Skills for Life
Writing Entry 2
Examination Report
2009 – Test 087
Skills for Life Writing Examination Report: Entry 2
This report is based on candidate performance on one version of the Skills for Life Writing Entry 2 tests in
2008/9.
The report is intended as an aid to teachers and colleges in preparing candidates for future Cambridge
ESOL Skills for Life Writing tests. It includes a number of sample candidate answers accompanied by
examiner comments.
Test 087
The three tasks in this test were a message enquiring about a flat share, an email to a friend requesting
help to move into a new flat and a letter to a landlord about problems in the kitchen.
There were 30 marks available on the paper: 9 for Task 1, 9 for Task 2 and 12 for Task 3. The breakdown
of marks available for each assessment focus (Text, Sentence and Word) is shown below.
Text
Sentence
Word
Total
Task 1
3
3
3
9
Task 2
3
6
0
9
Task 3
6
3
3
12
Total
12
12
6
30
Scores were highest for Text focus and lowest for Sentence focus.
Task 1 Message about flat share
Candidates generally handled this task quite well. For Text focus, most candidates covered all the content
points, the examples having enabled most candidates to give appropriate information when needed. The
final bullet point – contact details – was sometimes omitted. There were some over-long answers, which
may be explained by the large amount of rubric in this task.
For Sentence focus, there was an opportunity for candidates to produce a range of both simple and
compound sentences with some stronger candidates managing to produce embedded questions.
For Word focus, the question provided opportunities for candidates to produce a range of vocabulary, with
stronger candidates writing at length about hobbies and interests.
Task 2 Email about moving flat
Candidates on the whole coped well with this task. For Text focus, this was simple and straightforward for
most candidates and although a number omitted the final bullet point, most candidates scored highly. The
second point in particular provided candidates with the opportunity to expand on what they needed to take
and why. There were very few over-long scripts.
For Sentence focus, candidates usually produced compound sentences in response to the second bullet
point, as it allowed them to give reasons for needing help while explaining what needed to be taken.
Word focus was not assessed in this task (although the second bullet point did produce a number of
household and personal items for the new flat).
2
Task 3 Letter to landlord
Weaker candidates generally found this task challenging. For Text focus, this generally worked well
although a number of answers were underlength, and some weaker candidates had difficulty explaining the
problem or trying to decide what Mr Steed should do. Most students attempted a letter format and
addressed the letter to Mr Steed, although most attempts were rather informal in register.
For Sentence focus, although there was some lifting from the rubric, the task provided the opportunity for
candidates to produce a range of sentence types and also a range of tenses. However, it did stretch a
number of weaker candidates.
For Word focus, stronger students were able to score highly, often producing vocabulary above level, but
some weaker students struggled to find the appropriate vocabulary to describe the problems.
Recommendations for Candidate Preparation
All Cambridge ESOL Skills for Life tests are based on the Adult ESOL Core Curriculum and cover all the
Basic Skills Standards in each mode at each level. Therefore, by following the Adult ESOL Core
Curriculum, teachers will be preparing their students for the tests. Candidates will benefit from being
reminded of the following Dos and Don'ts:
Do
•
Do read all the task instructions carefully.
•
Do make sure you know all the task types by looking at practice tests.
•
Do make sure that your handwriting is clear and easy to read.
•
Do read the task carefully and plan an answer which addresses all the content points of the task.
Try to develop each point fully.
•
Do consider who you are writing to and try to write in an appropriate style and tone.
•
Do think carefully about whether the task requires you to ask, describe, invite etc and make sure
you do this in your answer.
•
Do allow time to check through what you have written.
Don’t
•
Don’t use a pencil.
•
Don’t worry if you make a few grammatical errors in tasks. Communicating the message is the most
important thing.
•
Don’t write answers which are much shorter or longer than the recommended number of words.
•
Don’t spend too long on one answer.
•
Don’t write a full, rough copy of your answer. Just write brief notes to plan your answer.
3
Sample Scripts
Sample scripts are provided for each task in the question paper. Please note that it is not possible to
reproduce the candidate answers in the original handwriting, and so any references in the commentaries to
quality of handwriting will not be reflected in the samples provided.
4
Entry 2 (Test 087) Sample Scripts and Commentaries
Entry 2 Script A
Task 1
(About 15 minutes)
You are looking for a place to live. You see this notice at your college.
Room available in shared flat
Are you studying at this college too? We are looking for a student to share our flat. We have one spare
room. If you are interested, please write to us. Tell us about yourself and how we can contact you.
Please ask any questions you want.
Lee
Write a note to Lee. In your note:
•
give some information about yourself (e.g. your hobbies and interests)
•
ask for information about the room (e.g. size, furniture, rent)
•
tell Lee how to contact you.
Write about 50 words.
Hallo Mark, how are you? Karolina told me that you have a room to rent.
Did you find somebody for this room. I would like ask about room. I
have to move out from my room and I need new. I’m working in CP
Pharmaceuticals and is parnament job. I like when it home is tidy and
clean, I don’t like loud miusic but I verry like dance and fashion. I’m
interested this room. I would like ask you about furniture because i
have bed, cabord and I use them. I like cook every day because I like
eat. If you are interested my property please for contakt whit me
012345.
I’m verry sorry for problem, but relly I need this room.
Paulina
5
Entry 2 Script A Task 1
Commentary
Text
focus
Main points of task are covered.
Text is coherent with appropriate register.
Sentence
focus
Some evidence of ability to construct compound
sentences, but it is not always maintained.
Candidate uses common adjectives effectively.
Word
focus
Candidate can spell familiar common words although
some common functional words are spelt incorrectly,
e.g. ‘verry’ and ‘whit’.
Candidate’s handwriting is consistently legible.
Band
Mark
3
3
3
3
3
3
6
Entry 2 Script B
Task 1
(About 15 minutes)
You are looking for a place to live. You see this notice at your college.
Room available in shared flat
Are you studying at this college too? We are looking for a student to share our flat. We have one spare
room. If you are interested, please write to us. Tell us about yourself and how we can contact you.
Please ask any questions you want.
Lee
Write a note to Lee. In your note:
•
give some information about yourself (e.g. your hobbies and interests)
•
ask for information about the room (e.g. size, furniture, rent)
•
tell Lee how to contact you.
Write about 50 words.
My name is Katie I am 34 years. My hobbies is wlaking,
cooking, and to usd to Living in Hounslow. I want to move I
saw your room in informed wew paper I’m interested if is still
evebleml Please
7
Entry 2 Script B Task 1
Commentary
Band
Mark
Text
focus
Only one point is covered and there is no opening and
closing formulae.
1
1
Sentence
focus
Sentence boundaries are not clearly marked and
candidate mainly uses simple sentences without
conjunctions.
2
2
Word
focus
Candidate can spell correctly some personal details and
familiar common words, but has difficulty spelling less
familiar words correctly, which causes confusion.
1
1
8
Entry 2 Script C
Task 2
(About 15 minutes)
You are moving to a new flat next week. You would like some help. Your friend Andrea has got a car.
Write an email to Andrea. In your email:
•
ask Andrea to help you
•
say what things you need to take to your new flat
•
say when you want Andrea to help you.
Write about 50 words.
To:
[email protected]
Subject:
Help to move
Hallo Andrea How are you? What are you doing
in saturday afternoon? I hope you are not busy,
because I need your help. I have to move out
from my flat because I rent new. Could you take
my bag for new flat. I don’t know nobody who
have car. I finish job at 12pm and after we can
meet and take everything. I think we need one
houers and after we can drink a beer and go to
disco.
I pay for drink!
We will see at saturday
Thanks for your help.
9
Entry 2 Script C Task 2
Commentary
Band
Mark
Text
focus
All three points are covered with some expansion.
Register is consistent and appropriate.
3
3
Sentence
focus
Candidate shows some evidence of ability to construct
compound sentences.
Evidence of range and control of sentence grammar.
Some problems with prepositions and articles.
3
5
Word
focus
Not
assessed in
this task
10
Entry 2 Script D
Task 2
(About 15 minutes)
You are moving to a new flat next week. You would like some help. Your friend Andrea has got a car.
Write an email to Andrea. In your email:
•
ask Andrea to help you
•
say what things you need to take to your new flat
•
say when you want Andrea to help you.
Write about 50 words.
To:
[email protected]
Subject:
Help to move
Dear Andrea
IF do not mind to help me moveing next Friday. to my
new flat I have so much thinks so really ned your help
we have two take cars because I don’t got money that
reson we use higt ven.
11
Entry 2 Script D Task 2
Commentary
Band
Mark
Text
focus
Only two content points are covered (help and time).
Some attempt at organisation and largely coherent.
2
2
Sentence
focus
Candidate attempts compound sentences, but problems
with sentence boundaries sometimes impede meaning.
2
3
Word
focus
Not
assessed in
this task
12
Entry 2 Script E
Task 3
(About 20 minutes)
Last week you moved into a new flat. There are some problems in the kitchen.
Write a letter to Mr Steed, the landlord. In your letter, tell Mr Steed what the problems are and say what
you would like him to do.
Write about 80 words. You do not need to write the address or the date.
Dear Mr Steed.
My name is Paulina Twarog. I rent a flat from you. I moved into a new
flat last week. A Hause is verry nice, tidy and furniture, but I have
problem whit gas metter and I need your help. I don’t have a kart for
gas metter and in this flat is very cold.You would like call to British Gas
and tell what is problem. I didn’t call because I spoke whit my boyfriend
and he said that I need reference number. I don’t know where I can find
this No. Somebody have to comming to this home and registrasion kart
for my name. I will verry preshieted for your help.
I have one more problem. I’m still wait for electrocity bild, I’m afraid
that is big bild and I would like to know because I have to pay money to
bank. If you can help me please for contact. You know whera I live.
Thank you.
Paulina Twarog
13
Entry 2 Script E Task 3
Commentary
Band
Mark
Text
focus
Intended audience is informed of main points with good
expansion.
Attention is paid to organisation including paragraphing.
3
6
Sentence
focus
Candidate shows evidence of ability to construct
compound sentences using simple conjunctions (‘but’,
‘and’ and ‘because’).
Word order is sufficiently controlled for meaning to
remain clear.
3
3
Word
focus
Candidate uses vocabulary appropriately and some
lower frequency words.
However, misspelling of familiar common words, e.g.
‘kart’ for card, mean that candidate just makes the
middle band on this scale.
2
2
14
Entry 2 Script F
Task 3
(About 20 minutes)
Last week you moved into a new flat. There are some problems in the kitchen.
Write a letter to Mr Steed, the landlord. In your letter, tell Mr Steed what the problems are and say what
you would like him to do.
Write about 80 words. You do not need to write the address or the date.
Dear Mr Steed
There are some Promlems in the kitchen. We find
water Lid in to the kitchen. Please would be
nice if you sent somebody to repay. because we
cooking in kitchen it all wet and we can’t even
made cuptea. About from that everythings is
fine in the house. We like our bed and heath
working fine. We also need help in the grader
because grss is really grown.
I hope heard from you soon
your katie
15
Entry 2 Script F Task 3
Commentary
Band
Mark
Text
focus
The intended audience is informed of some of the main
points and the text is largely coherent despite some
confusion, e.g. reference to ‘water Lid’ and ‘repay’.
No attempt at paragraphing.
2
4
Sentence
focus
Candidate shows some evidence of ability to construct
compound sentences (‘because’).
Sentence grammar is sufficiently controlled for meaning
to be communicated.
2
2
Word
focus
Candidate’s attempts to use appropriate vocabulary are
not always successful.
Handwriting is legible.
2
2
16