Mark Scheme

Section A — Reading

1. (10 marks) (a) At her grandparents' (in the countryside) [1]; (b) there is no wifi [1]; (c) she helps her grandfather in the garden [1]; (d) it is too hot (to go out) [1]; (e) she finds it boring [1]; (f) they are going to the sea/seaside for two days [1]; (g) "J'ai hâte !" (2 — 1 for identifying the phrase, 1 for correct spelling/accuracy); (h) "il fait trop chaud pour sortir" (2 — 1 phrase, 1 accuracy). [10]

2. (12 marks) (a) after school [1]; (b) football [1]; (c) basketball [1]; (d) any two: sleep better; more concentrated/focused in class [2]; (e) some spend too much time on screens / don't do enough exercise [1]; (f) at least one hour a day [1]; (g) "Cependant" [1]; (h) "Selon une étude récente" (2 — 1 phrase, 1 accuracy); (i) "au moins une heure d'activité physique par jour" (2 — 1 phrase, 1 accuracy). [12]

3. (8 marks) (a) Sophie; (b) Karim; (c) Amina; (d) Thomas; (e) Karim; (f) Amina; (g) Sophie; (h) Thomas. 1 each. [8]

Section B — Writing

4. (10 marks) Marked for communication/content (6) and accuracy of language (4).

• Content: all three bullet points covered clearly (favourite subject + reason; a past action at school; a future intention). Up to 6.
• Accuracy: correct verb forms including a past tense (e.g. passé composé for last week) and a future/conditional (e.g. je voudrais + infinitive), gender/adjective agreement, spelling. Up to 4.
• 9–10 = all points clear, largely accurate, uses past and future; 6–8 = points mostly covered with some errors; 3–5 = partial/limited; 1–2 = a few words/phrases.

5. (20 marks) Marked for communication/content (10), range of language (5) and accuracy (5).

• Content (10): all three bullets developed with reasons/opinions; clear and relevant.
• Range (5): variety of vocabulary, structures, opinions, connectives (parce que, mais, cependant, aussi), three time frames (present, past, future).
• Accuracy (5): correct and consistent verb tenses (present, passé composé/imparfait, future/conditional), agreements, spelling and accents.
• 17–20 = all points well developed, three time frames handled, wide range, mostly accurate; 12–16 = good coverage with some range and errors; 7–11 = covers points simply with limited range/frequent errors; 1–6 = basic.

Sample Answers with Examiner Commentary

Question 4 — Sample Answers

Grade A response. "Salut ! Ma matière préférée, c'est la biologie parce que j'adore les animaux et le professeur est très gentil. La semaine dernière, j'ai passé un examen de maths et j'ai joué au football avec mes amis. Après l'école, je voudrais aller à l'université pour étudier les sciences. Et toi ?"

Mark: 10/10. Examiner commentary: A full-mark answer. All three required points are covered clearly — the favourite subject with a reason ('parce que j'adore les animaux'), a past action ('La semaine dernière, j'ai passé un examen... et j'ai joué'), and a future intention ('je voudrais aller à l'université'). Crucially, the candidate handles three time frames accurately, using the passé composé for last week and 'je voudrais' + infinitive for the future, with correct agreement and spelling. The friendly opening and closing question add natural communication. This is exactly what the top band requires.

Grade C response. "Salut ! Ma matière préférée est le sport parce que c'est amusant. La semaine dernière je joue au football. Après l'école je veux être médecin."

Mark: 6/10. Examiner commentary: The candidate communicates all three points and gives a reason for the favourite subject, which is good and earns solid content marks. The main weakness is accuracy of tense: 'La semaine dernière je joue' uses the present tense where a past tense (passé composé, 'j'ai joué') is needed, so the 'last week' point is not correctly expressed. Using the correct past tense here, and developing the future point a little more, would move the answer towards the top band.

Question 5 — Sample Answers

Grade A response (extract). "J'aime beaucoup les vacances à la plage parce que je peux nager et me détendre au soleil. Pour moi, c'est important de se reposer après une année scolaire difficile. L'été dernier, je suis allé en Espagne avec ma famille. Nous avons visité Barcelone, nous avons mangé des plats délicieux et j'ai nagé dans la mer tous les jours. C'était fantastique ! À l'avenir, je voudrais visiter le Canada parce que j'adore la nature et je voudrais voir les montagnes et les forêts. Ce serait une aventure inoubliable."

Mark: 19/20. Examiner commentary: An excellent response that develops all three bullet points with opinions and reasons, and confidently handles three time frames: the present ('J'aime... parce que je peux nager'), the past ('L'été dernier, je suis allé... nous avons visité... j'ai nagé... C'était fantastique') and the future/conditional ('je voudrais visiter le Canada... Ce serait une aventure inoubliable'). The language shows good range — varied verbs, connectives and opinion phrases — and is highly accurate, including agreement of the past participle and correct use of the imperfect 'C'était'. This meets the top band on content, range and accuracy.

Grade C response (extract). "J'aime les vacances à la plage parce que c'est bien. L'été dernier je vais en France. C'est bon. À l'avenir je veux aller en Italie parce que c'est beau. J'aime les vacances."

Mark: 10/20. Examiner commentary: The candidate covers all three points simply — a type of holiday with a basic reason, a past holiday and a future wish — which earns reasonable content marks. However, there are two key weaknesses. First, accuracy of tense: 'L'été dernier je vais en France' uses the present where the passé composé ('je suis allé') is required, so the past frame is not correctly shown. Second, the range is limited, with repeated simple opinions ('c'est bien', 'c'est bon', 'c'est beau'). Using the correct past tense and adding more varied vocabulary, connectives and developed reasons would lift the mark considerably.