Answer a B1 French objection: adapt a museum proposal
Work through two objections to an evening museum visit. Learn when to keep a limited proposal, when to change it and how to explain the difference.
In short
First name what the objection challenges: the benefit, the evidence or a condition of your proposal. Accept the valid point, then explain what follows for your plan. A limited benefit can still support a trial; a missing essential condition can mean changing the plan.
Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn
Je serais favorable à une visite en soirée à titre d’essai, si l’équipe pouvait l’organiser. Certaines personnes ne peuvent pas venir l’après-midi. Cet horaire leur donnerait une autre possibilité.
I would support a trial evening visit if the team could organise it. Some people cannot come in the afternoon. This time would give them another option.
Your position has two parts: a possible benefit for some people and a condition about organisation.
Explore the museum before discussing the visit
Find:
How do you answer an objection in a DELF B1 speaking exam?
- Partenaire
Même le soir, certaines personnes ne pourront pas venir. Votre proposition ne règle donc pas tout.
Even in the evening, some people won’t be able to come. So your proposal doesn’t solve everything.
- You
C’est vrai, cet horaire ne conviendra pas à tout le monde. Il pourrait toutefois aider certaines personnes qui travaillent l’après-midi. On pourrait faire un essai, puis demander aux participants si l’horaire leur convient.
That’s true: this time won’t suit everyone. It could, however, help some people who work in the afternoon. We could run a trial, then ask participants whether the time suits them.
| Move | Words to notice | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Accept a limit | C’est vrai | Recognises that some people still cannot attend. |
| Keep the narrower benefit | Il pourrait toutefois aider certaines personnes | Keeps the claim about some people. |
| Suggest a check | On pourrait faire un essai | Proposes a trial and feedback; results will come later. |
Objection 2: nobody can staff reception
- Partenaire
Personne dans l’équipe n’est disponible pour accueillir les visiteurs le soir.
Nobody on the team is available to welcome visitors in the evening.
- You
Dans ce cas, il faut revoir le projet. Je proposais un essai si l’équipe pouvait l’organiser. Cherchons un autre créneau avec elle.
In that case, we need to rethink the project. I was suggesting a trial if the team could organise it. Let’s look for another time slot with them.
The first objection narrows the benefit; the second removes the staffing condition. Your reply changes because the new information changes a different part of the proposal. Point to that connection when you review your answer.