The Register Dial
One dial with four settings, and the two tasks marked where they belong on it.
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Two tasks, two settings. The fourth position is not a higher score — it is off the scale.
Match register to task, understanding that over-formality in Speaking costs marks just as informality in Writing does.
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Most candidates learn that formal words score higher. In Speaking, that belief actively costs marks.
I endeavoured to procure some provisions and subsequently resided at my domicile.
Every word is real. Every word is formal. This answer scores badly — and understanding exactly why is the point of this sprint.
The Band 7 descriptor asks for "some awareness of style and collocation". Style means fitting the situation. A candidate who cannot tell a Task 2 essay from a chat about their weekend has not demonstrated awareness of style — they have demonstrated the opposite.
One dial with four settings, and the two tasks marked where they belong on it.
Two tasks, two settings. The fourth position is not a higher score — it is off the scale.
Twelve words sorted by where they belong, not by how impressive they sound.
Sort each item into the correct category
Three decisions where the task decides the word, not the difficulty.
One
The task: Speaking Part 1. The examiner asks where you live.
Candidates: I reside in a suburb / I live in a suburb
The expert chooses:
Because:
Two
The task: Task 2. You are writing about the number of people affected by a policy.
Candidates: lots of people / numerous people
The expert chooses:
Because:
Three
The task: Task 2. You want to say a scheme needs money.
Candidates: requires funding / necessitates the procurement of funding
The expert chooses:
Because:
Six sentences to move between Speaking and Writing register.
Speaking → Writing
Lots of kids don't get enough exercise. → Task 2: children do not sufficient exercise.
The government should help people who need housing. → Task 2: The government should those who housing.
Writing → Speaking
I reside in a suburb of the capital. → Part 1: I in a suburb of the capital.
I purchase numerous books each year. → Part 1: I buy of books each year.