take care of his self. So because of that, you’d be able to take care of your parents more. Also, I know that your job is providing you one free ticket, it’s a return ticket, back and forth once a year. So, you would always be able to come and visit your family. And when you’re visiting your family, you’d always be able to visit your friends. And I would never mind visiting you in China because I really wanna see that place and I’m pretty sure every once in a while, I’d be able to come and visit you there, too. We can always chat on Skype online, that way you won’t have to feel so lonely. Overall, I think it’s a perfect opportunity
Task B
Your friend has just graduated with a business degree and has been offered a job overseas. Although the job would be an excellent opportunity, she is not sure about moving so far away from her friends and family. Give her advice on what she should consider when making her decision.
Sample Response B
Transcript.
Hi Joanne. So I head you got a job overseas in China, but I know that you are a little bit concerned because it’s really far from here. And also, you’ll be away from your friends and family a lot. But after thinking about a few things, I would like to give you an advice based on why you should take this opportunity. First of all, it’s a really good paying job. You probably would not be able to get a salary like this here in Canada. So, it would be best if you take this job. Also, since it’s a higher paying job, you would be able to take care of your family more cuz I know that your dad has some health issues and I know that he’s not being able to take care of his self. So because of that, you’d be able to take care of your parents more. Also, I know that your job is providing you one free ticket, it’s a return ticket, back and forth once a year. So, you would always be able to come and visit your family. And when you’re visiting your family, you’d always be able to visit your friends. And I would never mind visiting you in China because I really wanna see that place and I’m pretty sure every once in a while, I’d be able to come and visit you there, too. We can always chat on Skype online, that way you won’t have to feel so lonely. Overall, I think it’s a perfect opportunity
Content/Coherence
Speakers can communicate in demanding non-routine situations for a full range of purposes, intentions, and objectives. In Task A, the speaker lessens the certainty of some statements (e.g., “You probably would not be able to get a salary like this here in Canada”) and strengthens other statements to indicate more certainty (e.g. “So, you would always be able to come and visit your family”).
Speakers are also able to present information and develop ideas with complex, clear, and precise descriptions or details. In Task B, the speaker provides clear and precise details when stating, “I should note that on the back of the chair, there’s a switch to control the reading light above your head.”
Vocabulary
Speakers can use a broad range of concrete and abstract vocabulary and use figures of speech and idioms accurately. In Task B, the speaker describes the chair by stating, “there’s a light on the top of it which kind of winds around to focus in on where you would be sitting in the center of the chair” and later indicates that “if you fancied a snooze as you tend to do when you’re reading, you could just turn off the light and drift off.”
Listenability
Speakers have very good control of a very broad range of complex and diverse grammatical structures. In Both Tasks A and B, the speakers can produce extended responses and incorporate a range of complex structures (e.g., “But after thinking about a few things, I would like to give you an advice based on why you should take this opportunity” and “If you did fall asleep, you would probably fall off the chair.”)
Speakers can speak intelligibly with fluent rhythm, pronunciation, and intonation.
Task Fulfillment
Speakers can communicate their ideas to others and adapt their language to the situation, their desired purposes, and their relationship to listeners. In Task A, the speaker indicates that he is aware of the challenges the other person is experiencing when stating, “I know that you are a little bit concerned because it’s really far from here.” In this way, the speaker assumes the role of a sympathetic advisor. In Task B, the speaker expresses excitement at finding the chair and the need to “ring you to tell you about it.” In this way, the speaker assumes the role of a friend offering information of interest to the listener.
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