Which description best captures the primary purpose of the can-do statements in CEFR?

• A. To describe learners' ability to use language in real-world situations
• B. To list grammar rules to memorize
• C. To set vocabulary quotas
• D. To rate pronunciation quality

Answer: (A)

Can-do statements describe what a learner can actually do with the language in real-world situations. They are performance-based, focusing on functional tasks and communicative abilities rather than theoretical knowledge. This makes them a practical way to describe progress: a learner might be able to ask for directions, describe experiences, or write a simple note, which shows real usage in authentic contexts. In CEFR, these statements help plan learning, assess performance, and guide self-assessment by tying level descriptions to observable abilities in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

That’s why the best description is about using language in real-life situations. The other options miss the point because they focus on memorization, fixed quotas, or a quality rating of pronunciation, none of which capture the primary aim of can-do statements: to describe what learners can do in real contexts, not what they know or how precisely they sound.