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French reading timeline: what happened before, after and only in the plan

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Follow Nora’s request, confirmation and rescheduled meeting. A B1 French reading with a worked timeline, time expressions and five comprehension questions.

In short

Build a timeline from the dates, time expressions and verb meanings. The order of sentences can run backwards: avait envoyé can describe an action before a reçu. Label a rescheduled event as a plan until the text confirms it happened.

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A woman joining an online writing-workshop meeting at a desk, screen completely blank and books nearby.
A postponed meeting gives context to avait envoyé. Illustration: Atelier

Read once for the story, then follow the dates

La demande de Nora

Vendredi soir — le bilan de la semaine

Mardi, Nora a reçu la confirmation de son inscription à un atelier d’écriture. Elle avait envoyé1 sa demande la veille2, pendant sa pause de midi.

Une réunion de présentation était prévue jeudi. Mercredi, l’organisatrice a annoncé qu’elle était reportée à vendredi3. L’animatrice ne pouvait pas être présente jeudi.

Ce vendredi matin, Nora a finalement participé à la réunion. Elle a reçu le programme détaillé juste avant de se connecter. L’atelier lui-même commencera lundi prochain. Nora compte relire le programme d’ici là4.

Read it in English

On Tuesday, Nora received confirmation of her registration for a writing workshop. She had sent her request the day before, during her lunch break.

An introductory meeting was planned for Thursday. On Wednesday, the organiser announced that it was postponed until Friday. The workshop leader could not be there on Thursday.

This Friday morning, Nora finally took part in the meeting. She received the detailed programme just before connecting. The workshop itself will start next Monday. Nora intends to reread the programme before then.

How do you put events in order in a French text?

Study first: sentence order and event order differ
DayEventStatus
MondayNora a envoyé sa demande.Completed; told second
TuesdayNora a reçu la confirmation.Completed; told first

Tuesday is the anchor for la veille. It points back to Monday even though you are reading a Friday message. Later, Wednesday’s announcement changes Thursday’s plan. The last paragraph supplies the evidence of what actually happened on Friday.

Question 1No account needed
What happened on Wednesday?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

The organiser announced the postponement.. Wednesday belongs to a annoncé. The meeting was moved then; it was held on Friday.

Question 2No account needed
Which day was the meeting originally planned for?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Thursday. Était prévue jeudi gives the original plan. Reportée à vendredi gives its replacement.

Question 3No account needed
Which phrase confirms that Nora attended the meeting?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Nora a finalement participé à la réunion.. A participé reports attendance. The other phrases describe arrangements rather than completed attendance.

Question 4No account needed
When did Nora receive the detailed programme?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Before connecting to the Friday meeting. Juste avant de se connecter places the programme immediately before her connection to the meeting.

Question 5No account needed
Which action is still a plan at the time of Friday’s message?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Rereading the programme. Compte relire expresses Nora’s intention before Monday. The request and confirmation are completed events.

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