B1 exam strategies
At B1, the TEF Canada and TCF Canada stop testing isolated words and start testing whether you can manage a whole task under time pressure. Knowing the grammar is not enough: you also need a plan for reading fast, listening once, and speaking without freezing. This lesson gives you that plan, plus the French you need to talk about it.
Associez chaque terme de stratégie à son sens.
Match each strategy term to its meaning.
Quelle option complète correctement le conseil ?
Which option correctly completes the advice?
Complétez avec le bon verbe de conseil (il vaut mieux).
Complete with the right verb of advice (it is better to).
Il vaut ____ deviner que de laisser une réponse vide.
| la consigne | the instructions (of a task) |
| gérer son temps | to manage one's time |
| le chronomètre | the timer / stopwatch |
| survoler un texte | to skim a text |
| repérer les mots-clés | to spot the keywords |
| éliminer les distracteurs | to eliminate the wrong options |
| deviner intelligemment | to make an educated guess |
| relire sa réponse | to reread one's answer |
| passer à la question suivante | to move on to the next question |
| rester concentré | to stay focused |
| reformuler une idée | to rephrase an idea |
| gagner du temps | to save time |
Vous avez une minute par question et vous bloquez. Quel est le meilleur choix ?
You have one minute per question and you are stuck. What is the best move?
Remettez les mots dans l'ordre pour décrire un plan de lecture.
Put the words in order to describe a reading plan.
Écoutez et tapez le conseil que vous entendez.
Listen and type the advice you hear.
To describe a strategy you mostly use the infinitive after a verb of advice, and connectors of sequence. Say il faut + infinitive (you must), il vaut mieux + infinitive (it is better to), and avant de + infinitive (before doing). To order your steps, use d'abord (first), ensuite (then), enfin (finally). For time pressure, the verb devoir in the present expresses obligation: je dois finir (I must finish).
Traduisez en français.
Translate into French.
I must manage my time.
Complétez le connecteur de séquence (enfin).
Complete the sequence connector (finally).
D'abord je survole, ensuite je repère les mots-clés, ____ je réponds.
Traduisez en français.
Translate into French.
Before answering, read the whole instruction.
À l'oral, que faire de vos quelques secondes de préparation ?
In the speaking section, what should you do with your few seconds of preparation?
Écoutez et tapez la phrase au sujet du temps.
Listen and type the sentence about time.
A simple rule holds for every section: read the instruction before the content. Knowing what you are looking for turns a long text into a quick search. The same goes for listening, where you should read the question and options during the silence before the audio starts.
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