Mon collège
GCSE French model answers: my school
Foundation, about 90 words
- ton collège
- ta matière préférée
- une journée récente au collège
- ce que tu voudrais faire après le collège
Mon collège est assez grand et moderne. Il y a une bibliothèque, un gymnase et une grande cantine. Ma matière préférée est l'histoire parce que c'est intéressant et le professeur est sympa. Par contre, je n'aime pas les maths parce que c'est difficile. Hier, j'ai eu un contrôle de français et j'ai joué au foot pendant la récré. C'était une bonne journée ! L'année prochaine, je vais aller au lycée et plus tard, je voudrais être professeur d'histoire parce que j'aime aider les autres.
My school is quite big and modern. There is a library, a gym and a big canteen. My favourite subject is history because it's interesting and the teacher is nice. On the other hand, I don't like maths because it's difficult. Yesterday I had a French test and I played football at break. It was a good day! Next year I am going to go to sixth-form college and later I would like to be a history teacher because I like helping others.
- About 84 words, close to the 90 the task asks for, with every bullet point covered.
- Three time frames: 1 past-tense reference and 2 future or conditional.
- 4 opinions, most of them backed up with a reason.
- 2 connectives to link ideas and make the writing flow.
Higher, about 150 words
- les avantages et les inconvénients de ton école
- un événement scolaire récent
- le règlement scolaire
- tes projets pour l'avenir
Mon école a beaucoup d'avantages : les profs sont motivés et on peut choisir entre de nombreux clubs. Pourtant, ce qui me dérange, c'est que les journées sont trop longues, ce qui nous laisse peu de temps pour nous détendre. Le mois dernier, notre école a organisé une semaine des langues. Nous avons préparé des plats d'autres pays et j'ai même chanté une chanson en espagnol devant tout le monde ! J'étais nerveux, mais c'était une expérience inoubliable. Quant au règlement, je trouve la plupart des règles raisonnables, sauf l'interdiction des portables, qui me semble un peu exagérée. Après mes examens, j'irai au lycée pour étudier les langues et la biologie. Bien que je ne sache pas encore quel métier je ferai, j'aimerais travailler dans un pays francophone. Si j'avais le choix, je deviendrais interprète.
My school has lots of advantages: the teachers are motivated and you can choose between lots of clubs. However, what bothers me is that the days are too long, which leaves us little time to relax. Last month our school organised a languages week. We prepared dishes from other countries and I even sang a song in Spanish in front of everyone! I was nervous, but it was an unforgettable experience. As for the rules, I find most of them reasonable, except the ban on mobile phones, which seems a bit over the top to me. After my exams I will go to sixth-form college to study languages and biology. Although I don't know yet what job I will do, I would like to work in a French-speaking country. If I had the choice, I would become an interpreter.
- About 135 words, close to the 150 the task asks for, with every bullet point covered.
- Three time frames: 2 past-tense references and 2 future or conditional.
- 3 opinions, most of them backed up with a reason.
- 5 complex structures, such as si clauses, the subjunctive, the pluperfect and relative pronouns, which show a wide range of language.
- 2 connectives to link ideas and make the writing flow.
Phrases to steal
| Ce qui me dérange, c'est que... | What bothers me is that... |
| ...ce qui nous laisse peu de temps | ...which leaves us little time |
| Bien que je ne sache pas encore... | Although I don't know yet... |
| Si j'avais le choix, je deviendrais... | If I had the choice, I would become... |
Try it yourself
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Quick questions
How do I get a grade 9 in GCSE French writing?
Answer every bullet point, write accurately, and show a wide range of language: past, present and future or conditional, opinions with reasons, and complex structures such as si clauses, the subjunctive and relative pronouns.
Can I learn these answers by heart?
Use them as a model, not a script. Learn the phrases to steal and the structures, then write your own answer about your own life. Examiners reward language that fits the task.
More French model answers
- My family and friends Ma famille et mes amis
- Healthy living La santé
- Free time Le temps libre
- Festivals and celebrations Les fêtes
- Celebrities and role models Les célébrités
- Holidays Les vacances
- Technology and social media La technologie
- My town and the environment Ma ville et l'environnement
Keep going
Learn the words for this topic in French vocabulary: Education and work, drill the French verbs, or practise speaking on the same topic in French speaking.