Oral Comprehension

The items measuring oral comprehension are based on audio recordings, which vary in length and complexity depending on the target proficiency level. The audio recordings serve as the foundation for the questions appearing in one or more items. 

Each item in oral comprehension includes:

  1. General instructions, given in words and images, which specify what you must do, i.e., read the question and the choice of answers BEFORE listening to the recording;
  2. The audio recording, which starts automatically after a 15-second pause and plays only once. The volume can be adjusted with the slider bar on the screen. The recording can vary in form (audio message, dialogue, discussion, etc.) and provides the basis for the item question; some recordings are accompanied by an image illustrating the context. You cannot answer the question until the recording has ended.
  3. The question;
  4. The choice of answers;
  5. The Continue button to go to the next item.

LEVELS 1-2 OC

Level 1

In predictable situations, with the support of the speaker, I understand a few isolated words and expressions. I can:
  • understand information related to times, dates, telephone numbers, addresses;
  • understand information related to the days of the week and months of the year;
  • identify the parts of the body.

Level 2

In predictable situations, with the support of the speaker, I understand simple sentences and short conversations. I can:
  • understand information related to colours;
  • understand information and requests;
  • understand information related to an institution;
  • follow directions to find my way around an institution;
  • understand information related to height, weight and age.

LEVELS 3-4 OC

Level 3

In predictable situations, I understand the gist of a simple conversation or message. I can:
  • understand information related to measurements;
  • understand information related to a housing or domestic problem;
  • understand information related to leisure or recreation;
  • understand the main idea in an advertisement.

Level 4

In predictable situations, I understand the meaning of a simple conversation or message. The topic is familiar, the speech is clear, and the ideas are presented in a direct manner in everyday language. I can:
  • understand the main ideas in a presentation;
  • understand information related to who?, what?, when?, where? questions;
  • understand a telephone message;
  • understand a sequence of events based on time markers;
  • grasp the intention of a message;
  • situate events by identifying time and frequency indicators.

LEVELS 5-6 OC

Level 5

In predictable situations, I understand the progression of ideas. The topic is concrete and familiar, the speech is clear, and the ideas are expressed succinctly in everyday language. I can:
  • follow a conversation;
  • understand key points in a presentation;
  • grasp the main ideas in a television or radio show;
  • understand the relationship between speakers;
  • understand the main ideas in a conversation;
  • understand the intention of communication.

Level 6

In predictable situations, or partially predictable situations, I understand conversations and discourse on concrete topics. I can:
  • understand primary and secondary ideas;
  • distinguish fact from opinion;
  • anticipate a conclusion or recommendation;
  • grasp the relationship between speakers.

LEVELS 7-8 OC

Level 7

In predictable situations or partially predictable situations, I understand conversations or discourse on various concrete topics. The language is standard and speech is at a normal rate. I can:
  • follow most conversations with ease;
  • follow a conversation on work or recreational activities;
  • make inferences about the attitudes and emotions of speakers or about the mood of a conversation;
  • understand a variety of common words and popular idiomatic expressions.

Level 8

In predictable situations or partially predictable situations, I understand conversations and opinion discourse on various concrete topics. I can:
  • follow most conversations in formal and informal contexts;
  • understand a structured presentation given the presence of questions and answers; markers (first, etc.); and words related to a presentation or opinion (present, think, believe, etc.);
  • distinguish fact from opinion;
  • grasp, comparisons, contrasts, and cause and effect relationships.

LEVELS 9-10 OC

Level 9

In sometimes unpredictable situations, I understand conversations and discourse on various, sometimes abstract topics. I can:
  • understand points (for and against) that will facilitate decision-making;
  • distinguish fact from opinion in a discussion or presentation, even when implicit;
  • recognize the tone of a conversation or a presentation;
  • understand abstract remarks.

Level 10

In sometimes unpredictable situations, I easily understand conversations and discourse on various sometimes abstract topics. I can:
  • understand criticism or reservations expressed during formal exchanges;
  • follow discourse even when speech is at a fast rate;
  • infer contradictions;
  • deduce the values conveyed by discourse.