Writing (2) (Edexcel GCSE French): Revision Notes
📚 Revision Notes
Paper 4: Writing
Longer writing tasks
Task format and choices
In the writing section, you'll face two different question options for each writing task. You must choose either option (a) or option (b) - put a cross in the box next to your chosen question.
Essential requirements
When tackling longer writing tasks, you need to follow these key rules:
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Critical Requirements for Success:
- Cover every bullet point listed in the question - this is absolutely essential
- Write your response entirely in French
- Aim for the specified word count (typically 80-90 words for mid-level questions)
- Show variety in your vocabulary and grammar to demonstrate your language skills
Writing strategy tips
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Planning your response:
- Read all bullet points carefully before you start writing
- Think about how you can vary your language to show off different tenses, vocabulary and structures
- Consider writing around 20 words per bullet point as a rough guide
During writing:
- Don't worry if you write slightly more or fewer words than suggested - focus on quality over quantity
- Try to use different tenses (present, future, past) where the bullet points allow
- Always read back through your answer to check it makes sense
Translation into French
Different formats by tier
Foundation tier: You'll translate individual sentences from English into French
Higher tier: You'll translate a complete passage from English into French
Key translation strategies
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Before you translate:
- Read the entire text carefully to understand the overall meaning
- Consider each English word individually and think about the most accurate French equivalent
- Remember that French word order can differ from English, especially with adjectives and pronouns
Common errors to avoid
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Verb mistakes:
- Using the wrong part of a verb (e.g. choosing suis instead of es for "you are")
- Example: "I am going to help him" requires je vais l'aider, not je vais aider
Gender and number errors:
- Missing plural endings on nouns and adjectives
- Example: "beautiful animals" = beaux animaux (not beau animal)
Word choice problems:
- Picking a French word that looks similar to English but has a different meaning
- Always think about context when choosing vocabulary
Translation exercises
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Worked Example: Sentence Translation Practice
Translate these sentences into French:
- I love nature.
- The countryside is beautiful.
- I run under the blue sky.
- Last week I visited my uncle's farm with my sister.
- This summer I am going to help him with his animals.
Model Answers:
- J'adore la nature.
- La campagne est belle.
- Je cours sous le ciel bleu.
- La semaine dernière j'ai visité la ferme de mon oncle avec ma sœur.
- Cet été je vais l'aider avec ses animaux.
Final checking tips
- Read through your work at the end to ensure it makes sense
- Look out for obvious errors like missing accents or incorrect verb endings
- Check that your translation conveys the same meaning as the original English text
- Remember there may be more than one correct way to translate certain phrases
Remember!
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Key Points to Remember:
- Choose one option from each writing question and cover all bullet points thoroughly
- Vary your French language to show off your vocabulary, grammar and different tenses
- Read questions carefully and stick to the word count guidelines provided
- Consider each word individually when translating to ensure maximum accuracy
- Always proofread your work before finishing to catch obvious mistakes