Ma famille et mes amis
GCSE French model answers: my family and friends
Foundation, about 90 words
- ta famille
- ton meilleur ami ou ta meilleure amie
- une sortie récente avec ta famille
- tes projets avec tes amis
J'habite avec ma mère, mon beau-père et mon petit frère. Je m'entends bien avec ma mère parce qu'elle est gentille, mais mon frère est parfois pénible. Mon meilleur ami s'appelle Tom. Il est grand et très drôle, et nous aimons les mêmes choses. Le week-end dernier, je suis allé au cinéma avec ma famille et nous avons mangé une pizza. C'était génial ! L'été prochain, je vais faire du camping avec mes amis parce que ce sera amusant. Aussi, je voudrais aller à un concert avec eux.
I live with my mum, my stepdad and my little brother. I get on well with my mum because she is kind, but my brother is sometimes annoying. My best friend is called Tom. He is tall and very funny, and we like the same things. Last weekend I went to the cinema with my family and we ate a pizza. It was great! Next summer I am going to go camping with my friends because it will be fun. Also, I would like to go to a concert with them.
- About 87 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.
- 3 opinions, most of them backed up with a reason.
- 2 connectives to link ideas and make the writing flow.
Higher, about 150 words
- tes relations avec ta famille
- un moment mémorable avec tes amis
- l'importance de l'amitié
- ta vie de famille à l'avenir
Dans l'ensemble, je m'entends bien avec ma famille, même si mes parents sont assez stricts. Ce qui m'énerve le plus, c'est qu'ils veulent toujours savoir où je suis, mais je comprends qu'ils s'inquiètent pour moi. L'année dernière, mes amis et moi sommes partis en week-end à la mer. Nous avions tout organisé nous-mêmes et c'était la première fois que je me sentais vraiment indépendant. Après avoir passé la journée à la plage, nous avons fait un barbecue et nous avons parlé jusqu'à minuit. À mon avis, les amis sont essentiels parce qu'ils nous acceptent tels que nous sommes. Cependant, la famille reste le plus important pour moi. À l'avenir, j'aimerais me marier et avoir deux enfants, mais avant cela, je voudrais voyager et travailler à l'étranger. Si je pouvais choisir, j'habiterais près de mes parents pour qu'ils puissent voir leurs petits-enfants souvent.
On the whole, I get on well with my family, even if my parents are quite strict. What annoys me most is that they always want to know where I am, but I understand that they worry about me. Last year my friends and I went away for a weekend at the seaside. We had organised everything ourselves and it was the first time I felt really independent. After spending the day on the beach, we had a barbecue and talked until midnight. In my opinion, friends are essential because they accept us as we are. However, family remains the most important thing for me. In the future I would like to get married and have two children, but before that I would like to travel and work abroad. If I could choose, I would live near my parents so that they can see their grandchildren often.
- About 142 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.
- 4 opinions, most of them backed up with a reason.
- 4 complex structures, such as si clauses, the subjunctive, the pluperfect and relative pronouns, which show a wide range of language.
- 4 connectives to link ideas and make the writing flow.
Phrases to steal
| Je m'entends bien avec... | I get on well with... |
| Ce qui m'énerve le plus, c'est que... | What annoys me most is that... |
| Après avoir passé... | After spending... |
| Si je pouvais choisir, j'habiterais... | If I could choose, I would live... |
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
- Healthy living La santé
- My school Mon collège
- 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: Identity and relationships, drill the French verbs, or practise speaking on the same topic in French speaking.