How to use this book

This book provides three sets of exam papers that mirror the AQA GCSE exam
papers�
The audio, teacher-examiner parts (for Paper 2: Speaking), model answers and

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mark schemes can be accessed using the QR codes throughout the book or by
visiting www�oxfordsecondary�co�uk/aqagcse-french-pp�

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The exam papers contain hints and tips� The first set of papers provides tips for
all questions and all skills, in order to help you gain confidence in answering
questions� In the second set of papers there are fewer tips for listening and
reading� The third set of papers does not contain tips, so that you have an
opportunity to practise answering questions independently in an exam situation�

AQA GCSE French Higher pa

AQA GCSE French is made up of four exam papers, each with a weighting of 25%
towards the final mark� The Foundation Tier is for students targeting Grades 1-5
and the Higher Tier is for students targeting Grades 4-9� For more details about the
specification and for the most up-to-date assessment information, please see the
AQA website�
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Paper 1: Listening
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There are 45 minutes to complete the Higher listening paper and 50 marks
available� In Section A, the questions are in English and the answers required will
either be non-verbal or in English� In Section B, the questions are in French and the
answers required will either be non-verbal or in French�
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The time includes 5 minutes at the start of the exam to read through the paper�
Practise reading through the paper in this time� You may need to skim-read to
get all the way through it, but try to use the time in a focused way� Identify the
questions where you need to give several answers about the audio passage, or
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more than one piece of information, so that you’re ready to listen out for the
details you need� It’s also good to read Section B carefully to make sure you
understand the questions being asked�
The level of difficulty varies throughout the paper so don’t lose heart if you
encounter a hard question early on, as it doesn’t mean you will find the questions
that follow even harder� In AQA GCSE Paper 1, there are some questions that
appear both on the Foundation and Higher Tier papers�
Use the tips in the Set 1 and Set 2 listening papers in this book to build your
confidence in exam technique and to help you listen out for the correct answers�

2 AQA GCSE French Higher Practice Papers © Oxford University Press 2020. Photocopying prohibited.
 How to use this book

Paper 2: Speaking
There are 60 marks available for the speaking paper� For Higher Tier, you will have
supervised preparation time of 12 minutes followed by an exam of 10-12 minutes�
There are three parts to the exam:
• Role-play (15 marks) – this will last approximately 3 minutes for Higher Tier
• Photo card (15 marks) – this will last approximately 2 minutes for Higher Tier

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• General Conversation (30 marks) – this will last between 5-7 minutes for
Higher Tier

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The candidate chooses one theme for the general conversation and the other
theme will be the one that hasn’t been covered in the photo card� Here is a chart
showing the possible test sequences based on the candidate’s choice of theme:

Role- Candidate’s chosen Photo card Candidate’s second

play conversation theme conversation theme
1, 2 or 3

Theme 2: Local, national,

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Theme 1: Identity and culture

international and global areas

of interest
B
C
A
C
Theme 3
Theme 2
Theme 3
Theme 1

Theme 3: Current and future A Theme 2

study and employment
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B Theme 1

Each paper in this book contains a role-play and a photo card from each theme�
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The teacher-examiner part and two marked sample responses for each can be
found online� For general conversation, there are two marked sample responses
included in the book for each paper, followed by tasks to complete, with the
following combinations of themes:
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• Set 1 covers Themes 1 and 2

• Set 2 covers Themes 2 and 3
• Set 3 covers Themes 3 and 1
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Tips are provided for the role-plays and photo cards in the Set 1 and Set 2
speaking papers in this book� These will help you respond more fully to the
questions asked and anticipate the unexpected questions�

Paper 3: Reading
There is 1 hour to complete the Higher reading paper, with 60 marks available�
In Section A, the questions are in English and the answers required will either be

AQA GCSE French Higher Practice Papers © Oxford University Press 2020. Photocopying prohibited. 3
How to use this book

non-verbal or in English� In Section B, the questions are in French and the answers
required will either be non-verbal or in French� Different types of written texts are
used in the reading paper, including literary extracts� In this book, example answers
are given if further guidance is needed on how to answer a question, so watch out
for these�
The level of difficulty varies throughout the paper so don’t lose heart if you
encounter a hard question early on as it doesn’t mean you will find the questions

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that follow even harder� In AQA GCSE Paper 3, there are some questions that
appear both on the Foundation and Higher Tier papers�

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In Section C, there is a translation from French into English of a minimum of
50 words�
Use the tips in the Set 1 and Set 2 reading papers in this book to build your
confidence in exam technique and to help you pick out the correct answers from
the text�

Paper 4: Writing
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There is 1 hour 15 minutes to complete the writing paper and 60 marks available�
All answers should be written in French�
For Higher Tier there are three questions:
• Question 1 (16 marks): One of a choice of two structured writing tasks of
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90 words, with a series of bullet points to cover in your response� In AQA GCSE
Paper 4, this question is the same as question 4 on the Foundation Tier paper�
• Question 2 (32 marks): One of a choice of two writing tasks of 150 words, with
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a series of bullet points to cover in your response�

• Question 3 (12 marks): A translation from English into French/French/Spanish
of a minimum of 50 words�
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Tips are provided in the Set 1 and Set 2 writing papers in this book, to help you
respond to the questions and to give guidance on extending your answers�
Two marked model answers are included online for questions 1 and 2� Also
included online is a mark scheme for question 3�
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4 AQA GCSE French Higher Practice Papers © Oxford University Press 2020. Photocopying prohibited.
 Practice Papers: Set 1

Section A Questions and answers in English

The weather forecast

You listen to the weather forecast on French radio.
Answer both questions.

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• Read the statements to prepare before you listen. The statements in
question 01 concern the south of France and in question 02 the north of
France, so you are likely to hear these geographical areas mentioned.

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• Expect some statements to be nearly true but not quite, e.g. will it be
windy at the same time as it will be stormy? Or will it be windy before/
after the storm? Focus on subtle differences the second time you hear the
recording.

0 1

B
in the south of France.
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Choose one statement that is true. Write the correct letter in the box.

There will be thunderstorms during the day

At the same time as the thunderstorms, it

will be very windy.
C People are advised to stay indoors.
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[1 mark]
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0 2 Choose one statement that is true. Write the correct letter in the box.

In the northern half of France, the weather

A
has been calm recently.
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B There is a risk of a few showers.

C The afternoon will be mainly cloudy.
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[1 mark]

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 Practice Papers: Set 1

Card B Candidate’s Photo card

• Look at the photo during the preparation period.

• Make any notes you wish to on an additional piece of paper.
• Your teacher will ask you questions about the photo and about topics related
to travel and tourism.

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Your teacher will ask you the following three questions and then two more
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questions which you have not prepared.
• Qu’est-ce qu’il y a sur la photo?
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• Qu’est-ce que c’est pour toi, des vacances idéales? … Pourquoi?

• Parle-moi des dernières vacances que tu as prises.
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• As you know that the first question will always refer directly to the photo,
try to think what extra details you could add in advance (weather, number
of people, activities, physical descriptions).
• The second question asks what your ideal holidays are and why, so this is
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your chance to use a conditional, e.g. j’aimerais…, je voudrais…

• Use the perfect tense in response to the third question, about your last
holiday, e.g. je suis allé(e)… and try to add extra details about what your
holiday was like.
• The fourth (unprepared) question asks you to choose one option. After
choosing it, give a reason for your choice, e.g. Je préfère… parce que…
• The fifth (unprepared) question tests your ability to talk about the future.
Show that you can handle the future tense, e.g. j’irai, as well as the
immediate future, e.g. je vais aller.

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 Practice Papers: Set 1

0 6 A review of a package holiday • Make sure you

You read this review of a package holiday. take note of the
negatives in the
text. They have to
be noticed in order
Ce n’est pas un voyage organisé que je
to answer most of
recommanderais, ça, c’est certain. En plus, on n’a pas
these questions
vraiment eu beau temps. Dès le départ, on a eu des

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correctly.
problèmes. A cause de la grève des hôtesses de l’air, le
• When you come
vol a eu trois heures de retard et nous sommes arrivés
across a word you

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à notre destination tard le soir. Notre chambre d’hôtel
think is needed to
était au troisième étage et il n’y avait pas d’ascenseur.
answer a question
Cependant, la vue sur la mer était belle, il faut bien
and you don’t know
l’avouer.
what it means, e.g.
A l’hôtel, les repas étaient copieux et délicieux mais
climatisation, don’t
les serveurs n’étaient pas toujours agréables. Les
give up! There is
excursions qu’on a faites en car étaient dans l’ensemble
intéressantes, mais il n’y avait pas de climatisation et
tout le monde avait trop chaud.
On n’a pas payé un prix fou pour ce voyage,
heureusement. J’aurais préféré payer un peu plus et
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avoir plus de confort. Je me le rappellerai avant de faire
often another clue
nearby to help you
get to that answer,
e.g. tout le monde
avait trop chaud.
une réservation pour un autre voyage.
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Answer the questions in English.
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0 6 . 1 What was the weather like during their holiday?

[1 mark]

0 6 . 2 What caused the plane to be delayed?

Sa

[1 mark]

0 6 . 3 What was wrong with their hotel room?

[1 mark]

 Continued

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 Practice Papers: Set 1

0 6 . 4 What didn’t they like about the time spent on the coach?

[1 mark]

0 6 . 5 What will they remember to do when booking another holiday?

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[1 mark]

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 Practice Papers: Set 1

Answer either Question 1.1 or Question 1.2.

You must not answer both of these questions.

EITHER Question 1.1

• In questions 1 and 2 of the
Writing paper, the bullet
0 1 . 1 Vous décrivez votre famille pour votre blog. points and form of address

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could be in the tu or vous
form.
Décrivez:
• In this question there will

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• chaque personne de votre famille always be one bullet point
which refers to a past time
• avec qui vous vous entendez bien et pourquoi frame and one which refers
• avec qui vous vous êtes disputé(e) récemment et to a future time frame.
pourquoi • To say who you get on
with, start with Je m’entends
• ce que vous allez faire en famille le weekend
prochain.

Ecrivez environ 90 mots en français. Répondez à chaque

pa •
bien… and choose a reason
that you can easily express
in French.
Use the near future or future
tense to describe what you
aspect de la are going to do, e.g. Je vais
question. [16 marks] sortir/Je sortirai…
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OR Question 1.2
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• Jot down a few words

linked to environmental
issues that you intend to
0 1 . 2 Vous décrivez les problèmes de l’environ-
nement dans votre ville à votre ami(e) use, e.g. environnementaux,
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français(e). circulation, pollution, voitures,

transports en commun.
Décrivez: • Don’t forget to express an
opinion – you don’t always
• le problème principal
have to use j’aime/je préfère/
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• une solution possible à ce problème je déteste; you could start a

sentence with A mon avis.
• ce que vous avez fait récemment pour contribuer à • Make sure you talk about an
une solution environmental problem in
• un autre problème environnemental dans votre ville your town (e.g. littering) for
que vous aimeriez résoudre à l’avenir. the last bullet point and not
a global issue.

Ecrivez environ 90 mots en français. Répondez à chaque aspect de la question. [16 marks]

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 Practice Papers: Set 1

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 Practice Papers: Set 1

Higher Tier Paper 1 Listening

Mark scheme
Section A

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Question Accept Mark
01 C 1
02 B 1

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Transcript
Section A
01

02
M1

M1
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De gros orages sont prévus dans la nuit dans la partie sud du pays. Plus
tard, le vent se lèvera et soufflera à plus de cent kilomètres à l’heure. Il
est conseillé de ne pas sortir de chez soi. Toutefois, le mauvais temps ne
va pas durer et la situation commencera à s’améliorer en soirée.
Sur la moitié nord de la France, on attend une journée relativement
calme. Quelques averses sont possibles en matinée mais le ciel
s’éclaircira et, malgré quelques passages nuageux, l’après-midi sera
ensoleillée la plupart du temps.
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© Oxford University Press 2020 AQA GCSE French Higher Practice Papers 1
 Practice Papers: Set 1

Higher Tier Paper 2 Speaking

Teacher’s scripts, answers and commentary

Photo card B
Teacher’s notes

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Theme: Local, national, international and global areas of interest

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Topic: Travel and tourism

The maximum time for this part of the test is three minutes but may well be less than that
for some candidates.

Candidates may use any notes they have made during the preparation time.

must be asked. pa
You begin the conversation by asking the candidate the first question ‘Qu’est-ce qu’il y a sur
la photo?’ You then ask the remaining four questions in order. No supplementary questions

You may paraphrase the questions provided the same meaning is maintained, and you may
repeat or paraphrase a question that the candidate does not understand. You should allow
the candidates to develop their responses as well as they are able. However, do not go over
the maximum time of three minutes for the questions and answers on the Photo card.
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• Qu’est-ce qu’il y a sur la photo?

• Qu’est-ce que c’est pour toi, des vacances idéales? … Pourquoi?

pl

• Parle-moi des dernières vacances que tu as prises.

• Tu préfères les vacances d’été ou les vacances d’hiver? Pourquoi?

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• Tu iras en vacances cet été?

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© Oxford University Press 2020 AQA GCSE French Higher Practice Papers 2
 Practice Papers: Set 1

Photo card B Response 1

Questions Responses

1 Qu’est-ce qu’il y a sur la photo? Il y a une famille. Ils sont en vacances au

bord de la mer. Il fait beau. Ils ont l’air très
contents.

2 Qu’est-ce que c’est pour toi, Je voudrais visiter les Etats-Unis.

des vacances idéales?

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Pourquoi?

3 Où es-tu allé(e) la dernière fois Dans le Devon. J’adore Torquay.

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que tu es parti(e) en vacances?

4 Tu préfères les vacances d’été Je préfère les vacances d’hiver. On peut

ou les vacances d’hiver? faire du ski.
Pourquoi?

5 Tu iras en vacances cet été?

Communication = 7/15 marks

pa Oui, j’ai fait du camping. C’était super.

This response would be in the 7–9 mark band as all questions are answered but only the
answer to the first question is developed. Four responses are clearly communicated. The
last answer cannot be credited as the question asks about a future holiday and the answer
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refers to a past holiday. There is more than one opinion with justification of that opinion.
Although there is a verb used in the responses to all questions, the answers are brief. With
only one response being developed, the mark is 7 as the performance is closer to the lower
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band than the higher band. It would have been better if the answers to the first three
questions had been prepared more fully in the preparation time to gain more marks.

Please see the AQA GCSE French specification for further details of the assessment criteria:
https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/french/specifications/AQA-8658-SP-2016.PDF
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© Oxford University Press 2020 AQA GCSE French Higher Practice Papers 3
 Practice Papers: Set 1

Photo card B Response 2

Questions Responses

1 Qu’est-ce qu’il y a sur la photo?
On peut voir une famille composée d’un
père, d’une mère et de deux enfants. Ils sont
assis sur une plage de sable. Il fait très
beau. Ils ont l’air très contents d’être en
vacances.

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2 Qu’est-ce que c’est pour toi, des J’aimerais passer une semaine sur la Côte
vacances idéales? Pourquoi? d’Azur dans le sud de la France. Je voudrais

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y aller pour le weekend du Grand Prix de
Monaco.

3 Où es-tu allé(e) la dernière fois Je suis allé(e) en Normandie avec ma

que tu es parti(e) en vacances? famille. On a fait du camping. Il n’a pas fait
très beau mais c’était bien quand même car
je me suis fait plein de nouveaux amis

4 pa
Tu préfères les vacances d’été ou
les vacances d’hiver? Pourquoi?
français.

Je préfère partir en vacances en été. En

général il fait beau et on peut sortir quand
on veut.

5 Tu iras en vacances cet été? Oui, au mois d’août, je vais en Espagne

avec ma famille. On va louer un
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appartement. Mes grands-parents nous
rejoindront vers la fin du séjour.
Malheureusement, en juillet, je vais devoir
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travailler dans un supermarché pour gagner

un peu d’argent.
m

Communication = 14/15 marks

The response would be in the 13–15 mark band as all questions are clearly answered and
all are developed. Opinions are given and explained (eg c’était bien quand même car je me
suis fait plein de nouveaux amis français). There is not as much development of the answer
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to the fourth question: an explanation of why winter holidays are not so good would have
provided the extra detail needed for full marks.

A mark of 13 could be argued as some responses are a bit brief and could be developed
more, but all answers are very clear and communicate well, so a mark of 14 in the middle of
the band would be appropriate.

Please see the AQA GCSE French specification for further details of the assessment criteria:
https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/french/specifications/AQA-8658-SP-2016.PDF

© Oxford University Press 2020 AQA GCSE French Higher Practice Papers 4
 Practice Papers: Set 1

Higher Tier Paper 3 Reading

Mark scheme
Section A
06.1 not nice not pleasant nice 1

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06.2 strikes by air hostesses strikes 1
06.3 it was on the third/3rd there was no lift it was on the 1
floor and there was no third/3rd floor

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lift
06.4 there was no air it was too hot on the it was hot 1
conditioning coach
06.5 to spend a bit more to pay more and get more 1
money than they did on comfort
this occasion

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© Oxford University Press 2020 AQA GCSE French Higher Practice Papers 5
 Practice Papers: Set 1

Higher Tier Paper 4 Writing

Answers and commentary

Question 1.1
Response 1

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Nous sommes cinq dans ma famille. Il y a mon père, ma mère, ma grande sœur, mon petit frère

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et moi. Ma sœur a deux ans de plus que moi et va à l’université. Mon frère a douze ans. Je
m’entends bien avec mon père parce qu’on a les mêmes goûts. Je me dispute souvent avec ma
mère à propos de mes devoirs. Le weekend prochain, on va voir mes grands-parents qui habitent
assez loin de chez nous. J’aime bien voir mes grands-parents.

Content = 5/10 marks

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The maximum mark the response can be rewarded is 5 as only bullet points 1, 2 and 4 have
been covered: although conflict with the mother is mentioned, it is not a correct response to
what is asked in the bullet point. There is only one opinion expressed (J’aime bien voir mes
grands-parents). This is a basic response which covers some aspects of the task and is
shorter than the suggested word count.
Quality of language = 3/6 marks
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There is some attempt at complexity but not a great variety of vocabulary, with words such
as père, mère, frère, sœur, grands-parents, voir, all repeated. Because the third bullet has
not been addressed properly, only two time frames are used – the present and the future.
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Total = 8/16 marks

Please see the AQA GCSE French specification for further details of the assessment criteria:
https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/french/specifications/AQA-8658-SP-2016.PDF
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© Oxford University Press 2020 AQA GCSE French Higher Practice Papers 6
 Practice Papers: Set 1

Response 2

Chez nous, on est cinq, mes parents, mon frère, ma sœur jumelle et moi. L’aîné, c’est mon frère.
Il est plus âgé que moi. Je m’entends particulièrement bien avec ma sœur, en fait, je l’adore.
Nous avons les mêmes goûts. Par contre, je me dispute souvent avec mes parents et je me suis
fâchée avec eux hier parce qu’ils ne me permettaient pas de sortir. Je les trouve difficiles. En
général, c’est à propos du travail scolaire ou des sorties. Ce weekend, si possible, j’irai au bord de
la mer avec toute ma famille. Le weekend dernier, je suis allée au cinéma avec mes copains. On
s’est bien amusés.

s
Content = 10/10 marks
All four of the bullet points are covered fully and everything is very clear. Opinions (je me

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suis fachée avec eux hier) and justifications for those opinions (parce qu’ils ne voulaient pas
que je sorte) are given.

Quality of language = 6/6 marks

All verbs used are correct and appropriate and all three time frames are used. A twin sister
(real or not!), the eldest, schoolwork, outings, all show good vocabulary. There are reflexive
verbs used in the present tense (je m’entends, je me dispute) and in the perfect tense (je me

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suis fâchée, on s’est bien amusés). The future tense of an irregular verb (j’irai) and a
comparative (plus âgé que moi) are also used. A very good knowledge of grammar
combined with a wide range of vocabulary is demonstrated.

Total = 16/16 marks

Please see the AQA GCSE French specification for further details of the assessment criteria:
https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/french/specifications/AQA-8658-SP-2016.PDF
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© Oxford University Press 2020 AQA GCSE French Higher Practice Papers 7