Czech Maturita French cheat sheet

Before the recording plays, read the question stems and options to predict the topic, key vocabulary, and likely distractors.

Listen for the answer to each question in order; the information usually appears in the same sequence as the questions.

Distractors often repeat words from the recording but change the meaning (negation, different subject, different time).

Pay attention to numbers, dates, prices, and times; they are often tested and may be corrected or recalculated in the recording.

Signal words (however, but, actually, in fact, on the other hand) introduce contrast or correction and often mark the correct answer.

In multiple-choice tasks, eliminate options that are not mentioned or that contradict the recording; the remaining option is likely correct.

For true/false tasks, the statement must match the recording exactly; a single wrong detail makes it false.

If you miss an answer, mark your best guess and move on; do not let one question affect the next.

Skim the text first for the main idea (title, first and last paragraphs, topic sentences), then scan for specific details.

Question order usually follows text order; locate the relevant paragraph for each question and read around it.

Beware of options that copy exact words from the text but distort the meaning; correct answers often paraphrase.

For vocabulary-in-context items, replace the word with each option and check whether the sentence still makes sense.

For main-idea questions, choose the option that covers the whole text, not just one detail or example.

For inference questions, the answer must be supported by the text, not by personal knowledge or opinion.

In matching tasks (headings, paragraphs), identify the topic sentence and key nouns in each paragraph before matching.

Time management: allocate about 1.5 minutes per question; leave longer texts for the end if time is short.

Passé composé: avoir/être + past participle; être verbs (DR MRS VANDERTRAMP) agree with the subject; reflexive verbs also use être.

Imparfait vs. passé composé: imparfait for description, habits, and ongoing background; passé composé for completed actions and events.

Futur simple: infinitive + endings -ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ont; irregular stems (être → ser-, avoir → aur-, aller → ir-, faire → fer-).

Conditionnel présent: infinitive + imparfait endings; used for politeness, hypotheses, and future-in-the-past.

Subjonctif présent: after expressions of necessity, doubt, emotion, and conjunctions like bien que, pour que; endings -e, -es, -e, -ions, -iez, -ent.

Pronouns: direct object (le, la, les), indirect (lui, leur), y (place/thing), en (quantity/de); pronoun order: me/te/se/nous/vous → le/la/les → lui/leur → y → en.

Agreement of past participle: with preceding direct object in avoir clauses; with subject in être verbs and reflexive verbs (except when the reflexive pronoun is indirect).

Vocabulary: false friends (actuellement = currently, éventuellement = possibly, librairie = bookshop, blesser = to wound).

Follow the required format: informal letter (salutation, opening, body, closing), formal letter (Madame/Monsieur, formule de politesse), article (title, introduction, development, conclusion), essay (introduction, arguments, conclusion).

Respect the word limit; being under or over by more than 10% can lose points.

Use connectors to organize ideas: d'abord, ensuite, enfin, cependant, par ailleurs, donc, en conclusion.

Vary sentence structures: alternate simple, compound, and complex sentences; include relative clauses (qui, que, dont, où).

Check verb tenses and agreements: subject-verb agreement, adjective agreement, past participle agreement.

For formal writing, avoid contractions (do not use tu, use vous), avoid slang, and use conditional for politeness.

Plan before writing: brainstorm ideas, organize into paragraphs, and leave time to proofread for spelling and grammar.

Learn set phrases for letters: Je vous écris pour…, Je vous prie de bien vouloir…, Dans l'attente de votre réponse, je vous prie d'agréer…

For the monologue, structure your talk: introduction (topic, plan), development (2-3 main points with examples), conclusion (summary, opinion).

Use fillers and connectors to gain time and sound natural: alors, donc, en fait, voyons, c'est-à-dire, par exemple.

For interaction, listen to the examiner's question, ask for clarification if needed (Pouvez-vous répéter, s'il vous plaît ?), and answer directly.

Justify opinions with reasons and examples: À mon avis… parce que… Par exemple…

Use a variety of tenses and structures to show range: present, past (passé composé/imparfait), future, conditional.

Pronounce final consonants carefully: many are silent (petit, grand, beaucoup), but some are pronounced (avec, chef, sud).

Practice linking words: liaison (les_amis, vous_avez) and enchaînement (elle_est) to improve fluency.

For picture description, organize spatially: au premier plan, à l'arrière-plan, à gauche, à droite, au centre.