Task 3

Giving your point of view

Duration: 4 minutes 30
Preparation: None
Format: An argued opinion, then a discussion with the examiner
Goal: This task assesses your ability to give your opinion on a social topic and defend it with arguments and examples. There is no preparation time: the examiner reads the topic and you start speaking.

Structuring your answer

1. Introduction and position

Restate the topic in your own words, then clearly state your position: you agree, disagree or partly agree.

2. Two or three arguments

Develop each argument with a concrete example from daily life, your country or Canada. One well-illustrated argument is worth more than three that are barely mentioned.

3. A nuance

Present the opposing view and show its limits. This is what sets a B2-level answer apart from a B1 one.

4. Conclusion

Restate your position in one or two sentences and finish with a broader thought.

The sample answers on this page are deliberately complete. At the real exam, aim for 2 to 3 arguments: the examiner may interrupt you to ask questions.

Useful French phrases

Introducing the topic and your position

FrenchMeaning

Aujourd'hui, certaines personnes pensent que…Today, some people think that…
À mon avis, cette affirmation est en partie vraie.In my opinion, this statement is partly true.
Je ne suis pas d'accord avec cette idée, car…I don't agree with this idea, because…
Je suis tout à fait d'accord avec cette affirmation.I completely agree with this statement.

Linking your arguments

FrenchMeaning

Tout d'abord… Ensuite… Enfin…First of all… Then… Finally…
De plus, il faut ajouter que…Moreover, it should be added that…
Par exemple, au Canada…For example, in Canada…
C'est pourquoi je pense que…That's why I think that…

Adding nuance

FrenchMeaning

Cependant, cela ne signifie pas que…However, that doesn't mean that…
Il est vrai que…, mais…It's true that…, but…
Certes…, néanmoins…Admittedly…, nevertheless…
Malgré cela…Despite that…

Concluding

FrenchMeaning

En conclusion, je pense que…In conclusion, I think that…
Pour toutes ces raisons…For all these reasons…
Finalement, tout dépend de…In the end, it all depends on…

Tips for success

Take a few seconds to think before you start: it's accepted and it keeps you from getting lost.
Announce your plan in the introduction: it makes your reasoning easier to follow.
Speak at a steady pace. Simple, correct sentences are better than long ones full of mistakes.
During the discussion, defend your position politely, even if the examiner disagrees with you.

Sample answers

Durations are estimated at a normal pace (130 words per minute). The prompts and answers are in French, just like at the exam.