Band 6.0-6.5

The candidate is able to discuss familiar and unfamiliar topics. There are some nice examples of native-like, idiomatic expressions (pretty much; come in handy) but the range is limited by a general unwillingness to extend responses and in the end, there are few less common words. This is accentuated by a limited range of adverbs, resulting in the constant use of very.

Some inappropriate word choices/collocations have the potential to cause confusion (e.g. art district; go other things; employer to wear appropriate).

A good range of subordinate clauses is presented but the frequency of grammatical errors limits the band. Number agreement of one type or another (e.g. a lots of) is a consistent problem, as is subject/verb agreement in Parts 2 & 3 (e.g. a person that love[s]). Verb form errors are also noticeable, particularly when one verb immediately follows another (e.g. I prefer to watching) and in relation to inappropriate use of present participles (e.g. they also asking me). In Part 1, present simple tense is often used when referring to the past (as I tell you before; when I was young, I love …)

Intonation and especially sentence stress are employed effectively throughout the test. There are also good examples of chunking, though this is not always sustained over longer periods of speech.

Phonetic accuracy is generally good. The r is sometimes omitted in consonant clusters (prefer; brand; sports).