Descriptive Statements:
- Fulfill the purpose of the prompt in a manner that is appropriate for the given audience.
- Organize ideas in a logically sequenced, well-connected, and consistently clear fashion.
- Demonstrate development of ideas that are well supported with relevant details and examples.
- Demonstrate a consistent control of syntax and grammar, making only minor mistakes that do not interfere with the comprehensibility of ideas.
- Use contextualized vocabulary and idiomatic expressions as appropriate.
- Maintain a strong flow of speech, with few, if any, nonproductive pauses or hesitations.
- Demonstrate intelligible and clear pronunciation and intonation or tones, as appropriate.
Sample Item:
Read the assignment below. You will have 2 minutes to review the assignment and prepare your response. Begin speaking in Mandarin when the current status on the Recorded Answer box changes to "time remaining." Monitor your time by referring to the Recorded Answer box. Begin reviewing the assignment now.
Imagine that you have been asked to give a presentation in Mandarin to a group of educators about a past experience you have had in which you attended a cultural event such as a concert or art exhibit. Speaking in Mandarin, discuss your experience. In your presentation, you must include, but are not limited to, the following:
- a narrative of an experience in which you attended a cultural event; and
- an explanation of how this experience affected you.
Sample Response
Sample Strong Response (Show Sample Strong ResponseHide Sample Strong Response)
A strong response to the presentational speaking assignment would develop the topic by elaboration of specific points. The response would be delivered in a consistently clear manner. The speaker would speak fluently, demonstrating control of syntax and grammar. The speaker would show mastery of a broad vocabulary including appropriate idiomatic expressions. The speaker would handle simple and complex linguistic constructions, avoiding errors that interfere with communication. The speaker would exhibit good to excellent pronunciation and use of tones.
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