IELTS Speaking Band Descriptors (public version)
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Band
Fluency and coherence
Lexical resource
9
• speaks fluently with only rare repetition or selfcorrection; any hesitation is content-related rather
than to find words or grammar
• uses vocabulary with full flexibility and precision in
all topics
• uses a full range of structures naturally and
appropriately
• uses a full range of pronunciation features with
precision and subtlety
• uses idiomatic language naturally and accurately
• produces consistently accurate structures apart
from ‘slips’ characteristic of native speaker speech
• is effortless to understand
• uses a wide range of structures flexibly
• uses a wide range of pronunciation features
• produces a majority of error-free sentences with
only very occasional inappropriacies or basic/nonsystematic errors
• sustains flexible use of features, with only
occasional lapses
• speaks coherently with fully appropriate cohesive
features
Grammatical range and accuracy
Pronunciation
• sustains flexible use of features throughout
• develops topics fully and appropriately
8
• speaks fluently with only occasional repetition or
self-correction; hesitation is usually content-related
and only rarely to search for language
• develops topics coherently and appropriately
• uses a wide vocabulary resource readily and
flexibly to convey precise meaning
• uses less common and idiomatic vocabulary
skilfully, with occasional inaccuracies
• uses paraphrase effectively as required
7
6
5
• speaks at length without noticeable effort or loss of
coherence
• uses vocabulary resource flexibly to discuss a
variety of topics
• uses a range of complex structures with some
flexibility
• may demonstrate language-related hesitation at
times, or some repetition and/or self-correction
• uses some less common and idiomatic vocabulary
and shows some awareness of style and
collocation, with some inappropriate choices
• frequently produces error-free sentences, though
some grammatical mistakes persist
• uses a range of connectives and discourse
markers with some flexibility
• uses paraphrase effectively
• is willing to speak at length, though may lose
coherence at times due to occasional repetition,
self-correction or hesitation
• has a wide enough vocabulary to discuss topics at
length and make meaning clear in spite of
inappropriacies
• uses a range of connectives and discourse
markers but not always appropriately
• generally paraphrases successfully
• usually maintains flow of speech but uses
repetition, self-correction and/or slow speech to
keep going
• is easy to understand throughout; L1 accent has
minimal effect on intelligibility
• shows all the positive features of Band 6 and
some, but not all, of the positive features of Band 8
• uses a mix of simple and complex structures, but
with limited flexibility
• uses a range of pronunciation features with mixed
control
• may make frequent mistakes with complex
structures, though these rarely cause
comprehension problems
• shows some effective use of features but this is
not sustained
• manages to talk about familiar and unfamiliar
topics but uses vocabulary with limited flexibility
• produces basic sentence forms with reasonable
accuracy
• shows all the positive features of Band 4 and
some, but not all, of the positive features of Band 6
• attempts to use paraphrase but with mixed
success
• uses a limited range of more complex structures,
but these usually contain errors and may cause
some comprehension problems
• cannot respond without noticeable pauses and
may speak slowly, with frequent repetition and
self-correction
• is able to talk about familiar topics but can only
convey basic meaning on unfamiliar topics and
makes frequent errors in word choice
• produces basic sentence forms and some correct
simple sentences but subordinate structures are
rare
• uses a limited range of pronunciation features
• links basic sentences but with repetitious use of
simple connectives and some breakdowns in
coherence
• rarely attempts paraphrase
• errors are frequent and may lead to
misunderstanding
• mispronunciations are frequent and cause some
difficulty for the listener
• speaks with long pauses
• uses simple vocabulary to convey personal
information
• attempts basic sentence forms but with limited
success, or relies on apparently memorised
utterances
• may over-use certain connectives and discourse
markers
• can generally be understood throughout, though
mispronunciation of individual words or sounds
reduces clarity at times
• produces simple speech fluently, but more
complex communication causes fluency problems
4
3
• has limited ability to link simple sentences
2
• gives only simple responses and is frequently
unable to convey basic message
• has insufficient vocabulary for less familiar topics
• pauses lengthily before most words
• only produces isolated words or memorised
utterances
• little communication possible
1
• no communication possible
• no rateable language
0
• does not attend
IELTS Scores Explained
• attempts to control features but lapses are
frequent
• shows some of the features of Band 2 and some,
but not all, of the positive features of Band 4
• makes numerous errors except in memorised
expressions
• cannot produce basic sentence forms
• speech is often unintelligible
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Comments on Candidate I
Examiner Comments on Candidate I
Speaking Part 3: Hobbies
Band 7
This candidate can maintain the flow of conversation without noticeable effort, although he
has a rather slow delivery, with some hesitation. He uses a range of reference markers
fluently and naturally to give cohesion (It’s likely that they will; so that helps). Overall,
however, his topic development is limited and he does not extend his responses sufficiently
to reach Band 8. His vocabulary is appropriate but he does not use an extensive range.
Examples of good collocation and idiomatic usage (the job ladder) are not as frequent as
they would be at higher bands, and are sometimes not well-integrated or result in awkward
expressions (everything in excess is not good; to provide themselves; want to go higher,
higher on the job ladder). A range of structures is used, but there is not enough complexity to
raise the performance above Band 7. The level of accuracy is high, with only a few minor
errors, but the candidate stays within a safety zone and this has an impact on his range of
structures. The candidate has only a slight accent that has very little impact on his English
pronunciation. He is able to use a wide range of phonological features to convey meaning
effectively (it’s not that difficult to play) and to make precise distinctions (more popular vs.
most popular).
This is a high-level candidate who seems to play safe. In doing so, he fails to produce
sufficient language to be awarded a higher band.
IELTS Scores Explained