← Master TCF Canada Writing

Task 1

Writing a message

Length
60 to 120 words
Text type
A message to one or more people (email, ad, note)
Goal
This task assesses your ability to communicate clearly in writing by telling, describing or explaining something to one or more people whose role is given in the prompt. It shows that you can adapt your message to the reader, organize your ideas logically and use language that suits the context.

A structure that works for any prompt

A simple structure you can adapt to every Task 1 prompt.

1. Header (recommended when the prompt asks for an email)

  • From (De): a made-up sender address (e.g. paul@gmail.com).
  • To (À): a made-up recipient address (e.g. julie@gmail.com).
  • Subject (Objet): a clear, descriptive title (e.g. Invitation à une soirée cinéma).

2. Opening (1 to 2 sentences)

  • Greet the reader: Salut [prénom], Bonjour [prénom].
  • Add an opening line: J'espère que tu vas bien, Je t'écris pour te parler de…
  • State the purpose of your message quickly (an invitation, advice, news).

3. Body (4 to 6 sentences)

Give the key information the prompt asks for:

  • An invitation: Je propose qu'on se retrouve à [lieu] à [heure]. Le programme inclut [activité].
  • Advice: Je te recommande [lieu ou service] parce que… Voici quelques astuces qui pourraient t'aider.
  • An experience: C'était incroyable ! Les [éléments] étaient particulièrement impressionnants.
  • A request: Aurais-tu des suggestions pour… ? Peux-tu m'aider à trouver… ?

4. Ask for a reply (1 to 2 sentences)

  • Dis-moi si tu es intéressé(e). J'attends ton retour avec impatience.
  • Fais-moi savoir ce que tu en penses.

5. Closing and signature

End warmly (À très bientôt, Amicalement, Bonne journée) and sign with a first name. For a formal message, use « Cordialement » followed by your full name.

Common themes

These categories cover most Task 1 prompts. Prepare at least one model answer for each of them.

  • Invitations and proposals: an outing, a party or a trip (place, date, activities, what to bring).
  • Asking for or giving advice: housing, work, studies, health, services or products.
  • Sharing an experience: a visit, a memorable event, a recent discovery.
  • Organizing: planning a party or a group outing, getting people involved in a cause.
  • Daily life and hobbies: sports, music, movies, cooking, buying or selling something.
  • Getting ready: helping a friend prepare for an interview, a trip or a project.
  • Social or environmental action: volunteering, a neighbourhood clean-up.
  • Searching for something: a roommate, information, a way to get around.
  • Cultural recommendations: an exhibition, a show, a book, a movie.
  • Solving a problem: reporting an issue in a building or a neighbourhood while staying polite and factual.

Useful French phrases

Greeting and opening

  • J'espère que tu vas bien.I hope you're well.
  • Comment vas-tu ? J'ai pensé à toi récemment.How are you? I was thinking of you recently.
  • Je t'écris pour te parler de…I'm writing to tell you about…
  • Je viens de découvrir quelque chose qui pourrait te plaire.I just discovered something you might like.
  • J'ai une proposition qui pourrait t'intéresser.I have an idea that might interest you.
  • Je voulais te demander ton avis sur…I wanted to ask your opinion about…

Inviting and suggesting an activity

  • Que dirais-tu de [activité] ce week-end ?How about [activity] this weekend?
  • J'organise [activité] et je serais ravi(e) que tu viennes.I'm organizing [activity] and I'd love you to come.
  • Si tu es disponible, rejoins-moi à [lieu] à [heure].If you're free, meet me at [place] at [time].
  • C'est l'occasion parfaite de passer un moment ensemble.It's the perfect chance to spend some time together.
  • Nous pourrions faire [activité] et ensuite profiter de [lieu].We could do [activity] and then enjoy [place].

Giving advice

  • Je te conseille vivement de…I strongly advise you to…
  • Une bonne idée serait de…A good idea would be to…
  • N'oublie pas de…Don't forget to…
  • Je te recommande [lieu ou service] pour [activité].I recommend [place or service] for [activity].
  • Le personnel est accueillant et les tarifs sont raisonnables.The staff are friendly and the prices are reasonable.
  • Tu pourrais aussi essayer [autre option].You could also try [another option].

Telling about an experience

  • Je viens de vivre une expérience incroyable !I just had an amazing experience!
  • C'était une journée inoubliable à [lieu].It was an unforgettable day at [place].
  • Ce qui m'a le plus marqué, c'est…What struck me most was…
  • J'ai trouvé ça vraiment captivant.I found it really fascinating.
  • J'ai adoré [élément] et je pense que tu aimerais aussi.I loved [thing] and I think you'd like it too.

Asking for information

  • Aurais-tu des conseils sur… ?Do you have any advice about…?
  • Pourrais-tu me recommander… ?Could you recommend…?
  • Est-ce que tu connais [lieu ou service] ?Do you know [place or service]?
  • Peux-tu m'aider à choisir entre [options] ?Can you help me choose between [options]?

Closing and asking for a reply

  • Fais-moi savoir si tu es intéressé(e).Let me know if you're interested.
  • Dis-moi ce que tu en penses.Tell me what you think.
  • J'attends ton retour avec impatience.I look forward to hearing from you.
  • N'hésite pas à m'écrire si tu as des questions.Feel free to write to me if you have questions.
  • Au plaisir de te lire bientôt,Looking forward to hearing from you,
  • Amicalement,Best wishes,

Sample answers

Each sample answer stays within the word count required at the exam. The prompts and answers are in French, just like at the exam.

More sample answers are coming soon.