Sample answers and comments for the digital sample test
You can find the complete digital sample on the B2 First page: camengli.sh/3YMtIM6
Question 1
Candidate A
To begin with pollution and damage to the environment is the most serious and difficult problem for countries of all
over the world. Scientists of different countries predict a global ecocatastrophe if people won’t change their attitude
to our planet.
First of all a huge damage to the environment brings a transport. People can’t imagine their living without cars,
buses, trains, ships and planes. But it’s an open secret that one of disadvantage of these accustomed things is harmful
exhaust. Needless to say that use of environment friendly engines helps us to save atmosphere from pollution.
In addition to this our rivers and seas are in not less danger situation. It’s a fact of common knowledge that numerous
factories and plants pour off their waste to ponds. Obviously that cleaning manufacturing water helps to avoid
extinction of ocean residents.
Apart from this I’m inclined to believe that every person can and must contribute to solving this important problem.
Doing a little steps for protection our environment every day we will be able to save our Earth. And it’s a task of each of
us.
Comments
SUBSCALE MARK COMMENTARY
All content is relevant to the task. However, the target reader is on the whole informed,
rather than being fully informed. Both numbered points (transport; rivers and seas) are
referred to with some discussion of the problems caused (harmful exhaust; factories which
pour off their waste to ponds) and some limited mention of solutions.
Content 4
No tangible 3rd aspect of environmental damage is discussed.
While the writer does conclude with a strong statement of opinion (every person can and
must) the reader is not fully informed on the solutions proposed (Doing a little steps for
protection our environment every day we will be able to save our Earth).
The essay is written in a consistently neutral register and the format is appropriate for the
communicative task, using more formal language to introduce the ideas within the text (To
begin with; First of all; It’s a fact of common knowledge).
Communicative There is a clear essay structure with an opening statement, topic paragraphs and a
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Achievement conclusion which sums up the writer’s point of view.
Straightforward ideas are communicated to the target reader but when more complex
ideas are attempted these are sometimes not as successful (Obviously that cleaning
manufacturing water helps to avoid extinction of ocean residents).
The text is generally well organised and coherent, using a variety of linking words and
cohesive devices, particularly to introduce the ideas throughout the text (To begin with; In
addition to this; Needless to say; Apart from this).
Organisation 3 The essay is clearly organised into paragraphs, which each deal with one idea. Occasionally
the follow-up examples are not as clearly connected as they could be. For example, they
discuss how factories pollute pond water and then offer a solution which would help ocean
residents.
There is a range of everyday vocabulary used appropriately with some attempt to use more
sophisticated lexis (a global ecocatastrophe; atmosphere; common knowledge; factories
and plants; inclined to believe; must contribute to solving).
Language 3
There is a range of simple and some more complex grammatical forms used, and although
there are errors, these do not impede communication (a huge damage; People can’t imagine
their living without cars; one of disadvantage; in not less danger situation).
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Question 1
Candidate C
DEVELOPMENT VS ENVIRONMENT
If we surf the web looking for pollution and environmental catastrophes, we will find out that every country in the world
suffers them. This is a natural consequence of the struggle between development and environment.
If a country decided to live isolated from the rest of the world, living on what it can naturally grow and produce, it
surely wouldn’t be highly polluted. But we all want exotic food and technological items from all over the world, so we
have to pay the price.
Investing on electrical transport would benefit the environment a lot. Even more if this electricity came from a natural
source of energy like wind, rivers and solar boards. It’s difficult to achieve this because petrol companies will fight
against these actions.
We also have to take care of our rivers and seas. We all have heard about factories throwing highly toxic substances to
rivers, without minimizing their poisoning effects. A really strict law should be applied to fine these factories and make
them change their policy.
But what about ourselves? We also can do a lot! If, when possible, we bought larger packs of food, we would be
producing less rubbish. And this is only an example!
Comments
SUBSCALE MARK COMMENTARY
All content is relevant to the task and the target reader is fully informed.
Transport is discussed with suggestions of how using different forms of transport would help
the environment (Investing on electrical transport would benefit the environment a lot). The
candidate then evaluates the suggestion (It’s difficult to achieve this …).
Content 5 Water pollution is described and a solution is offered (A really strict law should be applied
to fine these factories). The writer’s opinion is clear in the choice of modal should.
A third aspect (waste reduction) is introduced in the final paragraph with a suggestion
about how to achieve this (If, when possible, we bought larger packs of food …). The writer’s
opinion is expressed clearly (We also can do a lot!).
The conventions of the essay format are used effectively to hold the target reader’s
attention.
There is an introductory paragraph which outlines the issues in general terms, and the
Communicative concluding paragraph sums up in more concrete terms, what we, the readers can do to help.
5
Achievement The register is consistently appropriate and the subject matter is dealt with in an objective
manner, for example Investing on electrical transport; If a country decided.
Straightforward and complex ideas are communicated (It’s difficult to achieve this because
petrol companies will fight against these actions).
The essay is well organised and coherent, using a variety of cohesive devices.
The paragraphs are introduced in a variety of ways, using grammatical structures rather
Organisation 4 than obvious linkers (If we surf the web; If a country decided; Investing on; We also have
to; But what about). More could be done to link across the paragraphs, to make them less
independent, but the overall effect is of a cohesive text.
There is a wide range of vocabulary, including less common lexis used appropriately
(environmental catastrophes; highly polluted; exotic food; highly toxic substances; minimizing
their poisoning effects; change their policy).
There is a range of simple and complex grammatical forms used with a good degree
Language 5
of control and flexibility to convey certain ideas succinctly, for example, This is a natural
consequence of the struggle between development and environment; we all want exotic
food and technological items from all over the world, so we have to pay the price.
There are minimal errors which do not impede communication.
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