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DELF B2 defence: respond when you cannot verify a number

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Respond in French when you cannot verify a number: attribute the supplied figure, name the gap, retain a supported argument and propose a check.

In short

State what the source actually gives and what you cannot establish. Le document mentionne ce taux, mais ne précise pas sa base. Keep any separately supported argument, and say what information would allow the number to be checked.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

A cloth partly covers a measuring jug beside a closed notebook and coloured counters.
Some details are visible while others remain unavailable. Illustration: Atelier

An examiner or colleague asks where a figure comes from. You should neither invent a missing denominator nor abandon every part of your argument. The four scenes distinguish source attribution, unavailable detail, a supported point and a practical verification route. The short dossier below supplies the material used in the four scenes.

Le dossier disponible

Résumé de satisfaction

Résultat annoncé82 % de satisfaction

Informations absentesL’effectif et la question posée ne sont pas précisés.

Note sur l’accès

Difficulté signaléePlusieurs usagers sans accès à Internet indiquent qu’ils ne peuvent pas réserver en ligne.

1

Attribute the number

InterlocutorD’où vient ce taux de satisfaction ?Where does this satisfaction rate come from?
YouIl figure dans le résumé transmis avec le dossier.It appears in the summary supplied with the file.
YouJe l’attribue donc à ce résumé, pas à une vérification personnelle.I therefore attribute it to that summary, not to a personal check.
2

Name the missing fact

InterlocutorCombien de personnes ont répondu ?How many people answered?
YouL’effectif n’est pas indiqué dans l’extrait.The number is not given in the extract.
YouJe ne peux donc pas préciser la base de calcul avec ce document seul.So I cannot specify the calculation base from this document alone.
3

Retain a supported argument

InterlocutorVotre proposition ne tient donc plus ?So your proposal no longer stands?
YouJe retire l’usage de ce taux comme preuve générale.I withdraw the use of that rate as general proof.
YouLa nécessité d’un accès hors ligne reste appuyée par les difficultés décrites dans le dossier.The need for offline access remains supported by the difficulties described in the file.
4

Explain the check

InterlocutorComment vérifieriez-vous ce point ?How would you check that point?
YouJe demanderais le tableau d’origine, l’effectif et la question posée.I would ask for the original table, group size and question wording.
YouJe pourrais ensuite reformuler la conclusion selon le groupe réellement interrogé.I could then reword the conclusion according to the group actually surveyed.

A correction can strengthen the defence

The speaker narrows a weak use of one rate while retaining an independent access argument. That is different from pretending the number is verified. A good defence can change its evidence route without changing its underlying aim, provided the new route is actually supported by the supplied material.

Question 1No account needed
What should you avoid when the denominator is missing?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Inventing one. A guessed denominator would add a number the source does not supply.

Question 2No account needed
Which information would help check the rate?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Original table, number of responses and question wording. Those details identify the calculation and what the rate actually measures.

Use je ne peux pas le préciser avec cet extrait when the limitation concerns the available source. Then answer the broader objection with the evidence you do have, rather than repeating a questionable figure more forcefully.

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