Question 1 · Extended Writing Task
30 marksYour school recently organized a sustainable travel trip to an eco-resort in a rural community. Write a text of 250 to 400 words in which you share your personal experience, describe the sustainable practices you witnessed, and explain how the trip changed your view on the responsibilities of tourists. Choose the most appropriate text type from the following options: Blog post, Informal email to a friend, or Official report.
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Worked solution
Depending on the chosen text type, a successful response will include the following elements:
1. Text Type Features:
- Blog post: Needs an engaging title, first-person narrative, reader involvement (e.g., direct address, comments section invite), and an informal but reflective tone.
- Informal email: Needs a clear subject line, warm opening and closing salutations, informal and friendly register, first-person narrative, and transitions suited to a friend.
- Official report: Needs a formal tone, clear headings/subheadings, objective language (even when describing personal participation on behalf of the school), and a concluding recommendation or summary.
2. Content Requirements:
- Share personal experience: Details about the trip (e.g., location, duration, overall impressions of the eco-resort).
- Describe sustainable practices: Concrete details such as solar energy, zero-waste initiatives, water conservation, local organic sourcing, or supporting local employment.
- Reflection: Clear statement of how their mindset has evolved regarding travel ethics and the responsibilities of a global tourist.
1. Text Type Features:
- Blog post: Needs an engaging title, first-person narrative, reader involvement (e.g., direct address, comments section invite), and an informal but reflective tone.
- Informal email: Needs a clear subject line, warm opening and closing salutations, informal and friendly register, first-person narrative, and transitions suited to a friend.
- Official report: Needs a formal tone, clear headings/subheadings, objective language (even when describing personal participation on behalf of the school), and a concluding recommendation or summary.
2. Content Requirements:
- Share personal experience: Details about the trip (e.g., location, duration, overall impressions of the eco-resort).
- Describe sustainable practices: Concrete details such as solar energy, zero-waste initiatives, water conservation, local organic sourcing, or supporting local employment.
- Reflection: Clear statement of how their mindset has evolved regarding travel ethics and the responsibilities of a global tourist.
Marking scheme
Marking is based on the official IB Language B assessment criteria for Paper 1 SL:
Criterion A: Language (12 Marks)
- Level 10-12: High level of grammatical accuracy, varied vocabulary appropriate to the topic of travel and sustainability, and effective use of cohesive devices.
- Level 7-9: Generally accurate language with some idiomatic expressions; minor errors do not impede communication.
- Level 4-6: Some vocabulary variation but frequent errors in complex structures; communication is partially successful.
- Level 1-3: Limited vocabulary and repetitive grammatical errors that hinder understanding.
Criterion B: Message (12 Marks)
- Level 10-12: Excellent development of all three parts of the prompt (experience, practices, reflection) with supporting details and logical progression.
- Level 7-9: Most parts of the prompt are well developed with relevant details, though one aspect may be slightly more superficial.
- Level 4-6: Simple ideas with limited development; some parts of the prompt may be omitted or addressed very briefly.
- Level 1-3: Minimal development; ideas are disorganized or largely irrelevant.
Criterion C: Conceptual Understanding (6 Marks)
- Level 5-6: Choice of text type is highly appropriate to context, audience, and purpose. The register (formal or informal) is maintained consistently throughout.
- Level 3-4: The text type is generally appropriate, but there are some inconsistencies in register, tone, or structural conventions.
- Level 1-2: Poor choice of text type, or conventions of the chosen format are completely ignored.
Criterion A: Language (12 Marks)
- Level 10-12: High level of grammatical accuracy, varied vocabulary appropriate to the topic of travel and sustainability, and effective use of cohesive devices.
- Level 7-9: Generally accurate language with some idiomatic expressions; minor errors do not impede communication.
- Level 4-6: Some vocabulary variation but frequent errors in complex structures; communication is partially successful.
- Level 1-3: Limited vocabulary and repetitive grammatical errors that hinder understanding.
Criterion B: Message (12 Marks)
- Level 10-12: Excellent development of all three parts of the prompt (experience, practices, reflection) with supporting details and logical progression.
- Level 7-9: Most parts of the prompt are well developed with relevant details, though one aspect may be slightly more superficial.
- Level 4-6: Simple ideas with limited development; some parts of the prompt may be omitted or addressed very briefly.
- Level 1-3: Minimal development; ideas are disorganized or largely irrelevant.
Criterion C: Conceptual Understanding (6 Marks)
- Level 5-6: Choice of text type is highly appropriate to context, audience, and purpose. The register (formal or informal) is maintained consistently throughout.
- Level 3-4: The text type is generally appropriate, but there are some inconsistencies in register, tone, or structural conventions.
- Level 1-2: Poor choice of text type, or conventions of the chosen format are completely ignored.