Descriptors From The Common European Framework: B1 - Threshold Level

Descriptors from the Common European Framework
(excerpts taken from the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment, Cambridge University Press, 2001)
B1 Threshold Level
Global Descriptors Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst traveling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics that are familiar or are of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes, and ambitions and briey give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
Speaking Can reasonably uently sustain a straightforward description of one of a variety of subjects within his/ her eld of interest, presenting it as a linear sequence of events. The description is clear enough to be followed without difculty most of the time, and the main points are explained with reasonable precision. Can develop an argument well enough to be followed without difculty most of the time. Can briey give reasons and explanations for opinions, plans, and actions. Can take follow-up questions in presentations, but may have to ask to repetition if the speech was rapid. Can exchange, check, and conrm information, deal with less routine situations, and explain why something is a problem. Can enter unprepared into conversations on familiar topics. Can follow clearly articulated speech directed at him/her in everyday conversations, though will sometimes have to ask for repetition of particular words and phrases. Can maintain a conversation or discussion, but may sometimes be difcult to follow when trying to say exactly what he/she would like to. Can take part in routine formal discussion of familiar subjects that involves the exchange of factual information, receiving instructions or the discussion or solutions to practical problems. Can present a point of view clearly, but has difculty engaging in debate.
Writing
Can write straightforward connected texts on a range of familiar subjects within his eld of interest, by linking a series of shorter, discrete elements into a linear sequence. Can write accounts of experiences, describing feelings and reactions in simple connected text. Can summarize, report and give her/her opinion about accumulated factual information on familiar routine and non-routine matters within his/her eld with some condence.
Listening Can understand straightforward factual information about common everyday topics or topics within his/her eld, identifying both general messages and specic details, provided speech is clearly articulated in a generally familiar accent. Can follow the main points of extended discussions around him/her. Can understand presentations that are straightforward and clearly structured. Can follow clearly articulated speech directed at him/her in everyday conversation, though will sometimes have to ask for repetition of particular words or phrases. Can follow much of what is said around him/her on general topics provided interlocutors avoid very idiomatic usage and articulate clearly.
Reading Can read straightforward factual texts on subjects related to his/her eld and interest with a satisfactory level of comprehension. Can identify main conclusions in clearly signaled argumentative texts. Can recognize the line of argument in the treatment of the issue presented, though not necessarily in detail.
C1 Effective Operational Prociency Level

Global Descriptors Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognize implicit meaning. Can express himself/herself uently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language exibly and effectively for social, academic, and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-constructed, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.
Speaking Can give clear, detailed descriptions of complex subjects, integrating sub-themes, developing particular points and rounding off with an appropriate conclusion. Can give a clear, well-structured presentation of a complex subject, expanding and supporting points of view at some length with subsidiary points, reason and relevant examples. Can handle interjections well, responding spontaneously and almost effortlessly. Can express himself/herself uently and spontaneously, almost effortlessly. Has a good command of a broad lexical repertoire, allowing gaps to be readily overcome with circumlocutions. There is little obvious searching for expressions or avoidance strategies; only a conceptually difcult subject can hinder natural, smooth ow of language. Can use language exibly and effectively for social purposes, including emotional, allusive, and joking usage. Can contribute to complex group discussions, even on abstract, complex unfamiliar topics. Can argue a formal position convincingly, responding to questions and comments and answering complex lines of counter argument uently, spontaneously, and appropriately.
Writing Can write clear, well-structured texts of complex subjects, underlining the relevant salient issues, expanding and supporting points of view at some length with subsidiary points, reasons, and relevant examples, and rounding off with an appropriate conclusion. Can write in an assured, personal, natural style, appropriate to the reader in mind. Can write clear, well-structured expositions of complex subjects, underlining the relevant salient issues.
Listening Reading
Can understand enough to follow extended speech on abstract and complex topics beyond his/her eld, though he/she may need to conrm occasional details, especially if the accent is unfamiliar. Can recognize a wide range of idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms, appreciating register shifts. Can follow extended speech even when it is not clearly structured and when relationships are only implied and not signaled explicitly. Can easily follow complex interactions between third parties in group discussion and debate, even on abstract, complex unfamiliar topics. Can understand in detail speech on abstract and complex topics of a specialist nature beyond his/her own eld, though he/she may need to conrm occasional details, especially if the accent is unfamiliar. Can easily follow complex group discussions, even on abstract, complex unfamiliar topics.
Can understand in detail lengthy, complex texts, whether or not they relate to his/her own area of specialty, provided he/she can reread difcult sections. Can understand in detail a wide range of lengthy, complex texts likely to be encountered in social, professional, or academic life, identifying ner points of detail including attitudes and implied as well as stated opinions.
Copyright 2004 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. Educational Testing Service, ETS, the ETS logo, TOEFL, TSE, TWE and TOEIC are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service.

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C1 Effective Operational Prociency Level

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