10

Functions	Subject areas	Grammar	Lexis
	List A
Developing an argument	Roles in the family	The basic structures specified for Grade 6 and below exercising consistent control	Vocabulary specific to the topic and subject areas
Defending a point of view	Bullying	The more complex structures of grades 7 to 9, though errors may occur when attempting to use combinations of these structures across sentence boundaries	Modifying words - e.g. basically, quite, certainly
Expressing beliefs	The school curriculum		Intensifiers - e.g. absolutely, completely, totally
Expressing opinions tentatively	Youth behaviour		Tentative expressions - e.g. I may be wrong but ..., Don't you think it might be ...
Summarising information, ideas and arguments	Use of the internet		'Signposting' words - e.g. firstly, finally
Deducing	Designer goods
	OR List B
	International events
	Equal opportunities
	Social issues
	The future of the planet
	Scientific developments
	Stress management

11

Functions	Subject areas	Grammar	Lexis
	List A
Justifying an argument	Independence	The basic structures specified for Grade 6 and below exercising complete control	Expressions used before challenging - e.g. That's a good point but ..., Perhaps I didn't explain my point clearly
Inferring	Ambitions	The more complex structures of grades 7 to 9, used in combination and contrast, with only very occasional lapses	Expressions for downplaying and softening - e.g. It's quite difficult, If I could just ask
Softening and downplaying propositions	Stereotypes		Signposting expressions - e.g. I'd like to begin with, On the other hand, So to sum up
Expressing caution	Role models		Language of caution, e.g. It tends to be, It seems as if
Challenging arguments and opinions	Competitiveness		Vague and imprecise language - e.g. a bit more, a hundred people or so
Evaluating different standpoints	Young people's rights
Expressing reservations
	OR List B
	The media
	Advertising
	Lifestyles
	The arts
	The rights of the individual
	Economic issues

Functions	Subject areas	Grammar	Lexis
Asserting	Any of the subject areas in previous levels and any other appropriate subject	A comprehensive and reliable mastery of a very wide range of language to formulate thoughts precisely, give emphasis and eliminate ambiguity	A range of idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms
Denying		Differing linguistic forms to reformulate ideas to convey finer shades of meaning	Language of empathy and sympathy - e.g. I see what you mean but..., That must have been very difficult...
Expressing empathy and sympathy			Expressions used to introduce contradiction or assertion - e.g. Well, I don't see it like that..., That may be true for you ...
Contradicting
Implying
Affirming