WRITING - Task Achievement / Task Response

Task Achievement in Writing Task 1 and Task Response in Writing Task 2 measure how well you fulfill the requirements of the two writing questions. We'll look at the TA/TR descriptors for each of the writing tasks individually.

Watch this video for an overview of how the three Task Achievement and Task Response descriptors are applied to your writing response.

TASK 1

For the Task 1 Academic test you are presented with an informational figure and your task is to, 'Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant'.

For the Task 1 General Training test you are given a scenario and your task is to, 'Write a letter to ________', followed by three bullet points asking you to, for example, 'say _______, explain _______, suggest _______ ', certain details relating to the given scenario.

The three descriptors used to rate your Task Achievement for Writing Task 1 are:

covering the task requirements;

presenting a clear overview (Ac) / purpose (GT);

covering the key features (Ac) / bullet points (GT) given in the question.

This table shows how the three Task 1 TA descriptors change from Band 5 (B5) up to Band 7 (B7):

To score above B6 for Task Achievement you must: cover the task requirements, present a clear overview (Ac) / purpose (GT), and clearly present the key features (Ac) / bullet points (GT) given in the question.

Watch this video for a Task 1 model answer break-down of TA descriptors.

Test your understanding of WRITING TASK 1 - TASK ACHIEVEMENT

TASK 2

There are three parts to every Task 2 essay question: the topic statement which introduces the subject of the essay; the task statement/question, for example, 'To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? '; and the final direction asking you to, 'Give reasons for your answer and include any releveant examples from your own knowledge or experience.'

To fulfill the task requirements for the Task 2 essay you must address all three of these points.

The three descriptors used to assess your Task Response for Writing Task 2 are concerned with:

addressing the task;

presenting a clear position;

supporting and extending your ideas.

Here's how the three Task 2 TR descriptors change from Band 5 (B5) up to Band 7 (B7):

To score above B6 for Task Response you must: address all parts of the task, present a clear position throught the essay, and present, support and extend your ideas.

Watch this video for a Task 2 model answer break-down of TR descriptors

Test your understanding of WRITING TASK 2 - TASK RESPONSE