CEFR - Common European Framework Spoken Interaction Strategies Questions and Answers

Question 1

Which of the following is a key 'co-operating strategy' in spoken interaction, according to the CEFR guidelines?

Accepted Answer

Relating one's own contribution to that of other speakers.

Answer

The CEFR emphasizes collaborative discourse. Relating your contribution to what others have said (e.g., by agreeing, disagreeing with reasons, or expanding on a point) is a core co-operating strategy that helps a discussion to develop and shows active listening.

Question 2

A speaker at a B2 level is in a discussion and says, 'Could you please clarify what you mean by 'sustainable approach'?' What interaction strategy is being demonstrated?

Accepted Answer

Asking for clarification

Answer

This is a direct example of 'Asking for clarification'. The speaker is intervening to resolve a comprehension issue and ensure mutual understanding, a strategy explicitly outlined in the CEFR framework for effective interaction.

Question 3

During a team meeting, you notice a colleague has been silent. You say, 'Maria, we haven't heard from you yet. What are your thoughts on this proposal?' This action is an example of which spoken interaction strategy?

Accepted Answer

Inviting others into the discussion

Answer

This is a classic example of a co-operating strategy where a participant actively invites another person to contribute. This helps to ensure balanced participation and moves the discussion forward collaboratively.

Question 4

According to the CEFR, the ability to initiate, maintain, and end a conversation appropriately is primarily categorized under which interaction strategy?

Accepted Answer

Turn-taking

Answer

Turn-taking skills involve more than just speaking and stopping. They include knowing how to appropriately start a conversation (initiate), keep it going (maintain), and close it, as well as managing who speaks when. These are fundamental aspects of taking the floor.

Question 5

A speaker is telling a story and temporarily forgets the word for 'architect'. Instead of stopping, they say, '...the person who designs buildings'. Which spoken interaction strategy are they using?

Accepted Answer

Compensating

Answer

This is a 'compensating' strategy. The speaker is making up for a gap in their vocabulary (a lexical gap) by using circumlocution (describing the concept) to convey their meaning without stopping the flow of speech.

CEFR - Common European Framework Practice Test

CEFR - Common European Framework Practice Test

CEFR - Common European Framework Spoken Interaction Strategies Questions and Answers