The present invention provides for a system for assessing an individual's understanding of basic concepts comprising a basic concepts assessment book having at least one illustration showing at least one basic concept, a correct receptive response associated with at least one illustration for comparison with a receptive response given by the individual being tested according to a receptive inquiry associated with at least one illustration and a correct expressive response for comparison with an expressive response given by the individual according to an expressive inquiry associated with at least one illustration. The invention tests basic concepts using related pairs. Further, the system associates a receptive score representing a comparison between the correct receptive response and the receptive response, an expressive score representing the comparison between the correct expressive response and the expressive response, whereby an individual's understanding of basic concepts is assessed expressively and receptively with inquiries associated with at least one illustration.