This document provides information and instructions for a writing assessment. It will be 90 minutes long and contain two questions. The first question involves interpreting data or information from stimuli provided and writing a 150-200 word response. The second question is an extended writing task of at least 350 words on a given topic. The document provides vocabulary, phrases, and expressions for describing trends in data. It also gives advice on how to structure responses, including emphasizing key points and using evidence and examples to support ideas. Scoring criteria are outlined for evaluating responses.

1. Weighting : 30 %
Duration : 90 minutes
Number of questions : 2
Posssible genres : Report, article,
letter,essay.
Task : Question 1 (interpretation of
information based on specific stimuli
provided -150-200 words)
Question 2 –
Extended writing (no less than 350
words)

2. QUESTION
1
Present an accurate and clear overview of main
trends,differences and patterns.
Presents, highlights and illustrates key features
successfully.
Analyse and synthesizes information effectively.
Uses accurate language and meaning.
Is able to link ideas effectively
Answer shows clearly unity with evidence of
planning.

3. 
 Spend some time reading the graph(S) or chart(s)
and prepare your answer.
 Write in your own words what the data is about.
 Understand what the axis on the graph(S) or the
percentages in bar or pie charts represent.
 Focus on the key information or important trends.
 Compare and combine data from both stimuli -
this is synthesis of data –use to support your points.
 Use sequence expressions-first of all,after that etc.
 Describe and report your findings.
 Use appropriate tenses.
 Be consious of the number of words.
DO

4.  Start writing immediately.
 Copy the question or instructions.
 Repeat the same words in the chart in your
report.
 Write information that is not found in the
stimuli.
 Give opinions.
 Only use data from one stimulus.
 Use too many words or spend too much time
on this question.
DON’TS

5.  Verb
 Rose(to)
 Increased(to)
 Went up(to)
 Climbed(to)
 Surged(to)
 Escalated(to)
 Verbs
 Fell(to)
 Declined(to)
 Decreased(to)
 Went down(to)
 Reduced(to)
 Dropped(to)
 Nouns
 A rise
 An increase
 Growth
 An upward trend
 A surge
 Nouns
 A fall
 A decline
 A decrease
 A drop
 A slump(a dramatic fall)
 A plunge

6.  Levelled out(at)
 Remained unchanged(at)
 Remained stable(at)
 Remained steady(at)
 Verbs
 Rose and fell
 Fluctuated
 Changed
 Peaked at
 Stood at
 A levelling out
 No change
 Nouns
 A rise and fall
 A fluctuation
 A change
 Reached a pole(of)

7.  Adjectives
 Dramatic
 Considerable
 Significant
 Moderate
 Sharp
 minimal
 Adverbs
 dramatically
 Considerably
 Significally
 Moderately
 Sharply
 minimally

8.  Adjectives
 Rapid
 Quick
 Sudden
 Gradual
 Slow
 instant
 Adverbs
 Rapidly
 Quickly
 Suddenly
 Gradually
 Slowly
 instantly

9. Ranking (top bottom) Example
1.Most important The most important trend…
The most essential…
The main priority…
…pay the most attention to…
…place the importance on…
2.Next in importance The second/third/fourth in
importance
Other important issues…
3.Least important The least important…
Subordinate to…
Place the least importance on…

10. QUESTION
2
Shows excellence response to task.
Shows mature treatment of topic.
Confident control of language.
Wide variety of vocabulary and sentence
structure.
Link ideas efficiently.
EVALUATION CRITERIA

11.  Spend sometime to understand the task.
 Plan your essay properly.
 State your stand (if it is called for)-state if you support
or di disagree)
 Provide convincing and relevant reasons or arguments.
 Give ideas in order of importance(logical flow)
 Use appropriate tenses.
 Use appropriate and varied vocabulary and structures.
 Conclude with a brief summary.
DO

12.  Start writing without planning.
 Write less than 350 words.
 Write a conclusion that is too brief or add
new points in the conclusion.
DON’TS

13. STAGE 1
PREVIEW (consider audience,purpose of
writing,brainstorming)
STAGE 2
DRAFTING(outline,thesis statement,topic
sentences,supporting details)
STAGE 3
REVISING(refine/make sentences concise
and clear)
STAGE 4 EDITING(check grammar,punctuation and
spelling)

14. 1.Financial education should be introduced as
a compulsory subject in schools. Do you
agree?
2.Parents know best as far as careers are
concerned? What do you think?
3.Social networking sites such as Facebook and
Twitter as well as blogging have destroyed
communication between friends and family.
Do you agree?