speaks fluently with only rare repetition or self-correction; any hesitation is content-related rather than to find words or grammar
speaks coherently with fully appropriate cohesive features
develops topics fully and appropriately.
uses vocabulary with full flexibility and precision in all topics
uses idiomatic language naturally and accurately
uses a full range of structures naturally and appropriately
produces consistently accurate structures apart from 'slips' characteristic of native speaker speech
uses a full range of pronunciation features with precision and subtlety
sustains flexible use of features throughout
is effortless to understand
speaks fluently with only occasional repetition or self-correction; hesitation is usually content-related and only rarely to search for language
develops topics coherently and appropriately
uses a wide vocabulary resource readily and flexibly to convey precise meaning
uses less common and idiomatic vocabulary skilfully, with occasional inaccuracies
uses paraphrase effectively as required
uses a wide range of structures flexibly
produces a majority of error-free sentences with only very occasional inappropriacies or basic/non-systematic errors
uses a wide range of pronunciation features
sustains flexible use of features, with only occasional lapses
is easy to understand throughout; L1 accent has minimal effect on intelligibility
speaks at length without noticeable effort or loss of coherence
may demonstrate language-related hesitation at times, or some repetition and/or self-correction
uses a range of connectives and discourse markers with some flexibility
uses vocabulary resource flexibly to discuss a variety of topics
uses some less common and idiomatic vocabulary and shows some awareness of style and collocation , with some inappropriate choices
uses paraphrase effectively
uses a range of complex structures with some flexibility
frequently produces error-free sentences, though some grammatical mistakes persist
shows all the positive features of Band 6 and some, but not all, of the positive features of Band 8
is willing to speak at length, though may lose coherence at times due to occasional repetition, self-correction or hesitation
uses a range of connectives and discourse markers but not always appropriately
has a wide enough vocabulary to discuss topics at length and make meaning clear in spite of inappropriacies
generally paraphrases successfully
uses a mix of simple and complex structures, but with limited flexibility
may make frequent mistakes with complex structures, though these rarely cause comprehension problems
uses a range of pronunciation features with mixed control
shows some effective use of features but this is not sustained
can generally be understood throughout, though mispronunciation of individual words or sounds reduces clarity at times
usually maintains flow of speech but uses repetition, self-correction and/or slow speech to keep going
may over-use certain connectives and discourse markers
produces simple speech fluently, but more complex communication causes fluency problems
manages to talk about familiar and unfamiliar topics but uses vocabulary with limited flexibility
attempts to use paraphrase but with mixed success
produces basic sentence forms with reasonable accuracy
uses a limited range of more complex structures, but these usually contain errors and may cause some comprehension problems
shows all the positive features of Band 4 and some, but not all, of the positive features of Band 6
cannot respond without noticeable pauses and may speak slowly, with frequent repetition and self-correction
links basic sentences but with repetitious use of simple connectives and some breakdowns in coherence
is able to talk about familiar topics but can only convey basic meaning on unfamiliar topics and makes frequent errors in word choice
rarely attempts paraphrase
produces basic sentence forms and some correct simple sentences but subordinate structures are rare
errors are frequent and may lead to misunderstanding
uses a limited range of pronunciation features
attempts to control features but lapses are frequent
mispronunciations are frequent and cause some difficulty for the listener
speaks with long pauses
has limited ability to link simple sentences
gives only simple responses and is frequently unable to convey basic message
uses simple vocabulary to convey personal information
has insufficient vocabulary for less familiar topics
attempts basic sentence forms but with limited success, or relies on apparently memorised utterances
makes numerous errors except in memorised expressions
shows some of the features of Band 2 and some, but not all, of the positive features of Band 4
pauses lengthily before most words
little communication possible
only produces isolated words or memorised utterances
cannot produce basic sentence forms
speech is often unintelligible
no communication possible
no rateable language
no communication possible
no rateable language
no communication possible
no rateable language
no communication possible
no rateable language
does not attend
does not attend
does not attend
does not attend