Knowing a lot of words for each topic is important – do 5-10 minutes a day vocabulary revision Make sure you know numbers and times Make sure you know hobbies and leisure words Make sure you know holiday vocabulary Don’t neglect the time phrases Learn the different question words
Foundation and Higher n
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There is an overlap of questions so everyone needs to know how to approach the longer type-questions. For the foundation test it is especially important to know basic vocabulary. The earlier questions are often like a vocabulary test. For the longer texts it is important to know how to approach the questions and to have strategies for ‘guessing’ (inferring) meaning.
In the exam n n
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Tips For each section read the questions first BEFORE you look at the text on which they are based. Make sure you understand exactly what you are looking for. Be familiar with the rubrics – and the types of question - before you go into the exam. Now read the whole of the text carefully. Try to use the questions to help you understand the text. If the question is in French answer in French; if the question is in English, answer in English.
Answering the questions n
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Use your knowledge about a topic to make educated guesses – ask yourself whether an answer is likely or not. Use the title of a passage to help you understand some of the meaning Don’t worry if you don’t understand it all. You are not expected to understand everything. Look at the marks awarded for each question. If there are 2 marks, then make 2 separate clear points etc.
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When answering remember to express yourself clearly. You do not have to answer in full sentences but you must give enough information to gain the marks. If you don’t say what you mean you won’t get the mark. The examiner will not guess your intentions.
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Your French is important. Make sure you write as accurately as you can. Take time to do this. Be careful with spellings of words which sound the same e.g. Musique/ music. When answering in English be especially careful that you express what you really mean
Key Question Words n
qu’est-ce que? What ?(is it that…) n qui? Who? n où? Where? n comment? How? n À quelle heure? At what time? n quand? When?
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pourquoi? n
Why?
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d’où?
Where from?
quel/quelle? (m/f singular) quels/quelles? (m/f plural) Which? n c’est combien? n How much? n combien de….? n How many? n
Examples of questions used in the Reading Test n n n n n n n n n n n n
Le train arrive à quelle heure? What time does the train arrive? Le voyage dure combien de temps? How long does the journey last? C’est combien un billet pour aller à Lille? What does a ticket to Lille cost? Avec qui a-t-il habité après le divorce? Who did he live with after the divorce? A quel âge a-t-il commencé à jouer du piano? At what age did he start playing the piano? Qui s’intéresse à…… who is interested in …..
Understanding the rubric n n n n n n n n n n n n n n
Answer the questions. Répondez qux questions Give 2 details Donnez deux détails Fill in the gaps Remplissez les blancs Indicate if the sentences are true or false Indiquez si les phrases sont vraies ou fausses write a letter in each box Ecrivez une lettre dans chaque case answer the questions in French Répondez aux questions en français Write the name of the person Ecrivez le nom de la personne
Watch the tense n n n n n n n
Watch out for the correct tense: Tu iras en France cet été? Oui, j’irai à Paris (future tense) Où habitait-il quand il était petit? (past tense) Il habitait à Bordeaux. Qu’est-ce que tu voudrais faire ce soir? J’aimerais bien aller au cinéma. (conditional tense - I would like to…..)
On-line practice n n
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www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize There is a good section on French/exam skills www.bbc.co.uk/languages/French/talk There are practice sections on all the topics at all levels. www.languagesonline.org.uk - French from Primary to A level standard
MFL Website n
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Look at the MFL website and follow the links for reading practice. Copy down some of the sites for access at home Click on the French Folder Register and choose your own password Exercises are marked for you and scores recorded Also: (in French Folder) reading exercises at Foundation and Higher levels
