The following shows writing examples at various proficiency levels. These were produced by real language learners and may contain errors. See Writing Section Tips at the bottom of this page.

Somali Maxaa Proficiency Tests and Resources

Writing Examples

Level 1: | Novice-Low

At this level, I am able to create individual words that have no extended meaning.

I can share some simple vocabulary, which deals with the prompt/task/situation, but I tend to struggle to connect those words to create meaning.

rob ee uu baraf.

Level 2: | Novice-Mid

At this level, I am beginning to develop the ability to create meaning by grammatically connecting words.

Specifically, I can connect some basic subjects and verbs or verbs and objects, but I may be inconsistent at doing this.

I am often limited in my vocabulary to Novice level topics that I experience in my every-day life or that I have recently learned.

Bolonn nhaeloo summerka anni oui sahip yaalkan naaelaan. Markii eriir sabotha imiil oiji, imiil caadans,imiil mathow, wanna imiil hispanics leh aragars khologan community enna.

Level 3: | Novice-High

At this level, I can create simple sentences with very basic grammatical control and accuracy.

There are often errors in my responses, while at the same time I might have good control with some very simple structures and functions of the language that I have just learned or studied.

At the Novice levels, errors are expected as I try to create simple sentences. Generally, the sentences that I am able to create are very basic and simple with few, if any, added details.

Waxaan jeclahay sharaxaada oo kuuleelka. Ina banaaka eedo iyo banoonii cayaaro baan jeclahay ina sameeyo. Ina buugaag akhriiyo iyo guriga haageegiyo ban jeclahay ina sameeyo xilliga ooo kuuleelka. t

Level 4: | Intermediate-Low

At this level, I can create simple sentences with some added detail; such sentences help create VARIETY.

At the Intermediate Low level, simple sentences are enhanced by use of prepositional phrases, helping verb usage, as well as some adverbs and a variety of adjectives.

I generally create independent sentences (ideas) that can be moved around without affecting the overall meaning of the response. There are still a number of errors in my response, but I have fairly good control of more basic sentences. I am feeling more confident in using different structures and expanding vocabulary and taking more risks with my responses.

waan jeclahay xagaaga, xagaaga waa kulul iyo qorrax. xilliga xagaaga aan ciyaaro kubada cagta iyo dabaasha sababtoo ah kulul sidaas darteed anigu aan jooga gudaha. aniga iyo qoyskaga ayaa tagaya xeebta, markii ugu danbeysay uu aan tagnay dhamman xawaaladahii halkaa ka jira. tani waa sababta xagaaga waan jeclahay.

Level 5: | Intermediate-Mid

At this level, I can now create enough language to show groupings of ideas.

My thoughts are loosely connected and cannot be moved around without affecting meaning.

I can also create a few sentences with complexity and am able to use some transition words.  I am also able to use more than just simple present tense, but often make mistakes when I try to use other tenses.

My vocabulary use is expanding and I am able to use more than the usual, high frequency or most common vocabulary. I feel that I am able to create new language on my own and communicate my everyday needs without too much difficulty.

Xagaaga wa kulayl iyo fasax baaka haysata malcamada. Marki lagu jiro xagaaga waxa toosi karta galabnimoda saboobta ah fasax ba ku jirta. Marki uu kulayl jiro kubad ba ciyari karta. Suuqa ba tagi karta. Dadbadana wa arkidoonta saboobta ah jilaal ma lagu jiro qof walba daxanta way ka tagan lakiin quraxda dadka way doonayan. Marki an ku jiro xagaaga waxan ciyara kubada kolayga. Kubada kolayga waxan uu ciyara saboobta dadbadan ba la ciyari karta. Xagaaga waxan uu jecelahay saboobta ah qurax da waxay dagta sideeda malinta baa na badan.

Level 6: | Intermediate-High

At this level, I have good control of the language and feel quite confident about an increasing range of topics.

There are still some occasional errors in my language production, but that does not hinder my ability to communicate what I need to share.

I can use circumlocution to explain or describe things for which I do not know specific vocabulary or structures. I can understand and use different time frames and am just beginning to develop the ability to switch most time frames with accuracy. I can use transition words and concepts with some ease. My language has a more natural flow, but I still may have some unnatural pauses or hesitations.

Telefisiyoonka marmar fiicnaan aa kaimata marmarna wax xumaan leh aan ku daxjirta. Caruurta mau fiicnaa in ay wakhti deer telefisiyioonka ku dhaxjiraan waa in ay bananka ku cyaaran inta ay fiidyoowga ku cayarilhayan. Indohodha mau fiicanaa in ay telefisyoonka wakhtigodha dan ku istcmaalan. Caruurta telefisyoonka hadii ay markasta ku dhajiran markee lugu dhaho in ay iskdaafan wai hanaqayan, waaxasna xuuman ay u kaaneysa. Marmarna telefisyonka wax ay kabarankaran amisa deenta misa skoolka waxdigasho ay kahalikaran oo fiican oona faacido ku dhajirto. MarMarna fasaxhoda ay ku istcmalikaran lakin hadii oo badan yahay mau fiicnaa.

Level 7: | Advanced-Low

At this level my response contains a number of complexities with higher degree of accuracy.

Such language allows me to address each aspect of the prompt more completely and with more depth of meaning.

I am able to use Advanced vocabulary or Advanced terms, conjugations etc. with confidence. I feel that I can create natural flow using as much detail and descriptive language as possible to create a clear picture. Errors with more complex structures may still occur. My ability to switch time frames begins to increase in accuracy.

Markaa telefisyoonka la daawanayo, waxay ciyaalka u saameeyn karta si xuun ama si fiican. Ciyaalku markay yaryihiin waxay uu baahin yihiin wax ay ku mashquulan ay wakhtiqa ku lumiyaan, telefisyoonka laftigeeda ayaa wax badan o wanag ah ka barankaraan. Sido kale marka telefisyoonka la daaro, wax badan o xumaan ah na way leeyihiin. Caafimaadka indaha uma fiicno, o haday wax badan dhooraan way ku wareeri. Wax kale na waxaa weeyi way ku waalan karaan o inay marwalba daawadan mooye ma joogi karaan. Ciyaalka markay yaryihiin waxaa la baro umbay iska raacaan, waxay u taala walidka inu wakhti go'an oo u ilmihiisa ugu talagalay inay fidiyoowga ciyaaraan ama ay telefisyoonka fiirsadaan oo loodaayo. Markay timaado wakhtigi uu ilmaha wax kale qabsan lahaa, waa ina laga qabto o la tuso ilmaha inay wakhtigi laga gaaray, side ay wax kale u qabsadaan. Ilmaha waxaa aad u saamayn kara waxay ay fiirsanayaan, haday tahay wax xuun ama wax san ilmaha wax badan ayu ka qabsan karaa ama ka barankara. Waxaa ugu muhimsan inaa wakhti go'an la siiyo ilmaha iyo in lala eego waxay fiirsanayaan.

Level 8: | Advanced-Mid

At this level my response demonstrates my ease with the language.

I am able to create a response which not only addresses each aspect of the prompt, but delves into each point with clarity and concise language.

I am able to incorporate a number of more complex structures as well as Advanced vocabulary and Advanced phrases with a higher degree of accuracy throughout the majority of the response.

The language I create has a natural flow due to the way I incorporate a variety of patterns and complexities into my response. My response shows my ability to create language that has sophistication of language skills and syntactical density. My ability to switch time frames accurately is evident, if called for in the prompt.

Filinka ama fiidigo geebka wuu uxun yahay ciyaalka inee inta badan inee ciyaaran taaso sababesa inee indho laan ku dhici karato ama hurdo laan laku maan, ama ee san helin kareen hurdo kufilin. Xitaa marmarka qaar ciyaalka uma kici karaan iskoolka, waayo habeenki dhan ayee soo jeedan taaso sababeysa inee iskoolka kudhax hurdaan, ee san wax baranin. Xitee marmarka qaar ciyaalka dhibaatoyin badan ayee kala kulmaan sida ah qorolada ka fog ama udhow ineesan siifiican u arki karaan. Taaso mujineysa inee xertaan ookiyaalaha indhaha. Ama ee dhibaatoyin kala ku maan ciyaalka ee asxaabta la yihin inee ku caayan indo laan inee yihin. Inta badana ciyaalka ma fahmaan inuu u xun yahay, Tiifiga ama geebka ciyaaristisa. Marka waladiinta waxee ubaahan yihin inee waqti ugaar ah sii yaan sida ah afar sac ama labo sac oo kaliyaa sii yaan inee kuciyaaran ama wax kufiirsadan. Waayo cunuga waxuu helayaa waqti oo wax ku aqriyo ama oo hurdo fiican uu useexdo. Si ahaan wuu ufiican yahay ciyaalka inee ciyaaran fiidigow geeb ama ee fiirsadan filinka. sababto aha neh filinka ama fidigow geeb ciyaalka wax yaabo badan ayee ka faaidan ama ka caawiyan sida a inaa wax kabar taan ama ee kahelaan sida dadka la la hadlo ama la la daqmo.