Grade 8

B2.2 CEFR

Examination format

Total examination time: 15 minutes

The examination consists of three assessed phases:

Candidate-led discussion of a topic prepared by the candidate (up to 5 minutes)

Interactive task (up to 4 minutes)

Conversation on two subject areas selected by the examiner (up to 5 minutes).

Candidate performance

In addition to the items listed for the previous grades, the candidate is expected to demonstrate the

following communicative skills and meet the language requirements listed below during the examination.

Communicative skills

In the Topic phase

Show understanding of the examiner by responding appropriately

Communicate facts, ideas, opinions and explain viewpoints about a chosen topic linked across

a series of extended turns

Maintain coherence and cohesion throughout the phase by organising discourse

Engage the examiner in discussion of the topic

Be prepared to ask and answer questions about the content of and examiner’s views on

the topic

Handle interruptions by using recovery strategies

Respond to the examiner’s contributions and requests for further information, clarifications and explanations

In the Interactive phase

Take control over the interaction

Maintain the discourse by asking for information and commenting on the responses obtained

Help the discussion along by encouraging comment and opinion from the examiner

take, give up and offer turns when appropriate to do so

take the opportunity to use the language functions listed opposite, as appropriate to the

individual task

In the Conversation phase

Show understanding of the examiner by responding appropriately

Take more responsibility for the maintenance of the interaction with the examiner

Follow up on comments from the examiner in order to develop the conversation

In case of a breakdown in communication, take steps to repair it

Grade 8

Language requirements

Language functions

Expressing feelings and emotions

Expressing impossibility

Reporting the conversation of others

Speculating

Persuading and discouraging

Grammar

Third conditional

Present perfect continuous tense

Past perfect tense

Reported speech

Linking expressions, e.g. even though, in spite of, although

Cohesive devices, e.g. so to continue, in other words, for example

Lexis

Vocabulary specific to the topic area

Vocabulary specific to the subject areas

Reporting verbs, e.g. say, tell, ask, report, advise, promise

Appropriate words and expressions to encourage further participation

Phrases and expressions relating to the language functions listed above

Phonology

The correct pronunciation of vocabulary specific to the topic and subject areas

Rising and falling intonation to indicate giving up and offering turns

Stress, intonation and pitch relevant to the language functions listed above

Stress and intonation to indicate emotion

Subject areas for the Conversation phase

Two subject areas will be selected by the examiner from the list below.

Society and living standards

Personal values and ideals

The world of work

Unexplained phenomena and events

National environmental concerns

Public figures past and present

Please note Grade 8 candidates should not select their topic from the list of subject areas abov.