English level guide · CEFR C2
Reading The Scarlet Letter as a Proficient (C2) learner
Yes — at C2 (Proficient), The Scarlet Letter is a comfortable read you can enjoy at a natural pace, which makes it a good pick for building reading speed and stamina.
Updated June 2026
How The Scarlet Letter reads at C2
Because most of the language is already within reach at C2, you can read for the story rather than decoding it — a good way to lock in vocabulary you half-know and pick up reading speed. Watch especially for long subordinate clauses and parenthetical asides within a single sentence.
At a glance
Key words at C2
Some of the C2-level words The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne introduces. See the full word list →
- abaseC2
- cause to feel shame
- accost/əˈkɔst/C2
- speak to someone
- acuteness/əˈkjutnəs/C2
- a sensitivity that is keen and highly developed
- adjudge/əˈʤəʤ/C2
- declare to be
- affrightC2
- an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
- agoneC2
- gone by
- airilyC2
- in a flippant manner
- antiquate/ˈæntəkˌweɪt/C2
- make obsolete or old-fashioned
- appalC2
- strike with disgust or revulsion
What C2 readers can do
- Read virtually all forms of written English with ease.
- Understand abstract, structurally complex, or highly idiomatic texts.
- Appreciate fine shades of meaning and older or specialised language.