What you will find here:

a reminder of the “Assessment Criteria”
an exam task taken from the Cambridge website
an essay sample scoring Band 5
specific details of why this would reach a Band 5 score
links for further reading and self-learning

Assessment Criteria

• Content –how well the task has been completed; for example, has all the important information been included in the piece of writing?
• Communicative Achievement –how appropriate the writing is in terms of genre; does the text communicate the ideas appropriately and effectively to the target reader?
• Organisation –the way the text is organised; for example, are the ideas presented coherently and are they connected through the text across sentences and paragraphs?
• Language – vocabulary and grammar; for example, is there a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures and how accurately are they used?

Source and further practice here.

Exam task

Your class has watched a documentary about how workplaces can be made more people-friendly. You have made the notes below:

How can workplaces be made more people-friendly?

light and ventilation
exercise and breaks
decoration

Some opinions expressed in the discussion:

“I find it difficult to see my computer screen.”

“Our office is so much better with these plants.”

“There’s nowhere to have a coffee except at our desks.”

Write an essay discussing two of the ways that workplaces can be made more people-friendly. You should explain which way you think is more effective, giving reasons to support your opinion. Write your answer in 220–260 words.

You may, if you wish, make use of the opinions expressed in the discussion, but you should use your own words as far as possible.

Sample essay

In this day and age, workplaces are widely believed to be purely functional environments to the detriment of a more personal and welcoming atmosphere. Improvements such as increased exposure to natural light, the modernisation of the ventilation systems, and the creation of accessible facilities for disconnection and movement would, in my view, successfully address this issue.

To begin with, statistics show that a dark and poorly ventilated workplace unequivocally leads to higher levels of job-related depression. Furthermore, employees are likely to suffer from a deterioration of their physical health. A consequence of disregarding this aspect is the fact that companies face increased absenteeism, which also indirectly impacts other members of the staff, who have to cover for missing team members. Airy spaces, on the other hand, are not only inviting but also conducive to productivity.

Another crucial problem stemming from impersonal working surroundings is the absence of areas allocated for breaks and exercise. If employers were to make changes by promoting these and therefore combating sedentarism, the personnel could experience immediate benefits. Several Scandinavian companies are living proof that investing in establishing an in-company gym or an open-air space, such as a terrace or garden, has an overall positive outcome.

Taking all of this into consideration, although both options represent an enormous leap into a far better people-friendly setting, boosting exercise and breaks is my preferred option as an initial step towards this goal. There is no doubt in my mind that this in itself can result in greater fitness and mindfulness, thus addressing essential aspects beneficial for society as a whole.

What elements make this Band 5?

1. Linguistic Range

Words like “detriment of,” “unequivocally,” and “absenteeism” are sophisticated and show a grasp of specific, formal terminology.

✔ Advanced collocations

conducive to productivity
increased absenteeism
stemming from
combatting sedentarism

✔ Complex structures

If employers were to make changes…
although both options represent…

✔ Precision and control

No noticeable grammar errors. Natural phrasing throughout

2. Complex Grammar

Inversion: “not only inviting but also…”
Conditionals: “If employers were to make changes…”
Passive Voice: “widely believed to be…”
Nominalisation: Turning actions into nouns (e.g., “the modernisation of,” “the creation of”), which makes the writing feel more academic.

3. Cohesion

Using “To begin with” and “Another crucial problem” creates a very clear mental map for the reader. The transition to the conclusion is smooth and decisive.

4. Register & Tone (Communicative Achievement)

Formal but not exaggerated
No informal intrusions
Natural academic voice throughout
Example of strong tone: “workplaces are widely believed to be purely functional environments”

5. Organisation

Clear 4-paragraph structure
Logical sequencing (problem → consequences → solution → evaluation)
Cohesive devices used naturally (not overused)

Final Band Scores

Criterion	Band (0–5)	Detailed Evaluation
Content	5/5	Fully addresses the task, discusses both options, and clearly states and justifies a preferred choice. No omissions.
Communicative Achievement	5/5	Consistently appropriate formal register; tone is controlled, natural, and suited to an academic essay.
Organisation	5/5	Excellent structure: clear paragraphs, smooth progression, and effective linking throughout.
Language	5/5	Wide range of vocabulary and structures used accurately; collocations are natural and varied; only negligible imperfections.

Links for further self-learning

♦ If you are not familiar with the format of this task, you can find more information here.

♦ Click here to learn more about how writing is assessed:

♦ And here to find a checklist to improve your writing: C1 Advanced

Thanks for reading!