Basque PAU French key terms

Ability to read a French text and extract its main idea, specific details, the author's intention and the tone, without translating word by word. In the exam it is tested with authentic documents followed by questions.

The central point a paragraph or whole text is built around, which the other sentences support or illustrate. Questions often ask you to choose it among several plausible but too narrow or too broad options.

A supporting point that illustrates, qualifies or develops the main idea. Recognising it prevents you from mistaking an example or detail for the overall message of the text.

A conclusion drawn from clues in the text rather than from an explicit statement. Exam questions may ask what the author implies, so you must justify the answer with evidence from the wording.

Meaning that is suggested but not stated directly, often through irony, presupposition or choice of words. Distinguishing it from the explicit content is a frequent requirement in reading tasks.

A word, punctuation mark, connector or repetition in the text that signals meaning or structure. Quoting such clues strengthens an answer and shows the examiner where your interpretation comes from.

A real document written for native speakers, such as a newspaper article, blog post, leaflet or literary extract, not simplified for learners. The exam typically uses these to test reading in realistic conditions.

Elements surrounding a text that help you situate it: title, subtitle, date, source, author, illustrations, layout. Skimming them before reading gives the topic, register and purpose quickly.

The category a document belongs to, such as news report, opinion column, interview, advertisement, letter or short story. Each genre has typical structure, register and reading expectations that guide your answers.

The position an author defends in an argumentative text, usually stated early and supported by arguments and examples. Identifying it is essential before judging whether an argument is relevant.

A reason or piece of reasoning offered to support a position. In reading tasks you may be asked to distinguish the author's arguments from mere examples or from opposing views reported in the text.

A concrete case, figure or anecdote used to make an argument convincing. It supports a claim rather than proving it, and exam questions sometimes test whether you can tell it apart from the argument itself.

A set of words linked by a shared theme, such as vocabulary of transport, health or pollution. Spotting it helps you follow the topic and notice shifts of subject inside a longer text.

The relationship between words with close meanings, such as logement and habitation. Exam questions often ask you to find in the text a word or expression equivalent to one given in the question.

The relationship between words of opposite meaning, such as augmenter and diminuer. Recognising opposites helps in vocabulary exercises and in understanding contrasts the author sets up.

Rewording a passage while keeping its meaning, using different vocabulary and structure. Written-production tasks often require reformulating source ideas rather than copying sentences verbatim.

Expressing an idea again in clearer or different words, for instance to introduce a quotation or to summarise. It shows comprehension and avoids repeating the original wording in your own text.

The level of formality of language: familier, courant or soutenu. Choosing the right register matters in writing tasks, since an informal word can clash with the formal tone of an essay or letter.

The degree of sophistication of vocabulary and syntax appropriate to a situation, from everyday speech to literary prose. Exam rubrics often require a neutral or formal level and penalise slang in written production.

Words and expressions typical of formal written French, such as néanmoins, toutefois or s'avérer. Using a few appropriately raises the quality of a composition without making it artificial.

A word or phrase that makes the relationship between ideas explicit, such as cependant, par conséquent, en effet or d'une part. Correct use improves cohesion and is often assessed in written production.

The logical unity of a text, where each idea follows from the previous one and everything supports the overall purpose. It concerns meaning, whereas cohesion concerns the visible linking devices.

The network of linguistic devices that tie sentences together: connectors, pronouns, substitutions and repetition. A text can be grammatically correct yet lack cohesion if these links are missing or wrong.

Referring back to an earlier element with a pronoun or substitute, as when ce dernier or celui-ci points to a previously mentioned noun. Misreading the reference is a common cause of comprehension errors.

Repeating or substituting an element already mentioned to avoid clumsy repetition, for example using le chercheur, il or cet homme for the same person. It is a key tool of textual cohesion.

The organised outline of a written answer, showing the order of parts and the main idea of each. A clear plan, often in two or three parts, prevents digression and gives the composition visible structure.

The opening part of a composition that presents the topic, defines the issue and announces the plan. In exam essays it is usually one short paragraph and should avoid personal anecdote unless the task allows it.

The final part of a composition that summarises the main findings and may open a brief perspective. It should answer the question posed in the introduction without introducing a wholly new argument.

The precise question or tension a composition sets out to examine, narrower than the general topic. A clear problématique guides the plan and shows the examiner that you have understood the task.

A condensed account of the essential points of one or more documents, written in your own words and organised thematically rather than document by document. It requires selection and reformulation.

A letter written to an institution, company or unknown recipient, following conventions such as a subject line, formal opening and closing formulas. Its structure and register are frequently tested in written production.

A conventional phrase opening or closing a letter, such as Madame, Monsieur at the start and Je vous prie d'agréer, Madame, Monsieur, mes salutations distinguées at the end. The closing must match the recipient's status.

A verb category expressing the speaker's attitude, such as indicatif for statements, subjonctif for doubt or necessity, conditionnel for hypotheses, and impératif for orders. Choosing the right mode is central to grammar tasks.

A form of the verb locating the action in time and aspect, such as présent, passé composé, imparfait, futur simple or plus-que-parfait. Comprehension and production both depend on reading time markers correctly.

The rules governing how the tense of a subordinate clause depends on the tense of the main verb, especially in reported speech and conditional sentences. Errors here are frequent in written production.

The verb mode used after expressions of necessity, doubt, emotion or wish, as in il faut que tu viennes. It is triggered by specific conjunctions and verbs, so learning those triggers is more useful than memorising forms alone.

The way a speaker's words are reported, either directly with quotation marks or indirectly with tense and pronoun shifts, as in il a dit qu'il viendrait. It combines pronoun changes with tense agreement.

The community of countries and regions where French is spoken, including France, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, several African states and overseas territories. Exam texts often discuss its cultural diversity and status.

The sense of belonging to a group defined by language, history, traditions or territory. French-language texts frequently explore tensions between regional identity and national or global culture.

The French principle of state neutrality towards religions, separating public institutions from religious influence while guaranteeing freedom of belief. It underpins debates on schools, symbols and public services in French society.

A form of French shaped by a region, such as Quebec French or the French of West Africa, differing in accent, vocabulary or idiom. Recognising such variation helps you read authentic documents without misreading meaning.

Saying the opposite of what is meant, often to criticise or mock, with the real meaning signalled by context or tone. Missing it can lead you to answer comprehension questions with the literal sense.