Band 6.0-6.5

The candidate has a range of vocabulary, allowing her to speak on all topics without obvious repetition of lexis. 

There is some evidence of an ability to collocate (e.g. take good care of; taking a course) but several attempts lead to error (e.g. put off [get rid of] my pressure; state of symbol [status symbol]). In particular, inappropriate use of let has led to a number of false collocations (e.g. let me be [cause me to be] introverted; bowling can let [help] me train). Errors also result from incorrect word form: e.g. a state of serious [seriousness] and professional [professionalism].   

There are a few occasions when a lack of vocabulary leads to a breakdown in meaning: e.g. rolling the ball to lets the bowling all down [to knock the bowling pins down].  

A range of subordinate clauses is used and the candidate is generally able to successfully manipulate basic verb tenses (present/past/future), and the passive voice, though complex verb tenses are avoided. 

A reasonable level of accuracy is maintained in Part 1, with errors becoming more frequent in Parts 2 & 3. This does not, however, seriously impact the clarity of the message. There is a range of error types – common ones being redundant/missing articles and incorrect verb forms, including redundant endings after modals and to. 

There are some problems with the production of consonants, especially th (many instances) and s (as in social/sociable, and particularly suit/s). Nonetheless, the speech is generally very clear and the message easy to follow. 

Sentence stress and intonation are employed quite effectively and there are good examples of chunking, though this is not sustained due to the disfluencies noted earlier, and particularly the excessive use of fillers at times.