NZ Scholarship French key terms

The main claim or central argument that a text defends. In reading and listening tasks you must identify it separately from supporting examples, and in your own writing you must state it clearly early on.

The organised development of reasons intended to persuade a reader or listener. Markers look for a clear structure, relevant evidence and logical progression rather than a list of opinions.

A word or phrase such as cependant, donc, en revanche or par conséquent that signals the relationship between ideas. Accurate use of these is one of the clearest indicators of a well-structured written response.

A subtle difference in meaning or tone, often carried by modal verbs, adverbs or conditional forms. Recognising nuance is essential when a text expresses reservation rather than outright agreement.

Meaning that is suggested rather than stated directly, requiring the reader or listener to infer it from context, tone or word choice. Questions often ask what the speaker insinuates rather than what they say.

A hidden or indirect message conveyed beneath the literal words, sometimes ironic or critical. Detecting it depends on cultural knowledge and on attention to intonation and register.

A figure of speech in which the stated meaning is the opposite of the intended one, often for humorous or critical effect. Failing to notice it leads to serious misreading in comprehension tasks.

The attitude conveyed by a speaker or writer, such as sympathetic, ironic, indignant or neutral. Identifying tone requires attention to vocabulary, sentence rhythm and any evaluative adjectives used.

The level of formality of language, ranging from familier through courant to soutenu. Sustaining an appropriate register is a criterion in written and spoken production, and mixing levels unintentionally is penalised.

Formal, elevated French typical of essays, literary texts and public speeches. It uses complex subordination, precise vocabulary and structures such as the passé simple and imparfait du subjonctif.

Informal spoken French with contractions, slang and dropped ne in negation. You must understand it in listening passages but generally avoid it in formal written production.

A literary past tense marking completed events in formal narrative. You need to recognise it in reading texts and may use it in extended writing, though the passé composé dominates spoken French.

A past tense expressing ongoing background action, habitual behaviour or description. Distinguishing it from the passé composé is a frequent accuracy point in narrative writing.

A verb mood used after expressions of doubt, necessity, emotion or wish, and after certain conjunctions such as bien que. Correct triggers and forms are a standard feature of high-level accuracy.

The rules governing how tense in a subordinate clause depends on the tense of the main verb. Errors here, especially in reported speech, weaken the coherence of extended writing.

The reporting of someone else's words, either directly with quotation marks or indirectly with tense and pronoun shifts. In listening tasks you often must identify what a speaker actually claimed.

The formation of negative statements, including ne...pas, ne...que, ne...guère and negative pronouns such as personne or rien. In informal speech the ne is frequently dropped.

Limiting a statement, most commonly with ne...que meaning only. Missing it in a listening or reading passage can reverse the apparent meaning of a sentence.

The agreement of past participles with subject or preceding object, as in les lettres qu'il a écrites. This is a classic accuracy point in written production and translation.

Rendering meaning faithfully from French into English or the reverse, preserving tone, register and intent rather than word-for-word equivalence. Idioms and cultural references rarely transfer literally.

Relaying information from one language or register to another for a specific audience, summarising or explaining rather than translating verbatim. It tests whether you can convey the essential message accurately and appropriately.

A word that looks similar in French and English but differs in meaning, such as actuellement (currently) versus actually. Misreading these causes serious comprehension and translation errors.

A concise integration of information from several documents, organised thematically rather than document by document. It requires reformulation in your own words and clear cross-referencing.

The outline structure of an essay or presentation, typically in two or three parts with sub-points. A clear plan prevents repetition and demonstrates controlled organisation in extended writing.

A clearly stated stance on an issue, supported by reasons and examples. Examiners reward a position that is maintained consistently rather than one that shifts without explanation.

A set of words related to a common theme, such as vocabulary of immigration or of the environment. Recognising lexical fields helps you infer meaning and build coherent, varied writing.

Restating a message in different words while keeping the meaning intact. It is a core skill for summarising listening material and for showing comprehension without copying source wording.

The global community of French-speaking countries and regions, including France, Canada, Belgium, Switzerland, much of West and Central Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. Cultural questions often draw on this diversity.

The French principle of state neutrality towards religion, separating public institutions from religious influence. It underpins debates about schools, dress and public space and frequently appears in reading texts.

France's overseas territories, including Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion, Guyane, Polynésie française and Nouvelle-Calédonie. Their status and identities are recurring topics in contemporary francophone debate.

The principle that cultural goods and services should be treated differently from ordinary trade, defended by France in international negotiations. It reflects broader tensions between cultural protection and globalisation.

Recording key points efficiently while listening, using abbreviations, symbols and layout. Good notes capture structure and stance, not every word, and support later reconstruction of the message.

Listening with a specific purpose, such as identifying a speaker's attitude, a figure or a reason. It differs from global listening and is the skill most listening questions test.

The speed at which speech is delivered. Authentic recordings may be fast with elision and liaison, so practice with varied speeds builds the stamina needed in the listening section.

The linking of a normally silent final consonant to a following vowel-initial word, as in les_amis. Missing liaisons and enchaînements is a common cause of mishearing in recorded material.

The opening of an essay that establishes context, reformulates the question and announces the plan. A weak introduction undermines the whole response, so it should be prepared and practised.

The closing section that draws the argument together, answers the question posed and may open a wider perspective. It should not introduce wholly new arguments.

Two-way spoken exchange in which you respond to an interlocutor, ask questions, negotiate meaning and keep the conversation going. Fluency, turn-taking and repair strategies all count.

The smooth, reasonably paced delivery of speech without excessive hesitation or self-correction. It is assessed separately from accuracy, so a confident flow with minor errors can still score well.

Conventional phrases for greeting, thanking, apologising or closing, such as je vous prie d'agréer or cordialement. Appropriate use shows control of register in letters and formal exchanges.