Les vacances
GCSE French model answers: holidays
Foundation, about 90 words
- où tu vas en vacances d'habitude
- tes dernières vacances
- ce que tu aimes faire en vacances
- tes vacances idéales
D'habitude, je vais en vacances au pays de Galles avec ma famille. L'été dernier, nous sommes allés en Espagne en avion. Nous sommes restés dans un hôtel près de la plage et il a fait très chaud. C'était fantastique ! En vacances, j'aime nager dans la mer et manger au restaurant. Mais je n'aime pas visiter les musées parce que c'est ennuyeux. Mes vacances idéales seraient aux États-Unis. Je voudrais visiter New York avec mes amis parce que c'est une ville très animée.
Usually I go on holiday to Wales with my family. Last summer we went to Spain by plane. We stayed in a hotel near the beach and it was very hot. It was fantastic! On holiday I like swimming in the sea and eating in restaurants. But I don't like visiting museums because it's boring. My ideal holiday would be in the United States. I would like to visit New York with my friends because it's a very lively city.
- About 83 words, close to the 90 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.
- 1 connectives to link ideas and make the writing flow.
Higher, about 150 words
- tes vacances préférées et pourquoi
- des vacances qui se sont mal passées
- les avantages de voyager
- un voyage que tu voudrais faire
Je préfère les vacances actives, car je m'ennuie vite à la plage. Cependant, l'année dernière, nos vacances en Écosse ne se sont pas du tout passées comme prévu. Il a plu tous les jours, et en plus, notre voiture est tombée en panne au milieu de nulle part. Après avoir attendu trois heures sous la pluie, nous avons enfin trouvé un garage. Avec le recul, c'est un souvenir plutôt drôle ! À mon avis, voyager est la meilleure façon de découvrir d'autres cultures et de devenir plus tolérant. De plus, on apprend beaucoup quand on doit parler une autre langue. Après mes examens, je ferai le tour de l'Europe en train avec deux amis. Nous partirons dès que nous aurons assez d'argent, à condition que nos parents soient d'accord ! Ce sera l'aventure de notre vie !
I prefer active holidays, as I get bored quickly on the beach. However, last year our holiday in Scotland didn't go to plan at all. It rained every day, and on top of that, our car broke down in the middle of nowhere. After waiting three hours in the rain, we finally found a garage. Looking back, it's quite a funny memory! In my opinion, travelling is the best way to discover other cultures and become more tolerant. What's more, you learn a lot when you have to speak another language. After my exams I will go round Europe by train with two friends. We will leave as soon as we have enough money, as long as our parents agree! It will be the adventure of our lives!
- About 137 words, close to the 150 the task asks for, with every bullet point covered.
- Three time frames: 3 past-tense references and 1 future or conditional.
- 5 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.
- 3 connectives to link ideas and make the writing flow.
Phrases to steal
| ...ne se sont pas du tout passées comme prévu | ...didn't go to plan at all |
| Après avoir attendu... | After waiting... |
| Avec le recul... | Looking back... |
| dès que nous aurons... / à condition que + subjonctif | as soon as we have... / as long as... |
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
- My school Mon collège
- Free time Le temps libre
- Festivals and celebrations Les fêtes
- Celebrities and role models Les célébrités
- 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: Travel and tourism, drill the French verbs, or practise speaking on the same topic in French speaking.