Mastering French B1 Reading Comprehension: Tips, Strategies, and Sample Questions
“The more I prepare, the luckier I get.” — Gary Player
(Note that this blog article is part of my French B1 Exam Preparation series. If you want to read the main article, click here.)
INTRODUCTION
Proficiency in reading French can open doors to both professional projects (like academia, business and trade, research and career) and personal pursuits (for example, accessing the Francophone culture, travel and exploration, relocation, and building relationships).
The DELF B1 diploma granted by the French Ministry of Education is valid for life. Additionally, achieving the B1 level is one of the minimum requirements to apply for French nationality.
This is why the reading comprehension part of the exam is very important as this can significantly impact your chances of passing the exam. It measures your reading comprehension, language proficiency and vocabulary, all of which are necessary for real-world application.
MINIMUM SCORE
- To acquire the B1 diploma, a score of 50 out of 100 for the whole exam is required. Please also remember that you will be eliminated if you only scored less than 5 out of 25 on any part of the exam.
- Trained examiners assess your responses according to their established scoring rubrics, which outline the criteria for assigning scores based on factors such as accuracy, coherence, vocabulary, and fluency.
SUMMARY
- Overview of the Reading Comprehension Exam
- Strategies for Effective Reading Comprehension
- Sample French B1 Reading Comprehension Exam
- Links to FREE Resources, Mock Exams and Timed Practice
- Final Preparations and Exam-Day Tips
Section 1: Overview of the Reading Comprehension Exam
FORMAT AND STRUCTURE
You are required to complete 2 or 3 exercises within 35–45 minutes. For each exercise, you might need to read one or more documents.
- The first exercise is structured for speed-reading. Documents are usually brochures, announcements, advertisements, or menus. Based on the mock exam, you have to put an “X” on the Yes or No tables.
- The second and third exercises are usually one-page general interest documents and require more time to finish. Make sure to determine the type of document, title and author, and take note of any other distinct particularities. These will help you respond to their corresponding questions.
TYPES OF TEXTS COMMONLY USED
The scripts, either informative or instructive in nature, will be based on real-life everyday situations. Depending on the context, each manuscript has its unique text and writing style. These could either be newspapers, articles, advertisements, or emails.
TYPES OF QUESTIONS
You will encounter various types of questions in the exam. It will be a mix of Multiple Choice, True or False, Yes or No, Matching, Fill in the Blanks, Sentence Completion and Short Answer questions.
Section 2: Strategies for Effective Reading Comprehension
SKIM AND SCAN FIRST
This is highly beneficial so you can effectively manage your time and familiarise yourself with the types of questions in each section. This strategic approach will let you prioritise which sections or questions to tackle first.
TIPS ON DEALING WITH LONGER AND MORE COMPLEX TEXTS
- Make sure to pay attention to the headings, subheadings, or any bold or italicised words to understand the main idea of the document.
- You can also break the text into sections and highlight keywords that seem relevant to answer the questions. By summarising the sections, it will be easier for you to recall the information and reinforce your comprehension.
- Improve your speed and comprehension by practicing regularly. The more you practice, the more confident you will become in handling long and complex texts. Doing daily exercises will also build your stamina and accuracy.
Section 3: Sample French B1 Reading Comprehension Exam
SAMPLE 1: FOR EXERCISE 1 (Speed-reading)
Answer:
SAMPLE 2: FOR EXERCISE 1 (Speed-reading)
Answer:
SAMPLE 3: FOR EXERCISE 2 or 3 (1-page article)
Answer:
SAMPLE 4 FOR EXERCISE 2 or 3 (1-page article)
Answer:
SAMPLE 5 FOR EXERCISE 2 or 3 (1-page article)
Answer:
Section 4: Links to FREE Resources, Mock Exams and Timed Practice
There are many benefits to doing mock exams. By knowing the structure of the test, you will be able to manage your time well, as well as identify your weakness. The more exam simulations you do, the more confident you will become.
If possible, you should conduct the test in a realistic test environment, such as putting time constraints, using a scratch paper, or answering on a computer.
France Education International
- Candidate Manual as of December 2021 (latest as of writing)
- DELF B1 sample topics
- Preparation tips
- Mock Exam 1 and its answer key
- Mock Exam 2 and its answer key
Other Suggested French Newspapers, Magazines and Websites for regular practice
- RFI Newspaper
- TV5 Monde’s 600 questions (Exam simulator)
- Ev@lang
- Aside from these, websites of common shopping marketplaces and supermarkets are also very useful.
Section 5: Final Preparations and Exam-Day Tips
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before the exam. If needed, you can also visit the exam center before your final exam day so you can familiarise yourself with the environment.
- Manage anxiety by doing mock exams, practicing deep breathing, and doing positive self-talk.
Checklist
- Prepare your ID, exam invitation, and pens.
- Make sure to sign the attendance sheet.
- Listen very well to the examiner’s instructions.
- Make sure to fill in the first page of the exam with your candidate code and name.
Others
- You are not allowed to talk to other candidates during the exam.
- Cellphones must be turned off and hidden.
- Dictionaries are not allowed.
Avoid Some Common Mistakes of Exam Takers:
- Not reading the instructions carefully
- Poor time management
- Lack of practice
- Not reviewing answers
- Not using available resources
- Not reading all answer choices
- Misinterpreting questions
- Skipping questions (these do not merit any point)
- Guessing randomly instead of making an educated guess
- Not checking equipment if the hardware or software is unfamiliar
- Not seeking help from instructors for any technical issues or unclear instructions
- Not managing stress
CONCLUSION
As I wrap-up this article, my fellow language learning buddies, I would like to say that I’m very happy to share these resources with you!
Our exam preparation will help us unlock a world of cultural richness and opportunities, both on professional and personal levels. With our improved language proficiency, we can now engage with native speakers, immerse ourselves in the beauty of the French culture, and even enjoy French literature!
As our exam day approaches, let’s keep our cool and trust in our ability to succeed. Cheers to our fantastic journey! À très bientôt!
