Reading

Preuve, indice, fait: read French evidence words in context

Read a short French report and distinguish a clue, proof, a statement and a denial. Keep selon and semble in your summary, then check your reading.

In short

Un indice points towards a possible explanation; une preuve supports a particular claim. In a summary, keep the speaker and the degree of certainty: selon Léa, elle affirme que and cela semble indiquer each tell the reader how the information is presented.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

An organiser confirming a meeting to neighbours at a community-hall entrance.
A clarification distinguishes un indice from a confirmed fact. Illustration: Atelier

La réunion a-t-elle été annulée ?

À midi, un message circule dans le groupe du quartier : la réunion de ce soir serait annulée. Le message ne cite aucune source1. Pour Hugo, le silence de l’organisatrice est un indice2 : elle n’a pas répondu depuis hier.

À quatorze heures, Léa, l’organisatrice, publie un démenti3. « La réunion est maintenue », affirme-t-elle. Elle précise4 que l’horaire reste le même. Hugo reconnaît que son premier message était trop affirmatif.

Léa ajoute : « J’ai envoyé la confirmation ce matin. » Elle présente une copie du courriel comme preuve5 de cet envoi. Hugo répond qu’il ne l’a pas reçu. Le groupe distingue alors deux questions : le message a-t-il été envoyé, et chaque destinataire l’a-t-il reçu ?

Read it in English

At midday, a message circulates in the neighbourhood group: this evening’s meeting is reportedly cancelled. It cites no source. For Hugo, the organiser’s silence is a clue: she has not replied since yesterday.

At two, Léa, the organiser, issues a denial. “The meeting is going ahead,” she states. She adds that the time remains the same. Hugo acknowledges that his first message was too definite.

Léa says she sent confirmation that morning. She presents a copy of the email as proof of sending it. Hugo says he did not receive it. The group separates sending from receipt.

Keep each word attached to its job
WordRole in the reportFrench summary
un indiceHugo’s interpretation of silenceHugo voit dans ce silence un indice.
un démentiLéa rejects the cancellation messageLéa dément l’annulation.
une preuveWhat Léa says the email copy supportsLéa présente le courriel comme une preuve de l’envoi.
un faitA specific event or fact being discussedLe groupe cherche à établir les faits.

A denial tells you that someone rejects a statement. Selon Léa, la réunion est maintenue keeps Léa’s role visible. The email example also needs its object: proof of sending concerns sending. Receipt by every person is a separate question. Keep that distinction when you shorten the text.

Question 1No account needed
What does Hugo first treat as a clue?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Léa’s silence.. Hugo interprets the lack of a reply as an indice before Léa responds.

Question 2No account needed
Which summary keeps the attribution?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Selon Léa, la réunion est maintenue.. Selon Léa identifies the speaker and accurately reports her statement.

Question 3No account needed
What does Léa present the copy as proof of?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

The email having been sent.. The report says preuve de cet envoi: the claim concerns sending the message.