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Praxis French: World Language study materials
Praxis French: World Language study resources

Praxis French: World Language practice questions

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Question 1Listening with Cultural Knowledge

In a Montréal shop, the clerk hands you your bag and says, « Merci, bienvenue ! » In Québec, « bienvenue » in this context means:

  1. Welcome to the neighbourhood
  2. Good evening
  3. Please come back tomorrow
  4. You're welcome Correct answer.

Explanation

In Québec, « bienvenue » serves as the ordinary reply to « merci », equivalent to « de rien » or « je vous en prie » in France. The word also keeps its familiar sense of welcome on signs, but after an expression of thanks it functions as a courtesy formula.

Question 2Listening with Cultural Knowledge

A Belgian colleague says, « Mon père a septante ans. » How old is her father?

  1. 60
  2. 90
  3. 80
  4. 70 Correct answer.

Explanation

Belgian French uses « septante » for 70, where standard French says « soixante-dix ». The same system gives « nonante » for 90, replacing « quatre-vingt-dix ».

Question 3Listening with Cultural Knowledge

When you are introduced to friends of your French host family, they lean forward to give « la bise ». This gesture is:

  1. a customary friendly greeting Correct answer.
  2. a farewell used only in the evening
  3. a formal greeting between business partners
  4. a congratulatory gesture after good news

Explanation

La bise - cheek-to-cheek contact with air kisses - is the normal informal greeting among friends, relatives and acquaintances in France, and the number of kisses varies by region. Professional contexts call for a handshake instead.

Question 4Listening with Cultural Knowledge

Your host says, « Le quatorze juillet, on va voir le feu d'artifice. » Which occasion is being described?

  1. Bastille Day Correct answer.
  2. Canada Day
  3. a religious feast day
  4. New Year's Eve

Explanation

« Le quatorze juillet » is the French national holiday, commemorating the 1789 storming of the Bastille; fireworks and popular dances are typical. It is a civic holiday rather than a religious one.

Question 5Listening with Cultural Knowledge

You call a French office and the person who answers says, « Allô ? » The person is:

  1. asking you to repeat yourself
  2. answering the telephone Correct answer.
  3. admitting a wrong number
  4. ending the call

Explanation

« Allô » is the fixed formula for opening or answering a telephone call in French and has no equivalent use face to face. It corresponds to English "hello" on the phone only.

Question 6Listening with Cultural Knowledge

At the end of a meal in a Paris café, the waiter asks, « Vous voulez l'addition ? » He is offering you:

  1. a second coffee
  2. a seat on the terrace
  3. the bill Correct answer.
  4. a dessert menu

Explanation

« L'addition » is the restaurant bill; asking for it is the ordinary way to end a meal in France, and it is usual to request it rather than wait for it to be brought. The menu itself is « la carte ».

Question 7Listening with Cultural Knowledge

A station announcement says, « Le train pour Bordeaux partira à dix-huit heures trente. » At what time does the train leave?

  1. 6:30 a.m.
  2. 6:30 p.m. Correct answer.
  3. 8:30 a.m.
  4. 8:30 p.m.

Explanation

French timetables use the 24-hour clock: « dix-huit heures » is 18:00, which corresponds to 6:00 p.m., plus thirty minutes. Subtracting twelve converts any afternoon time to the twelve-hour clock.

Question 8Listening with Cultural Knowledge

On a French restaurant bill you see « service compris ». This means:

  1. a free drink is included
  2. the tip is left to your discretion
  3. the service charge is included Correct answer.
  4. the kitchen is closed

Explanation

French law requires menu prices to include service, so « service compris » signals that no further tip is required, although customers often round up. The opposite mention, « service non compris », indicates that a tip is expected.

Question 9Listening with Cultural Knowledge

A station loudspeaker announces, « Le train à destination de Lyon, départ voie 7, partira avec un retard d'environ dix minutes. » What should passengers do?

  1. Wait about ten minutes at track 7 Correct answer.
  2. Go to track 10 for the Lyon train
  3. Change trains at Lyon
  4. Look for a replacement bus

Explanation

« Voie 7 » identifies the departure track, while « un retard d'environ dix minutes » states the expected delay. The track number and the delay are separate pieces of information.

Question 10Listening with Cultural Knowledge

The radio forecaster says, « Demain, des averses sur la moitié nord, mais le soleil brillera sur la Côte d'Azur. » Which area will get showers?

  1. the southeast coast
  2. the Alps
  3. the northern half Correct answer.
  4. the southwest

Explanation

« La moitié nord » designates the northern half of the country, where « des averses » - brief but often heavy showers - are forecast. The Côte d'Azur lies in the southeast and is where sunshine is expected.

Question 11Listening with Cultural Knowledge

A colleague tells you, « Tu peux me filer un coup de main ? » What is the register and the request?

  1. regional; a request for money
  2. informal; a request for help Correct answer.
  3. literary; an invitation to a ceremony
  4. very formal; a written request for authorization

Explanation

« Filer un coup de main » is familiar French for giving someone a hand, and the use of « tu » confirms an informal working relationship. In a formal situation one would hear « Pourriez-vous m'aider ? ».

Question 12Listening with Cultural Knowledge

Your French neighbour looks outside and says, « Il pleut des cordes ! » She means:

  1. a storm is coming tomorrow
  2. someone is hanging out laundry
  3. it is raining very heavily Correct answer.
  4. the wind is very strong

Explanation

« Il pleut des cordes » - literally "it is raining ropes" - is an idiom meaning it is pouring with rain. The image conveys the density of the falling water rather than any literal object.

Question 13Listening with Cultural Knowledge

In Dakar, a friend ends a plan with « À demain, inch'Allah. » What does the phrase convey?

  1. the appointment has definitely been cancelled
  2. the speaker is making fun of the listener
  3. the speaker is quoting a radio broadcast
  4. the plan is hoped for, God willing Correct answer.

Explanation

In much of the francophone Muslim world, « inch'Allah » accompanies any statement about the future, acknowledging that the outcome rests with God. It expresses hope and humility rather than doubt about the other person.

Question 14Listening with Cultural Knowledge

A shopkeeper in Lausanne tells you an item costs « huitante francs ». What is the price?

  1. 90 francs
  2. 80 francs Correct answer.
  3. 100 francs
  4. 60 francs

Explanation

« Huitante » is used for 80 in parts of French-speaking Switzerland such as Vaud, Valais and Fribourg, where standard French has « quatre-vingts ». Swiss French also uses « septante » and « nonante ».

Question 15Listening with Cultural Knowledge

In Montréal you hear, « Je vais magasiner cet après-midi. » The speaker is going to:

  1. visit a market to sell produce
  2. work in a store
  3. eat at a restaurant
  4. shop for goods Correct answer.

Explanation

« Magasiner » is the standard Québec verb meaning to go shopping, corresponding to « faire les magasins » or « faire des courses » in France. The verb is not used in metropolitan French.

Question 16Listening with Cultural Knowledge

At a market stall the vendor says, « Je vous le fais à dix euros, c'est mon dernier prix. » What is he telling you?

  1. Ten euros is his final price Correct answer.
  2. The item normally costs more
  3. He will lower the price if you buy two
  4. He is closing the stall for the day

Explanation

« C'est mon dernier prix » is the conventional formula with which a vendor ends haggling: the quoted sum is presented as final. It closes the negotiation linguistically, even if a determined buyer may still try again.

Question 17Listening with Cultural Knowledge

On the radio you hear, « Selon le ministère de la Santé, la campagne de vaccination débutera lundi prochain. » What will begin next Monday?

  1. a new tax on medicine
  2. a health ministry inquiry
  3. a hospital strike
  4. a vaccination campaign Correct answer.

Explanation

« La campagne de vaccination » means vaccination campaign and « débutera » means will begin. « Selon » attributes the information to the ministry of health as its source.

Question 18Listening with Cultural Knowledge

Entering a small boutique in Lyon, you are greeted with « Vous désirez ? » The shopkeeper is:

  1. telling you the shop is closing
  2. offering to help you Correct answer.
  3. asking you to leave
  4. asking whether you are alone

Explanation

« Vous désirez ? » - like « Je peux vous aider ? » - is the standard formula by which shop staff offer assistance. It is a courtesy question, not a request for the customer to leave.

Question 19Listening with Cultural Knowledge

In Brussels, a colleague says, « Passe une fois ce soir. » The sentence means:

  1. Come by only once
  2. You must pass a test first
  3. Come by this evening Correct answer.
  4. Do not come this evening

Explanation

In Belgian French, « une fois » placed after a verb softens or reinforces it rather than counting occurrences, so « passe une fois » equals « passe donc » - do come round. Standard French would simply say « passe ce soir ».

Question 20Listening with Cultural Knowledge

In Abidjan a friend invites you to « un maquis » this evening. In this context, a maquis is:

  1. a private reading library
  2. a wartime resistance hideout
  3. a casual outdoor eatery Correct answer.
  4. a scrubland covered in dense bushes

Explanation

In Côte d'Ivoire and neighbouring countries, « un maquis » is a simple, often open-air restaurant serving local dishes and grilled food. In metropolitan French the word refers only to dense scrubland.

Question 21Listening with Cultural Knowledge

After a concert, a French friend says « C'est pas mal du tout. » How should you understand this?

  1. genuine, restrained praise Correct answer.
  2. harsh criticism
  3. a complaint about the price
  4. total indifference

Explanation

French often conveys approval through litote, denying the opposite (« pas mal » = not bad at all) rather than exclaiming « c'est très bien ». The hedge signals understatement, not disapproval.

Question 22Listening with Cultural Knowledge

At a Québec sugar shack a friend tastes the maple taffy and says, « C'est écœurant ! » What does she mean?

  1. It's far too sweet
  2. It's amazing Correct answer.
  3. It's overpriced
  4. It tastes disgusting

Explanation

In Québec colloquial French, « écœurant » can carry the opposite of its standard meaning and express enthusiastic admiration, roughly "awesome". Intonation and context distinguish it from the pejorative metropolitan sense.

Question 23Listening with Cultural Knowledge

An Acadian speaker in New Brunswick says, « Je suis après préparer le souper. » The sentence means:

  1. I refuse to cook tonight
  2. I am cooking dinner right now Correct answer.
  3. I have just finished supper
  4. I am about to leave for supper

Explanation

Acadian French builds the progressive with « être après + infinitive », the equivalent of « être en train de » in standard French, and « le souper » is the evening meal in Acadian and Québec usage. The sentence therefore describes dinner being prepared at that moment.

Question 24Listening with Cultural Knowledge

Your French host says, « Vous reprendrez bien un peu de tarte ? » What is she doing?

  1. asking you to bring a tart next time
  2. announcing that dessert is over
  3. politely pressing you to have more Correct answer.
  4. asking whether you disliked the tart

Explanation

The future form « vous reprendrez » combined with « bien » turns the question into a warm, insistent offer - the standard French way of urging a guest to take a second helping. Declining politely often requires several rounds.

Question 25Listening with Cultural Knowledge

A French colleague warns you, « Il ne faut pas vendre la peau de l'ours avant de l'avoir tué. » The proverb advises you to:

  1. finish a job before asking for payment
  2. avoid hunting in protected areas
  3. share profits fairly with your partners
  4. wait for a result before counting on it Correct answer.

Explanation

The image is that of selling a bear's skin before the animal has been caught; the proverb warns against treating a hoped-for outcome as already certain. Its English equivalent is "don't count your chickens before they hatch".

Question 26Listening with Cultural Knowledge

A friend leaving your house says, « À tout à l'heure ! » What does she mean?

  1. Good night, sleep well
  2. See you next week
  3. See you later today Correct answer.
  4. Welcome back home

Explanation

« À tout à l'heure » is used when you expect to see the person again the same day, often within a few hours. It is distinct from « à bientôt » (see you soon) and « à demain » (see you tomorrow).

Question 27Listening with Cultural Knowledge

In a French café, a customer orders « un demi ». What will the waiter bring?

  1. A glass of wine
  2. A small espresso
  3. A draft beer Correct answer.
  4. Half a baguette

Explanation

In French cafés, « un demi » is the standard order for a 25-cl glass of draft beer, roughly half a pint. The word refers to the glass size, not to half a portion of food.

Question 28Listening with Cultural Knowledge

At a station you hear « Le TGV pour Marseille part voie 4. » What kind of train is it?

  1. A regional commuter train
  2. A night sleeper train
  3. A high-speed train Correct answer.
  4. A freight train

Explanation

TGV stands for « train à grande vitesse », France's high-speed rail service. It is distinct from regional TER trains and from overnight sleeper services.

Question 29Listening with Cultural Knowledge

A French friend introduces you to her sister, who leans in to « faire la bise ». What is she doing?

  1. Cheek kissing Correct answer.
  2. Hugging you
  3. Shaking your hand
  4. Bowing low

Explanation

« Faire la bise » is the customary French greeting of touching cheeks and making a kiss sound, often two to four times depending on the region. It is common among friends, relatives, and sometimes colleagues.

Question 30Listening with Cultural Knowledge

Your host says « On prend l'apéro avant de passer à table ? » What is she proposing?

  1. A nap before the meal
  2. A walk around the block
  3. Drinks before dinner Correct answer.
  4. Coffee after dessert

Explanation

« L'apéro » (apéritif) is a pre-dinner drink, often accompanied by small snacks such as olives or nuts. « Passer à table » means to sit down for the main meal.

Question 31Listening with Cultural Knowledge

A radio ad says « Venez nombreux au bal du 14 juillet ! » Which event is being advertised?

  1. A Bastille Day dance Correct answer.
  2. An Easter egg hunt
  3. A Christmas market
  4. A New Year's Eve party

Explanation

The 14 July is France's national holiday, commemorating the 1789 storming of the Bastille. « Un bal » is a dance or ball, so the ad invites people to a Bastille Day dance.

Question 32Listening with Cultural Knowledge

Your colleague says « Je suis crevé ce matin. » How does he feel?

  1. Very angry
  2. Very cold
  3. Very hungry
  4. Worn out Correct answer.

Explanation

The informal adjective « crevé » means completely exhausted or worn out. It is commonly used among friends and colleagues to describe fatigue.

Question 33Listening with Cultural Knowledge

In January a shop window reads « Soldes : -30 % sur tout le magasin. » What does this mean?

  1. A loyalty card is needed
  2. Items are 30% off Correct answer.
  3. Prices rise by 30%
  4. The shop is closed

Explanation

« Les soldes » are the regulated seasonal sales in France, held in winter and summer. « -30 % sur tout le magasin » means every item in the store is discounted by 30 percent.

Question 34Listening with Cultural Knowledge

A colleague says « Rendez-vous à midi et demi devant la gare. » What time is the meeting?

  1. 12:15
  2. 12:30 Correct answer.
  3. 11:30
  4. 1:30

Explanation

In French time telling, « midi » is 12:00 noon, and « et demi » adds thirty minutes, giving 12:30. « Onze heures et demie » would be 11:30.

Question 35Listening with Cultural Knowledge

In Brussels, a shop assistant says the total is « septante-cinq euros ». How much do you owe?

  1. 95 euros
  2. 85 euros
  3. 65 euros
  4. 75 euros Correct answer.

Explanation

Belgian French uses « septante » for 70, whereas standard French in France uses « soixante-dix ». « Septante-cinq » therefore means 75.

Question 36Listening with Cultural Knowledge

In Geneva, a ticket costs « nonante francs ». What is the price?

  1. 89
  2. 79
  3. 99
  4. 90 Correct answer.

Explanation

Swiss French uses « nonante » for 90, while standard French uses « quatre-vingt-dix ». The price is therefore 90 francs.

Question 37Listening with Cultural Knowledge

In Montréal, you thank a shopkeeper, who replies « Bienvenue ! » What does she mean?

  1. Please leave the store
  2. You need a membership
  3. You're welcome Correct answer.
  4. The item is out of stock

Explanation

In Québec French, « bienvenue » is commonly used as the response to « merci », equivalent to « de rien » in France. It can also mean 'welcome' in the usual sense, depending on context.

Question 38Listening with Cultural Knowledge

A friend says « Elle est tombée dans les pommes pendant le concert. » What happened to her?

  1. She fainted Correct answer.
  2. She fell asleep
  3. She tripped on stage
  4. She dropped her apples

Explanation

« Tomber dans les pommes » is an idiom meaning to faint or lose consciousness. It is not meant literally and has nothing to do with apples.

Question 39Listening with Cultural Knowledge

A friend says the new phone « coûte les yeux de la tête ». What does she mean?

  1. It costs a fortune Correct answer.
  2. It is already sold out
  3. It is hard to find
  4. It is very fragile

Explanation

The idiom « coûter les yeux de la tête » means to cost an enormous amount of money. It is used to emphasize how expensive something is.

Question 40Listening with Cultural Knowledge

At a French restaurant the waiter asks « Vous prenez le menu ou la carte ? » What is he asking?

  1. Menu or à la carte Correct answer.
  2. Payment by credit card
  3. A table by the window
  4. Still or sparkling water

Explanation

In France, « le menu » usually means a fixed-price set meal, while « la carte » is the full list of individually priced dishes. The waiter is asking which way you want to order.

Question 41Listening with Cultural Knowledge

Your French friend says « Entre eux, ça a été le coup de foudre. » What does she mean?

  1. Love at first sight Correct answer.
  2. They met during a storm
  3. They were struck by lightning
  4. They had a violent argument

Explanation

« Le coup de foudre » literally means a lightning strike, but idiomatically it describes love at first sight. The phrase emphasizes an instant, overwhelming attraction.

Question 42Listening with Cultural Knowledge

Your manager says « On a du pain sur la planche cette semaine. » What does she mean?

  1. Much work to do Correct answer.
  2. The office is moving
  3. The bakery is closed
  4. The budget has been cut

Explanation

The idiom « avoir du pain sur la planche » means to have a great deal of work ahead. It likely originated from the image of bread dough prepared in large quantities.

Question 43Listening with Cultural Knowledge

A new colleague at a French company is your age. She says « On peut se tutoyer ? » What is she proposing?

  1. To exchange phone numbers
  2. To share the same office
  3. To switch to « tu » Correct answer.
  4. To have lunch together

Explanation

French has two pronouns for 'you': formal « vous » and informal « tu ». « Se tutoyer » means to agree to use the informal « tu » with each other, often among peers or colleagues.

Question 44Listening with Cultural Knowledge

On Saturday your host says « Je vais faire la grasse matinée. » What will she do?

  1. Cook a large breakfast
  2. Sleep in late Correct answer.
  3. Clean the house
  4. Go to the gym

Explanation

« Faire la grasse matinée » means to sleep late in the morning, usually on a day off. It does not refer to eating a heavy breakfast.

Question 45Listening with Cultural Knowledge

A friend complains « Il m'a posé un lapin hier soir. » What happened?

  1. He ate dinner without her
  2. He gave her a pet rabbit
  3. He arrived an hour late
  4. He stood her up Correct answer.

Explanation

« Poser un lapin à quelqu'un » means to stand someone up by not coming to a planned meeting. The expression is informal and implies the person waited in vain.

Question 46Listening with Cultural Knowledge

A colleague says « L'habit ne fait pas le moine. » What advice does this proverb give?

  1. Monks should wear simple clothes
  2. Practice makes perfect
  3. Dress appropriately for work
  4. Don't judge by appearances Correct answer.

Explanation

The proverb « l'habit ne fait pas le moine » literally says 'the habit does not make the monk'. It warns against judging people by their outward appearance or clothing.

Question 47Listening with Cultural Knowledge

Your friend says he'll lend you his car « quand les poules auront des dents ». What does he mean?

  1. He will lend it if you feed his chickens
  2. He will lend it next spring
  3. He will never lend it Correct answer.
  4. He will lend it after buying a farm

Explanation

« Quand les poules auront des dents » literally means 'when hens have teeth', an impossible condition. It is a humorous way of saying something will never happen.

Question 48Listening with Cultural Knowledge

A journalist is praised for « appeler un chat un chat ». What does she do?

  1. She avoids controversy
  2. She speaks frankly Correct answer.
  3. She writes about animals
  4. She uses dense metaphors

Explanation

« Appeler un chat un chat » means to call things by their name and speak plainly, without euphemism. It praises directness rather than literary style.

Question 49Listening with Cultural Knowledge

At a dinner in France, the host says « Servez-vous, ne faites pas de manières. » What is she telling you?

  1. Help yourself without ceremony Correct answer.
  2. Compliment the cook
  3. Leave some food on your plate
  4. Wait for the host to serve you

Explanation

« Ne faites pas de manières » means 'don't stand on ceremony' or 'don't be shy'. The host is inviting you to serve yourself freely and make yourself at home.

Question 50Listening with Cultural Knowledge

In a French business meeting, someone says « Revenons à nos moutons. » What is being proposed?

  1. Postpone the meeting
  2. Return to the topic Correct answer.
  3. Count the sheep
  4. Take a coffee break

Explanation

« Revenons à nos moutons » is an idiom meaning 'let's get back to the point'. It is used to refocus a conversation that has drifted off topic.