Concept:Language assessment measures a learner’s actual ability to use a language in real-world contexts.
Explanation:Step 1: Language assessment is used to evaluate how well a learner can use the language effectively.
Step 2: It focuses on language proficiency — the ability to use the language accurately and fluently in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Step 3: Proficiency goes beyond memorised textbook content and tests real-life communicative competence.
Step 4: Comparing learners to peers (option C) is norm-referenced, not a measure of individual ability.
Step 5: Measuring achievement (options A and D) is narrower and tied to specific course content, not overall language use.
Answer:B. the language proficiency of learners