CEFR Vocabulary and Lexical Competence Questions and Answers Flashcards
6 cards from real CEFR practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 CEFR Vocabulary and Lexical Competence Questions and Answers flashcards as text
What is 'word formation knowledge' and how does it support CEFR lexical competence?
Answer: Understanding how prefixes, suffixes, and compounding create new words, enabling learners to deduce and produce new vocabulary
Word formation knowledge helps learners expand their vocabulary strategically by applying morphological patterns (e.g., teach → teacher → teachable) rather than memorizing each word individually.
In CEFR terms, what is the significance of 'register' in lexical competence?
Answer: It is the awareness that different words are appropriate in formal vs. informal situations (e.g., 'assist' vs. 'help')
Register awareness — choosing vocabulary appropriate to the social context and purpose — is a key element of lexical and sociolinguistic competence in the CEFR.
Why is 'vocabulary in context' emphasized over isolated word learning in CEFR-aligned instruction?
Answer: Because contextual learning helps learners understand meaning, usage, collocation, and connotation simultaneously, leading to deeper lexical knowledge
The CEFR's communicative orientation means vocabulary is best learned embedded in authentic language use, where learners encounter words in their natural patterns and meanings.
Which of the following best illustrates 'lexical density' as a marker of CEFR level progression?
Answer: Higher CEFR levels are associated with texts and speech that carry more content words per clause, reflecting greater information load
As learners progress through CEFR levels, they encounter and produce texts with higher proportions of content words (nouns, verbs, adjectives) relative to function words, reflecting increased communicative sophistication.
What does the CEFR mean when it refers to 'semantic fields' in the context of vocabulary organisation?
Answer: Sets of related words that together cover a particular area of meaning (e.g., words related to 'cooking' or 'travel')
Semantic fields organize vocabulary by topic or concept (e.g., the semantic field of 'emotions' includes joy, sorrow, anger, fear), helping learners map and expand their lexical knowledge systematically.
At CEFR A1, which of the following best describes a learner's lexical range?
Answer: Has a very basic repertoire of isolated words and simple phrases related to personal details and particular concrete situations
A1 is the entry level of the CEFR, where learners command only a minimal set of words and basic phrases sufficient for immediate, concrete personal needs.