KPG French key terms

The central point a text or recording is built around, which a reader or listener must identify even when it is never stated directly. Questions often ask you to choose the sentence that best summarizes it.

The broad subject a passage deals with, such as work, housing or the environment. It is wider than the main idea and helps you predict the kind of vocabulary and arguments that will follow.

A conclusion drawn from clues in the text rather than from an explicit statement. Exam items test whether you can read between the lines, for example deducing someone's mood or the reason for a decision.

A meaning suggested indirectly by a speaker or writer without being said openly. Recognizing it requires attention to tone, irony and word choice, especially in dialogue and opinion pieces.

The attitude conveyed by a text, such as ironic, neutral, critical or enthusiastic. Identifying it helps you answer questions about the author's stance and avoid choosing an answer that contradicts the mood.

The purpose behind a text: to inform, persuade, warn, entertain or instruct. Questions on this ask why the writer produced the passage rather than what the passage says in detail.

A short restatement of the essential content of a document, in your own words and without personal commentary. It is used both in reading tasks and in written production where several sources must be combined.

A word or phrase that signals the relationship between ideas, such as cause, contrast, addition or consequence. Examples include donc, pourtant, en revanche and par conséquent; misreading them often reverses the meaning.

A structure admitting a fact that might seem to contradict the main statement, typically with bien que, quoique or certes. It is common in argumentative texts and in formal writing tasks where balance is expected.

The expression of contrast between two ideas, marked by connectors such as mais, or, en revanche or tandis que. Distinguishing it from concession matters because the two use different connectors and verb moods.

A verb mood used after expressions of doubt, necessity, emotion, wish and after certain conjunctions like bien que and pour que. Accuracy tasks frequently test whether the indicative or subjunctive is required.

The rule that a past participle agrees with a preceding direct object or with the subject depending on the auxiliary and verb type. With être it agrees with the subject; with avoir it agrees with a preceding direct object.

A word such as qui, que, dont or lequel that links a clause to a noun. Choosing correctly depends on the grammatical function of the noun in the relative clause, which is a common accuracy test point.

An object pronoun like le, la, lui, leur, y or en that replaces a noun or phrase. Correct placement before the verb, and agreement with the replaced element, are frequent sources of error in production.

A construction where the object of the action becomes the subject, formed with être plus the past participle. It is frequent in news and administrative writing, and the agent is introduced with par or de.

The level of formality of language, ranging from familier through courant to soutenu. Recognizing register helps you interpret dialogue and choose appropriate wording in letters and formal messages.

Expressing the same idea in different words, either to clarify or to avoid repetition. Listening and reading items often paraphrase the source, so matching a reformulated option to the original is a core skill.

A word with a meaning close to another, though rarely identical in use or connotation. Vocabulary items test whether you can match a paraphrase in the question to the exact word used in the document.

A word that looks similar in French and English but differs in meaning, such as actuellement (currently) or éventuellement (possibly). These trap candidates who translate word by word instead of reading context.

The set of words in a text that relate to one topic, such as terms of transport or of administration. Identifying it helps you locate the relevant part of a passage quickly during timed reading.

A habitual word pairing that native usage prefers, such as prendre une décision or faire des progrès. Using the correct verb with the correct noun matters more in production than literal translation.

A fixed multi-word expression whose meaning is not built from its parts, such as mettre en œuvre or avoir beau. Recognizing these as units prevents misreading and improves range in writing.

A structured written or spoken report of what a document, meeting or event contained, usually organized by theme. It should be factual and neutral, distinguishing what was said from your own opinion.

The organized development of reasons and examples to support a position. In written production it requires a clear thesis, linked paragraphs and connectors that show how each point relates to the next.

A letter following conventions such as a heading, an object line, a formal opening and a fixed closing formula. Register, pronoun choice and formulaic phrases are assessed as much as the content itself.

The outline organizing a piece of writing into introduction, developed parts and conclusion. A visible structure with one main idea per paragraph is usually rewarded more than a dense, unstructured block of text.

The instruction stating what a task requires: the topic, the word count, the audience and the format. Misreading it is a common cause of lost marks even when the language itself is accurate.

A short public message, often heard in stations or airports, giving information or instructions. Listening items based on announcements test numbers, times, platforms and changes to a schedule.

A recorded or relayed spoken message, typically giving a reason for calling, a request and contact details. Note-taking on names, numbers and times is essential because the audio is played only once or twice.

Writing abbreviated keywords while listening so you can answer questions afterwards. Effective notes capture who, what, when and the speaker's attitude rather than full sentences.

The pronunciation pattern of a speaker, including regional and non-native varieties. Listening tasks expose you to different accents so that comprehension does not depend on one idealized model.

The rise and fall of pitch across an utterance, which signals questions, surprise or the speaker's attitude. Misreading it can make a statement sound like a question or hide irony.

The linking of a normally silent final consonant to a following vowel sound, as in les amis. It affects how spoken French is segmented, so unfamiliar liaison can make known words hard to recognize.

Taking a turn to speak in a conversation or discussion, including how you interrupt, request clarification and hand the floor back. Managing turns smoothly is assessed in interactive oral tasks.

A follow-up question or remark that keeps a conversation going or asks a partner to expand. Using them shows interactive competence rather than simply answering in single sentences.

A short prepared talk on a given topic, usually followed by questions. It needs a clear structure, signposting phrases and a conclusion that answers the question posed.

A simulated interaction where you play a defined role, such as a customer or an employee, and must achieve a communicative goal. Accuracy matters less than completing the task and responding naturally.

A phrase used to ask someone to repeat or explain, such as Pouvez-vous préciser? It keeps interaction going when part of a question or recording was not understood.