American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL)  PROFICIENCY GUIDELINES 2012

《最酷中文》 "Awesome Chinese" Textbook Level interpretation:

Level 1 Novice Low (250-300 words)

Can understand and use familiar Chinese everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows, and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help. Can understand sentences and frequently used Chinese expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance.

Level 2 Novice Mid-High (500-600 words)

Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment, and matters in areas of immediate need. Can understand and express basic life topics clearly and understands sentence patterns, like forming a question, comparing things, or describing objects. Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst traveling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest. 

Level 3 Novice High-Intermediate Low (800-900 words)

Can understand the main ideas of complex Chinese text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialization. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

Level 4 Intermediate Low-Mid (1100-1200 words)

Can create with the language when talking about familiar topics. They can ask questions and handle simple survival situations (getting a room at a hotel, ordering food, arranging travel, etc). Can communicate with listeners who are used to the speech of non-native learners of the language. These readers can understand information conveyed in simple, predictable, loosely connected texts. Readers rely heavily on contextual clues. Can most easily understand information if the format of the text is familiar, such as in a weather report or a social announcement. They can understand information conveyed in a simple, sentence-length speech on familiar or everyday topics. They understand speech that contains basic information.

reference: ACTFL (actfl.org) level guidelines for the Mandarin Language