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Home > French > Continuers' Course > How to Approach the Exam > Advice > Advice on the Listening and Responding section (25 marks)

 

This section will test your understanding of information from texts spoken in French, and related to the themes prescribed in the syllabus.

Q: What will I be expected to do in the exam?

You will hear seven — ten texts in French, varying from 35 to 60 seconds in length. Each text will be heard twice. There will be a pause between the first and second readings during which you may take notes. There will be more time after the second reading to complete your answer.

Items will be drawn from a number of text types i.e. those it is plausible to encounter as spoken texts. For example, you can expect to hear an advertisement, an announcement, a conversation, an interview, an answering-machine message, a news item, a recipe, a speech or even possibly a song or poem.

The types of questions you can expect include:

Tables

e.g. Fill in the missing information:

Train Timetable
Lyon		Marseilles
	10.00 am		6.30 pm

 

Charts

e.g. This chart shows the percentage of French homes which own the following appliances:

1. Washing machine
2. Computer
3. Microwave
4. Television

Label each column with the appropriate letter.

Lists

e.g. List the criteria required to apply for the advertised job.

1. _______________________
2. _______________________
3. _______________________

 

Forms

e.g. Two friends are discussing their theatre subscription. Complete the details and tick the boxes on the form to correspond to their final decision.

Multiple Choice Questions

e.g. Cette conversation a lieu:

1. à une manifestation
2. a un concours sportif
3. a un concert
4. dans une classe d'histoire

Open-ended Questions

e.g. Why does Jacques not want to go along with Martine's suggestion ?

 

Q: How can I get as many marks as possible in this section?

Check the instructions carefully to see whether you are required to respond in English or French, as it may vary from question to question. The instructions themselves will always be in English.

Have a set examination procedure:

• Read the question for each item before the item is read aloud for the first time. Be aware of what you are listening for.
• If necessary, underline or highlight key words.
• Try to get a global understanding of the item during its first reading.
• You should use the Students' notes column to jot down the main points, key words or expressions in either French or English.
• During the second reading listen carefully for any detail you may have missed.

Write all the details that are relevant to the answer.

Don't rely on your general knowledge, but answer the question according to what is actually said.

Do not attempt to transcribe the whole item — some details may be completely irrelevant to the question. Don't waste time!

Read again carefully what you have written, making sure you have not contradicted yourself and that it makes sense in English.

When the answer is required in English, write ONLY in English. You must show that you understand the meaning of the French words.

Remember to transfer ALL relevant information from the Students' notes column into your answers.

For open-ended questions, answers in point form are acceptable, if all relevant information is included.

Check that you have answered all parts of every question. Never leave a blank.

 

Q: How do I best prepare for this section?

Listen to a lot of French. There is no substitute for practice. It needs to happen every day, even if for a short time. You can vary between listening for enjoyment and listening for exam skills.

Below are some suggestions for listening resources to which you could have access:

French people — the most authentic resource.
Is there an Alliance Française in your area that you could join for social occasions? Ask your teacher. You can only benefit from participating in cultural activities where you will hear French spoken around you. Look for French people around you. Is there an exchange student in your school from a French-speaking country? A French language assistant? A French shopkeeper? If you do find someone to talk to, let them know that you'd love them to talk to you in fairly simple French, even if you don't understand everything.

You may find that you will come across French tourists during the year. Why not prepare some questions to ask them? Are they taking photos? Why not offer to take one of their whole group together as a conversation starter? Can you think of other ideas?

Television
ABC and SBS television often broadcast films and documentaries in French. To benefit from them you will need to view the program with alertness. By all means read the subtitles at first, but at the same time, try to match what you see with what you hear. You may even like to make note of expressions that may be useful in relation to the syllabus. Be active in your viewing!

SBS television also broadcasts Le journal, the news in French, at 9 am every day except Sunday. You may like to set your VCR to record the program while you are not at home. (Copyright approval has been given by TV5 so long as the program is used for educational purposes). Play the segments that you find interesting and rewind the tape as many times as you find it necessary to familiarise yourself with the vocabulary.

Radio
The Sydney Morning Herald lists in The Guide on Mondays, all French broadcasts on 2EA and SBS.

SBS Radio broadcasts are as follows: Tuesday 11 am, Friday 11 am, Sunday 4 pm, Thursday 11am and Saturday 9 pm.

Sydney, 1107 AM
Newcastle and Hunter Valley, 1413 AM
Wollongong, 1485 AM
Canberra, 105.5 FM

Recorded material
Use your school or local library to borrow the following:

• Cassettes that accompany French course books. Go through all relevant units of work. Don't hesitate to rewind the tapes as many times as necessary until you are clear about the meaning. Remember, in your examination you will hear each item twice.
• Past papers (2U and 2U General). Even though the length and style of questions will be different, it is still valuable practice in listening to French.

Build up a bank of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions on all the topics prescribed in the syllabus.

Be confident with the basics such as numbers, the alphabet, time expressions, qualifiers etc.

Pay attention to the difference between singular and plural (e.g. elle est, elles sont) and negatives (e.g. colloquial J'ai pas d'argent, or Il n'a que deux idées)

Si tu fais cela, tu pourras dormir sur tes deux oreilles...

(a French expression meaning you will have nothing to worry about...)