8
●
past perfect
●
the passive: modal
passives
●
defining relative
clauses and non-
defining relative
clauses
●
articles: a/an, the, and
zero article
●
reported speech
●
reported questions
●
have something done
●
different types of
clause
●
verbs with two objects
At school
Travelling
Social media
Cooking
Films
Communication
Work
Hopes and dreams
Overview of the B1 Speaking Examination
The total guide time for the Speaking examination is 10 minutes, including an introduction read
by the Interlocutor. There are 2 tasks in total.
The Speaking examination takes place with one Candidate and the Interlocutor present.
Successful B1 Candidates will demonstrate the following competencies across the examination:
●
Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity on a number of familiar subjects
●
Can take active part in a discussion, presenting and justifying their views
●
Can
present clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects
●
Can explain a viewpoint
●
Can give advantages and disadvantages of each option
Candidates’ performance is assessed across four categories:
●
Pronunciation – 5 points
●
Fluency – 5 points
●
Syntax – 5 points
●
Vocabulary – 5 points
This rubric uses four 5-point scales (20 total points).
9
Pronunciation
Fluency
Phonetically correct Almost
error-free
Awareness of accent
Genuine effort to sound like native speaker
5
Smooth flow
Quick, continuous flow
Natural pauses
5
Comprehensible, generally correct
Occasional error
4
Occasional hesitation, searching for
words
Speaker can self-correct and respond to
cues
4
Frequent errors that confuse listener and
require
guessing at meaning
3
Halting, hesitating
Visibly translating before responding
Can rephrase and respond
3
Many errors that interfere with
comprehensibility
2
Frequent hesitations, searches for words
Overly translates questions before
response
Repeats question word before response
Eventually responds
2
Most utterances contain errors
Many utterances are incomprehensible
Little
communication
1
Constant searching for vocabulary, verb
tense Does not complete utterances
1
No attempt
0
No attempt
May repeat cue
0
Syntax
Vocabulary
No grammatical errors
Speaker self-corrects without hesitation
5
Very good; wide range
Uses appropriate
and new words and
expressions
Interesting response
5
Few syntax errors
Minor errors that do not impede
communication
4
Good, appropriate vocabulary
Generally good response
4
Frequent errors
Self-corrects on some
3
Vocabulary is
just adequate to respond
No attempt to vary expressions
Basic
3
Many errors (agreement, verb forms)
Errors in basic structures
Errors impede communication
2
Inadequate vocabulary or incorrect use
of lexical items
Communication difficult
2
Most structures incorrect
Constant use of infinitive; no conjugation
Listener understands
only because of past
experience
1
Incomplete sentences or fragments
Vocabulary repeated
Inappropriate vocabulary
1
10
No attempt or repeats cue
0
No attempt
Totally irrelevant answer
0
