Band Descriptor Decoder (LRWS) with Examples (LRWS)

0) Score math in one minute

• Each paper gives a band 0 to 9.
• Overall band is the average of LRWS, rounded to the nearest half.
  Example: L 7.5, R 7.0, W 6.5, S 7.0 → average 7.0 → Overall 7.0.

Glossary keys
TR/TA = Task Response or Task Achievement
CC = Coherence and Cohesion
LR = Lexical Resource
GRA = Grammatical Range and Accuracy
F&C = Fluency and Coherence

Panel A — Listening and Reading

What changes by band

• Band 6: understands main ideas, misses traps and dense paraphrase, timing slips.
• Band 7: handles paraphrase and distractors, minor slips on detail.
• Band 8: accurate on detail and inference, stable timing and checking.

Typical raw score bands*

Listening: 30 to 31 ≈ 7.0, 32 to 34 ≈ 7.5, 35 to 36 ≈ 8.0.
Reading Academic: 30 to 32 ≈ 7.0, 33 to 34 ≈ 7.5, 35 to 36 ≈ 8.0.
*Exact conversions vary by test form. Use as a guide only.

Fast upgrades

• Trap filter: underline negatives, totals, comparisons before you listen or read.
• Paraphrase net: collect 3 synonyms per key word on the question page.
• Timing rule: spend 1 min per 6 questions marking guesses, then return.

Mini drill
Question word: increase. Paraphrase set: rise, grow, climb, go up, upward trend.

Panel B — Writing Task 2 Decoder

Band shape

• 6
  TR: answer is relevant but partly developed.
  CC: some repetition and basic linkers.
  LR: common words, occasional misuse.
  GRA: errors but meaning clear.
• 7
  TR: clear position, each body paragraph has a focused reason.
  CC: logical order, varied linking, reference words used.
  LR: precise common words, a few topic terms used naturally.
  GRA: mixes simple and complex sentences with mostly correct control.
• 8
  TR: fully addresses all parts with balanced examples and a clear conclusion.
  CC: seamless flow with grammar links, not only linkers.
  LR: flexible word choice, accurate collocations, little repetition.
  GRA: wide structures with high accuracy.

Before and after lines

• Band 6: Government should increase tax because it is important.
• Band 7: Government should raise fuel tax to discourage short car trips.
• Band 8: Targeted fuel taxes on short urban trips reduce congestion during peak hours.

Paragraph blueprint that fits 7+

• Claim line that answers the question.
• Reason 1 with a concrete example.
• Reason 2 with a limit or condition.
• Mini conclusion that links back.

Edit checklist
[ ] One clear claim per paragraph
[ ] Reference words this, these, such used
[ ] One cause or contrast per sentence
[ ] Remove filler in order to → to, due to the fact that → because

Panel C — Writing Task 1 Decoder

Band shape

• 6: reports main trends, some data missed.
• 7: overview plus accurate key figures and clear comparisons.
• 8: concise overview, grouped data, accurate ranges and outliers.

Example upgrade
6: Sales increased in many years.
7: Sales rose from 200 to 260 units between 2020 and 2024.
8: Sales climbed steadily from 200 to 260 units between 2020 and 2024, with the only dip in 2022.

Safe frames

• Overall, X increased while Y remained stable.
• By 2024, A reached 18 percent, whereas B fell to 9 percent.

Panel D — Speaking Decoder

Band shape by criterion

• Fluency and Coherence
  6: ideas connect but pauses and repeats appear.
  7: smooth flow with minor hesitation.
  8: natural pacing with flexible linking and clear endings.
• Lexical Resource
  6: enough words for topics, some errors.
  7: precise common words and some idiomatic control.
  8: flexible choices and accurate paraphrase.
• Grammar
  6: mixes tenses, some errors.
  7: range of complex forms with few errors.
  8: wide range and high accuracy.
• Pronunciation
  6: mostly clear, first language influence.
  7: clear stress and rhythm with rare slips.
  8: precise sounds, strong sentence stress.

Model stretch from 6 to 7
Q: Why is public transport underused
6: People do not like it because it is slow.
7: Many avoid it because door to door time is longer than driving and schedules are unreliable, so trust falls.

End line ideas
In short, this works when reliability improves. On balance, a mixed approach is better.

Panel E — Rapid error map and fixes

Panel F — Mini rubrics you can print

Writing Task 2 quick score 0 to 3 each
TR ____ CC ____ LR ____ GRA ____
12 is a strong script. Note one change for the next draft.

Speaking quick score 0 to 3 each
F&C ____ Lexis ____ Grammar ____ Pronun ____
Target 10 or more. Note one habit to keep.

Panel G — Worked examples

Task 2 claim set
Question: Some think cities should widen roads. Others prefer bike lanes.

• 6 claim: Widening roads is good.
• 7 claim: Bike lanes reduce short car trips and improve safety.
• 8 claim: In dense city centers, protected bike lanes shift two to five kilometer trips from cars to bikes, which frees road capacity without high costs.

Task 1 comparison line

• 6: A is higher than B.
• 7: A is 10 units higher than B in all years.
• 8: A exceeded B by 8 to 12 units from 2020 to 2024, peaking at a 12 unit gap in 2023.

Speaking Part 3 contrast

• 6: Online classes are better.
• 7: Online classes help workers with shifts, whereas campus classes support first year students who need structure.

Panel H — 7 day plan

Day 1: Decode your last scores. Write two gaps per skill.
Day 2: Listening traps drill and paraphrase net.
Day 3: Reading timing and True False Not Given logic.
Day 4: Task 2 rewrite one paragraph to Band 7 using the blueprint.
Day 5: Task 1 group data and write one overview.
Day 6: Speaking Part 2 hook plus arc practice with one recording.
Day 7: Full mock, fill both rubrics, pick one change for next week.

Pocket lists

Band safe linkers: also, while, because, so, therefore, as a result, for example, whereas, although, if, in contrast.
Chart verbs: rise, fall, increase, decrease, remain, peak, dip, fluctuate.
Opinion verbs: argue, suggest, claim, highlight, support, challenge.

Use the decoder to turn vague advice into specific edits. Build one clear claim, one sharp comparison, one concrete example, and one clean ending in every answer.