Cheat sheet

Does your French answer fit the task? A final sentence check

Use a B1 email example to map each instruction to an actual sentence. Repair a missing request, check the recipient and keep pending actions clear.

In short

For every action in the brief, point to a sentence in your finished answer that performs it. Then check the recipient, facts and next step. A clear explanation still needs a separate request when the task asks you to request something.

A visitor speaks to a conversation-class organiser holding a closed plain folder in a sunlit doorway.
The learner asks pourriez-vous m’envoyer les documents ?. Illustration: Atelier

Vous avez manqué une séance de conversation. Écrivez à la responsable pour expliquer votre absence et demander les documents distribués pendant la séance.

You missed a conversation session. Write to the person in charge to explain your absence and ask for the documents handed out during the session.

Read this brief as the final checker: two actions, one recipient, documents still to request.

How do you check that your answer fits the task?

Bonjour Madame, je n’ai pas pu venir parce que je travaillais ce soir-là. Je vous remercie de m’avoir déjà envoyé les documents. Cordialement, Alex.

Hello Madam, I couldn’t come because I was working that evening. Thank you for having already sent me the documents. Kind regards, Alex.

The second sentence needs changing: the brief asks you to request the documents.

Map the requirement to the words on the page
RequirementWords foundDecision
Explain the absenceparce que je travaillais ce soir-làThe reason is present.
Ask for the documentsJe vous remercie de m’avoir déjà envoyé les documents.This treats sending as complete. Replace it with a request.
Address the person in chargeBonjour Madame ; je vous remercieThe formal address fits the recipient. Keep it consistent.

Mon contrôle final

1 · Find a sentence for every action

Naming the topic gives the reader context. Performing the action gives them the explanation, suggestion or request the brief asks for.

Je vous écris à propos de la séance.I’m writing about the session.

Pourriez-vous m’envoyer les documents ?Could you send me the documents?

2 · Keep the scenario at the right stage

Here, sending the documents is still to be requested. Finish with a request and a courteous closing.

Pourriez-vous m’envoyer les documents distribués pendant la séance ? Merci pour votre aide.Could you send me the documents handed out during the session? Thank you for your help.

3 · Read as the recipient

The person in charge should understand why you were absent and what you want them to send. Use vous consistently in this message.

Je n’ai pas pu venir parce que je travaillais ce soir-là.I couldn’t come because I was working that evening.

4 · Proofread the repaired wording

After fixing task fit, check the French carrying the message: je travaillais, pourriez-vous and les documents distribués.

Bonjour Madame, pourriez-vous m’envoyer les documents ?Hello Madam, could you send me the documents?

Read only the response: is the next step clear?

Bonjour Madame, je n’ai pas pu venir à la séance parce que je travaillais ce soir-là. Pourriez-vous m’envoyer les documents distribués pendant la séance ? Merci pour votre aide. Cordialement, Alex.

Hello Madam, I couldn’t attend the session because I was working that evening. Could you send me the documents handed out during the session? Thank you for your help. Kind regards, Alex.

Question 1No account needed
Which sentence actually requests the missing documents?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Pourriez-vous m’envoyer les documents ?. The conditional question directly asks the recipient to send the documents.

Question 2No account needed
Why does the original thank-you sentence need revision?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

It treats sending as already complete.. Déjà envoyé places sending in the past, while this brief still requires a request.

Question 3No account needed
When should you use the annotation guide linked below?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Before drafting, to turn the brief into a plan.. Annotation prepares the response; this page checks the completed draft against that plan.

My final response fits

A self-review aid, not a grade. Ticks are not saved.