Reading

C1 French reading: who holds the allotment key?

Read three French notes about a locked tool store and an unlocated rake. Compare access, return records and a role still waiting to be filled.

In short

The dossier contains two practical problems: getting the key and tracking returned tools. Follow un relais (cover) in A, the incomplete registre in B and the two-part proposal in C. Then decide what each measure would change.

Three contributions to compare

La clé et le râteau

A — Retour d’une jardinière

Samedi, je n’ai pas pu emprunter la bêche parce que la personne qui gardait la clé était absente. Je ne demande pas que le local reste ouvert en permanence. Il faudrait simplement prévoir un relais1, annoncé aux membres, quand cette personne ne peut pas venir.

B — Inventaire

Un râteau n’a pas été retrouvé dans le local au moment du relevé2. Le registre signale que ce râteau a été emprunté, mais aucune heure de retour n’y figure. L’inventaire ne permet pas de savoir si le râteau est encore utilisé, rendu ailleurs ou rangé sans que le registre ait été complété3.

C — Proposition de coordination

Désignons une seconde personne pour remettre la clé et précisons où noter le retour des outils. Ces deux mesures répondent à des difficultés différentes. Il faudra demander aux personnes concernées si elles peuvent assurer le relais4 ; personne n’est encore chargé de cette nouvelle tâche.

Read it in English

On Saturday, I could not borrow the spade because the key-holder was absent. I am not asking for the store to remain permanently open. We should simply provide an alternative contact, announced to members, when that person cannot attend.

A rake was not located in the store when it was checked. The log records that this rake was borrowed, but no return time appears. The inventory cannot establish whether the rake is still being used, was returned elsewhere or was put away without the log being completed.

Let us designate a second person to hand over the key and specify where tool returns should be recorded. These two measures address different difficulties. We must ask the people concerned whether they can provide cover; nobody has yet been assigned this new task.

Inside the tool store

Read across the practical functions
QuestionRelevant wordingWhat to compare
Can someone borrow a tool?prévoir un relaisA’s experience and C’s second key contact
Where is a borrowed tool?aucune heure de retourB’s record and C’s clearer return procedure
Who will provide cover?personne n’est encore chargéThe proposed role and the next conversation
Question 1No account needed
What practical event leads A to request cover?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

The key-holder was absent on Saturday.. A reports one missed borrowing opportunity when the usual key-holder was absent.

Question 2No account needed
Which reading of B preserves all three possibilities?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Le retour du râteau reste à vérifier.. B leaves continued use, return elsewhere and an unrecorded return open.

Question 3No account needed
What does C add to A’s request?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

A clearer place to record tool returns.. C combines cover for the key with clarification of the return log.

Question 4No account needed
What is the force of Désignons in C?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

A proposal addressed to the group.. The imperative invites a collective decision; C says nobody is assigned yet.

Your three-sentence comparison

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