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First-listen French practice: situation, change and purpose

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Read three short French messages and answer eight gist questions. Find the situation, the change of plan and the reply the speaker wants before chasing details.

In short

On a first listen, catch three things: the situation, what changes and what the speaker wants. “A friend wants to move tomorrow’s meeting” is a useful first summary. Then return for the exact time and place.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

These short scripts let you practise choosing the overall message. Read each once, then choose its best summary below. With an Atelier recording, use the same questions on your first listen and replay the sentence containing the detail you need.

Message 1 · Un rendez-vous
  1. Nora

    Salut, c’est Nora. Je t’appelle pour demain. Je peux toujours venir, mais seulement après quinze heures. On peut décaler notre rendez-vous ? Rappelle-moi quand tu peux.

    Hi, it’s Nora. I’m calling about tomorrow. I can still come, but only after three. Can we move our appointment? Call me back when you can.

Message 2 · Une sortie
  1. Hugo

    Pour samedi, j’ai regardé la météo. Il va pleuvoir toute la journée. Au lieu du pique-nique, je propose le musée. Tu es d’accord ? On garde la même heure.

    I checked the weather for Saturday. It’s going to rain all day. Instead of the picnic, I suggest the museum. Do you agree? We’ll keep the same time.

Message 3 · Un nouveau travail
  1. Intervieweuse

    Alors, comment se passe votre nouveau travail ?

    So, how is your new job going?

  2. Samira

    Au début, j’avais peur de ne pas comprendre mes collègues. Finalement, ça se passe bien. Quand une expression est nouvelle pour moi, je leur demande de m’expliquer.

    At first, I was afraid I wouldn’t understand my colleagues. In the end, it’s going well. When an expression is new to me, I ask them to explain it.

Small words that move a message forward
ClueIts job in the message
mais seulementRestricts the earlier yes.
au lieu deReplaces one plan with another.
je proposeIntroduces a suggestion.
finalementGives the outcome after an earlier expectation.

The objects and places behind the messages

  1. Question 1No account needed
    Message 1: what is Nora calling about?

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    Tomorrow’s appointment.. Pour demain and notre rendez-vous establish the topic of the call.

  2. Question 2No account needed
    Message 1: what is the change?

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    She can come, but later.. Je peux toujours venir keeps the visit possible; mais seulement après restricts the time.

  3. Question 3No account needed
    Message 1: what reply does she want?

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    A return phone call.. Rappelle-moi quand tu peux asks the listener to call her back.

  4. Question 4No account needed
    Message 2: what is Hugo doing?

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    Suggesting a different outing.. Au lieu du pique-nique, je propose le musée replaces the activity.

  5. Question 5No account needed
    Message 2: what stays the same?

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    The meeting time.. On garde la même heure explicitly keeps the time unchanged.

  6. Question 6No account needed
    Message 2: has the listener accepted?

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    The listener’s answer is still needed.. Tu es d’accord ? asks for agreement. We have only Hugo’s suggestion.

  7. Question 7No account needed
    Message 3: which summary fits Samira’s experience?

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    She worried at first, but things are going well.. Au début introduces the worry; finalement, ça se passe bien gives the positive outcome.

  8. Question 8No account needed
    Which detail would you replay Message 1 to confirm when arranging the appointment?

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    The exact time she is available.. The overall message is a later appointment; the practical detail to confirm is après quinze heures.

Keep going