Gap-fill
French ecology gap-fill: a lower rate but a larger total
Complete a French commentary where waste per person falls while total waste rises. Use supplied population figures and accurate comparison connectors.
- B2
- 7 gaps
- Translation included
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In short
A smaller quantity per person can produce a larger total if the population grows enough. Multiply the per-person figure by the population before comparing totals. Par habitant and au total must remain distinct in your commentary.
Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn
The district below receives more residents between two surveys. The average quantity per resident falls, but the total rises; the table does not track each individual’s behaviour. Study the table first. Then complete the French paragraph with the connector or data phrase indicated by each hint.
| Year | Residents | Kilograms per resident | Total kilograms |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,000 | 100 | 100,000 |
| 2025 | 1,200 | 90 | 108,000 |
Moins par personne, davantage au total
Entre 2024 et 2025, la quantité moyenne de déchets (per resident) passe de 100 à 90 kilogrammes. Elle diminue donc de 10 %. (however), la population augmente de 1 000 à 1 200 habitants. Le total passe ainsi de 100 000 à (new total) kilogrammes.
La baisse de la moyenne par personne ne se traduit donc pas par une baisse (overall). Le total augmente de 8 %, (whereas) la moyenne par personne recule. Ces deux constats sont compatibles, car ils ne portent pas sur le même indicateur.
Pour commenter l’évolution, il faut préciser le (denominator) du ratio et la taille de la population. On peut saluer la diminution par personne (while still) constatant que la quantité à traiter a augmenté. Le tableau ne permet pas, à lui seul, d’attribuer la baisse à une mesure particulière.
Read it in English
Between 2024 and 2025, average waste per resident goes from 100 to 90 kilograms, a 10% fall. However, the population rises from 1,000 to 1,200. The total therefore goes from 100,000 to 108,000 kilograms.
The lower per-person average therefore does not become an overall reduction. The total rises by 8%, whereas the per-person average falls. These findings are compatible because they concern different indicators.
To comment on the change, specify the ratio’s denominator and population size. We can welcome the per-person decrease while recognising that the quantity to process has risen. The table alone cannot attribute the reduction to a particular measure.
Keep the quantity and its base together
In 2024, 1,000 × 100 gives 100,000 kg. In 2025, 1,200 × 90 gives 108,000 kg. The lower per-person figure is a 10% fall from 100. The total rise is 8,000 divided by 100,000, or 8%. The population growth more than offsets the lower average.
La quantité moyenne par habitant recule, tandis que la masse totale à traiter augmente.
The average quantity per resident falls, while the total mass to process increases.
Use en revanche or tandis que to move between measures without suggesting a contradiction. Avoid les déchets ont baissé on its own: the reader needs to know whether you mean per person or in total. An environmental report may care about both resource demand and average quantities per resident; name the measure that supports each point.