!! FRENCH - predictions, guesses and discussion.

DUBLINHITMAN97

So far I've learned Water, racism and terrorism. My teacher said obesity is likely to come up? Does anyone recommend anything else to study and where i can find an essay on obesity? :P

linguist

For obesity, I would revise the topic on health in your French book. Once again, you are not going to get "l'obésité - donnez vos réactions'. If it comes up, which it might, it will be a question which invites you to deploy your vocabulary on health and healthy eating in response to a specific stimulus (picture etc). You won't get to write a learned off essay and if you do, enjoy your 8/15 on content and 8/15 on language like half the country. Sorry, I don't mean to offend with my bluntness but I just wonder if you've read what I've said so far.

What exactly are you expecting on water? A political essay on water meters? I would be surprised to be honest. I don't really see where it sits on the syllabus. Conservation would seem to be the issue really. Something about using less water around the house would be in line with the general topic of the environment.

DUBLINHITMAN97

linguist wrote: »

For obesity, I would revise the topic on health in your French book. Once again, you are not going to get "l'obésité - donnez vos réactions'. If it comes up, which it might, it will be a question which invites you to deploy your vocabulary on health and healthy eating in response to a specific stimulus (picture etc). You won't get to write a learned off essay and if you do, enjoy your 8/15 on content and 8/15 on language like half the country. Sorry, I don't mean to offend with my bluntness but I just wonder if you've read what I've said so far.

What exactly are you expecting on water? A political essay on water meters? I would be surprised to be honest. I don't really see where it sits on the syllabus. Conservation would seem to be the issue really. Something about using less water around the house would be in line with the general topic of the environment.

Thanks for the help. Its an essay talking about the importance of water and has a few points about the water charges and protests.

OMGeary

linguist wrote: »

For obesity, I would revise the topic on health in your French book. Once again, you are not going to get "l'obésité - donnez vos réactions'. If it comes up, which it might, it will be a question which invites you to deploy your vocabulary on health and healthy eating in response to a specific stimulus (picture etc). You won't get to write a learned off essay and if you do, enjoy your 8/15 on content and 8/15 on language like half the country. Sorry, I don't mean to offend with my bluntness but I just wonder if you've read what I've said so far.

What exactly are you expecting on water? A political essay on water meters? I would be surprised to be honest. I don't really see where it sits on the syllabus. Conservation would seem to be the issue really. Something about using less water around the house would be in line with the general topic of the environment.

Is French like English where your language can only be as high as your content?

linguist

There is a fairly close tie in between the two things.

To be honest, I was a little tough in last answer:) The general rule is that an answer which doesn't address the question closely enough, in other words a learned off general essay on the subject but not an actual answer to the question, tends not to make it into the so called top category. If you look back over the marking schemes you'll see this. So such an answer, if it were excellent, would often peak at C=12, L=12 in Question 1 (40 marks) and C=10, L=10 in Questions 2,3,4 (30 marks). Occasionally such an answer might just make it into top category (C=13, L=13), (C=11, L=11).

Now assuming that you have produced a decent answer that is making a sincere attempt at the question, things can open up a bit. It is extremely rare for the language mark to be higher than the communication mark. But something like C=15, L=13 (Q1) or C=13, L=11 (Q2,3,4) would be awarded all the time.

Let's suppose a question was asked on banning smoking (last year) and somebody decided to do an opening sentence and a closing sentence on the topic and then ream off a perfect essay that was off the point, it would be extremely unfair to other candidates to give that person C=10, L=15! Both marks are there to assess 'the language of the task'.

linguist

Just coming back to the water thing, I should maybe explain my scepticism a little. I'm very conscious that I could be left seriously red-faced on Wednesday if something on the protests did up but I just feel that I need to situate this in the context of what really matters: the French syllabus.

The following is the famous list of topics that all these predictions are based on. I have copied and pasted it directly from the syllabus.

"General Activity Theme:
Understanding, describing and discussing aspects of the relations between the target language community and Ireland

Performance Targets:
Outlining in broad terms the principal links between the target language community and Ireland (e.g. co-membership of the EU, literary connections, tourism, sport, etc.)

Stating and defending personal opinions about the desirability of maintaining, developing or changing Ireland's links with the community in question

General Activity/Theme:

Understanding, describing and discussing in general terms issues that transcend cultural divisions

Performance Targets:
Discussing issues such as

teenager culture
the generation gap
"entertainment"
environment and ecology
sexual and racial equality
ethnic minorities
health and lifestyle
changing perspectives regarding human relationships (marriage, the family, etc.)
the European dimension
the Third World

Describing how such issues present themselves in Ireland and in the target language community
Stating and defending personal opinions in respect of such issues"

Now, I don't know about you, but I don't see terrorism in there and I struggle to see how Ireland's water protests would fit in. Ironically, what is there is marriage and sexual equality! However, I still wonder about the level of controversy involved as I posted earlier. Notice how the broad thrust is issues that transcend national boundaries/cultural divisions. In other words, topics that might arise and could be discussed reasonably between you and a French person. Sorry to any of you who've been out protesting, but I just don't think the Irish water protests are the global event of the year!!

Where water comes up is regarding the environment (conservation) and the third world (access to clean water). At the end of the day, an exam has to examine the actual syllabus. If a specific question on the water protests comes up on Wednesday, there might be a few happy essay learners but there'll also be people like me wondering where it fits with what we were told to teach!

Kat97

Oh dear Ive really neglected French. This is the one I've been dreading the most

The oral was okayish but I prefer speaking it.

sdio

Kat97 wrote: »

The oral was okayish but I prefer speaking it.

Same! I wish we could just speak our answers instead.

Eimear97

Drugs
Obesity/health
Racism
Changes in family's and family life !

Stooped

Why does everyone think terrorism will come up? The Charlie Hebdo incident happened after they set the papers.

linguist

Stooped, I've been told and I think you can take it as being true, that the papers can be finalised quite late. For example, in 2013, the horse meat scandal broke in January and made the paper.

My main reasons for believing that Charlie Hebdo won't come up are that I can't see terrorism fitting with the syllabus and the level of controversy involved. Now, let's not think for one minute that those setting the paper didn't anticipate people would be thinking like this, and that's why I have a niggling feeling about a question on reading habits which might allow you a passing reference.

lala0815

Any one have any phrases on water charges ?

25696951

I was just wondering if it is okay to copy a full sentence from the articles that need to be answered in french.

IrishLoriii

Yeah- unless it needs to be manipulated like if it says What did Charlie do everymorning? and In the text the speaker is Charlie saying I walked every morning unless it says Trouvez or Citez then you have to say He went for a walk every morning :P

Jm12334567

Can anybody help me out need a few phrases for the environment and alcohol any help would be much appreciated !!!

hannahdfghjkl

What are the grind school teachers predicting?

25696951

IrishLoriii wrote: »

Yeah- unless it needs to be manipulated like if it says What did Charlie do everymorning? and In the text the speaker is Charlie saying I walked every morning unless it says Trouvez or Citez then you have to say He went for a walk every morning :P

will I still get marks if it is not manipulated?? btw thanks for telling me

IrishLoriii

25696951 wrote: »

will I still get marks if it is not manipulated?? btw thanks for telling me

Yout like 2 or 3 out of the 5- generally its an easy manipulation so if you change it do

BuckleyCX

I am doing ordinary level French as a single subject in order to satisfy the entry requirements for NUI colleges. I was hoping somebody could clarify the following for me. For the written expression, the marking scheme states:

Marking Scheme wrote:

Two points required for 5 marks (3 + 2)

And this is what you are asked for, as per the marking scheme again:

Marking Scheme wrote:

C1 - There is no food in the house / at the moment.
C2 - You have gone to the butcher’s / to buy some meat.
C3 - You will make the dinner / this evening.

I am just wondering if that is what they are considering two points - for example, C3: are "you will make the dinner" and "this evening" considered the "two points required"?

I would greatly appreciate any clarification as I have no teacher.

Elemonator

Can anyone help me out on what I should focus on for tomorrow?
I'm looking for about 425 points but the thing is I got a D1 in the mock (with a crap oral) but I need a C2. Is this possible? My actual oral went sooooo much better.

Quarks

I didn't see a thread for French, so uh, work away lads.

k0tryy

I'm absolutely terrified of tomorrow, I've got French hl and history hl both for which I've studied a bit but I don't think I'm prepared at all. Any advice on how to study for French the night before? Any tips on what topics to cram? History is gonna destroy me so I'm focused on french

randylonghorn

Quarks wrote: »

I didn't see a thread for French, so uh, work away lads.

You didn't look too hard!

BlueWolf16

So how is it going to go down - Listening first or after ? Timetable shows it after, but for some reason I think it was on first last year..
I have History after, so I'll be trying to bomb the exam as quickly as possible, so that I can study for History, though if it's after.. will they let me leave? The french exam is a really short one, you can finish it within 90min., 2.30hours is way too much.

Quarks

randylonghorn wrote: »

You didn't look too hard!

Ah ****e, sorry.

randylonghorn

Quarks wrote: »

Ah ****e, sorry.

Lol, no worries!

IrishLoriii

How do you guys study for the comprehensions???? I have a fear I wont understand it at all..I really need to do well in this and I want to so badly

Blue giant

IrishLoriii wrote: »

How do you guys study for the comprehensions???? I have a fear I wont understand it at all..I really need to do well in this and I want to so

I never fully understand the comprehension. I normally don't even bother to read them anymore. I just start the questions straight away. Look for the word in the paragraph that's in the question and then I decide which line to copy around the word. It's probably terrible advice but it works for me. I got 96/120 in the mocks on my comprehensions.

BuckleyCX

I am doing ordinary level French as a single subject in order to satisfy the entry requirements for NUI colleges. I was hoping somebody could clarify the following for me. For the written expression, the marking scheme states:

Marking Scheme wrote:

Two points required for 5 marks (3 + 2)

And this is what you are asked for, as per the marking scheme again:

Marking Scheme wrote:

C1 - There is no food in the house / at the moment.
C2 - You have gone to the butcher’s / to buy some meat.
C3 - You will make the dinner / this evening.

I am just wondering if that is what they are considering two points - for example, C3: are "you will make the dinner" and "this evening" considered the "two points required"?

I would greatly appreciate any clarification as I have no teacher.

Anyone?

Broseph

Has anyone got a list of tougher vocab that is likely to come in a listening generally? I do ok in them generally but it's hearing the word and not knowing what it means is the worst. Any vocab notes?

ChloeMarrinan

Thinking the most likely topics will be obesity, something about the environment, maybe equality in some shape or form, terrorism and drugs, is there anything else I should cover to have a broad range of subjects revised before going in?

AlfaJack

ChloeMarrinan wrote: »

Thinking the most likely topics will be obesity, something about the environment, maybe equality in some shape or form, terrorism and drugs, is there anything else I should cover to have a broad range of subjects revised before going in?

I'm learning homelessness and old people too because of the homeless man that died last year I think it was and because of the abuse going on in certain elderly homes

Famoso

Would it be a bad idea putting all my eggs in one basket here and just revising Racism tonight?

Broseph

Famoso wrote: »

Would it be a bad idea putting all my eggs in one basket here and just revising Racism tonight?

Yep theres more than one essay to do and a max of one would be racism

DarraghF197

I don't think there's any major point in learning off topics such as racism or the marriage referendum. The question will be asked in such a way that won't let you have a general paragraph on how smoking is bad for your health. It will go like, are nuclear power plants the way forward?

Better just to learn some key vocab and a couple of phrases that can be used anywhere. The rest of the answer will be based on the work you've put in in the last two years.

Broseph

DarraghF197 wrote: »

I don't think there's any major point in learning off topics such as racism or the marriage referendum. The question will be asked in such a way that won't let you have a general paragraph on how smoking is bad for your health. It will go like, are nuclear power plants the way forward?

Better just to learn some key vocab and a couple of phrases that can be used anywhere. The rest of the answer will be based on the work you've put in in the last two years.

Have you got key vocab for the listening? I understand it's pretty general but there are certain phrases that come up a lot. Apologies this question is for everyone

DaveMc90

I only do ordinary French outside school incase I want to go to a certain college which requires a third language and I've neglected it completely all year , got 59% in the mock with no study , and advice going into the exam to ensure I get at least my pass?

DarraghF197

Broseph wrote: »

Have you got key vocab for the listening? I understand it's pretty general but there are certain phrases that come up a lot. Apologies this question is for everyone

I don't have key vocab as such but I have collected a bit over my time!

en etat d'ébriété - drunk state
Malfaiteurs - criminals
Râter - fail
Des risqué inutiles - silly risks
Noyade - a drowning
Cauchemar - nightmare
Le droit - law
Les lettres - arts
Direction - management
Randonnée - hiking
Apéritif - predrinks
Le panneau indicateur - signpost
Ralentissement - slow down
Impérmeable - raincoat
Sec - dry
Bénévole - voluntary
Percuter - crash into
Griller un feu rouge- jump light
Retroviseurs - car mirrors
Garer - park
SNCF - railway services
Brume - mist
Grève - strike
Réz de chaussee - ground floor
Crosière - cruise
Patron- boss

Broseph

DarraghF197 wrote: »

I don't have key vocab as such but I have collected a bit over my time!

en etat d'ébriété - drunk state
Malfaiteurs - criminals
Râter - fail
Des risqué inutiles - silly risks
Noyade - a drowning
Cauchemar - nightmare
Le droit - law
Les lettres - arts
Direction - management
Randonnée - hiking
Apéritif - predrinks
Le panneau indicateur - signpost
Ralentissement - slow down
Impérmeable - raincoat
Sec - dry
Bénévole - voluntary
Percuter - crash into
Griller un feu rouge- jump light
Retroviseurs - car mirrors
Garer - park
SNCF - railway services
Brume - mist
Grève - strike
Réz de chaussee - ground floor
Crosière - cruise
Patron- boss

That's exactly what I need listen thanks a lot for that. If anyone has any other vocab reply to my comment. Thanks again!

hannahdfghjkl

I have racism, terrorism, drugs, alcohol, the environment and crime. Will I be okay, please help. Oh and since people think the environment will be up with the theme of water does anybody have a paragraph on it they wouldn't mind sharing. I've nothing, thank you!

Broseph

hannahdfghjkl wrote: »

I have racism, terrorism, drugs, alcohol, the environment and crime. Will I be okay, please help. Oh and since people think the environment will be up with the theme of water does anybody have a paragraph on it they wouldn't mind sharing. I've nothing, thank you!

I think you have enough topics just go for expressions like "Qu'on le veuille ou non" (whether one likes it or not), " Il faut que j'admette" One must admit subjunctive aswel. Phrases like that can be put into any place, that's if you haven't included them in the other essays.

Elemonator

How hard would it be to get a C3-C2?

Broseph

Elemonator wrote: »

How hard would it be to get a C3-C2?

What did you get in the pre?

Elemonator

Broseph wrote: »

What did you get in the pre?

A D1. But my oral vastly improved but I feel I've lost on the abstract topics.

DUBLINHITMAN97

I've got the environment (water), racism and terrorism done. Any others you can recommend?

Grey Wind

DUBLINHITMAN97 wrote: »

I've got the environment (water), racism and terrorism done. Any others you can recommend?

Drugs/alcohol. Even if they don't come up it can be easy to link them in somewhere.

chefvortivask

hannahdfghjkl wrote: »

I have racism, terrorism, drugs, alcohol, the environment and crime. Will I be okay, please help. Oh and since people think the environment will be up with the theme of water does anybody have a paragraph on it they wouldn't mind sharing. I've nothing, thank you!

Une Taxe Sur l'Eau

Cet incident a provoqué un tollé ces deniers mois. À vrai dire, j'ai des opinions partagées en ce qui concerne la taxe sur l'eau.

Tout d'abord, la qualité des tuyaux est en mauvais état parce qu'ils on très vieux. Il y a beaucoup de fuites d'eau et c'est un gaspillage de l'eau. Avec cette taxe, le gouvernement a la chance de reparer ces tuyaux et améliorer le traitement de l'eau.

Mais il existe un argument de poids en revanche aussi. À cause de la Récession, c'est déjà difficile de joindre les deux bouts et de payer les autres facteurs comme le prêt-logement et des impôts. Il va sans dire qu'il ya des milliers de chômeurs qui n'ont pas les moyens de payer une taxe sur l'eau aussi. Ils ont en colère et donc ils font des manifestations contre cette taxe.

Pour trouver une solution à ce problème, c'est un autre paire de manches. Néanmoins, le gouvernement doit faire face à cette situation avant qu'il ne soit trop tard. Ou bien, il peut être la goutte d'eau qui fait déborder le vase.


Hope this helps, good luck!

Blue giant

Am I the only one winging the written pieces? Did a decent oral and I'm fairly good at the comprehensions and aural. I only want a pass anyway.

IrishLoriii

I want a B2 really really badly my French has never been amazing but Ive really worked my ass off this year Im just praying I don't mess it up in the morning or that its not a really difficult written topic

Broseph

What are the important/ obscure words for the weather question that can come up at the end of the listening?