Mediating a Text: the Official CEFR Descriptors from B2 to C1
Mediating a text is one of the three mediation families described in the CEFR Companion Volume (2020): conveying the content of a text to someone who cannot access it themselves — summarising it, relaying its key information, explaining data, translating it, taking notes, or responding to a creative text. It is a core skill of academic and professional language use: reporting on a meeting, synthesising a file, walking someone through a chart.
The B2→C1 boundary is especially decisive here. At B2, you process texts within your field and relay their content reliably; C1 adds implicit meaning, nuance, critical evaluation and the ability to reformulate for a different audience. The B2+ band — shown here as a transition zone — documents precisely the in-between. This page reproduces every official descriptor for this activity at B2, B2+ and C1, scale by scale.
The official descriptors, scale by scale
Eleven Companion Volume scales cover mediating a text between B2 and C1. For each one, the B2 and C1 descriptors are shown side by side; where the CEFR publishes B2+ descriptors, they appear in the amber transition band.
Processing text in speech or sign
B2 — independent user
Can synthesise and report (in Language B) information and arguments from a number of sources (in Language A).
Can summarise (in Language B) a wide range of factual and imaginative texts (in Language A), commenting on and discussing contrasting points of view and the main themes.
Can summarise (in Language B) the important points made in longer, complex texts (in Language A) on subjects of current interest, including their fields of special interest.
Can recognise the intended audience of a text (in Language A) on a topic of interest and explain (in Language B) the purpose, attitudes and opinion of the author.
Can summarise (in Language B) extracts from news items, interviews or documentaries containing opinions, arguments and discussions (in Language A).
Can summarise (in Language B) the plot and sequence of events in a film or play (in Language A).
C1 — proficient user
Can summarise (in Language B) long, demanding texts (in Language A).
Can summarise (in Language B) discussion (in Language A) on matters within their academic or professional competence, elaborating and weighing up different points of view and identifying the most significant points.
Can summarise clearly in well-structured language (in Language B) the main points made in complex texts (in Language A) in fields of specialisation other than their own, although they may occasionally check particular technical concepts.
Can explain (in Language B) subtle distinctions in the presentation of facts and arguments (in Language A).
Can exploit information and arguments from a complex text (in Language A) to discuss a topic (in Language B), glossing with evaluative comments, adding their opinion, etc.
Can explain (in Language B) the attitude or opinion expressed in a source text (in Language A) on a specialised topic, supporting inferences they make with reference to specific passages in the original.
B2+ — transition zone
Can summarise clearly in well-structured language (in Language B) the information and arguments contained in complex texts (in Language A) on a wide range of subjects related to their fields of interest and specialisation.
Can summarise (in Language B) the main points of complex discussions (in Language A), weighing up the different points of view presented.
Analysis and criticism of creative texts (including literature)
B2 — independent user
Can compare two works, considering themes, characters and scenes, exploring similarities and contrasts and explaining the relevance of the connections between them.
Can give a reasoned opinion of a work, showing awareness of the thematic, structural and formal features and referring to the opinions and arguments of others.
Can evaluate the way the work encourages identification with characters, giving examples.
Can describe the way in which different works differ in their treatment of the same theme.
C1 — proficient user
Can critically appraise a wide variety of texts including literary works of different periods and genres.
Can evaluate the extent to which a work follows the conventions of its genre.
Can describe and comment on ways in which the work engages the audience (e.g. by building up and subverting expectations).
Processing text in writing
B2 — independent user
Can summarise in writing (in Language B) the main content of complex texts (in Language A) on subjects related to their fields of interest and specialisation.
C1 — proficient user
Can summarise in writing (in Language B) long, complex texts (in Language A), interpreting the content appropriately, provided they can occasionally check the precise meaning of unusual, technical terms.
Can summarise in writing a long and complex text (in Language A) (e.g. an academic article, article providing political analysis, novel extract, editorial, literary review, report or extract from a scientific book) for a specific audience, respecting the style and register of the original.
B2+ — transition zone
Can summarise in writing (in Language B) the main content of well-structured but propositionally complex texts (in Language A) on subjects within their fields of professional, academic and personal interest.
Can compare, contrast and synthesise in writing (in Language B) the information and viewpoints contained in academic and professional publications (in Language A) in their fields of special interest.
Can explain in writing (in Language B) the viewpoint articulated in a complex text (in Language A), supporting inferences they make with reference to specific information in the original.
Expressing a personal response to creative texts (including literature)
B2 — independent user
Can give a clear presentation of their reactions to a work, developing their ideas and supporting them with examples and arguments.
Can give a personal interpretation of the development of a plot, the characters and themes in a story, novel, film or play.
Can describe their emotional response to a work and elaborate on the way in which it has evoked this response.
Can express in some detail their reactions to the form of expression, style and content of a work, explaining what they appreciated and why.
C1 — proficient user
Can describe in detail a personal interpretation of a work, outlining their reactions to certain features and explaining their significance.
Can outline a personal interpretation of a character in a work: their psychological/emotional state, the motives for their actions and the consequences of these actions.
Relaying specific information in writing
B2 — independent user
Can relay in a written report (in Language B) relevant decisions that were taken in a meeting (in Language A).
Can relay in writing (in Language B) the significant point(s) contained in formal correspondence (in Language A).
C1 — proficient user
No distinct descriptor at this level for this scale.
B2+ — transition zone
Can relay in writing (in Language B) which presentations at a conference (given in Language A) were relevant, pointing out which would be worth detailed consideration.
Can relay in writing (in Language B) the relevant point(s) contained in propositionally complex but well-structured texts (in Language A) within their fields of professional, academic and personal interest.
Can relay in writing (in Language B) the relevant point(s) contained in an article (in Language A) from an academic or professional journal.
Note-taking (lectures, seminars, meetings, etc.)
B2 — independent user
Can understand a clearly structured lecture on a familiar subject, and can take notes on points which strike them as important, even though they tend to concentrate on the actual formulation and therefore to miss some information.
Can take accurate notes in meetings and seminars on most matters likely to arise within their field of interest.
C1 — proficient user
Can take detailed notes during a lecture on topics in their field of interest, recording the information so accurately and so closely to the original that the notes could also be useful to other people.
Can make decisions about what to note down and what to omit as the lecture or seminar proceeds, even on unfamiliar matters.
Can select relevant, detailed information and arguments on complex, abstract topics from multiple oral sources (e.g. lectures, podcasts, formal discussions and debates, interviews), provided the delivery is at normal speed.
Relaying specific information in speech or sign
B2 — independent user
Can relay (in Language B) the main point(s) contained in formal correspondence and/or reports (in Language A) on general subjects and on subjects related to their fields of interest.
C1 — proficient user
Can explain (in Language B) the relevance of specific information found in a particular section of a long, complex text (in Language A).
B2+ — transition zone
Can relay (in Language B) which presentations given (in Language A) at a conference or which articles in a book (in Language A) are particularly relevant for a specific purpose.
Translating a written text in writing
B2 — independent user
Can produce translations (into Language B) that closely follow the sentence and paragraph structure of the original text (in Language A), conveying the main points of the source text accurately, though the translation may read awkwardly.
C1 — proficient user
Can translate (into Language B) abstract texts on social, academic and professional subjects in their field (written in Language A), successfully conveying evaluative aspects and arguments, including many of the implications associated with them, though some expression may be over-influenced by the original.
B2+ — transition zone
Can produce clearly organised translations (from Language A into Language B) that reflect normal language usage but may be over-influenced by the order, paragraphing, punctuation and particular formulations of the original.
Explaining data in speech or sign
B2 — independent user
Can interpret and describe reliably (in Language B) detailed information contained in complex diagrams, charts and other visually organised information (with text in Language A) on topics in their fields of interest.
C1 — proficient user
Can interpret and describe clearly and reliably (in Language B) the salient points and details contained in complex diagrams and other visually organised information (with text in Language A) on complex academic or professional topics.
Explaining data in writing
B2 — independent user
Can interpret and present reliably in writing (in Language B) detailed information from diagrams and visually organised data in their fields of interest (with text in Language A).
C1 — proficient user
Can interpret and present clearly and reliably in writing (in Language B) the salient, relevant points contained in complex diagrams and other visually organised data (with text in Language A) on complex academic or professional topics.
Translating a written text in speech or sign
B2 — independent user
No distinct descriptor at this level for this scale.
C1 — proficient user
Can provide fluent oral translation (into Language B) of complex texts (written in Language A) on a wide range of general and specialised topics, capturing most nuances.
B2+ — transition zone
Can provide oral translation (into Language B) of complex texts (written in Language A) containing information and arguments on subjects within their fields of professional, academic and personal interest.
The Examiner's Perspective
Réda Haiat — CEFR Assessment Expert · 22 Years of Experience
Mediating a text is where the B2/C1 boundary shows up most clearly, because it exposes what a candidate actually does with a source text. At B2, the rendering stays faithful but dependent: the candidate follows the text's order, reuses its wording, and passes on the information without reorganising it. At C1, something shifts — the source text becomes raw material the candidate restructures around what the recipient needs, even if that means departing from its original shape.
That reorganising is what separates the two levels — more than range of vocabulary. A candidate with brilliant vocabulary can still sit at B2 if they paraphrase sentence by sentence; a plainer candidate reaches C1 by prioritising, selecting what matters to their listener, and flagging what they're leaving out. The C1 descriptors say this outright, through the verbs they use: structure, synthesise, adapt to the recipient.
B2+ isn't an administrative nicety. In text mediation, it's the zone where a candidate starts processing the text rather than just following it — without yet doing so reliably on long or abstract sources. That's often where the real assessment call gets made.
What I listen for at the boundary
- Does the candidate follow the source text's order, or reorganise it for their recipient?
- Do they reuse the original wording, or reformulate in their own words?
- Do they flag what they're leaving out and why, or cut it silently?
- Do they adapt register to the stated recipient, or keep the source's register?
- Faced with an abstract or specialised text, does the restructuring hold up, or do they fall back into linear paraphrase?
Frequently asked questions
What is mediating a text in the CEFR?
It is one of the three mediation families in the 2020 Companion Volume: conveying the content of a text to someone who cannot access it — summarising it, translating it, relaying its information, explaining data, taking notes, or responding to a creative text. It is described by descriptor scales distinct from production and interaction.
How many official descriptors cover mediating a text between B2 and C1?
55 official descriptors cover this zone: 23 at B2, 11 at B2+ and 21 at C1, spread across 11 scales. All of them are reproduced on this page.
What does the B2+ level mean?
B2+ is a CEFR "plus level": it describes a strong B2 competence, beyond the B2 threshold but not yet meeting the C1 criteria. The Companion Volume publishes specific descriptors for these intermediate bands — that is the transition zone shown between the B2 and C1 columns.
Can I reuse these descriptors?
Yes. The CEFR descriptors are published by the Council of Europe under the CC BY 4.0 licence: you may reproduce and adapt them, including commercially, provided you credit the Council of Europe. That is exactly what this page does.
Going further
Sources
- Council of Europe — CEFR Companion Volume (2020): https://rm.coe.int/cefr-companion-volume-with-new-descriptors-2018/1680787989
- The CEFR on the Council of Europe website: https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages
- Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/