Tips, exercises and the real marking criteria, so you know what to do before you start writing.
Hi, I'm Julio. Let's get you a top score!
Examiners mark only what they can read. An illegible word earns nothing and does not count towards your 220 words.
If they can't read your answer, they can't mark it. Clear handwriting is part of your score.
Hmm... I can't read a word of this.
Can you read this?Four criteria. Each one gets a score from 0 to 5, for a total of 20. Learn the question behind each one and ask it about your own work.
Ask yourself these four questions about every email you write.
Did you do everything the task asked?
Does it work as an email to this reader?
Is it easy to follow from start to finish?
How wide and how accurate is your English?
Illegible means unmarked. Words that can't be read earn nothing.
Click one band per criterion. 4 and 2 are real scores: click them to see when they are given.
Click a band for each criterion.
0 of 4 criteria scored.
Students who skip planning write more and score less. Students who skip checking lose easy marks.
Learn two from each group. Use them in your next email.
You are writing to a coordinator. Rewrite each sentence in a formal register.
Try it on paper first!
Each sentence is correct, but sounds B1 or B2. Rewrite it with less common vocabulary or a more complex structure.
Make every sentence sound C1.
This paragraph has eight errors that learners often make. Click each one you find.
Eight errors. Can you find them all?
I am agreeI agree that the programme is useful, but I think the people isare a little nervous at the start. ActuallyCurrently there is no welcome event, so I suggest to makeorganise / hold a party. It would depend ofdepend on the budget, of course. I have been a volunteer sincefor two years and I can give you more informationsinformation if you want. Students could also assist toattend a short Spanish class.
Dear Ms Okafor,
1Thank you for your email. I would be delighted to help the students who will be joining us in March, and I hope the following suggestions prove useful.
2First of all, it is worth knowing that daily life in Santiago runs on a slightly later schedule than in many other countries. Lunch is the main meal of the day and is rarely eaten before two o'clock, while dinner is often replaced by "once", a light evening meal. Visitors should also be aware that the temperature can change 3dramatically between morning and afternoon, so dressing in layers is essential.
2As for activities, I would strongly recommend a day trip to Valparaíso. Its colourful hills and street art give visitors a genuine sense of Chilean culture, and the journey by bus is both cheap and straightforward. 4Should the students prefer something more active, hiking up Cerro San Cristóbal offers a breathtaking view of the city and the Andes.
2Finally, regarding the first week, I believe the programme could make a real difference by pairing each visitor with a local student. 5Not only would this help newcomers find their way around, but it would also give them someone to turn to whenever they feel homesick or confused.
6I hope these ideas are helpful. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information.
Kind regards,
Valentina Muñoz
Matías replied to Callum (Task C). Score each criterion with the rubric, then compare.
Hi Callum!
Thanks for your email. It is very good news that you will come to Chile. I am very happy and I want to help you with your questions because I know my country very well.
First, places. You must go to the Atacama Desert because it is very beautiful and you can see the stars. Also you must go to Torres del Paine, it is very beautiful too and there are a lot of nice mountains and lakes. And Valparaíso is very nice and there is a lot of colours and art. And in Santiago you can go to the Cerro San Cristóbal. And the food in Chile is very good, you must try empanadas and completos.
Second, Spanish. Chilean Spanish is very difficult because we speak very fast and we use a lot of words that other countries don't use, like "cachai" or "po". I recommend you to watch Chilean series on Netflix and to talk with people a lot. Also you can take classes in a institute, there are a lot in Santiago and they are not very expensive. I am sure that if you practise every day you will improve your Spanish very fast.
I am waiting for your answer. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require further assistance.
Best wishes,
Matías
Part-time work is never answered, and the food tip answers nothing he asked.
Friendly, but the closing suddenly turns formal ("require further assistance").
Linking is repetitive: First, Second, Also, And, And.
Very eleven times. Errors: there is a lot of colours, recommend you to watch, a institute.
Mark it yourself first, then check with me.
Click every sentence that asks you to do something. Then send the task to the timer.
Press Start: the timer moves to the corner and the task stays on screen.
Task: choose one in Tasks, or use your own
Ready when you are.
Seven minutes, three passes. Each pass looks for one kind of problem, so you actually find it.
1Give yourself 0 to 5 on each criterion, with the rubric.
2Find your lowest score. That is where the easiest marks are.
3Make one fix for it. One clear fix beats five rushed ones.
Take a clear photo. If the AI can't read your handwriting, an examiner can't either!
Choose one to continue.
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