Mapping units to CEFR Can Do statements

American Big Picture: B1+ Intermediate

CEFR Statements taken from:
http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/linguistic/Source/Framework_EN.pdf

Unit 1

Speaking Can give or seek personal views and opinions in P4, P6, P7, P8,
discussing topics of interest. P10, P12, P13
Can compare and contrast alternatives, discussing what
to do, where to go, who or which to choose, etc.
Can express thoughts on more abstract, cultural topics
such as movies, books, music, etc.
Can summarize and give his/her opinion about a short
story, article, talk, discussion, interview or documentary
and answer further questions of detail.
Listening Can understand straightforward factual information about P4, P7, P8, P12
common everyday or job-related topics, identifying both
the general message and specific details provided speech
is clearly articulated in a generally familiar accent.
Reading Can read straightforward factual texts on subjects related P6, P10, P13
to his/her field and interest with a satisfactory level of
comprehension.
Can recognize the line of argument in the treatment of
the issue presented, though not necessarily in detail.
Writing Can write straightforward connected texts on a range of P9
familiar subjects within his/her field of interest, by
linking a series of shorter discrete elements into a linear
sequence.
Unit 2

Speaking Can give or seek personal views and opinions in P14, P15, P16,
discussing topics of interest. P17, P18, P19,
Can express thoughts on more abstract, cultural topics P20, P21, P22
such as movies, books, music, etc.
Can relate the plot of a book or movie and describe
his/her reactions.
Can give brief comments on the views of others.
Listening Can understand straightforward factual information about P14, P16, P18,
common everyday or job-related topics, identifying both P22
the general message and specific details provided speech
is clearly articulated in a generally familiar accent.
Can understand the information content of the majority
of recorded or broadcast audio material on topics of
personal interest delivered in clear standard speech.
Reading Can read straightforward factual texts on subjects related P17, P19, P20,
to his/her field and interest with a satisfactory level of P23
comprehension.

Writing Can write straightforward connected texts on a range of P19, P23

familiar subjects within his field of interest, by linking a
series of shorter discrete elements into a linear sequence.
Can narrate a story.
Can write a description of an event or recent trip real or
imagined.
Unit 3

Speaking Can express his/her thoughts about abstract or cultural P24, P25, P26,
topics such as music, movies. P27, P28, P29,
Can maintain a conversation or discussion but may P30, P31, P32,
sometimes be difficult to follow when trying to say P33
exactly what he/she would like to say.
Can give straightforward descriptions on a variety of
familiar subjects within his/her field of interest.
Can give brief comments on the views of others.
Listening Can understand straightforward factual information about P24, P28, P31,
common everyday or job-related topics, identifying both P32, P33
the general message and specific details provided speech
is clearly articulated in a generally familiar accent.
Can understand the information content of the majority
of recorded or broadcast audio material on topics of
personal interest delivered in clear standard speech.
Reading Can read straightforward factual texts on subjects related P26, P30, P32
to his/her field and interest with a satisfactory level of
comprehension.
Can recognize significant points in straightforward
newspaper articles on familiar subjects.
Writing Can write straightforward connected texts on a range of P33
familiar subjects within his field of interest, by linking a
series of shorter discrete elements into a linear sequence.
Review A

Speaking Can give or seek personal views and opinions in P34, P35, P36,
discussing topics of interest. P37
Can give straightforward descriptions on a variety of
familiar subjects within his/her field of interest.
Can maintain a conversation or discussion but may
sometimes be difficult to follow when trying to say
exactly what he/she would like to.
Listening Can understand straightforward factual information about P34, P35, P37
common everyday or job-related topics, identifying both
the general message and specific details provided speech
is clearly articulated in a generally familiar accent.
Unit 4

Speaking Can maintain a conversation or discussion but may P38, P39, P40,
sometimes be difficult to follow when trying to say P41, P42, P43,
exactly what he/she would like to. P44, P45, P46,
Can compare and contrast alternatives, discussing what P47
to do, where to go, who or which to choose, etc.
Can express his/her thoughts about abstract or cultural
topics such as music, movies.
Can give brief comments on the views of others.
Listening Can understand straightforward factual information about P38, P40, P44,
common everyday or job-related topics, identifying both P45, P46
the general message and specific details provided speech
is clearly articulated in a generally familiar accent.
Can understand the information content of the majority
of recorded or broadcast audio material on topics of
personal interest delivered in clear standard speech.
Reading Can read straightforward factual texts on subjects related P42, P44, P47
to his/her field and interest with a satisfactory level of
comprehension.
Can recognize the line of argument in the treatment of
the issue presented, though not necessarily in detail.
Writing Can write a description of an event or a recent trip real P41, P43, P46,
or imagined. P47
Can write straightforward, detailed descriptions on a
range of familiar subjects within his/her field of interest.
Unit 5

Speaking Can express his/her thoughts about abstract or cultural P49, P50, P51,
topics such as music, movies. P52, P53, P54,
Can explain why something is a problem, discuss what to P55, P56, P57
do next, compare and contrast alternatives.
Can briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions,
plans and actions.
Can maintain a conversation or discussion but may
sometimes be difficult to follow when trying to say
exactly what he/she would like to.
Listening Can understand straightforward factual information about P49, P50, P53,
common everyday or job-related topics, identifying both P56
the general message and specific details provided speech
is clearly articulated in a generally familiar accent.
Can understand the information content of the majority
of recorded or broadcast audio material on topics of
personal interest delivered in clear standard speech.
Reading Can read straightforward factual texts on subjects related P49, P50, P53,
to his/her field and interest with a satisfactory level of P54, P57
comprehension.
Can recognize significant points in straightforward
newspaper articles on familiar subjects.
Writing Can write straightforward, detailed descriptions on a P51, P57
range of familiar subjects within his/her field of interest.
Can write accounts of experiences, describing feelings
and reactions in simple connected text.
Unit 6

Speaking Can briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions, P58, P59, P60,
plans and actions. P61, P62, P63,
Can maintain a conversation or discussion but may P64, P65, P66,
sometimes be difficult to follow when trying to say P67
exactly what he/she would like to.
Can give brief comments on the views of others.
Can express his/her thoughts about abstract or cultural
topics such as music, movies. Can explain why something
is a problem.
Listening Can understand straightforward factual information about P58, P60, P61,
common everyday or job-related topics, identifying both P62, P66
the general message and specific details provided speech
is clearly articulated in a generally familiar accent.
Can understand the information content of the majority of
recorded or broadcast audio material on topics of personal
interest delivered in clear standard speech.
Reading Can read straightforward factual texts on subjects related P58/9, P60,
to his/her field and interest with a satisfactory level of P64, P67
comprehension.
Can recognize the line of argument in the treatment of the
issue presented, though not necessarily in detail.
Writing Can write straightforward, detailed descriptions on a range P67
of familiar subjects within his/her field of interest.
Review B

Speaking Can express his/her thoughts about abstract or cultural P68, P69, P70,
topics such as music, movies. Can explain why something P71
is a problem.
Can briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions,
plans and actions.
Can give straightforward descriptions in a variety of
familiar subjects within his/her field of interest.
Listening Can understand straightforward factual information about P68, P69, P70
common everyday or job-related topics, identifying both
the general message and specific details provided speech
is clearly articulated in a generally familiar accent.
Reading Can read straightforward factual texts on subjects related P71
to his/her field and interest with a satisfactory level of
comprehension.
Can recognize the line of argument in the treatment of the
issue presented, though not necessarily in detail.
Unit 7

Speaking Can briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions, P72, P73, P74,
plans and actions. P75, P76, P77,
Can maintain a conversation or discussion but may P78, P79, P80,
sometimes be difficult to follow when trying to say P81
exactly what he/she would like to.
Can give straightforward descriptions on a variety of
familiar subjects within his/her field of interest.
Can express his/her thoughts about abstract or cultural
topics such as music, movies. Can explain why something
is a problem.
Listening Can understand straightforward factual information about P72, P75, P76,
common everyday or job-related topics, identifying both P77, P79, P80,
the general message and specific details provided speech P81
is clearly articulated in a generally familiar accent.
Can understand the information content of the majority of
recorded or broadcast audio material on topics of personal
interest delivered in clear standard speech.
Reading Can read straightforward factual texts on subjects related P74/5, P78
to his/her field and interest with a satisfactory level of
comprehension.
Can recognize the line of argument in the treatment of the
issue presented, though not necessarily in detail.
Can identify the main conclusions in clearly signaled
argumentative texts.
Unit 8

Speaking Can express his/her thoughts about abstract or cultural P82, P83, P84,
topics such as music, movies. Can explain why something P85, P86, P87,
is a problem. P88, P89, P90,
Can give straightforward descriptions on a variety of P91
familiar subjects within his/her field of interest.
Can give detailed accounts of experiences, describing
feelings and reactions.
Can explain why something is a problem, discuss what to
do next, compare and contrast alternatives.
Listening Can understand straightforward factual information about P83, P86, P89,
common everyday or job-related topics, identifying both P90
the general message and specific details provided speech
is clearly articulated in a generally familiar accent.
Can understand the information content of the majority of
recorded or broadcast audio material on topics of personal
interest delivered in clear standard speech.
Reading Can read straightforward factual texts on subjects related P82, P84, P88,
to his/her field and interest with a satisfactory level of P90, P91
comprehension.
Can recognize the line of argument in the treatment of the
issue presented, though not necessarily in detail.
Writing Can write straightforward, detailed descriptions on a range P85
of familiar subjects within his/her field of interest.
Unit 9

Speaking Can express his/her thoughts about abstract or cultural P93, P94, P96,
topics such as music, movies. Can explain why something P97, P98. P99,
is a problem. P100, P101
Can briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions,
plans and actions.
Can maintain a conversation or discussion but may
sometimes be difficult to follow when trying to say
exactly what he/she would like to.
Can give brief comments on the views of others.
Listening Can understand straightforward factual information about P93, P94, P96,
common everyday or job-related topics, identifying both P97, P100,
the general message and specific details provided speech P101
is clearly articulated in a generally familiar accent.
Can understand the information content of the majority of
recorded or broadcast audio material on topics of personal
interest delivered in clear standard speech.
Reading Can read straightforward factual texts on subjects related P96, P98
to his/her field and interest with a satisfactory level of
comprehension.
Review C

Speaking Can express his/her thoughts about abstract or cultural P102, P103,
topics such as music, movies. Can explain why something P104, P105
is a problem.
Can briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions,
plans and actions.
Listening Can understand straightforward factual information about P102, P103,
common everyday or job-related topics, identifying both P104, P105,
the general message and specific details provided speech
is clearly articulated in a generally familiar accent.
Can understand the information content of the majority of
recorded or broadcast audio material on topics of personal
interest delivered in clear standard speech.
Reading Can read straightforward factual texts on subjects related P105
to his/her field and interest with a satisfactory level of
comprehension.
Unit 10

Speaking Can express his/her thoughts about abstract or cultural P106, P107,
topics such as music, movie. Can explain why something P108, P110,
is a problem. P111, P112,
Can account for and sustain his/her opinions in discussion P113, P114
by providing relevant explanations, arguments and
comments.
Can summarize and give his/her opinion on a short story,
article, talk, discussion, interview or documentary and
answer further questions of detail.
Listening Can understand straightforward factual information about P106, P110,
common everyday or job-related topics, identifying both P113, p114,
the general messages and specific details, provided speech P115
is clearly articulated in a generally familiar accent.
Can understand the information content of the majority of
recorded or broadcast audio material on topics of personal
interest delivered in clear standard speech.
Reading Can read straightforward factual texts on subjects related P108, P112
to his/her field and interest with a satisfactory level of
comprehension.
Can understand articles and reports concerned with
contemporary problems in which the writers adopt
particular stances or viewpoints.
Writing Can write straightforward connected texts on a range of P115
familiar subjects within his field of interest, by linking a
series of shorter discrete elements into a linear sequence.
Unit 11

Speaking Can express his/her thoughts about abstract or cultural P116, P117,
topics such as music, movie. Can explain why something P118, P119,
is a problem. P121, P122,
Can account for and sustain his/her opinions in discussion P123, P124,
by providing relevant explanations, arguments and P126
comments.
Can make his/her opinions and reactions understood as
regards possible solutions or the question of what to do
next, giving brief reasons and explanations.
Can summarize and give his/her opinion about a short
story, article, talk, discussion, interview or documentary
and answer further questions of detail.
Listening Can understand straightforward factual information about P120, P123,
common everyday or job-related topics, identifying both P124, P125
the general messages and specific details, provided speech
is clearly articulated in a generally familiar accent.
Can understand the information content of the majority of
recorded or broadcast audio material on topics of personal
interest delivered in clear standard speech.
Reading Can read straightforward factual texts on subjects related P118, P122,
to his/her field and interest with a satisfactory level of P123
comprehension.
Can understand articles and reports concerned with
contemporary problems in which the writers adopt
particular stances or viewpoints.
Unit 12

Speaking Can express his/her thoughts about abstract or cultural P127, P128,
topics such as music, movie. Can explain why something P129, P130,
is a problem. P131, P132,
Can account for and sustain his/her opinions in discussion P133, P134,
by providing relevant explanations, arguments and P135
comments.
Can summarize and give his/her opinion about a short
story, article, talk, discussion, interview or documentary
and answer further questions of detail.
Listening Can understand straightforward factual information about P127, P130,
common everyday or job-related topics, identifying both P133, P134
the general messages and specific details, provided speech
is clearly articulated in a generally familiar accent.
Can understand the information content of the majority of
recorded or broadcast audio material on topics of personal
interest delivered in clear standard speech.
Reading Can read straightforward factual texts on subjects related P128, P132/3,
to his/her field and interest with a satisfactory level of P135
comprehension.
Can understand articles and reports concerned with
contemporary problems in which the writers adopt
particular stances or viewpoints.
Writing Can write accounts of experiences, describing feelings and P135
reactions in simple connected text.
Review D

Speaking Can enter unprepared into conversations on familiar P136, P137,

topics. P138, P139
Can maintain a conversation or discussion but may
sometimes be difficult to follow when trying to say
exactly what he/she would like to.
Can summarize and give his/her opinion about a short
story, article, talk, discussion, interview or documentary
and answer further questions of detail.
Listening Can understand straightforward factual information about P136, P137,
common everyday or job-related topics, identifying both P138, P139
the general messages and specific details, provided speech
is clearly articulated in a generally familiar accent.
Can understand the information content of the majority of
recorded or broadcast audio material on topics of personal
interest delivered in clear standard speech.
Reading Can read straightforward factual texts on subjects related P139
to his/her field and interest with a satisfactory level of
comprehension.
Writing Bank

1 Writing Can write straightforward, detailed descriptions on a P152

range of familiar subjects within his/her field of interest.
2 Can summarize, report and give his/her opinions about P153
Writing accumulated factual information on familiar routine and
non-routine matters within his/her field with some
confidence.
3 Writing Can write accounts of experiences, describing feelings P154
and reactions in simple connected text.
4 Writing Can write personal letters giving news and expressing P155
thoughts about abstract or cultural topics such as music,
movies.
5 Writing Can convey information and ideas on abstract as well as P156
concrete topics. Can check information and ask about or
explain problems with reasonable precision.
6 Writing Can write straightforward, detailed descriptions on a P157
range of familiar subjects within his/her field of interest.