Sample tasks with

examiner comments
Task: Part 2 – review

2. You see this announcement in an international music magazine:

Subscale Mark Commentary
Music of your homeland
Content 5 All content is relevant to the task.
We would like to know which pieces of music readers feel represent their country well. Send us a review
about two popular pieces of music from your country, comparing them, explaining which ways they The target reader is fully informed. There is information about two pieces of music
reflect the positive aspects of your country’s culture, and recommending which one a visitor to your and how they relate positively to the country of origin, particularly in terms of the
country should definitely listen to. characteristics of the people living in different regions. A clear recommendation is
We will publish the best review. made, referring to where the reader may want to visit.

Communicative 3 The conventions of a review are used effectively to hold the target reader’s
Write your review. Achievement attention and communicate straightforward and complex ideas. The tone is
positive and encouraging: It is a great description; is a great and strong message; how
special these are for their people; you should definitely listen.
Sample answer 6
Organisation 3 The text is well organised and coherent, using a variety of cohesive devices and
At first I was doubting a lot about wich two songs should I pick for representing my organisational patterns to generally good effect: At first; so I think it can be; even
Spain, my homeland, but I have decided to select two regional ones. though you can be tired … you can never give up; The second song; both of them.

 The first of it is “Ikusi Mendizaleak”. It talks about the place where I was born the
Basque Country. The tradition of the song Almost all people here knows it so I think
There is a clear structure to the text through the use of paragraphing and each
paragraph has a clear focus and internal structure.
it can be representative for this norther Spain teritor territory. The song talks Language 2 A range of everyday vocabulary, and some less common lexis, is used
about a group of people that go to the mountains and see beautifull places with appropriately: my homeland; representative; make it to your objective.
green grass and a lot of forests. It is a great description of Basque Country wich is A range of simple and some complex grammatical forms is used with a good
full of precious, natural places and mountains so worthy to visit. Also it talks about degree of control: Also it talks about how even though you can be tired and the path
how even al though you can be tired and the path can be hard you can never give up can be hard you can never give up until you make it to your objective.
untill you make it to your objective, wich I think is a great and strong message. There are some errors: The first of it is; beautifull; wich is 1000km far away from; Also
talks about, but these do not impede communication.
The second song I have chosen for representing my homeland is about Seville wich
is 1000km far away from the Basque Country. I can’t remember the song title but
here in Spain we all know it. It starts with “Sevilla tiene un color espc especial” this
meaning Seville has a special colour. It describes the beautifull places the city has
and how special th these are for their people. Also talks about how the people there
locals are different from the rest of Spain and how happy and well they live.
To summarise if you ever wanted to go to the north of Spain you should definitely
listen to the first one and if you wanted to go South to the second, both of them
are marvelous places to visit and stay!

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 Sample tasks with
examiner comments
Task: Part 2 – review

Sample answer 7
Subscale Mark Commentary
Music of my homeland: ‘The River’
Content 5 All content is relevant to the task.
Did you know that in China traditional music enjoys just as much popularity as
The target reader is fully informed about the two pieces of music and there is a
modern Pop music? As someone who usually listens to the younger generation-radio, clear recommendation of which one a visitor to China should listen to.
I could hardly believe the parallel success of the two completely different styles of
Communicative 4 The review is written in a natural, confident style and by addressing the reader
music – until I listened to the traditional song ‘The River’ for the first time. Achievement directly, the tone is engaging throughout: Did you know that … ; one gets the
Unlike the current number one single ‘little red apple’ in the modern charts, which feeling of; And if you are not a fan of. Straightforward and complex ideas, for
example when considering the connection between the two pieces of music (first
is full of positive energy and easy to dance to, ‘The River’ provides a deep insight
paragraph) and describing the effect of listening to ‘The River’ (second paragraph)
into the Chinese history and its culture. Just by listening to this traditional and are communicated effectively.
sentimental song one gets the feeling of being lifted into another space and time,
Organisation 3 The text is well organised and coherent. The ideas are connected within and across
when thousands of years ago the Chinese farmers were working hard in the rice
sentences and paragraphs using a variety of cohesive devices: As someone who; of
fields, surrounded by the astonishing sound of massive river waves. If one closes the the two completely different styles of music; And if you are not … ; don’t be put off by
eyes, one can almost see the idyllic nature of giant China, in front of oneself, long its title; which can easily cheer you up.
 before the Industrial Revolution and wars. Sentences are generally long and complex and there is some use of organisation
patterns, for example ordering information in sentences to create anticipation: As
And if you are not a fan of traditional music, don’t be put off by its title. ‘The
someone who … until I listened to … ; Unlike the current number one … ‘The River’
River’ provides more than simply the description of nature, but it also throws an provides …
interesting light on the mentality of the Chinese: the strong mind, the persistance,
Language 4 A range of vocabulary, including some less common lexis, is used effectively:
the never-ending motivation, that still can be seen today. a deep insight into; sentimental song; idyllic; throws an interesting light on the
In conclusion, ‘little red apple’ is for me a good and popular song in China, which can mentality; persistance; never-ending motivation, although there are occasional
instances of less appropriate usage resulting from ambition: parallel success;
easily cheer you up, representing the positive attitude of the Chinese. But if you
astonishing sound; giant China.
want to turn away from Westernized music, ‘The River’ is definitely the Chinese
A range of simple and complex grammatical forms is used with control and
song that I would recommend to anybody who wants to visit my homeland and to flexibility. There are minimal slips, for example with the use of articles and the
learn about the Chinese culture from its earliest stages. incorrect spelling of persistance, but these do not impede communication.

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