Use the resources below to build up a better understanding of what IELTS assesses and the level of English proficiency you can expect for each band score. This will help you to set the appropriate score requirements for your course or role.
Receptive skills: Listening and Reading
These skills involve understanding and interpreting information. Test takers must show their ability to understand, interpret, and extract meaning from spoken and written English.
The IELTS Listening and Reading tests use a variety of tasks to assess language ability. The answers your applicants provide are either correct or incorrect and are graded accordingly.
Productive skills: Writing and Speaking
These skills involve producing and expressing language. Test takers must show their ability to construct responses, organise ideas effectively, and communicate with accuracy and fluency.
The IELTS Writing test asks test takers to produce written language, and the IELTS Speaking test asks them to produce spoken language. Use the marking criteria to understand how their answers are graded and the band score descriptors and sample answers to see what level of English you can expect.
IELTS on computer
If you’d like to see how the Listening, Reading, and Writing sections look on a computer-based test, visit the IELTS sample questions for test takers page.
Band 5 | Tina, Vietnam
Part 2: Interests and hobbies
Examiner: Tina, now I'm going to give you a topic and I'd like you to talk about it for one to two minutes. Before you talk you will have one minute to think about what you're going to say. You can make some notes if you wish. Do you understand?
Tina: Yeah.
Examiner: Here's some paper and pencil for making notes. And here's your topic. I'd like you to describe an interest or hobby that you enjoy. All right, Tina. Remember you have one to two minutes for this, so don't worry if I stop you. I'll tell you when the time is up.
Tina: Okay.
Examiner: Can you start speaking now please.
Tina: Okay.
My interest or hobby that I enjoy is shopping and picnics to spend time with my family or friends.
Or especially I want to do volunteers.
For shopping I think when I feel stressed out I can stop being I can relax with to buy a new clothes. For me, in the special days, and in picnic.
I think a picnic and travel I think I can widen my knowledge.
As well I can make more friends from many countries and especially if I travel with my friend or my family I can spend time to understand them.
And for me, the the more important is to volunteer because
I love, actually I loved people.
So I want to spend time to help them to overcome or try to get over the problem so I offer in before when I live in Vietnam I often go to the church and or some association and I can I often ask my friend to to contribute and lend a hand to help the poor people or the old people.
Because I think old people also my grandparents so I want to take care for them.
Examiner: Yes.
Tina: And in the future I also want to beautiful the big house and I will I will maybe I will take a good care for whole family or the children's and I think I they will have a better life.
I hope that.
Examiner: Thank you. Do you think you always be interested in this?
Tina: Yeah. I think that.
When engage with the to volunteer especially I I feel stressed out is a disappear and I enjoy with it.
Examiner: Thank you. May have the booklet and the paper and pencil back please. Thank you.
Examiner comments
This test taker is able to maintain the flow of speech for most of the time but there are hesitations as well as some repetition and self-correction. This, together with the fact that she describes several interests rather than one interest, makes her hard to follow at times and leads to some loss of coherence (before when I live in Vietnam I often go to … church and or some association … er … I can … er … I often ask my friend to … er … to contribute … er … er … and give a hand to help the poor people … or the old people because I think the old people are so … er … my … is look like my grandparents so I want to take good care for them). She can use markers accurately but within a narrow range (first; so; because; as well; in the future).
Her rather limited range of vocabulary is just adequate for this part of the test. She manages to talk at some length about these familiar topics and produces some good items (widen my knowledge; to overcome or try to get over the problem; contribute; take good care). She makes some errors in usage (do volunteers).
She uses a narrow range of sentence patterns, but there are a few instances of ‘if’ and ‘when’ clauses. She produces basic structures with reasonable accuracy but verb tense errors and omissions are frequent (I can shopping; before when I live in Vietnam I often go ... ; in picnic; I enjoy with it).
She has quite a strong accent with a number of poorly formed sounds and systematic omission of word endings (lee a han for ‘lend a hand’). Rhythm is often syllable-timed and utterances are sometimes delivered too rapidly, which causes some difficulty for the listener.
Despite this test taker’s ability to keep going throughout her long turn, her grammatical limitations and pronunciation problems restrict her rating to Band 5.
Band 5 | Katsuharu, Japan
Part 3: Hobbies
Examiner: Well we've been talking about interests and hobbies, and I'd like to discuss with you one or two more general questions related to this, um let's think about the social benefits of hobbies. Do you think that hobbies do have social benefits?
Katsuharu: I think so.
Examiner: So what kind of benefits?
Katsuharu: Benefit um so in my case um as I was saying I I used to go fishing, so if I go fishing I can relax, and um we will pay money for to buy some fishing load, fishing wheels, uh sometimes lures so uh lure or flight so I think it's good for social.
Examiner: Is is fishing a social kind of hobby?
Katsuharu: I think, I hope, I hope so and um social hobby yeah under, this is difficult question I think, well um but I I think so honestly um and um
Examiner: Is it possible for people to spend too much time on their hobbies do you think?
Katsuharu: Well I think so always hobby is expensive uh for example fishing lot um when if I go fishing probably I have to spend 4, um, 6 hours, 7 hours, 8 hours, I think or all night all day
Examiner: And why is that a problem why if people do spend a lot of time
Katsuharu: Yes
Examiner: Like a problem why is it a problem why could it be a problem
Katsuharu: well I tend I tend to think uh it's no problem for me but uh some of them has problem of course
Examiner: But what about for people in general and could it be a problem?
Katsuharu: could it be a problem um, well probably if someone has um very good hobby uh he wants to spend a lot of time for hobbies so uh sometimes probably this person doesn't want to work I think yes also in my case.
Examiner: You mentioned a lot of interests that you have a lot of hobbies that you have, why is it important for people to have hobbies do you think?
Katsuharu: Um, I think it's not essential but um if we have hobbies we as I said we can relax and we can enjoy, so uh hobby hobby always provides us um good feeling I think, and good feeling and atmospheres so and so on.
Examiner: Thinking about leisure time now in Japan what would you say was the typical balance of leisure time and work time.
Katsuharu: Where uh, actually I've never worked in Japan, so I don't know exactly but I think almost Japanese businessman has to work very hard every day, so just for holiday for example on sun just Sunday and they can spend their time to for hobby I think.
Examiner: Is it the same now as it was say 50 years ago do you think?
Katsuharu: 50 years ago well I think, um, in my opinion 50 years ago, um, it's difficult, um, 50 years ago, um, Japan, um, all the Japanese people had more time I think because nowadays, um, now in Japan has deoration so it's too difficult to get a job now so we have to we have to work very very hard extremely hard so uh.
Examiner: Do you think people have enough leisure time generally in Japan?
Katsuharu: It's depend on people I think.
Examiner: And what about the future?
Katsuharu: future?
Examiner: Yes will people have more time or less time?
Katsuharu: Uh less time I think, even less, yes even less almost Japanese people likes maybe I like working I think could be.
Examiner: So is work a kind of leisure if they like it then?
Katsuharu: Yes but uh as I said it depend on people.
Examiner: Well thank you very much the end of the speaking test.
Katsuharu: Ah thank you very much.
Examiner comments
In spite of some hesitation, the test taker can generally maintain the flow of speech, but he does not offer sufficient extension to give long responses. He uses a range of connectives and markers, although these tend to be rather mechanical and are almost always at the beginning of his sentences (I think so; in my case; as I was saying). There is some hesitation, reformulation and occasional loss of coherence (I think … erm … in my opinion 50 years ago … erm … it’s difficult … 50 years ago … erm … Japan all the Japanese people had more time I think), but generally simple speech is produced with some fluency.
He tends to personalise responses and also uses vocabulary repetitively (hobby; relax; enjoy; work; businessman), which indicates a lack of confidence in his resource. Nevertheless, he demonstrates sufficient language to talk about more general trends (expensive; essential; good feeling; work extremely hard).
He tends to use a limited range of structures repetitively, including ‘if’ clauses (if I go fishing, I can relax; if someone has a very good hobby, he wants to spend a lot of time for hobbies), but with little complexity beyond these. He is able to demonstrate control of basic structures, but errors occur repeatedly (some of them has problem; just Sunday they can spend their time for hobby).
His speech is generally clear, although there is some mispronunciation of sounds and words (zer for ‘their’); rhythm is frequently interrupted and stress and intonation patterns are not always appropriate.
This is a good example of a Band 5 performance.
Band 6 | Stephen, China
Part 3: Hobbies
Examiner: We've been talking about an interest that you enjoy, and I'd like to discuss with you one or two more general questions related to this.
Stephen: Yeah.
Examiner: Let's consider, first of all, the social benefits of hobbies. So, how might having a hobby be good for a person's social life?
Stephen: Um... first of all, I guess once you have got a hobby it's more easy for you to meet... meet some other guys who have who also has the same hobby.
Cause I I dunno there some club like fitness first. If you like doing activities you can go there and meet friends. It will broaden your friendship.
Examiner: What about hobbies that are very... they don't need other people? What about hobbies that are quite solitary?
Stephen: It can kill a spare time, I guess. Cause sometimes like watching movies, or playing computer games, it's both of them are good ways to kill the time.
Examiner: But do you think it improves their social involvement?
Stephen: Yeah, sure, 'cause if you are... if you are... if you don't know what to do maybe you'll make trouble for to the society.
Once you have got something to do, maybe you just stay at home. Cause I don't know there are some people they don't know what to do there is spare times.
They go out and drink and then make troubles for the society.
Examiner: What about spending too much time on a person's hobby? Do you think that there are negative effects for that person?
Stephen: Uh... it depends. Sometimes uh... sometimes I may say yes 'cause like if you... if you just... if you have got a hobby, just enjoy yourself by... enjoy something by yourselves.
Maybe it's not good 'cause um... at least someone have to get some time to like contact with the other people and get more socialised.
Examiner: Why do people need a hobby?
Stephen: Why do people need a hobby?
Ah it's... it's really a hard question.
What do people need a hobby... um... I guess uh...
Why do people need a hobby.
Sorry I really don't know about this answer.
And I couldn't find answer.
Examiner: Well let's move on to talk about leisure time. So, in China, how much time do people spend on work, and how much time do they spend on leisure?
Stephen: Normally we work eight hours a day, five days a week. That's 40 hours in total. And we've got two days free every week. Yes that's exactly people like spend on work and leisure time.
Examiner: Would you say that that's the same as in the past? Or in the past did people work more?
Stephen: Ah, yes past actually people work more. Especially in there is a period like China opening up to the world. And it's the time I guess people work over worked over 40 hours.
But now likes government they try to... how to say... cut down the working shifts. So there they are more work opportunities because once you work more hours there are less work opportunities. Cause you can work... if you can work 80 hours maybe they only need a one shift.
But if you just work 40 hours there may be no need two shifts so more people can get work.
Examiner: Now, what about the amount of free time. Do you think that in the last 50 years or so in China the amount of free time has changed much?
Stephen: Yeah it has changed a lot 'cause in the past times we hadn't got much spare time like public holidays but in recent a couple of years the government added more national public holiday within a year so people so we call it a golden holiday.
Like we have got five or seven days for people just for free. And they may go travel round their country. It can improve the GDP.
Examiner: So that is designed to give people a holiday?
Stephen: Yeah.
Examiner: Those people who work quite a lot?
Stephen: Yeah, I guess so. Cause we have also get some... get some holidays like during Shanghai exhibition, and Beijing Olympic Games, the people in Beijing and Shanghai they've got extra public holidays.
That's sweet.
Examiner: Well thank you very much. That's the end of the Speaking test.
Examiner comments
This test taker is willing to speak at length but there are moments when coherence is lost as a result of repetition, self-correction and hesitation and he is unable to answer the question about why people need a hobby. He is able to use a variety of markers to link his ideas (first of all; I guess; like; it depends; at least; so), although these are not always used appropriately. Limitations in his performance are evident when he falls back on fillers such as how to say; how do you say.
He has a wide enough vocabulary to discuss topics at length (China opening up to the world; cut down the working shifts; more work opportunities), but while he uses some natural colloquial expressions (some other guys; that’s sweet), there are also some collocation errors (broaden your friendship; kill the spare time; in the past times; make more troubles). These rarely cause comprehension problems.
He produces a mix of short and complex sentence forms with a variety of grammatical structures. However, overall his grammatical control is variable and errors recur (you are make trouble to the society; people like spend; in the past … people work more … there is a period; may go travel round; we have also get), although these do not impede communication.
His pronunciation is generally clear and he divides the flow of his speech into meaningful word groups with good use of stress and intonation (normally we work eight hours a day, five days a week – that’s 40 hours in total). Generally he can be understood, but occasionally some words are hard to catch because of mispronunciation of sounds (bose for ‘both’; yoursels for ‘yourself’; cupper years for ‘couple of years’; zen for ‘then’; word for ‘world’).
This test taker is a good example of a Band 6.
Band 6 | Maxim, Russia
Part 3: Hobbies
Examiner: Now we've been talking about interests or hobbies and I'd like to discuss with you one or two more general questions related to this let's consider first of all current and future hobbies
Maxim: Hmm in my country really gardening it's very popular hobby but it's because um necessity people usually maybe grow potato or something like this just to to uh to have a more cheap food
Examiner: Are there other popular hobbies?
Maxim: Yes are the popular hobbies, maybe reading, collecting books because it was very difficult to find to find good books in in recent times but so it is really really big hobby reading.
Examiner: Why do you think reading is such a big hobby just because it was difficult to find books or is there any other reason?
Maxim:Um I think there were few entertainments in recent times also there was no a lot of good films and uh a lot of some shows so uh people did prefer to read good books and to entain this way the themselves.
Examiner: What kinds of hobbies do you think will be popular in the future?
Maxim: In the future I think uh the same hobbies as in other developed uh developed counties like maybe host riding or uh some sport activity now very popular because there are a lot of equiping a lot of facilities now um especially in the big big cities so even uh how to say yacht sailing also now popular.
Examiner: Those are active hobbies that what you're mentioning um do you think in your country that that's that they would be particular particularly popular compared with things say like the computer?
Maxim: Uh computer uh are very popular of course and uh most people play computer games and um surfing in internet but it's not very how to say fashionable now maybe so we we have a lot of other possibilities to travel around country and to hunting for example, fishing there are a lot of place to do it here right.
Examiner: So here we're thinking about people's leisure time, really what's the the balance between Leisure and work in your country?
Maxim: Hmm um you see it's when we speak about um uh for example Moscow, of course in Moscow people uh usually work long hours long hours really and uh they're uh overwork maybe sometimes uh so um but uh on the other side they had a lot of um possibilities to a lot of entertainment there are a lot of uh casinos for example shows cinemas and everything so do.
Examiner: You think the balance is about right between work and Leisure or not?
Maxim: Uh in Moscow I think it's it's about uh right but I'd prefer to have shorter hours shorter work hours because I usually it uh considered as um uh as necessary to work for top managers or middle managers just uh from 9 to um at least 8 or 9 it's it's normal and in consultancy agency they work 12 hours and uh it's of course not very very well for family and for for health.
Examiner: Do you think this will change in the future?
Maxim: Um I'm I'm not sure that that it will change in in nearest future uh I think uh the schedule of work will be even harder stronger harder tougher.
Examiner: Why?
Maxim: Yeah because of there are big um big resources and not uh markets u in general not developed so there are a lot of job to do and a lot of uh money to earn so uh companies uh companies now in Russia in in in very much in a hurry to to reach uh to how to say to develop very fast so most companies now developing maybe twice or or three times a year so it's no time to relax absolutely.
Examiner: All right thank you very much that's the end of the speaking test. Thank you.
Maxim: Thank you.
Examiner comments
This test taker is able to keep going and is willing to give long answers, although he sometimes does not directly answer the examiner’s questions. There is some hesitation and repetition in his speech, however, and this limits his fluency. He uses a range of discourse markers, although not always appropriately or accurately (but on the other side; in nearest future).
His vocabulary is sufficient to discuss the topics at some length (collecting books; developed countries; horse riding; facilities; fashionable; consultancy agency), and in spite of some uncertainty (how to say?) and some inaccurate word choice (It’s of course not very well for family and for health), he generally conveys his ideas and opinions effectively.
He attempts to use a mix of simple and complex structures, but his control of grammar is rather variable. Omissions of verbs, as well as minor errors, become quite frequent towards the end of the test (there are few entertainments in recent times; there are a lot of job to do; most companies now developing maybe twice or three times a year), although these rarely impede communication. His grammatical control is the weakest aspect of his performance in this part, but his range of structures is sufficient for the higher band.
His pronunciation is his best feature. It is generally clear, although occasional words are difficult to catch (shotter for ‘shorter’; shadow? work). He maintains effective use of stress, rhythm and intonation (people did prefer to read good books and entertain this way), despite lapses.
In this part, the test taker’s performance reaches Band 6.
Band 6.5 | Michal, Poland
Part 2: A well-known person
Examiner: Now I'm going to give you a topic and I'd like you to talk about it for one to two minutes before you talk you'll have one minute to think about what you're going to say and you can make some notes if you wish understand?
Michal: Yes.
Examiner: So there's some paper and a pencil for making notes and here's your topic I'd like you to describe a wellknown person you like or admire
Michal: Okay.
Examiner: All right.
Michal: Okay.
Examiner: Now remember you have one to two minutes for this so don't worry if I stop you I'll tell you when the time is up can you start speaking now please.
Michal: Okay uh I should describe a well-known person that I would like to meet or admire um um this person uh is called Madonna by many uh people it's it's her actually it's her name which is given by her in her birth.
I would like to meet her because uh I admire her um um uh because she is a the most popular singer she's a legend and pop icon in the world she is well known pop star and I admire her because of her background because of uh her um because she sings very well and uh she's got nice songs um and she um she inspired many people by her creativity and um style and fash fashion style as well.
And I admire her as a normal person as a mother of son and a daughter and what he's done in what she's done in in her in the past that she supported many uh organization and founds many people and she earns the she earned her money by herself she she went with uh $34 uh from home to New York and she's got nothing when when she came to the to New York and I think this this that's the thing that I admire her.
And she's everyone knows her some people don't like her and think that she is nasty and she did nasty things in her life and uh because uh she she she was talking too much about famines about and about some things some sort of things which link with sex um she encouraged many people to fight for for the right for their rights.
Examiner: thank you, do your friends feel the same way about this person?
Michal: Uh I think so I'm not not most of my friends don't like her I like her because of her um because she's um she's a legend.
Examiner: Thank you.
Examiner comments
This test taker is able to speak at length without loss of coherence. Although some hesitations and reformulations occur, there is not much repetition across his long turn. He sequences the information appropriately and links ideas using a range of discourse markers.
He also uses a range of vocabulary, including less common items (legend; background; inspired; creativity; style), with some flexibility and awareness of collocation (a pop icon; fight for their rights). Although there are inappropriate word choices, these do not impede comprehension and the range lifts the rating to a higher band.
He also uses a range of complex structures and embedded clauses, with some flexibility. Although his tenses are not always accurate in this part, error-free structures are still frequent.
He has a strong accent and regularly produces ‘f’ for ‘th’. In this part of the test, however, he only mispronounces individual words (leegend; founds for ‘funds’), and although his stress patterns are sometimes distorted by intrusive fillers (ehm), his speech is generally clear.
Band 7 | Hendrik, Germany
Part 3: Famous people
Examiner: Now, we've been talking about a well-known person you like or admire, and I'd like to discuss with you one or two more general questions related to this.
Let's consider first of all famous people in your country.
So in Germany what kind of people are famous?
Hendrik: Ah... mostly sports people I would say. Like, our favorite sport is soccer. So yeah, people who play this sport. And famous as well our politicians but they are not admired or they're not alive doing...
Examiner: So there's a difference between being famous and being admired?
Hendrik: I think so definitely think so yeah.
Examiner: Politicians are only famous?
Hendrik: They're only famous because it's easy to blame them for everything what happens. At the moment we have the financial crisis in Europe. Especially Greek and Ireland really have to suffer at the moment. And yeah it's easy to blame something.
You can't blame a soccer player. But it's easy to blame the politicians.
Examiner: How about movie stars - are they also famous in Germany?
Hendrik: Um... yeah they are also famous but not the German movie stars or music stars. We don't have a big yeah a big ...yeah... big branch of this.
More yeah American folks yeah mostly US American movie stars. But it's hard to ...yeah... it's hard to to think that they are our role models or anything like that.
They are living on the other side of the lake and yeah, just in the television.
Examiner: What about in the past? What kinds of people were famous in the past?
Hendrik: Especially in the 70s-60s, I would say a musicians. Because ...yeah... of this freedom of this last guy we had there. Yeah, these these musicians here live this.
Examiner: And how about the future? Can you give me a prediction for the future?
Hendrik: Definitely not bankers.
Examiner: Not bankers?
Hendrik: Yeah because of the financial crisis again. Um, yeah that's a good question.
Maybe people who and serve the planet and who wants to save the planet. Work for this environmentally people.
I could yeah would be quite like it because we have this theme of global warming at the moment. Well discussed and yeah so let's say this could be likely.
Examiner: Now let's talk about celebrity culture. Often famous people are used in advertisements. Can you give me some examples of that?
Hendrik: Um... I don't watch a lot of television. But so a television or see advert advertisements. So I can't give many examples actually.
Examiner: How about for... instead of for products, how about celebrities being involved in in advertising for causes or charities? Have you seen examples of that?
Hendrik: Um... yeah sometimes like for environmentally things I can't name any celebrities but um it's quite often that they used this image. The celebrity has done something in his life and many people admire him for the one or the other reason. So it's quite a good thing that they use a celebrity because he is a role model, he stands for something and he stands... yeah for the environment or made for a product, so the people who admires him yeah wants to buy this product, wants to do something for the environment.
Examiner: Now let's let's change to the negatives. What kind of possible negative effects might a celebrity have on younger generations?
Hendrik: Yeah, as I said, they had to their role models for many people and this rock star was in the television the last weeks and months and go on the wrong path and taking drugs or yeah just living the wrong lifestyle.
Then, yeah, the young people think 'hey it's cool what he's doing so he's he's famous he has money he's taking drugs so hey that fits together I won't do the same'.
Examiner: So you think that his behaviour actually can influence how younger generations choose to lead their lives?
Hendrik: I definitely think so, yeah.
Examiner: So do you think that a celebrity has a moral responsibility to behave in a better manner in public?
Hendrik: As long as he is famous as he is in everyday life he definitely has. He's not only the normal person, this if he is at home it's okay what he's doing I don't care. But um yeah, the very moment goes public or is on television and the newspapers he definitely has a responsibility because millions of people are watching what he is doing.
Examiner: So would you say that there's an obligation that a person who becomes famous they have an obligation to behave in a more ethical or moral manner?
Hendrik: Yeah and if you can't stand this pressure then yeah he should take care that he's not being famous, no. Somehow, I don't know whether it's possible somehow but yeah there's this obligation definitely.
Examiner: Well thank you very much. That's the end of the Speaking test.
Hendrik: Thank you.
Examiner comments
This test taker can maintain the flow of speech without noticeable effort and there is no loss of coherence. He uses a variety of linking words and markers (I would say; that’s a good question; as I said; as long as), but he overuses the filler (yeah) and sometimes referencing is inaccurate (for the one or the other reasons).
He uses a wide range of vocabulary, including some less common and idiomatic items and effective collocation (easy to blame; global warming; financial crisis; he stands for something; can’t stand the pressure). However, sometimes he lacks precision in his choice of words and expressions (Greek instead of ‘Greece’; on the other side of the lake; environmentally people/things; a big branch).
His grammar displays a good range of both simple and complex structures. Many of his sentences are error-free but he makes some mistakes in subject/verb agreement (people who wants; the people who admires him), articles (the normal person) and relative pronouns (everything what happens).
His pronunciation is clear and easy to follow. He uses both sentence stress and intonation effectively to convey meaning (you can’t blame a soccer player but it’s easy to blame the politicians). He does have a noticeable accent, however, and his mispronunciation of a few words results in occasional loss of clarity (wole model for ‘role model’; wong for ‘wrong’; serf the planet for ‘serve the planet’).
This test taker is a clear example of a Band 7.
Band 7 | Alexandra, Colombia
Part 3: Famous people
Examiner: So we've been talking about a well-known person that you like or admire and I'd like to discuss with you one or two more general questions related to this.
Let's consider first of all being in the public eye, yeah.
What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of being famous?
Alexandra: Ah... the advantages are the first that you will get really rich and fame actually helps you because you don't have to pay for a lot of stuff.
They will give you free dresses and free stays in the hotels, free meals, free everything. So actually you're saving money plus the money that you're earning.
And disadvantages are that being a public eye you lose your privacy.
You will always be in the eye of paparazzi and people and If someone recognise you they will take a picture of you and that's the end of the relaxed evening.
So I think that will be a really big disadvantage.
Examiner: Do you think if a celebrity accepts those endorsements, do you think they they lose their honesty?
Alexandra: I don't think that they will lose like honesty but maybe it will change them.
They will have to accept the environment that they are living to right now so if they get famous and they're not selling their soul to the devil.
I don't think that they are that bad. I think it's just human and if they like it well better for them.
Examiner: Can you talk about how the media reports on famous people in your country?
Alexandra: The reports of the media in my country they are like having half - half serious news and half entertainment so the reports are often but not that often.
They don't have like big news if Shakira gets married or not.
It's like a small news but it gets bigger with the people not with the media because people start to talking about the news not the media makes it big.
Examiner: Do you think more time should be spent on current events and political news?
Alexandra: I think so but I think that we also need a rest from the serious stuff and we also need entertainment so it will be a balance because only bad news is not good for anybody so I think that half and half would be better.
Examiner: Why do ordinary people find the lives of celebrities so interesting?
Alexandra: I think because if they see somebody that's successful and rich failed or getting dump or in jail, I think that we feel better about ourselves because we think 'okay we might not be rich but we are better than them'.
So I think that's why we like it so much, to see that kind of news.
Examiner: So you think most people want to see that celebrity fail?
Alexandra: Maybe, or maybe depends if you don't like anybody you will like them fail but if you're really support one person you will like them to be like really successful.
Examiner: Let's talk about celebrity culture. How does the media use famous people in advertising?
Alexandra: In a lot of ways because if people follows one person for example Justin Bieber right now in the Superbowl uh the media will use it on publicist will use him as long as it takes because if he's famous the money return will be really high.
Examiner: Do you think people want to buy a product because the celebrity endorses that?
Alexandra: It depends of the target. But if it's a smart target it won't be happen like this but if it's like a child or teenagers they will follow anything if their leaders does it.
Examiner: You mentioned Justin Bieber. Are there any negative effects of young people becoming famous?
Alexandra: Maybe not for the people that follows the famous people. But I think that it will be really bad for that put poor guys. Being famous at that young age you don't know what it's good and what is bad and they will always turn bad.
Examiner: Thank you very much. This is the end of the Speaking test.
Alexandra: Thank you.
Examiner comments
The test taker speaks quite fluently and gives appropriate and extended responses. She makes good use of a range of markers and linking words (first; actually; I think so; for example; in a lot of ways; that’s why). There is some hesitation, but it is mainly content-related as she seeks to clarify her ideas before expressing them. Coherence is not affected by these slight pauses.
Vocabulary is a strong feature of her performance and she uses a wide range, including some less common, idiomatic and colloquial items (lose your privacy; selling their soul to the devil; getting dumped; it depends on the target; we need a rest from the serious stuff). However, there are also a few examples of error and inappropriate word use (a small news; end of the relax evening; free dresses).
Her grammar displays a good range of both simple and complex structures that are used flexibly and a number of her sentences are error-free. However, there are some noticeable errors in areas such as articles, prepositions, subject/verb agreement and verb tense (if someone recognise you; if people follows; you will like them fail; it won’t be happen like this).
Although she has a noticeable accent, her pronunciation is generally clear and easy to follow. Stress and intonation are used well to enhance meaning (You don’t have to pay for a lot of stuff. They will give free dresses and free stays in the hotels). She has a tendency to use syllable-timing, which prevents her sustaining appropriate rhythm over longer utterances. She also has occasional problems with sounds (jung for ‘young’), but this has only minimal effect on intelligibility.
This testtaker only just achieves Band 7, owing to a weaker performance in grammar.
Band 7.5 | Aashish, Nepal
Part 3: Famous people
Examiner: We've been talking about a well-known person you like or admire and I'd like to discuss with you one or two more general questions related to this let's consider first of all famous people in your country. What kind of people become famous nowadays?
Aashish: Um these days in my country people who become famous are um politicians I should say because since the time we've entered into democracy um they've come into a lot of media attention and um they've because of their um the manner they their the way they've been doing things uh for the betterment of the country they've come into a lot of attention and also with the with the improving uh media of in my country the stars over there movie stars have come into great attention.
Examiner: Why do you think politicians and movie stars are famous and popular throughout the world?
Aashish: Movie stars undoubt movie stars and singers undoubtedly are famous all over the world because of what they do um they entertain people and the way they do things um and uh politicians I think um gain attention of on to tend uh tend to gain attention on the on the take over the country of what they're doing for the betterment of the world for the betterment of the country sorry and uh what steps they are taking to do much better or how they're going about it.
Examiner: How would you compare the famous people today with the famous people of the past?
Aashish: Um big difference between the two um back then there wasn't so much of media attention I could say so um as far as I know um people used to be people used famous people used to they used to be role models and they used to be good role models but these days famous people are role models yet for many of them students as well as adults but uh can we call them all good models um I don't think so.
Examiner: So do you really think that famous people in the past behaved better or is it just that we don't know what they did in private life?
Aashish: I probably bit of both um they behaved a they behaved a lot better because since we've we've become more advanced these days we can do what we feel like um these days of most celebrities and famous people take things for granted and do do what they like.
Examiner: What kinds of people do you think will be famous in the future?
Aashish: Um continuing to be uh movie stars and singers and uh some people who really make changes to the world um I could say so other than that um.
Examiner: Do you imagine that in the future maybe people who are more worthy of fame will become famous like scientists and writers
Aashish: Um up till some extent yes because if if they are really if um they really covered I mean they're really they really put themselves out to the world then yes they could get famous but I would still say not as much as people not as much as celebrities.
Examiner: Okay let's go on and talk about celebrity culture for example how are famous people used in advertising?
Aashish: Um famous people are used in they are used in advertising these days for a lot we can see uh football stars um almost all the sports stars are into advertising including and uh including the movie stars and singers as well uh the way they put the the way they put themselves because they are famous people uh the marketing people think that they are going to um uh get they going to they will sell their product much better
Examiner: Why why is that do you think?
Aashish: Um because of like I said before because they are their role models so people will think that oh he's doing that so I can do that as well and uh people will tend to follow their footsteps
Examiner: Do you think people really do that that they will buy something because of famous person?
Aashish: Yes I do sometimes advertisement makes a lot a big difference to sales um I've been there and I can say yes they do quite often.
Examiner: Do you think that there could be some negative effects of this culture of celebrity on young people especially?
Aashish: Yes to a great extent there has been a lot of uh because people take celebrities as their role models and the celebrities have misused their fame and power and money up till such to to do things that they should not um sometimes yes I think that it will create a negative effect on especially on young people more more than ads all right.
Examiner: Thank you very much Ashish that's the end of the speaking test.
Aashish: Thank you
Examiner comments
This test taker speaks fluently and is able to respond to the questions and engage with the topic without any obvious effort. Most of the hesitation, repetition and self-correction he uses is content-related and only rarely used to search for language (because they are famous people … er … the marketing people think that they are going to … erm … er, get … they are going to they will sell their product much better). His delivery is supported by his flexible and natural use of markers (I should say; because of; undoubtedly; as far as I know; these days; can we...? I don’t think so; bit of both; other than that; I would still say; like I said before).
His vocabulary is sufficient and flexible enough for him to engage with a variety of topics and he demonstrates some ability to use idioms and collocations as well as an awareness of style (politicians; media attention; betterment of the country; steps they are taking; behaved a bit better; misused their fame and power; makes a big difference to). However, there is some inappropriate use of vocabulary (come into great attention; follow their footsteps; gain attention on their take over the country; put themself out to the world), which restricts the rating on this criterion.
He uses a wide range of grammatical structures and the majority of sentences are error-free (movie stars and singers undoubtedly are famous all over the world because of what they do; can we call them all good models, I don’t think so; since we’ve become more advanced these days we can do what we feel like; if they really put themselves out to the world, then they could get famous but I would still say not as much as celebrities). Even when errors do very occasionally occur (back then there wasn’t so much of media attentions), they do not detract at all from meaning.
He uses a wide range of pronunciation features and is able to use stress and intonation effectively (they used to be good role models). There are just a few lapses and very occasionally sounds are poorly formed (dese for ‘these’; tink for ‘think’; celebrities for ‘celebrities’), but overall, his accent has only minimal effect on intelligibility.
The test taker’s use of vocabulary is the weakest feature of his performance thus limiting his rating to Band 7.5.
Band 8 | Monika, Germany
Part 3: Famous people
Examiner: We've been talking about hobbies and I'd like to discuss with you one or two more general questions related to this.
Let's consider first of all current and future Hobbies. What do you think are the most popular types of hobby in Germany?
Monika: For male Germans it's probably football and for females it's might be shopping, I don't know, could be shopping. But many people are actually doing sports, so they will go shopping in their spare time.
Examiner: Why do you think these hobbies are so popular?
Monika: Because I think you need balance in life uh the working life is quite hard, and nowadays in Germany with the the economic situation etc everybody needs an anchor point or a balance to their struggle during their working hours. So I guess just to have relaxation and to to come down and and as a stress relief I think sports is a good way to do, so and I think that's why many Germans are doing it. It's probably worldwide the case.
Examiner: Let's pick up on that point of leisure time, you mentioned that the work leisure balance in Germany is perhaps a little bit out of balance, can you tell me more about that.
Monika: Yeah I mean the regular working hours would be not 8 to 9 hours a day. But nowadays competition is quite big because of the unemployment, so everybody is really putting a lot of overtime in their work and most of the time probably don't get paid for it, and leisure time is increasingly of course uh getting less and less and so people are definitely looking forward to the holidays or their weekends to enjoy family life. But I think family life is isn't that what it was before because everybody's so focused on their careers and to keep their jobs and have a good income and and survive basically in the system
Examiner: So do you think this will continue in the future?
Monika: Well probably next 10 years till the economy again is picking up and uh our social welfare system is getting better again, because it was quite good years ago but the last 10 years I would say it really declined a bit.
Examiner: Let's move back a moment for on on hobbies and think about the social benefits of hobbies um what do you think of the social benefits of having a hobby
Monika: Well it's depending on what your hobby is if you would for example do hobby where you don't meet anybody if you're hiking or climbing alone there's not a big social factor in that I would say. But if you do it in a community, like for example soccer or rugby or what whatever, uh then you in a way share time with people and have the opportunity to get to know each other better and closer and exchange ideas and um and opinions so I think for that reason a hobby is very very important. Because usually you you find that people who are not at your work working environment. Uh, it's they are not part of your family so they come from different backgrounds, and so I think you get a quite good insight into other people's opinions.
Examiner: And you get to know them in a different way?
Monika: Yeah in a different way because everybody's also relaxed in your working environment for example. I mean everybody is quite formal and uh tries to do the proper thing obviously, but uh if you are in doing sports together it's more casual everything, and I think you would open up yourself more to the other person
Examiner: So you think it influences the way we behave at work subsequently?
Monika: Um, well I it could be, but um I don't think that it necessarily has to. It could be if if you would have a hobby I mean, it's just hypothetical know but it could be if you have a hobby and and uh have good experience with other people and are quite relaxed with other people that it would have a good influence in your in your work in in the relationships you hold at your work in place but that's quite hypothetically now from my point of view.
Examiner: Do you think there are any dangers in spending too much time on hobbies?
Monika: Uh if you would neglect your family yes. If the hobby is more important than your family life and um in your working life maybe, then yes there could be a danger that you lose track with what is going on in your relationship with your partner and children, etc.
Examiner: Thank you very much that's the end of the speaking test.
Monika: Thank you.
Examiner comments
This test taker speaks very fluently and is able to give long, complex and very detailed responses without any loss of coherence, repetition or language searches. She uses a wide range of discourse markers naturally and precisely (for … and for … ; it might be; actually; I guess; it could be; nowadays; definitely; the last ten years I would say).
Her range of vocabulary allows a high degree of precision and flexibility with plenty of examples of stylistically appropriate language (balance; economic situation; anchor point; stress relief; regular working hours; focus on their careers; good insight into). Only occasional inaccuracies or slight inappropriacies (competition is quite big; putting a lot of overtime in their work; share time with people) restrict her rating.
She uses a wide range of complex structures with the majority of sentences being error-free (people are definitely looking forward to the holidays or the weekends to enjoy family life; in your working environment for example everybody’s quite formal and tries to do the proper thing; it could be but I don’t think that it necessarily has to). However, there are examples of inappropriate choice of tense and other occasional, non-systematic errors (probably the next ten years until the economy picking up; it’s depending on what your hobby is; if you would neglect your family, yes).
This test taker is easy to understand throughout the test, in spite of her accent. Although there are occasional mispronunciations of individual phonemes (cashual for ‘casual’), these have minimal effect on communication. She is able to use a wide range of features, such as intonation and contrastive stress, to convey meaning (for male Germans it’s probably football and for females it might be shopping I don’t know).
This test taker’s high overall fluency and wide range of features with only occasional examples of inappropriate usage make her a strong example of a Band 8 test taker.
Band 8 | Kopi, Botswana
Part 3: Famous people
Examiner: We've been talking about a well-known person that you like or admire and I'd like to discuss with you one or two more general questions related to this.
Kopi: Okay.
Examiner: Let's consider first of all famous people in your country so in Botswana what kind of people become famous?
Kopi: Uh famous probably musicians would get more attention mostly because uh music is an everyday thing everybody can listen to it everybody can contribute towards it so I guess it reaches a lot of people so in that way I think mostly musicians yeah.
Examiner: Is that the same as in the past in the past were musicians also celebrities?
Kopi: Um I don't know I'm not sure whether celebrities is the right word to use um but yeah well known I think would be the one um yeah and the past I think it's also been like that because even um the old uh old generation we're reaching out through music so yes in some way I believe yeah still the same
Examiner: What about in the future in Botswana who do you think are are going to be the famous figures?
Kopi: Um movie movie people I'm not I don't know people.
Examiner: Is the film industry developing?
Kopi: it's it's it's a grand country so in every it's growing in every respect so I wouldn't put it past them um to be to see in the next uh I don't know Brad Pitt of day I don't know.
Examiner: Well let's talk about celebrity culture now um how are famous people used in advertising?
Kopi: Well well same music um it reaches out to people so the government and other companies and other bodies in the country are trying to use music to reach out to people and pass the message so in that that regards I I think music is playing a part in that way so.
Examiner: Are there other commercial reasons commercial?
Kopi: Um I think my country is not really commercialized at the moment it's not really.
Examiner: How about in general?
Kopi: In general um I don't know not really uh yeah.
Examiner: Well how about um negative effects how can celebrities create a negative effect in our youth?
Kopi: Well there seems to be a growing um trend among our celebrities to be taking recreation drugs and stuff like that so I I see that as a you know step back I think um it's it's affecting our nation so it's it's one of the those things you would want to get rid of but um it's probably going to take a while so.
Examiner: Do you think that the actions of one person can really impact an entire generation like that?
Kopi: Definitely yeah the it it would have it can have a ripple effect on it it depends on how we as a society going to are going to take it you know how we um perceive people and how we you know absorb what they bring out into the community really yeah.
Examiner: How about uh influencing public opinion can you think of any ways in which famous people might be used to influence public opinion?
Kopi: Probably politically I think.
Examiner: How so?
Kopi: Because uh you know you you you see them out there um in the rallies political rallies um advocating for the you know candidates political candidates and I think in some way um especially the youth they easily influenced by um you know what's the trend who's doing what and um if I was a musician and I'm going for particular uh political candidate it's quite easy for them to follow that way so yeah well.
Examiner: Thank you very much that's the end of the speaking test.
Kopi: Thank you.
Examiner comments
This test taker speaks fluently but with occasional hesitation as he engages with the topics and considers his responses to the questions carefully in some instances. He is able to give quite complex and detailed responses without any loss of coherence, drawing on a range of markers to introduce his ideas (in that way; in some way; we have a situation in our country; in that regards; in every respect).
He skilfully uses his wide vocabulary in a sophisticated way to express himself precisely and accurately (reaching out through music; I wouldn’t put it past them; significant level; growing trend; a ripple effect), although there are a few inappropriate word forms and choices (old generation instead of ‘older generation’; have a long way instead of ‘have a long way to go’; a step back instead of ‘a backward step’).
He uses a full range of sentence forms and grammatical structures naturally, accurately and appropriately (I’m not sure whether celebrities is the right word to use; it’s one of those things you want to get rid of; it depends on how we as a society are going to take it). There are only very occasional inaccuracies (In some way especially the youth they’re easily influenced by what’s the trend, who’s doing what).
The test taker is easy to understand throughout the test, in spite of a slight accent. Occasional misplaced stress and vowel formation (misicians for ‘musicians’; contribute for ‘contribute’; Bread Pitt for ‘Brad Pitt’) only minimally affect intelligibility.
The candidate’s strong performance across all criteria make him a clear Band 8.
Band 8.5 | Kenn, Singapore
Part 3: Famous people
Examiner: We've been talking about a well-known person you like or admire and I'd like to discuss with you one or two more general questions related to this.
Let's consider, first of all, famous people in your country. So in Singapore, what sorts of people become famous?
Kenn: Mainly politicians, prominent businessmen, and growing number of television celebrities.
Examiner: Any of film celebrities?
Kenn: There not too many films celebrities because the film industry in Singapore still growing.
There is a producer who who has been involved in a production of quite a few comedies. His name is Jack Neo and he is quite famous in Singapore.
Examiner: Now, what about in the past? Would you say that the kinds of people famous in the past are different?
Kenn: I think there is a lot there was a growing number of televisions celebrities, mainly because the television industry has sort of matured in Singapore. But other than that I think it's pretty much the same.
Examiner: And what about in the future? Can you make any predictions on who might be famous in the future?
Kenn: I think successful young business people would be more famous in the future mainly because they give the youth of today something to aspire towards and they basically send out a message that it's not just the older generation that can achieve in terms of business success. But that younger generations can aspire towards that as well.
Examiner: Now let's talk about celebrity culture. Often famous people are used in advertising. Can you give me some examples of that?
Kenn: Um... famous people being used in advertising I think one example that comes to mind is cele... uh... celebrities being used to promote charitable causes. Um and I think basically because celebrities have reached a certain status in society, whereby people aspire towards reaching celebrity status, when you have celebrities endorsing a cause it's it's basically saying that 'I'm so-and-so and I approve this' and in that way I think the general population aspired towards that and they feel more comfortable, for example, donating to that cause.
Examiner: Do you think it might be a bit dangerous having a celebrity endorse a cause if for example that celebrity behaves in a manner which the cause does not agree with?
Kenn: I think it could potentially be harmful. And it's not necessarily for causes. I think it's it's also for celebrity behaviours because a lot of the youth of today try to emulate celebrities. They may not be aware of the repercussions of certain acts that they commit.
Examiner: So what about those negative repercussions? What kind of possible negative effects might happen to youth due to their admiration of famous people?
Kenn: I think with a lot of the youth of today especially young females they may idolise it in celebrities and they've become very conscious of the body image. And that may not necessarily be very healthy.
Examiner: Do you think that affects males equally?
Kenn: I think it does affect males to a certain extent but not on the same level that it would affect females because I think a lot of young females are more conscious of their body image than a lot of young males are.
Examiner: What kind of negative effects would boys have?
Kenn: I think with, for example, with the with a young female population, I think a lot of them would be susceptible to maybe things like anorexia and bulimia. Whereas with with boys it's not so prevalent but it could still happen.
Examiner: How about influencing public opinion - how might famous people be used to influence public opinion?
Kenn: I think they could be used to affect to affect public opinion positively. For example, you've got Bono who is all for HIV and AIDS awareness. I think he's done something very positive for AIDS awareness on a global level.
Examiner: Can you think of any negative ways they might influence public opinion?
Kenn: I can't think of any negative ways at this point.
Examiner comments
This test taker speaks fluently for most of the time and develops topics coherently and appropriately, with only slight content-related hesitations as he engages with the topics.
His vocabulary is precise and sophisticated throughout this part of the test (prominent businessmen; emulate; a growing number of television celebrities; to promote charitable causes; endorsing a cause; negative repercussions; conscious of body image; susceptible to; prevalent).
He uses a wide range of grammatical structures naturally and accurately (They basically send out a message that it’s not just the older generation that can achieve in terms of business success). There are only very occasional minor errors (give the youth of today something to aspire towards; celebrities being use to promote charitable causes) but these do not detract from the sophistication and precision of the structures used.
He also uses a full range of pronunciation features to convey precise and subtle meaning such as emphatic stress (one example that comes to mind is celebrities) and contrastive stress (it’s not necessarily for causes ... it’s also for celebrity behaviours). He sustains this flexible use of features of connected speech throughout and is effortless to understand.
Only this test taker’s occasional hesitations prevent him reaching Band 9.
Band 9 | Anuradha, Malaysia
Part 3: Famous people
Examiner: We've been talking about a well-known person you like or admire and I'd like to discuss with you one or two more general questions related to this.
Let's consider first of all famous people in your country. So in Malaysia what kind of people become famous?
Anuradha: In Malaysia definitely the politicians and also some actors and actresses are very famous. Among the among Malaysians.
Examiner: So what about in the past? Is that the same as in the past, were politicians and actors and actresses always?
Anuradha: I think definitely in the past if we're talking about the 50s and 60s.
Movies were the number one communication tool between villages or towns. So the people definitely knew actors and actresses better than the politicians.
Compared to now you, have TV and news where people follow politicians' personal life more than an actor or actress.
Examiner: Because in many cultures quite the opposite has happened where politicians used to be quite well-known.
Whereas nowadays movie stars, television stars, are more well-known.
What do you think about in the future? Do you think that that's going to continue, politicians will continue to be?
Anuradha: I didn't definitely in the future because the world is becoming more globalized.
Malaysians would have a... I think have a tendency to be exposed to more international programs and they know more international celebrities compared to the local actors and actresses or local politicians.
So we would follow international politics, maybe American and British politics. Or even the models or actresses internationally.
Examiner: Well let's talk about celebrity culture. Often famous people are used in advertisements. Can you give me some examples of that?
Anuradha: Yeah, famous people like actors and actresses are used in advertisements.
And especially sports celebrities like Tiger Woods or Roger Federer promoting sports equipment or sports shoes or clothes.
Other than that, I think it's more models and actresses that sponsored perfume and clothes and...
Examiner: And is that always true that whatever profession they're involved in that's the kind of product that they tend to promote?
Anuradha: I don't think that's true because a lot of celebrity actresses support perfumes and support clothes where whereby actually it should be models that do it.
Examiner: Isn't that sort of glamorous kind of side of Hollywood that they can try to bring to the public?
Anuradha: I suppose that's what they're trying to do the marketing.
The people who are marketing the product are trying to bring in the glamour that that celebrity holds.
But yeah, I suppose a celebrity they do have that that grasp over you know, peoples' mindset and what they should buy, the consumerism.
Examiner: Now you're talking about their influence on the consumer. What about on the young? Do celebrities, do you think produce negative effects in our youth?
Anuradha: Definitely I think they do.
As you can see like, lifestyle and health, celebrities are becoming thinner.
Models and celebrities, and when you open a magazine young girls would be exposed to thin models and I think that that's normal for them to be thin and that could cause them to go into anorexia, bulimia, or unhealthy practices because they think being thin is the norm.
Whilst being healthy and being normal-bodied is actually the norm.
Examiner: Now, what about young boys? Do you think that celebrities can have an influence on young boys?
Anuradha: I think most definitely.
I think young boys could be influenced in a way materialistically.
Like, they would one of the big car that you know the celebrities drive.
And they won the bling and they want all the cool gadgets and tools that there are out there, and it could make boys realize that you know materialistic things are the only way to happiness.
Examiner: Now, what about public opinion. How might celebrities be used to influence public opinion?
Anuradha: Celebrities are used actually to like if you can see PETA, the protection of the endangered animals.
They use celebrities to get to the public. There's like this promotion where they get celebrities to go naked.
To show that you know animals you know are stripped, especially like seals and foxes and all that for their fur.
And you know it strikes a chord because it's a celebrity. "Oh that person's doing that" "Let's look at the poster"
"Oh what's the message" "Okay I get it"
No, yeah.
Examiner: Well, thank you very much. That's the end of the Speaking test.
Anuradha: Thank you very much.
Examiner comments
This test taker speaks fluently, with only rare repetition or self-correction. Any hesitation is not to search for language but to think of ideas. Her speech is coherent, with fully appropriate cohesive features (if you’re talking about; other than that; I think it’s more; as you can see).
She uses vocabulary with full flexibility and precision in all topics with a wide range of idiomatic language (have a tendency; be exposed to; the world is becoming more globalised; the norm; strikes a chord; communication tool; actors that sponsor; materialistically; cool gadgets; grasp of people’s mindset).
Her grammatical structures are precise and accurate at all times. She uses a full and natural range of structures and sentence types (Malaysians have a tendency to be exposed to more international programmes; the people that are marketing the product are trying to bring in the glamour;young girls will be exposed to thin models and they think that that’s normal for them to be thin; it could make boys realise that materialistic things are the only way to happiness).
She uses a full range of phonological features with precision and subtlety. The rhythm of her language is sustained throughout and stress and intonation are invariably used to good effect. This and her very clear production of individual words and sounds result in her being effortless to understand.
This test taker’s performance across all criteria makes her a clear Band 9.
Additional resources
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