CEFR Reading Descriptors

understand virtually all types of texts including abstract, structurally complex, or highly colloquial literary and non-literary writings.

understand a wide range of long and complex texts, appreciating subtle distinctions of style and implicit as well as explicit meaning.

understand in detail lengthy, complex texts, whether or not these relate to their own area of speciality, provided they can reread difficult sections.

understand a wide variety of texts including literary writings, newspaper or magazine articles, and specialised academic or professional publications, provided there are opportunities for rereading and they have access to reference tools.

read with a large degree of independence, adapting style and speed of reading to different texts and purposes, and using appropriate reference sources selectively. Has a broad active reading vocabulary, but may experience some difficulty with low-frequency idioms.

read straightforward factual texts on subjects related to their field of interest with a satisfactory level of comprehension.

understand short, simple texts on familiar matters of a concrete type which consist of high frequency everyday or job-related language.

understand short, simple texts containing the highest frequency vocabulary, including a proportion of shared international vocabulary items.

understand very short, simple texts a single phrase at a time, picking up familiar names, words and basic phrases and rereading as required.

recognise familiar words/signs accompanied by pictures, such as a fast-food restaurant menu illustrated with photos or a picture book using familiar vocabulary.

understand specialised, formal correspondence on a complex topic.

understand any correspondence given the occasional use of a dictionary.

understand implicit as well as explicit attitudes, emotions and opinions expressed in e-mails, discussion forums, vlogs/blogs, etc., provided there are opportunities for rereading and they have access to reference tools.

understand slang, idiomatic expressions and jokes in private correspondence.

read correspondence relating to their field of interest and readily grasp the essential meaning.

understand what is said in a personal e-mail or posting even where some colloquial language is used.

understand formal correspondence on less familiar subjects well enough to redirect it to someone else.

understand the description of events, feelings and wishes in personal letters well enough to correspond regularly with a pen friend.

understand straightforward personal letters, e-mails or postings giving a relatively detailed account of events and experiences.

understand standard formal correspondence and online postings in their area of professional interest.

understand a simple personal letter, e-mail or post in which the person writing is talking about familiar subjects (such as friends or family) or asking questions on these subjects.

understand basic types of standard routine letters and faxes (enquiries, orders, letters of confirmation, etc.) on familiar topics.

understand short, simple personal letters.

understand very simple formal e-mails and letters (e.g. confirmation of a booking or online purchase).

understand short, simple messages on postcards.

understand short, simple messages sent via social media or e-mail (e.g. proposing what to do, when and where to meet).

understand from a letter, card or e-mail the event to which they are being invited and the information given about day, time and location.

recognise times and places in very simple notes and text messages from friends or colleagues (e.g. “Back at 4 o’clock” or “In the meeting room”), provided there are no abbreviations.

scan quickly through several sources (articles, reports, websites, books, etc.) in parallel, in both their own field and in related fields, and can identify the relevance and usefulness of particular sections for the task at hand.

scan quickly through long and complex texts, locating relevant details.

quickly identify the content and relevance of news items, articles and reports on a wide range of professional topics, deciding whether closer study is worthwhile.

scan quickly through several sources (articles, reports, websites, books, etc.) in parallel, in both their own field and in related fields, and can identify the relevance and usefulness of particular sections for the task at hand.

scan quickly through long and complex texts, locating relevant details.

quickly identify the content and relevance of news items, articles and reports on a wide range of professional topics, deciding whether closer study is worthwhile.

scan quickly through several sources (articles, reports, websites, books, etc.) in parallel, in both their own field and in related fields, and can identify the relevance and usefulness of particular sections for the task at hand.

scan quickly through long and complex texts, locating relevant details.

quickly identify the content and relevance of news items, articles and reports on a wide range of professional topics, deciding whether closer study is worthwhile.

scan longer texts in order to locate desired information, and gather information from different parts of a text, or from different texts in order to fulfil a specific task.

scan through straightforward, factual texts in magazines, brochures or on the web, identify what they are about and decide whether they contain information that might be of practical use.

find and understand relevant information in everyday material, such as letters, brochures and short official documents.

pick out important information about preparation and usage on the labels on foodstuff and medicine.

assess whether an article, report or review is on the required topic.

understand the important information in simple, clearly drafted adverts in newspapers or magazines, provided there are not too many abbreviations.

find specific information in practical, concrete, predictable texts (e.g. travel guidebooks, recipes), provided they are produced in simple language.

understand the main information in short and simple descriptions of goods in brochures and websites (e.g. portable digital devices, cameras).

find specific, predictable information in simple everyday material such as advertisements, prospectuses, menus, reference lists and timetables.

locate specific information in lists and isolate the information required (e.g. use a directory to find a service or tradesman).

understand everyday signs and notices, etc. in public places, such as streets, restaurants, railway stations; in workplaces, such as directions, instructions, hazard warnings.

recognise familiar names, words/signs and very basic phrases on simple notices in the most common everyday situations.

understand store guides (information on which floors departments are on) and directions (e.g. where to find toilets).

understand basic hotel information (e.g. times when meals are served).

find and understand simple, important information in advertisements, programmes for special events, leaflets and brochures (e.g. what is proposed, costs, the date and place of the event, departure times).

understand simple everyday signs such as "Parking", "Station", "Dining room", "No smoking", etc.

find information about places, times and prices on posters, flyers and notices.

understand the finer points and implications of a complex report or article even outside their area of specialisation.

understand in detail a wide range of lengthy, complex texts likely to be encountered in social, professional or academic life, identifying finer points of detail including attitudes and implied as well as stated opinions.

obtain information, ideas and opinions from highly specialised sources within their field.

understand specialised articles outside their field, provided they use a dictionary occasionally to confirm their interpretation of terminology.

understand articles and reports concerned with contemporary problems in which particular stances or viewpoints are adopted.

recognise when a text provides factual information and when it seeks to convince readers of something.

recognise different structures in discursive text: contrasting arguments, problem–solution presentation and cause–effect relationships.

understand straightforward, factual texts on subjects relating to their interests or studies.

understand short texts on subjects that are familiar or of current interest, in which people give their points of view (e.g. critical contributions to an online discussion forum or readers' letters to the editor).

identify the main conclusions in clearly signalled argumentative texts.

recognise the line of argument in the treatment of the issue presented, though not necessarily in detail.

recognise significant points in straightforward news articles on familiar subjects.

understand most factual information that they are likely to come across on familiar subjects of interest, provided they have sufficient time for rereading.

understand the main points in descriptive notes such as those on museum exhibits and explanatory boards in exhibitions.

identify specific information in simpler material they encounter such as letters, brochures and short news articles describing events.

follow the general outline of a news report on a familiar type of event, provided the contents are familiar and predictable.

pick out the main information in short news reports or simple articles in which figures, names, illustrations and titles play a prominent role and support the meaning of the text.

understand the main points of short texts dealing with everyday topics (e.g. lifestyle, hobbies, sports, weather).

understand texts describing people, places, everyday life and culture, etc., provided they use simple language.

understand information given in illustrated brochures and maps (e.g. the principal attractions of a city).

understand the main points in short news items on subjects of personal interest (e.g. sport, celebrities).

understand a short factual description or report within their own field, provided simple language is used and that it does not contain unpredictable detail.

understand most of what people say about themselves in a personal ad or post and what they say they like in other people.

get an idea of the content of simpler informational material and short, simple descriptions, especially if there is visual support.

understand short texts on subjects of personal interest (e.g. news flashes about sports, music, travel or stories) composed in very simple language and supported by illustrations and pictures.

understand the simplest informational material such as a fast-food restaurant menu illustrated with photos or an illustrated story formulated in very simple everyday words/signs.

understand in detail lengthy, complex instructions on a new machine or procedure, whether or not the instructions relate to their own area of speciality, provided they can reread difficult sections.

understand in detail lengthy, complex instructions on a new machine or procedure, whether or not the instructions relate to their own area of speciality, provided they can reread difficult sections.

understand lengthy, complex instructions in their field, including details on conditions and warnings, provided they can reread difficult sections.

understand instructions and procedures in the form of a continuous text, for instance in a manual, provided they are familiar with the type of process or product concerned.

understand clearly expressed, straightforward instructions for a piece of equipment.

follow simple instructions given on packaging (e.g. cooking instructions).

understand most short safety instructions, (e.g. on public transport or in manuals for the use of electrical equipment).

understand regulations, for example safety, when expressed in simple language.

understand short instructions illustrated step by step (e.g. for installing new technology).

understand simple instructions on equipment encountered in everyday life – such as a ticket machine.

understand simple, brief instructions, provided they are illustrated and not presented in continuous text.

understand instructions on medicine labels expressed as a simple command (e.g. "Take before meals" or "Do not take if driving").

follow a simple recipe, especially if there are pictures to illustrate the most important steps.

follow short, simple directions (e.g. to go from X to Y).

understand very short, simple, instructions used in familiar everyday contexts (e.g. "No parking", "No food or drink"), especially if there are illustrations.

read virtually all forms of texts including classical or colloquial literary and non-literary texts in different genres, appreciating subtle distinctions of style and implicit as well as explicit meaning.

read and appreciate a variety of literary texts, provided they can reread certain sections and that they can access reference tools if they wish.

read contemporary literary texts and non-fiction produced in the standard form of the language or a familiar variety with little difficulty and with appreciation of implicit meanings and ideas.

read for pleasure with a large degree of independence, adapting style and speed of reading to different texts (e.g. magazines, more straightforward novels, history books, biographies, travelogues, guides, lyrics, poems), using appropriate reference sources selectively.

read novels with a strong, narrative plot and that use straightforward, unelaborated language, provided they can take their time and use a dictionary.

read newspaper/magazine accounts of films, books, concerts, etc. produced for a wider audience and understand the main points.

understand simple poems and song lyrics provided these employ straightforward language and style.

understand descriptions of places, events, explicitly expressed feelings and perspectives in narratives, guides and magazine articles that employ high frequency everyday language.

understand a travel diary mainly describing the events of a journey and the experiences and discoveries of the writer.

follow the plot of stories, simple novels and comics with a clear linear storyline and high frequency everyday language, given regular use of a dictionary.

understand enough to read short, simple stories and comic strips involving familiar, concrete situations described in high frequency everyday language.

understand the main points made in short magazine reports or guide entries that deal with concrete everyday topics (e.g. hobbies, sports, leisure activities, animals).

understand short narratives and descriptions of someone’s life composed in simple language.

understand what is happening in a photo story (e.g. in a lifestyle magazine) and form an impression of what the characters are like.

understand much of the information provided in a short description of a person (e.g. a celebrity).

understand the main point of a short article reporting an event that follows a predictable pattern (e.g. the Oscars), provided it is composed clearly in simple language.

understand short, illustrated narratives about everyday activities described in simple words.

understand in outline short texts in illustrated stories, provided the images help them to guess at a lot of the content.