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DELF A2 speaking: describe a square before and after a change

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Explore a neighbourhood square, compare its old car park with its new benches and trees, then practise a short French description and follow-up replies.

In short

Describe the same place twice: Avant, il y avait un parking. Maintenant, il y a des bancs sous les arbres. Finish with what the change means for you: Je peux y lire après le travail.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

A woman reads on a shaded bench beside a fountain in a village square.
New benches and trees make la place a pleasant place to read. Illustration: Atelier

You are Nora. The square near your home used to be a car park. Today, cars stay outside it. There are benches in the shade, a fountain and flower beds. You go there to read after work. Explore the new square, then compare it with the old one.

Explore the square: find six details

A small French neighbourhood square viewed from slightly above in late afternoon. Two wooden benches sit under leafy trees. A low stone fountain stands in the m

How do you compare before and after in French?

Three contrasts to say aloud
FocusBeforeNow
UseLa place servait de parking.La place est un espace pour se promener.
TrafficIl y avait beaucoup de voitures.Les voitures n’entrent plus sur la place.
My routineJe traversais la place rapidement.Je m’arrête pour lire.

Je voudrais parler de la place près de chez moi. Avant, il y avait surtout des voitures. Maintenant, il y a des bancs sous les arbres. J’aime ce changement parce que je peux y lire après le travail. Pour moi, la place est plus agréable.

I would like to talk about the square near my home. Before, there were mainly cars. Now there are benches under the trees. I like this change because I can read there after work. For me, the square is more pleasant.

Question 1No account needed
Your partner asks what the square used to be. Choose the matching reply.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

C’était un parking.. The earlier use was parking; the benches belong to the square today.

Question 2No account needed
Your partner asks when you go there. Choose a direct reply.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Après le travail.. The question asks when; après le travail gives the time.

Question 3No account needed
Your partner asks whether every neighbour likes the change. Choose Nora’s reply.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Je ne sais pas. Moi, j’aime y lire.. Nora can describe her own reaction and leave other residents’ views open.

Try the picture again in test mode. Then make a different short talk as someone who misses the parking: Avant, je pouvais me garer près de chez moi. Maintenant, je dois marcher plus longtemps. Keep the physical changes the same and give that speaker a clear personal reason.

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