Establishing which language level you're at can be quite tricky. Not only do you have to know how large your current vocabulary is, but also you have to be able to talk about specific topics.

This knowledge can be useful for three purposes:

This is the level which most people think of when they hear "conversational fluency". The gist of this level is that you can participate in a simplified conversation about popular topics.

Notice that topic-wise, this level is not that different from an A2. The main difference is that your vocabulary is bigger and hence you can talk about these subjects at a slightly deeper level.

Expected conversational depth level: you can discuss things at a slightly deep level

Expected vocabulary depth: you can convey many of your thoughts but you lack precision. Think "It's bad that people like" rather than "it's infuriating that people can be such mendacious scum"

B1 Conversational topics

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Here are conversational topics you should be able to talk about at this level (source, source 2):

1.  The individual* personal particulars* appearance* inner characteristics* casual / evening wear
2. Partnership* relatives, friends* acquaintances, neighbors* classmates/schoolmates/colleagues
3.  Family* family members* family occasions/celebrations* distribution of tasks in the family
4.  Place of living* house/block house/flat* furnishing/gadgets of the rooms* furnishing/gadgets of the kitchen and the bathroom* rent and bills* housework
5.  Traveling/transport* means of transport* public transport* timetable/information* buying tickets/preparation for a journey* traveling abroad/traveling documents
6.  Shopping/shops* shops/markets* department stores / departments* groceries/household goods* clothing* electric appliances
7.  Communication/keeping in contact* post (letter, telegram, parcel)* telephone (traditional, mobile, text messages)* Internet (e-mail, Skype, chat)
8.  Services* financial services (transfer, exchange)* restaurant (menu, ordering, paying)* hotel (booking, paying)
9.  Culture/entertainment* guests* cinemas* theaters* museums* concerts* library (school, at home, public)
10.  Time/weather* seasons/weather* weather forecast
11.  Health/illnesses
    eating and drinking
    at the doctor’s* common illnesses and their symptoms* prescriptions / medication /pharmacy
12.  Sport* popular sports* national sports* doing sports
13.  Media* television* radio* newspapers / magazines
14.  Hobby* gardening / DIY* reading / listening to music* computer
15.  Studying/work* types of schools* subjects* popular professions/workplaces* daily routine
16.  European Union* members of the EU* travelling / work / mobility
17.  Culture and civilization* basic practical information regarding the home country and the target language country (weather, currency, eating habits, daily routine, celebrations, shopping opportunities, etc)* tourist attractions* accommodation / restaurants
18. Holidays and celebrations

Here are sample B1 speaking tests:

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• In English

• In German 

In linguistic terms, proficiency does not translate to the same meaning as fluent. To state you are proficient means you are comfortable with the use of the language in spoken and written form but not at the same level as a native speaker.

Read more: The Word Substitution Technique – How To Increase Your Vocabulary Size Considerably.

Expected conversational depth level: you can discuss things at a (very) deep level (depending on a subject)

Expected vocabulary depth: not only can you convey almost every thought but your language is also becoming more and more natural. You start using idioms and distinguishing between different shades of meaning of many words.

C1 Conversational topics

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Here are conversational topics you should be able to talk about at this level (source):

1.  The individual* ambition/career building* the individual and the society* problems of social integration
2.  Partnership* forms of partnership* nationalities/minorities
3.  Family* the social status of families / the system of family allowances* family/career
4.  Place of living* housing situation/difficulties in building a house* homelessness / its causes/ problems* housing and mobility
5.  Traveling/transport* problems of city traffic / public transport versus using cars* transport and environmental protection* tourism as a source of income* development in transport / its aspects
6.  Shopping/shops* consumers’ society* buying on credit/with credit cards/on the Internet* shopping tourism
7.  Communication/keeping in contact* the Internet in business communication* Fax, e-mail versus traditional letter writing* less widely used languages versus English
8.  Services* quality/guarantee of services* role, significance of services* electronic services / online ordering
9.  Culture/entertainment* role of arts in the past and present* public collections and their maintenance / art / historic relics / monuments* mentorship / sponsorship / advertising
10.  Time/weather* natural catastrophes and their consequences* hole in the ozone layer/dangers of global warming
11.  Health/illnesses* science/research serving medical care / genetics* alternative methods of healing* health tourism
12.  Sport* first-class sports – mass sports/doping* professionalism in sports / amateur sports / extreme sports* sport and women (chess, boxing, weightlifting, football)* sport and commercials
13.  Media* objectivity / impartiality of providing information*  stars / celebrities
14.  Hobby* promoting traditions* exclusive hobbies (golf, horse riding, scuba diving, etc.)* hobby and/or professionalism?
15.  Studying/work* (over) qualification/chances on the work market* lifelong education* finding work/mobility* chances of the underprivileged
16.  European Union* the role of the EU in world politics* common / national currency
17.  Culture and civilization The home country and the target language country* fame/recognition in the world / their relationship to each other* their image* differences in traditions / customs / ideology
18.  Public life* the purity of public life / corruption* political parties / elections / referendum
19.  Environmental protection* prevention in environmental protection* environmental catastrophes and their consequences
20.  Current topics/events* public life / politics / NGOs* economy / arts / sports
21.  Globalization* uniformity (dressing, eating, culture, consumer products, etc.)* globalization / maintaining national characteristics
22.  Current questions on ethics* animal experiments* nuclear experiments
23.  Current questions on economy/society–* smuggling: goods/people* smoking/dangers of drug addiction

Here are sample C1 speaking tests:

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• In English

C2 Conversational topics

No need to waste my breath, or fingertips, here. At this level, you are absolutely fluent and can talk about almost everything. No wonder! You're approaching the level presented by well-educated-native speakers.

My only advice for you at this level is to dive into details of any topic you decide to discuss. You need to put in lots of effort to activate all those obscure words. Don't talk just about shopping. Discuss "high-impact strategies to increase a wholesale diversification". Or, you know, something of this sort.

Conversational Topics for Specific Language Levels - Summary

Knowing conversational topics for specific language levels is crucial if you want to pass any official certificate. Even more so if you decide to do it on your own. Such knowledge allows you to shield yourself from any unpleasant surprises during the speaking part of an exam.

However, if you feel no need to obtain any official documents, knowing conversational topics for specific language levels can help you prepare better for your lessons or even give you lots of question ideas for your self-talk!