Gap-fill
Make cela and cette mesure clear in a French paragraph
Replace vague references with precise French noun phrases. Study two clear rewrites, then complete a five-gap paragraph using a focused word bank.
- B2
- 5 gaps
- Translation included
- Learn this in the B2 notebook →
In short
When cela or cette mesure could point to two changes, name the one you mean: ce prolongement, cette fermeture, cette aide. A clear reference tells the reader which earlier idea the next sentence develops.
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Two changes need two clear names
Le centre envisage de fermer le mercredi matin et de rester ouvert jusqu’à 20 heures le jeudi. Cette mesure faciliterait la venue des salariés.
The centre is considering closing on Wednesday mornings and staying open until 8 pm on Thursdays. This measure would make it easier for employees to come.
The second sentence could appear to refer to the closure, the longer Thursday hours or the whole plan.
| Intended reference | Clear sentence | What the noun picks up |
|---|---|---|
| Longer Thursday opening | Ce prolongement de l’ouverture faciliterait la venue des salariés après leur travail. | Staying open until 8 pm. |
| Wednesday closure | Cette fermeture libérerait un créneau pour la formation de l’équipe. | Closing on Wednesday mornings. |
| The combined plan | Cette réorganisation modifierait les jours et les heures d’accueil. | Both changes together. |
These are three different continuations. Choose the one that carries your intended point. The noun also keeps the scale clear: ce prolongement names one change, while cette réorganisation groups the two. The closure example introduces a possible use for the freed time; it belongs in a paragraph developing that proposal.
Your word bank
Complete the new paragraph with these five phrases, each used once: Ce formulaire, Cette aide, Ce délai supplémentaire, Cette confirmation, ces deux changements. The first four begin sentences. The last sits after a verb and starts with a lower-case letter.
Une inscription plus claire
L’association veut remplacer deux documents par un formulaire unique. (the new document) réunirait les coordonnées et le choix de l’activité. Elle souhaite aussi proposer une aide par téléphone. (the support service) serait destinée aux personnes qui ont du mal à remplir le document.
La date limite serait repoussée d’une semaine. (the extra time) permettrait aux candidats de demander des précisions avant de s’inscrire. Chaque inscription donnerait ensuite lieu à un courriel de confirmation. (the acknowledgement) indiquerait l’activité choisie et la date de la première séance.
Le formulaire unique et l’aide par téléphone répondent à deux besoins différents. L’association pourrait tester (the two measures just named) pendant un mois avant de faire le bilan.
Read it in English
The association wants to replace two documents with a single form. This form would bring together contact details and the activity choice. It also wants to offer help by telephone. This help would be for people who find the document difficult to complete.
The deadline would move back by a week. This extra time would allow applicants to ask for clarification before registering. Each registration would then generate a confirmation email. This confirmation would state the chosen activity and the date of the first session.
The single form and telephone help address two different needs. The association could test these two changes for a month before reviewing them.
How do you make cela and cette mesure clear?
A short noun phrase can do more than repeat a noun: it can name a whole preceding action. In Cette fermeture libérerait un créneau, fermeture picks up “closing on Wednesday mornings”. That link lets the next sentence add a consequence. Keep the noun faithful to the action: ouvrir plus tard can mean starting later, so it needs a closing time before you describe evening access.