Can-Do Statements (Interpretive Reading)

 

Think about your own second language abilities and read through these statements. If you can do tasks similar to those listed, select "Yes." Otherwise, select "No" and continue the self-assessment. Because this quiz covers from Novice-Low to Advanced-High, you will probably reach a point where you stop saying "Yes." That is to be expected, so don't worry and simply finish the quiz.

I can connect some words, phrases, or characters to their meanings. For example, I can do things like:

• recognize some cities on a map.
• identify some menu items.

I can recognize words, phrases, and characters with the help of visuals. For example, I can do things like:

• recognize entrance and exit signs.
• identify family member words on a family tree.
• identify healthy nutritional categories.
• identify the simple labels on a science-related graph.

I can recognize words, phrases, and characters when I associate them with things I already know. For example, I can do things like:

• check off words or phrases on a to-do list, grocery list, or scavenger hunt list.
• identify labeled aisles in a supermarket.
• identify scores from sports teams because I recognize team names and logos.
• identify artists, titles, and music genres from iTunes.

I can usually understand short simple messages on familiar topics. For example, I can do things like:

• understand basic familiar information from an ad.
• sometimes identify the purpose of a brochure.
• understand simple information in a text message from a friend.

 I can sometimes understand short, simple descriptions with the help of pictures or graphs. For example, I can do things like:

• understand simple captions under photos.
• understand website descriptions of clothing items to make an appropriate purchase.

I can sometimes understand the main idea of published materials. For example, I can do things like:

• distinguish a birthday wish from a note expressing thanks.
• identify destinations and major attractions on a travel brochure.
• locate places on city maps.

I can understand simple everyday notices in public places on topics that are familiar to me. For example, I can do things like:

• understand a simple public transportation schedule.
• understand a store’s hours of operation.
• read the labels on a recycling bin.

I can understand messages in which the writer tells or asks me about topics of personal interest. For example, I can do things like:

• understand what an e-pal writes about interests and daily routines.
• understand a simple posting on a friend’s social media page.
• understand a text from a friend about our plans.
• understand if a friend accepts or rejects an invitation.

I can identify some information from news media. For example, I can do things like:

• understand personal information about stars from photo captions.
• understand some information on job postings.
• understand basic information on weather forecasts.

I can understand simple personal questions. For example, I can do things like:

• understand the questions asked on a career preference survey.
• understand what is asked for on a simple, popular magazine questionnaire.
• understand the personal questions to complete a profile on a social media site.

I can understand the main idea of what I read for personal enjoyment. For example, I can do things like:

• understand updates in entertainment magazines.
• understand postings in blogs on familiar topics.
• understand postcards from friends.

I can read simple written exchanges between other people. For example, I can do things like:

• understand the main idea of personal messages exchanged in chat rooms.
• understand the main idea of a biographical interview with a celebrity.

I can understand accounts of personal events or experiences. For example, I can do things like:

• understand information about an upcoming event
• understand a friend’s postcard describing a family vacation.
• understand descriptions of a Peace Corps volunteer’s daily life.

I can find and use information for practical purposes. For example, I can do things like:

• read about an upcoming event to help me decide whether or not to attend.
• read a blogger’s account of a trip to plan my own.
• read a message about a friend’s car accident.
• read a description about a candidate to make a voting decision.
• understand absentee and sick leave policies.

I can read texts that compare and contrast information. For example, I can do things like:

• read restaurant descriptions, movie summaries, or a catalogue of course descriptions to guide my choice.
• understand the main idea and some details from a list of government job descriptions.
• read an article about how technology has changed in the past 20 years.

I can follow the general idea and some details of what is written in a variety of stories and autobiographical accounts. For example, I can do things like:

• follow the chronological plot in a simple short story.
• follow news articles reporting on community events.
• follow a short online autobiography.
• follow a cover letter and a resume.

I can understand general information on topics outside my field of interest. For example, I can do things like:

• understand the details about a police report on a recent crime.
• understand the details of a job or performance evaluation.
• understand the details of an article about a sporting or cultural event.

I can understand messages on a wide variety of past, present, and future events. For example, I can do things like:

• understand an email message explaining details about the rescheduling of an event.
• understand the details in a message about why someone missed an important meeting.
• understand detailed descriptions about a service learning project or a volunteer experience.

I can understand narrative, descriptive, and informational texts of any length. For example, I can do things like:

• understand a detailed account of a unique travel or cultural experience.
• understand the minutes of a student club meeting that describes new by-laws.
• understand the new perspectives of a musical group in an article that describes the direction taken in their latest CD.
• understand most documents outlining rules and regulations, such as an apartment rental contract.

I can read about most topics of special interest. For example, I can do things like:

• understand a report that describes policy changes
• follow the reporting of national or international news, such as an election, a natural disaster, or civil unrest.

I can read most general fiction and non-fiction. For example, I can do things like:

• understand most short stories, plays, and novels.
• understand most inferences and allusions.
• understand non-fiction texts that are specialized and complex in nature, such as essays, documentaries, technical documentation, etc.