Band	Content Relevance Sufficient Information	Communicative Achievement Style Straightforward idea(concrete) Complex idea (abstract) Readers’ attention	Organization Structure Cohesive devices Linking words	Language Lexis: everyday words; less common words Sentence: simple and complex Accuracy
5	①All content is relevant: no irrelevant sentences. ②target reader is fully informed: at least 3 reasons are listed; the reasons are very convincing; all chosen roommates are involved; various dimensions of characteristics are considered.	①Uses the conventions of argumentative essay writing effectively to hold readers’ attention. ②Straightforward ideas and complex ideas are communicated appropriately.	Text is well organized and coherent, using a variety of cohesive devices, linking words, and organizational patterns (Cause-effect, clear structure) to generally good effect.	①Uses a range of vocabulary, including less common lexis, appropriately. ②Uses a range of simple and complex grammatical forms with control and flexibility. ③Occasional errors (<3) may be present but do not impede communication.
4	Performance shares features of Band 3 and Band 5
3	①Irrelevances may be present: 1–2 slightly irrelevant sentences. ②The target reader is, on the whole, informed: at least 3 reasons are listed; the reasons are rather convincing; all chosen roommates are involved	①Uses the conventions of argumentative essay writing to hold readers’ attention. ②Straightforward idea communicated appropriately.	Text is generally well organized and coherent, using a variety of linking words and cohesive devices, with a rather clear structure.	①Uses a range of everyday vocabulary appropriately, with occasional inappropriate use of less common lexis. ②Uses a range of simple and some complex grammatical forms with a good degree of control. ③Errors do not impede communication.
2	Performance shares features of Band 1 and Band 3
1	①Irrelevance and misinterpretation of the task, e.g., no roommates are chosen. ②Target reader is minimally informed: fewer than 3 reasons are listed, and/or the reasons are not convincing; the chosen roommate is not involved in the writing.	①Uses the conventions of an argumentative essay in generally appropriate ways to communicate straightforward ideas.	Text is connected and coherent, using basic linking words and a limited number of cohesive devices, but the structure is not clear.	①Uses everyday vocabulary generally appropriately, while occasionally overusing certain lexis. ②Uses simple grammatical forms with a good degree of control. ③While errors are noticeable, meaning can still be determined.