DALF C1 Exam Questions
In our previous blog post Free Exam Tips: One or Many (Singular vs Plural) we identified some common indicators that will identify when French oral exam evaluators are asking you a question or topic to test your knowledge of French grammar rules. We highlighted the importance of studying pronouns to ensure that you do not reply to a question asking for a singular response with multiple responses.
In this blog post we will focus on the third French oral exam question type in our list of seven — questions that are asking for your opinion. Each of the question types are further outlined in our ebook study guide series available in Amazon Kindle.
- Getting up close and personal (present)
- One or many (singular vs plural)
- Let me tell you what I think (opinion)
- Yes, but on one condition (conditions)
- For better or worse (comparison)
- Tomorrow is another day (future)
- Give me one more chance (retrospective)
DALF C1 Opinion Questions
Often during French oral evaluations, the evaluator will want to discuss a subject that you may or not have a view to express. For instance, your French oral exam subjects may include the environment, travel, communication, or even the economy.
This style of question is assessing your ability to respond directly to questions seeking your personal view on a topic. The exams are structured so that you do not have to be an expert on a particular topic and you can present an argument, or your opinion, with the facts or the perspectives that have been provided to you.
The question may begin with, or include a common phrase, indicating that it is an opinion question. For example, the following phrases can signal to you that the response must provide your opinion:
– Pensez-vous…
– Selon vous…
– D’après vous…
– À votre avis…
Each of the preceding phrases have a matching form to structure your response, such that:
– Pensez-vous… –> respond with… Je pense…
– Selon vous… –> respond with… Selon moi…
– D’après vous… –> respond with…. D’après moi….
– À votre avis… –> respond with…. à mon avis…
Understanding the difference between when to apply a personal opinion response and when to provide an abstract response can be a critical evaluation criterion for your exam.
French Oral Exam Subjects or Themes
We always recommend that you become familiar with the vocabulary and terms associated to at least ten subjects or themes that you may have to discuss during your exam.
Don’t forget to follow our French Oral Exam Subjects page where we list and share over thirty themes for you to practice for your exam and personal learning plan.
Additional DALF C1 Exam Practice
Visit the France24 channel on YouTube – https://f24.my/YouTubeFR.
Select a video that represents an interview style discussion, such as: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBQNad7-7_c
Note the structure of the phrases that are used to by the journalist to ask a question:
– Does the tone of their voice change when they pose a question?
– What keywords or phrases did the journalist use to ask a question?
– What keywords or phrases did the interviewee use to reply to the question?
– Did the questions and responses represent a personal opinion or were they asked to provide a more abstract response?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08R2YP9NY
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08R2YP9NY
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08R2YP9NY
As part of your personal study plan, create ten more sentences asking for an opinion on what you like and what you do not like at your work? Consider asking questions related to what is the best way to manage a project? Is it necessary for employees to take vacation? How do you motivate employees?
Personal Learning Plan Activities
Once you have your additional list of opinion questions then practice developing the responses by following our recommended pattern outlined in this blog post.
Within this blog post series we will help you to provide the evaluator a response that demonstrates your comprehension of the question.
This blog post is a summary from Phase 3: Le Conseil in our DELF, DALF, TCF, TEF French Oral Exam Study Series.
Our French Oral Exam Question blog post series focuses on seven common categories of French evaluation questions that can aid anyone preparing for a DELF, DALF, TCF, TEF French oral exam or even a job interview conducted in French.
French Oral Exam Learning Plan
Don’t forget to track your progress and update your Personal Learning Plan. You can pre-order your copy of our French Oral Exam Learning Plan to help you reuse our template and recommended approach to incrementally build upon your foundational knowledge.
Take control of your learning strategy and be ready for your DELF, DALF, or TCF French oral evaluation.
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