Points of interpretation
Composition (a)
? Must be a story, if not deduct 2 marks AD for irrelevance.
? Must start with the given sentence, in the first paragraph, if not deduct 2 marks AD on Rubric.
? It should present a scenario about an experience involving a family member, good or bad, that people took for
granted but later took it up seriously.
? Deduct 2 marks if length is more than 2 A4 pages-450 words.
N.B. Penalized only up to 4 marks.
Composition (b)
? Must be a story. If not, deduct. 2 marks.
? Must be an essay that illustrates ways of eliminating drug abuse. If not, treat as irrelevant, and deduct 2 marks AD
for irrelevance.
? Deduct 2 marks if length is more than 2 A4 pages.
N.B. Penalized only up to 4 marks.
Deciding the Class and allocation of marks
Read each composition and decide which class it falls in before assigning it a mark based on the following
criteria. Then subject each of them to the above mentioned deductions, if any.
General classifications
A Class essays (16-20 marks)
The candidate communicates not only fluently but also attractively with originality and efficiency. He has the
ability to make us share his/her deep feelings, emotions, enthusiasms. He or she expresses himself/ herself freely
and with no visible constraint. The script gives evidence of Maturity, good planning and often humour. Many
items of merit which indicate that the candidate has complete command of the language. There is no stain, just
pleasantness, clever arrangement, felicity of expression
B Class essays (11-15 marks)
This class is characterized by great fluency and easy of expression without strain. The candidate demonstrates that
he/she can use English as a normal way of expressing himself/herself. Sentences are varied and usually wellconstructed. Some candidates become ambitious or even over- ambitious. There are many items of merit of one
word or expression type. Many essays in this category may be just clean and unassuming, but they still show that
the candidate is at ease with the language.
C Class essays (06-10 marks)
Candidate communicates understandably but only more or less clearly. He or she is not confident with his/her
language. Subject is often underdeveloped. There may be some digressions. Unnecessary repetitions frequent. The
arrangement is weak and flow jerky. There is no economy of language. Mother tongue influence is felt.
D Class essays (01-05 marks)
The candidate does not communicate at all. His language ability is so minimal that the examiner practically has to
guess what the candidate wants to say. The candidate fails to fit the English words he/she knows into meaningful
sentences. The subject is glanced at or distorted. Practically no valid punctuation. All kinds of errors (“Broken
English') are evident.
Specific classifications
A Class essays. (16-20 marks)
The candidate communicates not only fluently but also attractively with originality and efficiency. He has the
ability to make us share his/her deep feelings, emotions, enthusiasms. He or she expresses himself/ herself freely
and with no visible constraint. The script gives evidence of Maturity, good planning and often humour. Many
items of merit which indicate that the candidate has complete command of the language. There is no stain, just
pleasantness, clever arrangement, felicity of expression.
A- 16-17
The candidate shows competence and fluency in using the language. He may lack imagination or originality which
usually provides the “spark” in such essays. Vocabulary, idiom sentence structure, links, variety are impressive.
Gross errors are very few.
A 18
Positive ability.A few errors that are felt to be slips. The story or argument has a definite impact. No grammar
problems. Variety of structures.A definite spark. Many margin ticks.
A+ 19-20
The candidate communicates not only information but meaning, but also and especially the candidate’s whole self:
his /her feelings, testes, point of view, youth, and culture. This ability to communicate deeply may express himself
in a wide range of effective vocabulary, original approach, vivid and sustained account in the case of a narrative,
well developed ad ordered argument in the case of a debate or discussion. Errors and slips should not deprive the
candidate of the full marks he deserves. A very definite spark (very memorable)
B Class essays. (11-15 marks)
This class is characterized by great fluency and easy of expression without strain. The candidate demonstrates that
he/she can use English as a normal way of expressing himself/herself. Sentences are varied and usually wellconstructed. Some candidates become ambitious or even over- ambitious. There are many items of merit of one
word or expression type. Many essays in this category may be just clean and unassuming, but they still show that
the candidate is at ease with the language.
B- 11-12
The candidate communicates fairly and with some fluency. There may be little variety in sentence structure. Gross
errors are still found occasionally, but this must not be over punished by the examiner.
The sentences are varied but rather simple and straight forward. The candidate does not strain himself in an effort
to impress. There is a fair range of vocabulary and idiom. Natural and effortless.Some items of merit, economy of
language.
B+ 14-15
The candidate communicates his ideas pleasantly and without strain. There are errors and slips. Tenses, spelling
and punctuation are good. A number of items of merit of the “whole sentence” or “whole expression” (margin
ticks).
C Class essays. (06-10 marks)
Candidate communicates understandably but only more or less clearly. He or she is not confident with his/her
language. Subject is often underdeveloped. There may be some digressions. Unnecessary repetitions frequent. The
arrangement is weak and flow jerky. There is no economy of language. Mother tongue influence is felt.
C- 06-07
The candidate finds it obviously hard to communicate his/her ideas. He/she is seriously hampered by his limited
knowledge of structure and vocabulary. This results in many gross errors of agreement, spelling, misuse of
prepositions, tenses verb agreement and sentence construction.
C 08
The candidate communicates but with not consistent clarity. His/her linguistic abilities being very limited, he/she
cannot avoid frequent errors in sentence structure. There is little variety or originality. Very bookish English, links
are weak, incorrect, repeated at times.
C+ 09-10
The candidate communicates in a flat and uncertain manner. Simple concept sentence forms are often strained.
There may be an overuse of clichés, unsuitable idioms. Proverbs are misquoted or misinterpreted. The flow is
jerky. There are some errors of agreement, tenses and spellings
D Class essays (01-05 marks)
marto answered the question on May 23, 2019 at 11:05