Task achievement:
the student has achieved the task well. All three bullet points have been
covered, although the second (describe the neighbourhood) lacks some detail.
The tone is
appropriate throughout.
Coherence and cohesion:
paragraphing is managed well, and ideas are arranged logically.
The student has used a range of linking words and devices such as
first of all, while
and
one
other thing.
Grammatical linking devices such as pronouns are used well.
Lexical resource:
the vocabulary is adequate for the task and is flexible enough for language
to be fairly precise (a
beautiful backyard,
so
many facilities),
but could have shown more range.
Spelling is flawless.
Grammatical range and accuracy:
the candidate has used a few complex sentences, but most
are simple. Most sentences are error-free and mistakes in word order
(has also)
and subject
verb agreement
(there are an enormous living
room) do not affect understanding. Another
error appears to be a slip (a
really appreciated).
Punctuation is handled extremely well.
This candidate would be likely to get a high score in the exam.
Writing Practice Test 4: Task 2
Native speaker model answer
In countries such as Australia, there are two types of schools for primary and secondary
students: public (government) schools and private schools. Private schools still typically
receive funding from the government, something I believe is wrong and should end
immediately.
The first reason government funding to private schools should be discontinued is simple
fairness. Private schools already receive a great deal of money from their tuition fees, not
to mention the large donations they are often given by wealthy alumni. To add government
money to this is patently unfair to public schools, who often struggle to pay for materials and
quality teachers.
Secondly, private schools should not receive money because they are not subject to the
same controls as public institutions. They might teach subjects that go against the public
interest, and many religious private schools discriminate against students who do not
practise their religion. They should not, therefore, receive money that comes from taxpayers.
Finally, I believe that giving money to private schools is likely to lead to the erosion of the
public system. Parents naturally want
the best for their children, and so they will fight to
send them to private schools that have more resources. In the end it may be impossible for
All the authors would like to thank Michael James of IDP for facilitating contact and providing
meeting venues and all the IELTS centre staff at the centres we work at: IDP, UWA and PIBT, as
well as students and colleagues who have provided written samples and have trialled materials.
The author and the publisher wish to thank the following copyright holders for reproduction
of their material.
© The West Australian, p.11; Donate Life: Australian Organ Donation Register, Medicare
Australia Organ &TissueAuthority © Commonwealth of Australia, 2011, pp.14-15; Reproduced
by permission of International Student Volunteers, p.18; Dreamstime.com/ Alexandra 1977, p.18
(right); shutterstock.com, p.18 (left to second right); iStockphoto.com/Diana Lundin, p.20;
© Maintaining Your Home,BRANZ,2006,p.20;Reproduced by permission of Australian Capital
Tourism, p.24; Reproduced by permission of Anness Publishing Ltd, pp.25-6; From
At Home:
A Short History
of
Private Life
by Bill Bryson, published by Double Day. Reprinted by permission
ofThe Random House Group Limited, pp.32-3; From
Communication Skills Toolkit: Unlocking
the Secrets of Tertiary Success,
Grellier & Goerke, Cengage Learning Australia, 2010, pp.37-8;
Reproduced by permission of the Futura Group, pp.39-40; Reproduced by permission of the
University of Western Australia, pp.43-4; Reproduced with permission from Choice.com au,
pp.51-2; Reproduced by permission of ReachOut. More youth mental health resources are
available at reachout.com.au and teachers.reachoutpro.com.au, pp.54-5; Reproduced by
permission
of the author, Emily Anthes, pp.59-61; Kim W ilson, The Age, 2 April 2004. This
work has been licensed by Copyright Agency Limited (CAL). Except as permitted by the
Copyright Act, you must not re-use this work without the permission of the copyright owner
or CAL, pp.65-7; Reproduced by permission of Trafalgar Tours, pp. 70-1; Immunise Australia
Program, Department of Health and Ageing © Commonwealth of Australia, 2002, p.72;
©The West Australian, pp. 73-4; Courtesy Campus Library Services, Polytechnic West, Perth,
pp.75-6; Extract from
Culture Smart! China,
by Kathy Flower, 2010, Kuperard. Reproduced
by permission of Kuperard Publishing (Great Britain), pp.76-9; Reproduced by permission of
RACWA, pp.82-3; All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Thomson Reuters
content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior
written consent ofThomson Reuters. Thomson Reuters and its logo are registered trademarks
or trademarks of the Thomson Reuters group of companies around the world. © Thomson
Reuters 2011. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which
requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests, p.83; Text reproduced with the
permission of Department of Environment and Conservation, pp.84-5; Courtesy
Campus
Library Services, Polytechnic West, Perth, pp.86-7; From
Communication Skills Toolkit: Unlocking
