Oral : 100 marks = 25 per cent
Aural : 80 marks = 20 per cent

Written paper: 220 marks = 55 per cent

Section 1 – La Compréhension Ecrite

There are two comprehension texts, (one journalistic and one literary) worth 60 marks (15 per cent) each.

Time allocation: 30/35 minutes per text. This is the most important section of the examination in terms of marks available. Very often, questions begin with the following words:

• Trouvez (retrouvez)/réperez = find
• Citez/précisez = quote
• Relevez = Pick out
• Donnez (des détails) = Give detail
• Nommez = name/ mention
• Une phrase = a sentence (full sentence, beginning with a capital letter and ending in a full stop)
• Les mots = the words
• Une expressiòn = (an expression or phrase, series of words)

Attention - Avoid using excessive or irrelevant quotation or you will be penalised. Don't write two answers on the same line.

Remember also that the questions appear in sequence.

Be careful with questions that require you to manipulate the text. eg L.C. 2000 Q1

"Pourquoi l'auteur préférait – il rester immobile chez Omar?" In the text we are told ; il occupait un appartement clair et spacieux, d'une propreté exemplaire; je m'osais presque pas bouger de crainte de salir.

Answer; L'auteur/il préférait rester immobile chez Omar de crainte de salir. In this example 'Je' (1st person singular) changes to 'Il' (third person singular).

Other key question words that require you to manipulate the text include;

• Comment = How
• Qu'est ce que/ Qu'est ce qui = What
• Pour quelle raison = For what reason
• Pourquoi = Why

Trouvez le mot qui veut dire – find the word which means
Trouvez les mots qui veulent veulent – find the words which mean
Trouvez la phrase qui veut dire – Find the sentence which means
Trouvez l'expression – find the phrase/expression
Trouvez le verbe – find the verb

"Pour le pronom en italique relevez le mot auquel il se refere Remember this question asks you to find the noun that the pronoun is referring to, so don't answer with a verb, adverb, adjective,etc.

Q.6 must be answered in English. You are required to include two clear and concise points. Remember to back up your points with two relevant quotations. Think clearly about your answer before writing and re-read what you have written.

Section 2 – La Production Ecrite

Q. 1 is compulsory: 40 marks (ten per cent) – 30 minutes.

Choose another two questions from Q2/Q3/Q4. Each worth 30 marks (7.5 per cent) – 20 minutes each.

Les Sujets d'Actualité – Q1, Q3, Q4

Read each question carefully, making sure you fully understand the question before you begin writing.