French writing: cover every point before adding more words
Compare a repetitive French response with a focused one, identify two real solutions and check task coverage separately from the word count.
In short
A complete response performs every action in the brief. For décrivez le problème et proposez deux solutions, find one problem and two concrete proposals. Then check the stated length requirement: repeated description adds words but leaves the solutions missing.
Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learnRed watch out
One problem and two solutions
Le planning des bénévoles arrive trop tard. Décrivez le problème et proposez deux solutions pour améliorer l’organisation.
The volunteer timetable arrives too late. Describe the problem and propose two solutions to improve organisation.
Plus de mots, une seule fonctionMore words doing one job
Focus: the problem is repeated
Le planning arrive souvent trop tard et cela complique notre organisation. Nous avons besoin de connaître nos horaires à l’avance. Quand nous recevons le planning au dernier moment, il est difficile de prévoir nos activités. Ce manque d’information pose donc un vrai problème pour les bénévoles, qui ont aussi des obligations personnelles et professionnelles. Il faudrait vraiment améliorer la situation.
The timetable often arrives too late and that makes organisation difficult. We need to know our hours in advance. When we receive the timetable at the last minute, it is hard to plan our activities. This lack of information therefore causes a real problem for volunteers, who also have personal and professional commitments. The situation really needs to improve.
Trois actions repérablesThree identifiable actions
Focus: problem → proposal 1 → proposal 2
Le planning arrive trop tard pour que les bénévoles puissent s’organiser. On pourrait le publier deux semaines à l’avance. On pourrait aussi demander les disponibilités avant de le préparer, afin de limiter les changements de dernière minute.
The timetable arrives too late for volunteers to make arrangements. We could publish it two weeks in advance. We could also ask for people’s availability before preparing it, to reduce last-minute changes.
The first response explains the problem several times and finishes with a general wish. The second names two actions: publish earlier and collect availability before drafting. They address different parts of the process. Each has a reader, an action and a practical purpose, so you can point to what would change.
How do you develop a point in a French exam answer?
| Required point | Useful addition | What it adds |
|---|---|---|
| Explain the problem | Les bénévoles doivent parfois annuler leurs autres engagements. | A concrete consequence. |
| Develop proposal 1 | Une date de publication fixe aiderait chacun à prévoir ses activités. | The benefit of an earlier timetable. |
| Develop proposal 2 | Un court formulaire permettrait de recueillir les disponibilités. | A way to carry out the proposal. |
Use the full task’s word requirement alongside this coverage check. If your draft needs development, explain how a proposal would work, illustrate its benefit or address a relevant difficulty. If you need to cut words, remove repeated framing before cutting a requested solution. A useful sentence moves one of the required points forward.