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A French exam answer that is accurate but does not answer the question

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Practise answering the exact focus of a French reading question. Compare factually accurate responses with the explanation or evidence the prompt requests.

In short

Keep the question’s requested operation visible: identify, explain, compare or justify. A correct fact about a text may still fail to explain the cause or contrast requested. Answer that focus first, then give only the evidence needed to support it.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

A hand holds one key beside a row of five different locks.
Answering the precise question asked. Illustration: Atelier

The following passage and questions are newly authored practice. They let you distinguish truth from relevance: all information must be faithful, but faithfulness alone does not ensure that the answer performs the requested operation.

Ouvrir les archives

Texte

La ville envisage de numériser ses archives pour faciliter la consultation à distance. L’association soutient le projet, mais demande le maintien d’un accueil sur rendez-vous : certains documents fragiles ne peuvent pas être numérisés immédiatement et plusieurs lecteurs ont besoin d’aide pour les retrouver. Elle propose donc une phase d’essai avant toute fermeture définitive de la salle.

Question

Pourquoi l’association demande-t-elle le maintien d’un accueil ?

Réponse exacte, mais hors sujet

La ville souhaite faciliter la consultation à distance.

Réponse centrée sur la question

Pour permettre la consultation des documents pas encore numérisés et aider les lecteurs à les retrouver.

Question 1No account needed
Why is the city’s aim insufficient as an answer?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

It does not explain the association’s reason. The question asks why the association wants continued reception, not why the city wants digitisation.

Question 2No account needed
What two reasons does the association give?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Unscanned fragile documents and readers needing help. Both reasons occur in the passage and directly support maintaining access.

Question 3No account needed
What does the trial precede?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Any definitive closure of the room. Avant toute fermeture définitive marks a proposed sequence, not a completed event.

Rewrite for the requested operation

1 · Lead with the answer focus

  1. Pour et donner accès aux documents non encore numérisés. (Why retain reception? Give the reason concerning readers.)
  2. Elle soutient , sous réserve de maintenir un accueil. (What does the association support? Identify its qualified support.)
  3. Une . (What does it propose before definitive closure? Name the requested step.)

Underline the interrogative and its complement mentally: pourquoi l’association, en quoi les deux positions, quel indice montre. If your first sentence answers a different combination, rewrite it. Concision helps when it makes the requested relation explicit.

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