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SACE Stage 2 French (beginners) study materials
SACE Stage 2 French (beginners) study resources

SACE Stage 2 French (beginners) practice questions

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Question 1Interacting in French (oral interaction)

In a French conversation, which greeting is most appropriate between two teenagers meeting informally at school?

  1. Salut ! Correct answer.
  2. Je vous en prie.
  3. Bonne nuit !
  4. Bonjour, madame.

Explanation

Salut is the standard informal greeting used among friends, classmates and people of the same age in relaxed settings. It marks familiarity and is common in school contexts. Formal greetings such as Bonjour, madame belong to polite adult or professional exchanges.

Question 2Interacting in French (oral interaction)

Someone asks « Comment tu t'appelles ? » What is the most natural reply?

  1. Je viens de Lyon.
  2. J'ai quatorze ans.
  3. Je m'appelle Léa. Correct answer.
  4. Ça va bien.

Explanation

The question Comment tu t'appelles ? asks for a name, so the answer must give one, typically with the structure Je m'appelle + name. Age, origin and mood are answers to different questions. Matching the reply to the question asked is the key skill in oral interaction.

Question 3Interacting in French (oral interaction)

Which phrase would you use to ask someone politely to repeat what they said?

  1. Qu'est-ce que ça veut dire ?
  2. Je ne comprends pas l'exercice.
  3. Comment dit-on 'homework' en français ?
  4. Vous pouvez répéter, s'il vous plaît ? Correct answer.

Explanation

Asking someone to repeat uses the verb répéter with a polite formula such as s'il vous plaît. This is a repair strategy for when you did not hear clearly. The other options ask for vocabulary, express confusion about a task, or ask for a meaning.

Question 4Interacting in French (oral interaction)

A friend says « Ça va ? » In an informal chat, which reply is most natural?

  1. Au revoir, à demain.
  2. S'il vous plaît.
  3. Ça va bien, merci. Correct answer.
  4. Je m'appelle Paul.

Explanation

Ça va ? is an informal enquiry about how someone is, so the reply should describe your state, for example Ça va bien, merci. It often includes a thank-you and a return question. The other options answer different communicative needs.

Question 5Interacting in French (oral interaction)

You want to buy a sandwich in a French bakery. Which utterance is the most appropriate opening?

  1. Il y a un sandwich ici.
  2. Je voudrais un sandwich, s'il vous plaît. Correct answer.
  3. Tu veux un sandwich ?
  4. J'ai mangé un sandwich.

Explanation

In a shop, the conditional form Je voudrais plus s'il vous plaît is the polite way to order. It uses the vous form because the shopkeeper is not a close friend. Statements and questions about other people do not perform the act of ordering.

Question 6Interacting in French (oral interaction)

Which expression would you use to accept an invitation from a friend?

  1. Ça ne me dit rien.
  2. Avec plaisir ! Correct answer.
  3. Peut-être une autre fois.
  4. Désolé, je ne peux pas.

Explanation

Avec plaisir is a warm, standard way to accept an invitation in French. It signals enthusiasm and agreement. The other options decline, express lack of interest, or postpone, so they do not accept.

Question 7Interacting in French (oral interaction)

In French, which question word would you use to ask about a place?

  1. Comment
  2. Pourquoi
  3. Où Correct answer.
  4. Quand

Explanation

Où means 'where' and asks about a place, as in Où habites-tu ? Quand asks about time, pourquoi about reason, and comment about manner. Choosing the right interrogative word is essential for getting the information you need.

Question 8Interacting in French (oral interaction)

Which reply correctly uses tu to address a classmate?

  1. Comment allez-vous ?
  2. Est-ce que vous voulez venir ?
  3. Vous êtes libre demain ?
  4. Tu viens avec nous ? Correct answer.

Explanation

French distinguishes informal tu from polite vous. A classmate of your own age is normally addressed with tu, so Tu viens avec nous ? is correct. The other options use vous, which suits adults, strangers or several people.

Question 9Interacting in French (oral interaction)

A classmate asks « Tu veux venir au cinéma samedi ? » Which reply politely declines but keeps the friendship warm?

  1. Oui, avec plaisir !
  2. Désolé, je ne peux pas, mais merci pour l'invitation. Correct answer.
  3. Qu'est-ce que tu veux dire ?
  4. Non, je déteste le cinéma.

Explanation

A polite refusal in French usually softens the no with désolé, gives a brief reason such as je ne peux pas, and thanks the person. This maintains the relationship while declining. Blunt refusals or misunderstandings do not achieve the same social effect.

Question 10Interacting in French (oral interaction)

You did not catch what your teacher said. Which utterance is the most appropriate repair request in class?

  1. Qu'est-ce que tu fais ?
  2. Je ne sais pas.
  3. Pouvez-vous répéter plus lentement, s'il vous plaît ? Correct answer.
  4. Parle plus vite !

Explanation

In class you address the teacher with vous, and a polite request to repeat more slowly is a standard repair strategy. It combines the polite form, the verb répéter and a softening phrase. The other options are impolite, off-topic or addressed with tu.

Question 11Interacting in French (oral interaction)

Which sentence correctly asks a friend what time the train leaves?

  1. Où est-ce que le train part ?
  2. Pourquoi le train part ?
  3. Combien de temps part le train ?
  4. À quelle heure part le train ? Correct answer.

Explanation

Asking about a time uses the formula À quelle heure + verb + subject. Combien de temps asks about duration, où about place, and pourquoi about reason. Each interrogative phrase targets a different type of information.

Question 12Interacting in French (oral interaction)

In a conversation, which phrase best introduces a contrasting opinion politely?

  1. Je suis tout à fait d'accord avec toi.
  2. Je comprends, mais personnellement je pense que… Correct answer.
  3. Tu as absolument raison.
  4. C'est exactement mon avis.

Explanation

Politely disagreeing in French often begins by acknowledging the other view with je comprends, then introduces a contrast with mais and a personal opinion. This softens disagreement and keeps the exchange respectful. The other phrases all express agreement rather than contrast.

Question 13Interacting in French (oral interaction)

Which utterance correctly asks a shop assistant for the price of an item?

  1. Qui a acheté cette chemise ?
  2. Comment est cette chemise ?
  3. Combien coûte cette chemise ? Correct answer.
  4. Où est la chemise ?

Explanation

Asking a price uses combien coûte or combien ça coûte, with the item as subject. The verb coûter means 'to cost'. The other questions ask about location, about who bought the item, or about appearance.

Question 14Interacting in French (oral interaction)

A friend says « J'ai adoré le film ! » Which response keeps the conversation going by asking for a reason?

  1. Moi aussi, je n'aime pas.
  2. D'accord, au revoir.
  3. Je ne sais pas.
  4. Pourquoi tu as aimé ? Correct answer.

Explanation

A good conversational response often invites the speaker to elaborate. Pourquoi tu as aimé ? asks for a reason and uses the informal tu appropriate with a friend. It encourages the other person to explain their opinion.

Question 15Interacting in French (oral interaction)

Which phrase would you use to make a suggestion to a friend in a natural, spoken way?

  1. Il faut que tu vas au parc.
  2. Le parc est allé.
  3. Si on allait au parc cet après-midi ? Correct answer.
  4. Je vais au parc hier.

Explanation

The structure Si on + imperfect tense is a common, friendly way to suggest an activity in spoken French. It softens the suggestion and invites agreement. The other options contain grammatical errors or do not express a suggestion.

Question 16Interacting in French (oral interaction)

You are speaking to an adult you do not know. Which request is correctly formed and polite?

  1. Aide-moi !
  2. M'aider, tu veux ?
  3. Tu peux m'aider ?
  4. Vous pouvez m'aider, s'il vous plaît ? Correct answer.

Explanation

With an unfamiliar adult, French requires the polite vous form plus a softening formula such as s'il vous plaît. Vous pouvez m'aider, s'il vous plaît ? meets both requirements. The other options use tu or the imperative, which are too familiar or abrupt.

Question 17Interacting in French (oral interaction)

Which utterance best expresses that you did not understand a word in a conversation?

  1. Brouillon est un mot.
  2. Qu'est-ce que ça veut dire, 'brouillon' ? Correct answer.
  3. Tu écris bien.
  4. J'aime beaucoup ce mot.

Explanation

Asking what a word means uses the formula Qu'est-ce que ça veut dire ? followed by the word. This is a standard clarification strategy in oral interaction. The other options make statements that do not request meaning.

Question 18Interacting in French (oral interaction)

Which response correctly uses the pronoun y to answer « Tu vas à la piscine ? »

  1. Oui, je vais y.
  2. Oui, y je vais.
  3. Oui, j'y vais. Correct answer.
  4. Oui, j'y vais à la piscine.

Explanation

The pronoun y replaces a place introduced by à, and it comes before the conjugated verb. So the answer is Oui, j'y vais. Because y already replaces à la piscine, the phrase should not be repeated after the verb.

Question 19Interacting in French (oral interaction)

A friend invites you to a party, but you are unsure whether you can come. Which reply is the most appropriate?

  1. Je ne suis pas sûr de pouvoir venir, je te dirai demain. Correct answer.
  2. Je ne peux pas du tout venir.
  3. C'est impossible, désolé.
  4. Bien sûr, je viens tout de suite.

Explanation

When you are uncertain, French uses expressions such as je ne suis pas sûr de pouvoir to express doubt politely, often with a follow-up promise. This keeps the invitation open. The other replies commit to a definite yes or no, which does not match uncertainty.

Question 20Interacting in French (oral interaction)

Which question correctly uses inversion to ask a stranger their name politely?

  1. Comment tu t'appelles ?
  2. Comment vous appelez-vous ? Correct answer.
  3. Comment t'appelles-vous ?
  4. Comment s'appelle-toi ?

Explanation

With the polite vous, the verb s'appeler becomes vous appelez, and inversion places the pronoun after the verb with a hyphen: vous appelez-vous. This is a standard formal question. The other forms mix tu and vous or misplace the pronoun.

Question 21Interacting in French (oral interaction)

In a conversation, someone says « Je viens de finir mes devoirs. » What does this mean?

  1. I have just finished my homework. Correct answer.
  2. I am going to finish my homework.
  3. I was finishing my homework.
  4. I am finishing my homework.

Explanation

The structure venir de + infinitive expresses a recent past, translated as 'to have just done something'. Je viens de finir therefore means 'I have just finished'. It is distinct from the near future aller + infinitive.

Question 22Interacting in French (oral interaction)

Which reply appropriately uses a pronoun to respond to « Tu as parlé à tes parents ? »

  1. Oui, je leur ai parlés.
  2. Oui, je les ai parlé à eux.
  3. Oui, je les ai parlé.
  4. Oui, je leur ai parlé. Correct answer.

Explanation

The verb parler à takes an indirect object, so the pronoun is leur. The past participle with avoir does not agree with an indirect object, so je leur ai parlé is correct. Using les would treat the parents as a direct object, which is wrong here.

Question 23Interacting in French (oral interaction)

Which exchange best demonstrates appropriate turn-taking in a French conversation?

  1. Attends, je n'ai pas fini !
  2. Alors, toi, qu'est-ce que tu en penses ? Correct answer.
  3. Je parle et personne ne m'interrompt.
  4. Moi, moi, moi ! J'ai une idée, écoutez-moi !

Explanation

Good turn-taking involves inviting the other person to speak, for example with a question such as qu'est-ce que tu en penses ? This hands the floor over politely. The other options monopolise the conversation or interrupt, which breaks the norms of exchange.

Question 24Interacting in French (oral interaction)

Which sentence correctly uses the conditional to make a polite request in a formal situation?

  1. Pourriez-vous m'indiquer la sortie, s'il vous plaît ? Correct answer.
  2. Tu pourrais m'indiquer la sortie.
  3. Indique-moi la sortie.
  4. Je veux que vous m'aidiez tout de suite.

Explanation

The conditional pourriez-vous softens a request and is standard in formal French, especially with s'il vous plaît. It signals politeness towards someone you do not know well. The other options are direct, informal or use the wrong register.

Question 25Interacting in French (oral interaction)

A friend says « Si j'avais le temps, je viendrais. » What does this tell you about their situation?

  1. They have time and will come.
  2. They do not have time, so they will probably not come. Correct answer.
  3. They had time and came.
  4. They will have time next week.

Explanation

The structure si + imperfect followed by the conditional expresses a hypothetical situation contrary to reality. Si j'avais le temps means 'if I had time', implying that the person does not have it now. The result is therefore unlikely.

Question 26Interacting in French (oral interaction)

In a conversation with a friend, which phrase correctly asks for their opinion about a film?

  1. Qu'est-ce que tu penses de ce film ? Correct answer.
  2. Qu'est-ce que tu penses à ce film ?
  3. Qu'est-ce que tu penses du ce film ?
  4. Qu'est-ce que tu pense de ce film ?

Explanation

To ask someone's opinion, French uses penser de, and with tu the verb takes the ending -es: « Qu'est-ce que tu penses de ce film ? ». The preposition de is required after penser when asking about a thing or person.

Question 27Interacting in French (oral interaction)

A friend tells you « J'ai eu une journée terrible. » Which reply best shows empathy and invites them to explain?

  1. C'est la vie, hein.
  2. Ça ne me regarde pas.
  3. Ah bon, pourquoi donc ? Correct answer.
  4. Tant pis pour toi.

Explanation

An empathetic reply acknowledges the other person's feelings and opens space for them to speak. « Ah bon, pourquoi donc ? » signals surprise and gently invites an explanation, which keeps the exchange going.

Question 28Interacting in French (oral interaction)

Which utterance correctly uses a pronoun to answer « Tu as besoin de ton dictionnaire ? »

  1. Oui, j'y ai besoin.
  2. Oui, j'en ai besoin. Correct answer.
  3. Oui, j'ai besoin de lui.
  4. Oui, je l'ai besoin.

Explanation

The expression avoir besoin de is followed by de + noun, and that noun phrase is replaced by the pronoun en. The correct reply is therefore « Oui, j'en ai besoin. ».

Question 29Interacting in French (oral interaction)

You want to check that you understood a date. Which question is correctly formed and appropriate?

  1. C'est bien le 5 mai, n'est-ce pas que oui ?
  2. C'est bien le 5 mai, c'est ça ? Correct answer.
  3. C'est bien le 5 mai, est-ce que c'est ça non ?
  4. C'est bien le 5 mai, pas vrai que c'est ?

Explanation

To confirm information, French speakers commonly add a short tag such as « c'est ça ? » at the end of a statement. This keeps the register natural and the meaning clear.

Question 30Interacting in French (oral interaction)

Which phrase would you use to greet a teacher at the start of a lesson in a formal way?

  1. Coucou, toi.
  2. Salut, mec.
  3. Bonjour, monsieur. Correct answer.
  4. Yo, ça va ?

Explanation

Formal greetings use « Bonjour » plus a title such as monsieur or madame, with the pronoun vous later in the exchange. Familiar greetings like salut are reserved for people you know well.

Question 31Interacting in French (oral interaction)

A friend asks « Tu peux m'aider ? » Which reply agrees naturally and offers a specific time?

  1. Oui, bien sûr, je peux t'aider ce soir, non ?
  2. Non, bien sûr, je peux t'aider ce soir.
  3. Oui, bien sûr, je peux t'aider ce soir. Correct answer.
  4. Oui, peut-être, je ne peux pas t'aider ce soir.

Explanation

A natural agreement confirms with oui or bien sûr and then adds concrete information such as a time. The direct object pronoun te becomes t' before a vowel, giving t'aider.

Question 32Interacting in French (oral interaction)

Which phrase correctly introduces a personal anecdote during a conversation?

  1. L'année dernière, j'ai allé en Bretagne.
  2. L'année dernière, je suis allé à Bretagne.
  3. L'année dernière, j'étais allé en Bretagne demain.
  4. L'année dernière, je suis allé en Bretagne. Correct answer.

Explanation

The verb aller forms its passé composé with the auxiliary être and agrees with the subject: je suis allé. Regions ending in -e take en, so en Bretagne is correct.

Question 33Interacting in French (oral interaction)

Which utterance appropriately ends a phone call with a friend?

  1. Allez, à bientôt, je te rappelle demain hier !
  2. Allez, bonne nuit, je te rappelle le matin à minuit.
  3. Allez, au revoir, je te vois jamais.
  4. Allez, à bientôt, je te rappelle ! Correct answer.

Explanation

Closing a friendly call usually combines a farewell formula with a promise to call again. « À bientôt, je te rappelle » is idiomatic and keeps the relationship warm.

Question 34Interacting in French (oral interaction)

In a shop, you want to say you are just looking. Which phrase is the most idiomatic?

  1. Je fais juste un regard.
  2. Je regarde, merci. Correct answer.
  3. Je suis en train de regarder seulement.
  4. Je regarde seulement, pas acheter.

Explanation

French shopkeepers accept a short, polite formula such as « Je regarde, merci » when a customer is browsing. It is brief, natural and polite without needing a literal translation of English expressions.

Question 35Interacting in French (oral interaction)

A classmate says « Je n'ai pas compris la consigne. » Which reply helps them most appropriately?

  1. Je te l'explique tout de suite. Correct answer.
  2. Tu aurais dû écouter.
  3. Parle plus fort, alors.
  4. Ce n'est pas mon problème.

Explanation

A helpful reply offers concrete assistance and shows willingness to clarify. « Je te l'explique tout de suite » uses the pronouns te and l' correctly and responds directly to the need.

Question 36Interacting in French (oral interaction)

Which sentence correctly reports a question someone asked you?

  1. Il m'a demandé si j'étais libre samedi ?
  2. Il m'a demandé si j'étais libre samedi. Correct answer.
  3. Il m'a demandé que j'étais libre samedi.
  4. Il m'a demandé si est-ce que j'étais libre.

Explanation

Indirect questions about yes/no matters use si, and the word order becomes subject + verb with no question mark. The tense shifts to the imperfect to match the past reporting verb.

Question 37Interacting in French (oral interaction)

A friend says « On se retrouve devant la gare à trois heures ? » Which reply confirms the arrangement clearly?

  1. D'accord, à trois heures devant gare.
  2. D'accord, à trois heures devant la gare. Correct answer.
  3. D'accord, à la gare devant trois heures.
  4. D'accord, devant la gare à la trois heures.

Explanation

Confirming a meeting repeats the key details in a natural order: time then place, or place then time. « À trois heures devant la gare » is correct because both expressions are complete.

Question 38Interacting in French (oral interaction)

Which phrase best softens a disagreement when responding to a friend's strong opinion?

  1. Tu as complètement tort, c'est évident.
  2. N'importe quoi, tu racontes des bêtises.
  3. Je ne veux pas en parler, change de sujet.
  4. Je comprends ton point de vue, mais je ne suis pas tout à fait d'accord. Correct answer.

Explanation

Politeness in disagreement often starts by acknowledging the other view before stating a reservation. The phrase « je ne suis pas tout à fait d'accord » is a softened, standard formula.

Question 39Interacting in French (oral interaction)

You want to ask a friend how long they have lived in their town. Which question is correct?

  1. Depuis combien de temps tu habites ici ? Correct answer.
  2. Depuis combien de temps est-ce que tu habites ici depuis ?
  3. Depuis combien du temps tu habites ici ?
  4. Depuis combien de temps tu habite ici ?

Explanation

Duration with a present-tense verb uses depuis combien de temps, followed by a normal statement word order in informal speech. The verb habiter with tu takes the ending -es.

Question 40Interacting in French (oral interaction)

Which utterance correctly expresses a polite refusal to a colleague's invitation to lunch?

  1. Je suis désolé, mais je peux pas venir aujourd'hui.
  2. Je suis désolé, mais je ne peux venir aujourd'hui.
  3. Je suis désolé, mais je ne peux pas venir hier.
  4. Je suis désolé, mais je ne peux pas venir aujourd'hui. Correct answer.

Explanation

A polite refusal combines an apology with a clear reason or statement of impossibility. The negative of pouvoir requires both ne and pas around the conjugated verb.

Question 41Interacting in French (oral interaction)

Which reply correctly uses a stressed pronoun to answer « Tu viens avec nous au marché ? »

  1. Oui, je viens avec nous.
  2. Oui, je viens avec toi.
  3. Oui, je viens avec vous. Correct answer.
  4. Oui, je viens avec ils.

Explanation

After a preposition such as avec, French uses stressed pronouns: moi, toi, lui, elle, nous, vous, eux, elles. Since the invitation is addressed to you by a group, the pronoun vous is appropriate.

Question 42Interacting in French (oral interaction)

A friend says « Je ne sais pas si je pourrai venir. » Which reply checks their availability without pressuring them?

  1. Pas de souci, tu me diras quand tu sauras. Correct answer.
  2. Réponds tout de suite, j'ai besoin de savoir.
  3. Tu dois absolument venir, sinon tant pis.
  4. Si tu ne viens pas, je ne te parle plus.

Explanation

A considerate reply gives the other person time to decide while keeping communication open. « Tu me diras quand tu sauras » does this with a natural future tense.

Question 43Interacting in French (oral interaction)

Which sentence correctly uses the pronoun lui in a conversational reply?

  1. Je lui ai déjà dit la nouvelle. Correct answer.
  2. Je lui ai déjà parlé la nouvelle.
  3. Je lui ai déjà dit à elle la nouvelle.
  4. Je l'ai déjà dit lui la nouvelle.

Explanation

The indirect object pronoun lui replaces à + person and comes before the auxiliary verb. Dire quelque chose à quelqu'un becomes lui dire quelque chose, with no extra stressed pronoun.

Question 44Interacting in French (oral interaction)

In a group conversation, someone interrupts repeatedly. Which phrase politely reclaims your turn?

  1. Taisez-vous, c'est mon tour.
  2. Bon, laissez-moi parler, s'il vous plaît, un peu.
  3. Vous parlez tout le temps, c'est insupportable.
  4. Excusez-moi, je peux finir ma phrase ? Correct answer.

Explanation

Politely reclaiming a turn combines an apology or attention marker with a request such as « je peux finir ma phrase ? ». This maintains a cooperative tone in group discussion.

Question 45Interacting in French (oral interaction)

Which utterance best negotiates a compromise during a conversation about weekend plans?

  1. On pourrait faire un peu des deux, non ? Correct answer.
  2. On fait comme je dis, point final.
  3. C'est mon idée ou rien.
  4. Fais ce que tu veux, ça m'est égal.

Explanation

Compromise language proposes a middle solution and invites agreement. The conditional « on pourrait » softens the proposal, and the tag « non ? » invites the other person to respond.

Question 46Interacting in French (oral interaction)

Which reply correctly uses the pronoun en in response to « Tu as combien de frères ? »

  1. J'ai en deux.
  2. Je les ai deux.
  3. J'en ai deux frères, eux.
  4. J'en ai deux. Correct answer.

Explanation

When a quantity follows, the pronoun en replaces the noun phrase and comes before the verb: j'en ai deux. The number stays after the verb.

Question 47Interacting in French (oral interaction)

Which exchange shows the most appropriate use of vous with an unfamiliar adult?

  1. « Tu habitez ici ? » « Oui, depuis dix ans. »
  2. « Vous habitez ici ? » « Oui, depuis dix ans. » Correct answer.
  3. « Vous habites ici ? » « Oui, depuis dix ans. »
  4. « Tu habites ici ? » « Oui, depuis dix ans. »

Explanation

With an unfamiliar adult, the pronoun vous requires the verb form habitez. The reply naturally continues with depuis to indicate duration.

Question 48Interacting in French (oral interaction)

A friend says « Si j'avais su, je serais venu plus tôt. » What does this reveal?

  1. They did not know and therefore did not come earlier. Correct answer.
  2. They are coming earlier right now.
  3. They knew and came earlier as planned.
  4. They know now and will come earlier next time.

Explanation

The structure si + plus-que-parfait with a conditional past expresses an unreal past situation. The speaker did not know at the time and consequently did not arrive earlier.

Question 49Interacting in French (oral interaction)

Which reply correctly uses a double pronoun in response to « Tu m'envoies les photos ? »

  1. Oui, je te les envoie ce soir. Correct answer.
  2. Oui, je t'en envoie les ce soir.
  3. Oui, je te les envoies ce soir.
  4. Oui, je les te envoie ce soir.

Explanation

With two object pronouns, the indirect pronoun comes first: te + les. The verb envoyer with je takes the form envoie, and the pronouns precede the conjugated verb.

Question 50Interacting in French (oral interaction)

Which sentence most accurately expresses a regret in a conversation about the past?

  1. J'aurais dû te prévenir avant de partir demain.
  2. J'aurais dû te prévenir avant de partir. Correct answer.
  3. Je devrais te prévenir avant de partir.
  4. J'ai dû te prévenir avant de partir.

Explanation

Regret about a past action is expressed with the conditional past of devoir: j'aurais dû + infinitive. It means the speaker should have done something but did not.