Paper 3: Reading (2) (AQA GCSE French): Revision Notes
Paper 3: Reading
Understanding the question types
Paper 3: Reading tests your ability to understand written French texts and demonstrate comprehension through various question formats. This paper includes different types of questions that require specific strategies to tackle effectively.
Success in Paper 3 depends on developing systematic approaches to each question type and practising these techniques regularly.
A/B or both A and B questions
These questions present you with two options (A and B), and you need to determine whether one option is correct, the other is correct, or both options are correct. The key to success is carefully considering each option against the text before making your decision.
Strategy approach:
- Read the text carefully first
- Consider option A - does it match the text?
- Consider option B - does it match the text?
- Remember that both options could be correct
- Look for evidence in the text to support your choice
Don't forget that both options can be correct! Many students automatically assume only one answer is right and miss A + B combinations.
Worked Example: A/B Question Analysis
If Paul describes his hotel as "Notre hôtel était moderne mais trop bruyant" (Our hotel was modern but too noisy), then:
- Option A: modern ✓
- Option B: noisy ✓
- Answer: A + B (both are correct)
The key word "mais" (but) tells us both characteristics are mentioned in the text.
Who...? matching questions
In these questions, you'll see French statements from different people, and you need to match them to English questions about who said what. The tricky part is that the French texts don't appear in the same order as the English questions, so you need to check back through all options for each question.
Strategy approach:
- Read all the French statements first to get an overview
- For each English question, systematically check each French statement
- Look for key vocabulary that matches the question topic
- Don't assume the order matches - always check all options
The order of French statements never matches the order of English questions. Always scan through all French options for each English question to avoid missing the correct answer.
Section B: Translation
Translation from French to English is a crucial skill that requires careful attention to detail and systematic approach. At both Foundation and Higher tiers, you'll translate five sentences with specific word count requirements.
Key translation strategies
Before you translate:
- Read through the entire text to understand the overall meaning
- Identify any tense markers or time expressions
- Look out for false friends (French words that look like English but have different meanings)
During translation:
- Consider each word carefully - not every French word has a direct English equivalent
- Pay attention to tense indicators like "je vais" (I am going to) for future tense
- Remember that the same meaning can often be expressed in multiple correct ways
- At Foundation tier, your translation doesn't need to be perfect - focus on getting the meaning across clearly
After translation:
- Read through your English version to ensure it makes sense
- Check you haven't missed anything important
- Don't change anything you know is correct
Common pitfalls to avoid
False friends: Words like "journée" (day) can be mistaken for "journey". Always double-check words that look similar to English.
Tense confusion: Pay careful attention to time markers. "Je vais étudier" means "I am going to study" (future), not "I go to study".
Gender assumptions: French differentiates between male/female friends (ami/amie), but English uses "friend" for both. Include gender information when it's important for understanding.
Useful vocabulary
| French | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| journée | day | Not "journey" - false friend! |
| matière | school subject | From "ma matière préférée" |
| cours | lesson/class | Can be singular or plural |
| professeur | teacher | Often shortened to "prof" |
| théâtre | theatre | Note the different spelling |
| histoire | history | Also means "story" |
| amusant | fun/amusing | Describes something entertaining |
| créatif | creative | Adjective describing artistic ability |
| pendant que | while | Used for simultaneous actions |
Example sentences
Translation Examples by Tense
Present tense:
- "J'aime lire des livres" → I like reading books
- "Ma matière préférée est le français" → My favourite subject is French
- "Le professeur est amusant" → The teacher is fun
Past tense:
- "J'ai regardé la télévision" → I watched television
- "C'était génial" → It was great
- "Je suis allé en ville" → I went to town
Future expressions:
- "Je vais étudier les maths" → I am going to study maths
- "Demain, je vais sortir" → Tomorrow, I am going to go out
Grammar and pronunciation tips
Tense recognition:
- Present: "je mange" (I eat/am eating)
- Perfect past: "j'ai mangé" (I ate/have eaten)
- Imperfect past: "je mangeais" (I was eating/used to eat)
- Future: "je vais manger" (I am going to eat)
Pronunciation notes:
- Silent letters are common - "temps" sounds like "tan"
- "Génial" is pronounced "zhay-nee-AHL"
- "Théâtre" - the "th" is pronounced as "t"
Translation practice
Practice Translations
French to English:
- "J'aime regarder la télévision car c'est génial."
- "En été, je passe toute la journée à la plage."
English to French: 3. "I am going to study maths in the future." 4. "Yesterday I went to town with my best friend."
Answers:
- I like watching television because it's great.
- In summer, I spend the whole day at the beach.
- Je vais étudier les maths à l'avenir.
- Hier je suis allé(e) en ville avec mon/ma meilleur(e) ami(e).
Key Points to Remember:
- Read carefully first - understand the whole text before attempting questions
- Check all options - in Who...? questions, the order doesn't match, so examine every possibility
- Both can be right - in A/B questions, don't forget that A + B might be the correct answer
- Watch for false friends - words like "journée" look like English but mean something different
- Focus on meaning - in translation, getting the sense across clearly is more important than perfect grammar at Foundation level