French

Assessment

Paper 1 - Listening, Reading and Writing (2.5 hours, 50% of the A-level) This consists of passages of audio and written language, to which you respond by answering written questions in French. You will also translate two passages of 100 words, one into French, and one into English. Paper 2 - Writing (2 hours, 20% of the A-level) This paper demands a written essay on each of the two works studied, a film and a novel. All questions require a critical and analytical appreciation of the issues covered and of features such as the form and the technique of presentation, e.g. the effect of the narrative voice in the novel, or camera work in the film. Both the film and the book are chosen to link in with the social issues studied and past pupils will tell you that this is one of the most enjoyable elements of French A-level studies. Paper 3 - Speaking (20 minutes, 30% of the A-level) Pupils undertake an individual research project from one of four sub-themes, i.e. aspects of French-speaking society, current trends or current issues, artistic culture in the French-speaking world or aspects of political life. Pupils present their research and discuss their findings with the examiner. In addition, pupils prepare a stimulus card based on one of the themes above, discussed for a further five minutes.