Theme 2.2: Festivals and Traditions in the French-Speaking World - Worksheets, Questions and Revision

14 original exam-style questions - 6 pages of questions with a full mark scheme - free printable PDF.

Download PDF Jump to mark scheme (page 7)Theme 2.2: Festivals and Traditions in the French-Speaking World revision guide

This topic is chapter 9 of GCSE French: Reading comprehension Practice Book.

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3.8 Theme 2.2: Festivals and Traditions in the French-Speaking World

AQA 8652 · about 40 minutes

Total Marks

Name: _______________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

Section: reading comprehension. Write full English sentences for answers where requested. Time guidance: 40 minutes.

Text A: Short descriptive article about festivals in France and Québec

Les Français et les Québécois aiment les fêtes. En été, la Fête de la Musique a lieu partout en France le 21 juin: il y a des concerts gratuits dans les villes et les villages. Le 14 juillet, la Fête Nationale, on regarde des feux d'artifice et des défilés militaires à Paris et dans d'autres villes. À Noël et le Réveillon, les familles se réunissent, on mange un gros repas et on échange des cadeaux. Au printemps, le Carnaval de Nice a des chars et des parades colorées sur le bord de la mer. En hiver, le Carnaval de Québec est célèbre pour ses sculptures sur glace, ses promenades en traîneau et les grandes fêtes dans les rues quand il fait froid.

Match each festival below to the correct description from the article. Write the letter A to E next to each festival name.

Festivals:
1. Fête de la Musique
2. 14 juillet (Fête Nationale)
3. Noël et le Réveillon
4. Carnaval de Nice
5. Carnaval de Québec

Descriptions:
A. Fireworks and military parades
B. Concerts free for the public on 21 June
C. Ice sculptures and sled rides in winter
D. Large family meal and gift exchanges
E. Floats and colourful parades by the sea

(Total for Question 1 is 5 marks)

Translate into English the French sentence from Text A: "À Noël et le Réveillon, les familles se réunissent, on mange un gros repas et on échange des cadeaux." Give a natural English sentence or two.

(Total for Question 2 is 3 marks)

Comparative short answer. Using Text A and Text C, give one similarity and one difference between music celebrations in France and the UK. Answer in English in two short sentences.

(Total for Question 3 is 2 marks)

Short inference from Text A. Why are winter festivals like the Carnaval de Québec important to local people and visitors? Give two brief reasons in English.

(Total for Question 4 is 2 marks)

Matching: Match the festival to the country or region where it is mainly celebrated. Write the letter next to each festival.

Festivals:
1. Carnaval de Québec
2. Carnaval de Nice
3. La Fête de la Musique
4. Le 14 juillet
5. Christmas and New Year Eve (Noël et le Réveillon)

Options:
A. France, nationally
B. Québec, Canada
C. Nice, a city in France
D. France, national day with parades in Paris and other cities
E. Both France and many other countries including the UK

(Total for Question 5 is 5 marks)

Grammar gap-fill from Text A vocabulary. Fill the missing words in English from the French cue in brackets. Each blank is one or two words. Provide the English equivalent.

1. (défilés militaires) = __________
2. (sculptures sur glace) = __________
3. (le bord de la mer) = __________
4. (gros repas) = __________

(Total for Question 6 is 4 marks)

Use Text A above. For each statement, write True, False or Not mentioned.

a) The Fête de la Musique is celebrated only in Paris.
b) The 14 juillet includes military parades.
c) The article says Carnaval de Nice happens in winter.
d) Families meet for a large meal at Noël.
e) The Carnaval de Québec uses fireworks as its main attraction.

(Total for Question 7 is 5 marks)

Text B: Diary entry from a young person visiting Québec in winter

Lundi 12 février
Je suis arrivé au Carnaval de Québec avec mes parents. Il fait très froid mais l'ambiance est fantastique. Nous avons vu des sculptures sur glace énormes, et j'ai fait une promenade en traîneau tiré par des chiens. Le soir, il y avait une grande soirée dans la rue avec de la musique et des lampions. J'ai porté mon bonnet rouge préféré et j'ai bu du chocolat chaud après avoir joué dehors.

(Total for Question 8 is 1 mark)

Use Text B diary. Question: Why did the writer wear a red hat? Answer in English using one short sentence.

(Total for Question 9 is 1 mark)

Use Text B diary. When did the writer arrive at the Carnaval de Québec? Give the date as written in the diary entry.

(Total for Question 10 is 1 mark)

Text C: Informative leaflet about La Fête de la Musique and comparisons with the UK

La Fête de la Musique se passe le 21 juin en France. Dans de nombreuses villes il y a des concerts gratuits dans les rues, et tout le monde est encouragé à jouer de la musique, des débutants aux musiciens professionnels. Dans certaines villes anglaises il y a aussi des concerts de rue, mais en général ils sont plus petits. Le but est de partager la musique et de célèbre la diversité culturelle. Beaucoup de cafés et petits bars restent ouverts tard et accueillent des groupes locaux.

Complete the gap-fill using words from the box. Each blank is one word. Box: diversité, concerts, cafés, 21, partager

1. La Fête de la Musique se passe le ___ juin en France.
2. Il y a des ___ gratuits dans les rues.
3. Le but est de ___ la musique.
4. On célèbre la ___ culturelle.
5. Beaucoup de ___ restent ouverts tard.

(Total for Question 11 is 5 marks)

Multiple choice. Which date is La Fête Nationale, le 14 juillet? Choose one.
A. 1 January
B. 21 June
C. 14 July
D. 25 December

A. 1 January
B. 21 June
C. 14 July
D. 25 December

(Total for Question 12 is 1 mark)

Short answer from Text A or C. Name one activity that takes place at the Carnaval de Nice. Answer in English.

(Total for Question 13 is 1 mark)

Use Text C. For each statement write True, False or Not mentioned.

a) La Fête de la Musique encourages both beginners and professionals to play.
b) The leaflet says UK street concerts are always larger than French ones.
c) The goal is to celebrate cultural diversity.
d) Local cafés close early during the festival.

(Total for Question 14 is 4 marks)

Mark scheme · 3.8 Theme 2.2: Festivals and Traditions in the French-Speaking World

Question 1

B1 Q1 = B, Fête de la Musique = concerts gratuits le 21 juin
B1 Q2 = A, 14 juillet = feux d'artifice et défilés militaires
B1 Q3 = D, Noël = réunion familiale, gros repas, cadeaux
B1 Q4 = E, Carnaval de Nice = chars et parades sur le bord de la mer
B1 Q5 = C, Carnaval de Québec = sculptures sur glace et traîneaux
Answer: 1 B; 2 A; 3 D; 4 E; 5 C

Question 2

M1 family get together / families meet
M1 they eat a big meal
A1 and they exchange gifts / gifts are exchanged
Answer: At Christmas and on New Year Eve, families get together, they eat a big meal and exchange presents.

Question 3

B1 one correct similarity: e.g. both have street concerts / both have public music events
B1 one correct difference: e.g. French events are often larger or on 21 June, UK concerts are usually smaller
Answer: Similarity: Both countries have street concerts or public music events. Difference: In France the Fete de la Musique on 21 June often features large free concerts, while in the UK such events are generally smaller.

Question 4

B1 reason 1: they provide big public celebrations and activities despite the cold (e.g. ice sculptures, street parties)
B1 reason 2: they attract visitors and create a festive atmosphere with special activities like sled rides and large street events
Answer: They give people fun outdoor activities in winter like ice sculptures and sled rides, and they create big street parties that attract visitors and boost the local atmosphere.

Question 5

B1 1 = B, Carnaval de Québec = Québec, Canada
B1 2 = C, Carnaval de Nice = Nice (city in France)
B1 3 = E, La Fête de la Musique celebrated in France and also in other countries including some UK cities
B1 4 = D, Le 14 juillet is the national day with parades in Paris and other cities
B1 5 = A, Noël et le Réveillon celebrated nationally in France (families reunite)
Answer: 1 B; 2 C; 3 E; 4 D; 5 A

Question 6

B1 1 = military parades (or military parade)
B1 2 = ice sculptures (or sculptures of ice)
B1 3 = the seafront / the seaside / the edge of the sea
B1 4 = a big meal / large meal
Answer: 1 military parades; 2 ice sculptures; 3 the seafront (or the seaside); 4 a big meal

Question 7

B1 a) False, article says 'partout en France' so not only Paris
B1 b) True, article mentions 'défilés militaires'
B1 c) False, Carnaval de Nice is mentioned as in spring, not winter
B1 d) True, Noël includes families reuniting and a big meal
B1 e) Not mentioned, article describes ice sculptures and sled rides for Québec carnival, not fireworks
Answer: a) False; b) True; c) False; d) True; e) Not mentioned

Question 8

B1 the correct single detail: e.g. 'He did a dog sled ride' or 'He saw ice sculptures' or 'He drank hot chocolate' (one correct detail earns the mark)
Answer: Example: He did a dog sled ride.

Question 9

B1 Correct reason: because it was their favourite hat (or because it was their preferred red hat)
Answer: Because it was his/her favourite red hat.

Question 10

B1 Correct date: Lundi 12 février (Monday 12 February)
Answer: Lundi 12 février.

Question 11

B1 1 = 21 (numeric), date as in the leaflet
B1 2 = concerts
B1 3 = partager
B1 4 = diversité
B1 5 = cafés (spelling without the accent is also accepted)
Answer: 1 21; 2 concerts; 3 partager; 4 diversité; 5 cafés

Question 12

B1 Cao: 14 July is the correct date for La Fête Nationale
Answer: C

Question 13

B1 One correct activity from the text: e.g. floats, colourful parades, chars on the seafront
Answer: Floats and colourful parades (on the seafront).

Question 14

B1 a) True, leaflet says 'des débutants aux musiciens professionnels'
B1 b) False, leaflet says UK concerts are generally smaller
B1 c) True, leaflet gives 'célèbre la diversité culturelle' as the aim
B1 d) False, leaflet says cafés stay open late, not close early
Answer: a) True; b) False; c) True; d) False

Theme 2.2: Festivals and Traditions in the French-Speaking World - Worksheets, Questions and Revision

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