MATSEC IM French case studies
MATSEC IM French · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Intermediate Matriculation (IM) French examination is one of four examination levels offered by the MATSEC Examinations Board at the University of Malta, alongside SEC, SEAC and AM. It is a post-secondary qualification taken by candidates who have already completed their secondary schooling and who wish to present a recognised intermediate-level qualification in French, typically as part of a matriculation or access requirement. The MATSEC IM French case studies are 5 cases and about 3,714 words.
1The deposit email: politeness carried by grammar
Martine, 17, is doing a timed writing mock for her Intermediate French exam: 30 minutes, no dictionary, 120–140 words. The task is a formal email to her former landlord, M.
728 words, about 4 min2Peer-editing the class blog: past participle agreement
Karim has 15 minutes to peer-edit the class blog post about the school trip to Paris before it goes live, and the teacher is unavailable. His friend Aisha's draft contains five sentences with past participles: 'Les photos que j'ai pris hier sont sur le blog', 'Nous nous avons levés à cinq heures', 'Ma correspondante s'est rendue compte de mon erreur', 'Elle s'est lavée les mains avant le dîner', and 'Nous nous sommes écrit trois emails pendant la semaine'.
727 words, about 4 min3Translating the exchange notice: four false friends
The languages department is producing a French version of a one-page notice for a school exchange with a lycée in Nîmes. The English text includes: 'Students will eventually attend a lecture at the university', 'We demand that all students bring a packed lunch', 'Actually, the museum visit is free', and 'The group will assist at the workshop'.
725 words, about 4 min4At the ticket office: depuis, il y a, and spoken politeness
In the oral component, Nadia is given a role-play card. She is at the ticket office in Avignon, wants a same-day return ticket to Marseille, holds a student card and is travelling with a bicycle.
766 words, about 4 min5Cover letter: choosing between qui, que, dont and où
Liam is writing a 150-word French cover letter for a summer job at a bookshop in Valletta that serves French tourists. The advert asks for 'sens du contact' and 'anglais et français courants'.
768 words, about 4 min