Langue anglaise
What the test assesses
The English paper checks basic grammar, administrative vocabulary, reading comprehension and the ability to write a short clear message. The level is usually intermediate: tenses, prepositions, question forms, countable and uncountable nouns, and common false friends.
Core rules
- Present perfect with « since » + point in time and « for » + duration: « I have worked here since 2020 » ; « for four years ».
- Third person singular: he/she/it adds -s in the present simple. Do not add -s after « does » or « did ».
- « Information », « advice », « furniture » and « staff » are usually uncountable: no plural -s.
- For administrative writing, use a clear subject line, a direct opening, one idea per paragraph and a polite closing.
- Reading questions: locate the keyword, read the sentence before and after, then eliminate options that add facts not in the text.
Worked example
Choose the correct sentence: « She has been working here for three years » or « She is working here since three years ». Reasoning: « since » introduces a starting point, « for » introduces a length of time. The action started in the past and continues, so the present perfect continuous is appropriate. The second sentence is wrong on two counts: wrong preposition and wrong tense. A correct alternative is « She has worked here for three years ».
Traps
False friends: « actually » means « en fait », not « actuellement » ; « assist » means « aider », not « assister à » ; « attend » means « assister à », not « attendre ». Do not write « informations ». Do not answer a reading question from personal knowledge when the text says otherwise. In a formal email, avoid « Hey » and contractions such as « wanna ».
Method
For grammar, identify the time marker first. For reading, underline the evidence sentence. For writing, prepare three short paragraphs: purpose, details, requested action. Keep sentences short and check subject-verb agreement.