A LEVEL FRENCH 
                 PRE-COURSE MATERIALS AND NOTES 
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
                                     
                                     
            Name: ______________________________________________________ 
                                     
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             Submission Deadline: Friday 7  September 2018 
             Grammar  
             You will need to revise some basic tenses before starting the course. An understanding of 
             basic grammar is vital to success at A-Level. 
             Look at the following websites to refresh your memory; 
             http://www.languagesonline.org.uk (français/Grammar)  
             http://legacy.language-gym.com – French – Grammar - Intermediate  
             http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/french/grammar/  
              
             More challenging grammar:  
             http://www.languagesonline.org.uk/ (français /AS resources/the subjunctive)  
             Present Tense 
             Complete the following exercises. In section A, the verbs are regular and in Section B, 
             they are irregular therefore you will need to find out how they change.  
             Section A: 
                 1.  Je _________ souvent quand je prends ma douche (chanter) 
                 2.  Nous __________ la television tous les soirs (regarder) 
                 3.  Il __________ trop de sucreries et de fast-food (manger) 
                 4.  Elle ___________ de ne pas acheter ce pull (décider) 
                 5.  Vous __________ la bleue ou la rouge (choisir) 
                 6.  Tu __________ le travail (finir) 
                 7.  Ils __________ la maison (vendre) 
                 8.  Ça __________ la situation compliquée (rendre) 
              
             Section B: 
                 1.  Le lundi, je __________au cinéma. (aller) 
                 2.  Qu’est-ce que tu __________? (faire) 
                 3.  __________ vos livres de Français! (prendre) 
                 4.  Nous __________  plus de temps libre. (vouloir) 
                 5.  Je ne__________   pas. (savoir) 
                 6.  Elle __________un cadeau. (recevoir) 
                 7.  Ils __________leurs vêtements préférés le samedi. (mettre) 
                 8.  Tu __________, ce n’est pas si terrible. (voir) 
                 9.  __________-vous Italien? (être) 
         10. Ne ___________pas de bêtises! (dire) 
         11. Nous __________à Marseille à 3 heures. (partir) 
         12. ___________-moi vite! (écrire) 
         13. Est-ce qu’elles __________ un petit emploi? (avoir) 
         14. Ils __________bien leurs verbes. (connaître) 
         15. Nous __________un livre très intéressant. (lire) 
         16. Tu __________être très fatiguée après un si long voyage! (devoir) 
         17. Je __________faire cet exercice sans problème. (pouvoir) 
         18. Elle ___________d’arriver dans cette école. (venir) 
        
        
       Translate the following sentences: 
        
          1.  They want to go on holidays. 
          2.  Paul does not know whether he can do that or not. 
          3.  Sarah and Jessica are writing a letter to their best friends. 
          4.  You are the weakest link, goodbye! 
          5.  Joseph is putting his book in his bag. 
          6.  I take guitar lessons.  
          7.  I do not see the reason why. 
          8.  When there’s a will there’s a way. (literally: When one wants, one can). 
          9.  Julien is doing the washing up in the kitchen. 
          10. If you go on holidays, send me a postcard. 
        
       Topic Preparation 
       Francophone countries – how many countries in the world speak French? Find out. Research 5 of 
       these countries and make a list of 10 facts about each one, in relation to the 6 topics you will be 
       studying below.  
       La Famille en voie de changement 
       Research current trends in marriage, divorce, separation and adoption. Make notes in English on 
       your findings.  
       La Cyber-société 
       Research use of technology in France and one Francophone country. Consider the kind of 
       technology currently used, social media and cyber-bullying.  
        
        
        
       Le rôle du bénévolat 
       What is the importance of voluntary work in France? Who volunteers and why?  
       Look at the websites below and make notes in English about your findings; 
       www.enfine.com 
       www.restosducoeur.org 
       www.croix-rouge.fr 
       La Musique 
       Use the websites below to listen to some French songs.  
       Research two Francophone artists - write a 100 word description of their music and review their 
       latest songs 
       http://www.musiqueradio.com/fiche_programme10_hits-francais.php 
         
       http://play.nostalgie.fr/nostalgie/nostalgie-chansons-francaises.html  
        
       Le Cinéma 
       Research the history of cinema in France and write a brief summary of the developments (in English 
       100 words).  
       Le Patrimoine  
       What is UNESCO and what do they do? Are there any negatives of being listed as a UNESCO heritage 
       site? Write an evaluation in French of around 250 words. 
       Further reading  
       The following website will provide some useful and interesting material.  
       http://www.jde.fr/  
       Film Studies 
       Watch the film ‘Entre les murs’ – you will be studying this during the course  
       Write a paragraph in French about your favourite character 
       Watch at least two of the following films… and write a review of the story in French. 
       L’auberge espagnole 
       La Haine 
       Un long dimanche de fiançailles 
       Les 400 coups 
       Au revoir les enfants