LC French key terms

The skill of understanding spoken French, whether in a conversation, a news bulletin, an announcement or an interview. Candidates listen for gist, specific details, numbers, attitudes and implied meaning, often hearing each recording twice.

A word or phrase such as donc, pourtant, en revanche or par conséquent that signals the relationship between ideas: cause, consequence, contrast or addition. Recognising them is essential for following the structure of a spoken or written text.

The level of formality in language use, usually divided into familier, courant and soutenu. Examiners expect candidates to identify register in audio and to choose an appropriate one in their own writing and speech.

Drawing a conclusion that is not stated directly, for example deducing a speaker's opinion from tone or from words like malheureusement. Listening and reading tasks frequently test this higher-level skill rather than literal detail alone.

The central point or purpose of a text or recording, as opposed to supporting details. Identifying it quickly helps candidates answer global questions and structure summaries in their own words.

A group of words related to the same topic, such as pollution, déchets, recyclage and énergie for the environment. Recognising a field helps candidates predict vocabulary and answer questions about a passage's theme.

Restating a passage's meaning in different words. Exam questions often offer a paraphrase of the original text rather than a verbatim quote, so matching exact wording alone can mislead candidates.

A written task combining information from several short documents into a coherent text, without copying sentences directly. It requires selecting relevant points, grouping them logically and linking them with appropriate connectors.

The way sentences and paragraphs are linked through connectors, pronouns, repetition and logical order so a text reads smoothly. Markers reward clear paragraphing, consistent referencing and varied linking devices.

Reporting what someone said, using direct speech (il a dit : « je viens ») or indirect speech (il a dit qu'il venait). Indirect speech requires careful tense and pronoun shifts, a common accuracy trap in writing tasks.

The rules governing tense sequence within a sentence, especially after a past main verb, where the future becomes the conditional and the present becomes the imperfect. Errors here are frequent in written production and in reported speech.

A verb mood expressing doubt, necessity, emotion or wish, used after expressions like il faut que, bien que and je doute que. Candidates must form it correctly and know which conjunctions and verbs trigger it.

The rule that a past participle agrees with a preceding direct object in certain constructions, and with the subject when used with être. It is one of the most frequently tested points of French grammar accuracy.

Words such as qui, que, dont and où that join a subordinate clause to a noun. Choosing the correct form, including lequel and its contractions, is essential for combining ideas in complex written French.

Addressing someone with vous rather than tu to show formality, distance or respect. Knowing when to switch between the two is a core sociolinguistic skill tested in the oral examination and in formal letters.

A conventional closing phrase in a letter or email, such as Cordialement, Bien à vous or Je vous prie d'agréer mes salutations distinguées. The choice must match the relationship and the required register.

A structured letter to an institution, employer or official, following conventions of layout, opening salutation, purpose statement and closing formula. It is a standard written-production task requiring accurate register and clear organisation.

The outline or structure of an essay or presentation, typically introduction, two or three developed parts and conclusion. A clear plan with topic sentences is a major criterion in composition marking.

The main position or argument a candidate defends in an essay or discussion. It should be stated clearly in the introduction and supported throughout with examples and reasoning.

Presenting reasons and evidence to persuade a reader or listener, often using connectors of cause, consequence and concession. Both the written composition and the oral discussion reward well-supported, balanced argument.

The spoken component, usually a short individual presentation followed by a conversation with the examiner on a prepared topic. Fluency, range of vocabulary, accuracy, pronunciation and interaction strategies are assessed.

A follow-up question or prompt from the examiner that pushes the candidate to expand, justify or reconsider a point. Responding confidently to relances shows interactive competence rather than a memorised script.

The community of countries and regions where French is spoken, including France, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, several African nations and parts of the Caribbean and Pacific. Its diversity is a recurring cultural topic.

The French constitutional principle of state neutrality towards religion, separating public institutions from religious influence while guaranteeing freedom of belief. It often appears in cultural and current-affairs discussions.

The principle that cultural goods and services, such as films and music, should be protected from pure market rules. France has long defended this position in international trade negotiations, making it a frequent topical theme.

Development meeting present needs without compromising future generations, covering environmental, economic and social dimensions. It is a common topic in reading passages, listening news items and essay prompts.

Working remotely, usually from home, using digital tools. It appears frequently in contemporary French media and exam materials on work, housing and urban life, and requires topic-specific vocabulary.

A concise summary of a text's key points in a limited number of words, preserving the original order and without personal comment. It tests reading accuracy, concision and control of syntax.

A passage that defends a viewpoint through claims, evidence and rebuttal, often signalled by connectors like certes, cependant and en effet. Recognising its structure helps candidates answer questions on purpose and tone.

Structures such as ne... que, ne... ni... ni and ne... aucun, which require careful placement of the particles. They are often tested in grammar exercises and appear in formal written and spoken French.

Pronouns such as le, la, lui, leur, y and en that replace a noun or phrase to avoid repetition. Correct ordering of two pronouns in a sentence is a classic accuracy point in written production.

The rise and fall of the voice that signals questions, emphasis or emotion. In listening tasks it can reveal a speaker's attitude, and in the oral exam it affects clarity and naturalness.

Words that look similar in French and English but differ in meaning, such as actuellement (currently) versus actually. Misreading them causes comprehension errors in reading and translation tasks.

A factual account of a text, talk or event, presenting its main content in an organised way without adding personal opinion. It differs from a synthesis, which combines several sources.

A simulated conversation in which the candidate takes a role, such as booking a room or complaining about a service. It tests functional language, turn-taking and the ability to adapt to unexpected replies.

Current events and news, a common source of exam texts and discussion topics. Candidates benefit from reading French press regularly and knowing vocabulary for politics, society, environment and culture.