CEFR CEFR Vocabulary and Lexical Competence Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to the CEFR, what does 'lexical competence' primarily involve?
- The ability to spell words correctly in written texts
- Knowledge of the vocabulary of a language and the ability to use it appropriately (Correct answer)
- The ability to identify root words and affixes
- Memorizing word lists organized by frequency
Correct answer: Knowledge of the vocabulary of a language and the ability to use it appropriately
Lexical competence in the CEFR encompasses both the knowledge of vocabulary items (including collocations, fixed expressions, and idioms) and the ability to deploy them in context.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes a learner operating at CEFR A2 in terms of vocabulary range?
- Has a wide operational vocabulary with good mastery of idiomatic expressions
- Can communicate in simple, routine tasks using a basic repertoire of words and phrases (Correct answer)
- Can discuss complex or sensitive topics using precise vocabulary
- Can understand and use highly technical vocabulary in specialized fields
Correct answer: Can communicate in simple, routine tasks using a basic repertoire of words and phrases
A2 learners operate with a limited but functional vocabulary that allows them to handle familiar, everyday situations and basic needs.
Question 3: In the CEFR framework, what are 'fixed expressions' considered to be?
- Grammatical structures that cannot be modified
- Pre-fabricated chunks of language learned and used as wholes, such as 'How do you do?' or 'on the other hand' (Correct answer)
- Vocabulary items with only one possible meaning
- Technical terms used in academic writing
Correct answer: Pre-fabricated chunks of language learned and used as wholes, such as 'How do you do?' or 'on the other hand'
Fixed expressions are formulaic language chunks stored and retrieved as single units, which CEFR recognizes as a key component of lexical competence.
Question 4: At CEFR C2 level, how is a learner's lexical competence typically described?
- Can use a wide range of vocabulary in a general sense with occasional errors
- Has a good vocabulary but struggles with less common words
- Has a large vocabulary including idiomatic and colloquial expressions with good command of connotation (Correct answer)
- Can understand everyday vocabulary but may need to paraphrase complex ideas
Correct answer: Has a large vocabulary including idiomatic and colloquial expressions with good command of connotation
C2 represents mastery, including command of idiomatic and colloquial language, sensitivity to connotation, and the ability to handle unfamiliar vocabulary flexibly.
Question 5: What is 'collocational knowledge' and why is it important in CEFR lexical competence?
- Knowledge of word origins that helps learners guess meanings from Latin or Greek roots
- Knowing which words typically go together (e.g., 'make a mistake' not 'do a mistake'), enabling natural and fluent language use (Correct answer)
- The ability to understand words in context without using a dictionary
- Knowledge of how words change form (e.g., verb → noun → adjective)
Correct answer: Knowing which words typically go together (e.g., 'make a mistake' not 'do a mistake'), enabling natural and fluent language use
Collocational knowledge allows learners to combine words naturally as native speakers do, which is a key marker of higher CEFR proficiency levels.
Question 6: According to CEFR descriptors, at which level can a learner typically 'use a sufficiently broad vocabulary to be able to express him/herself with some circumlocutions on most topics pertinent to everyday life'?
- A2
- B1 (Correct answer)
- B2
- C1
Correct answer: B1
B1 descriptors indicate learners have enough vocabulary for most everyday topics but may need circumlocution (talking around a word they don't know) for less familiar subjects.
CEFR CEFR Vocabulary and Lexical Competence Questions and Answers 1
According to the CEFR, what does 'lexical competence' primarily involve?