(1) A student at the end of benchmark 2, at the nearing proficiency level of world languages demonstrates partial mastery of prerequisite knowledge and skills fundamental for proficiency in world languages.   He/she:

(a) often exchanges information on familiar topics in survival situations verbally and/or in writing and usually understands and produces speech at near-normal speed;

(b) identifies main ideas from material appropriate for his/her level;

(c) communicates verbally and/or in writing and sometimes elaborates on familiar topics in survival situations;

(d) describes some significant cultural contributions of the target language culture;

(e) applies limited target language information to other disciplines;

(f) investigates and applies information and common perspectives of world cultures;

(g) applies, in limited contexts, sound and structural patterns and idiomatic expressions of the target language, but has difficulty comparing target language to his/her first language;

(h) provides limited explanation of similarities and differences among target cultures with his/her culture; and

(i) sometimes contributes to classroom activities by finding and sharing language and culture connections.