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GCSE · French

FR.R8 Theme 1.4: Festivals and Traditions in the French-Speaking World

AQA 8652 · Calculators not allowed · about 40 minutes

Total Marks

Name: _______________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

Accents have been omitted from the French texts for print compatibility, but answers should use correct accents where required. 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 Quebec

Les Francais et les Quebecois aiment les fetes. En ete, la Fete 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 Fete Nationale, on regarde des feux d'artifice et des defiles militaires a Paris et dans d'autres villes. A Noel et le Reveillon, les familles se reunissent, on mange un gros repas et on echange des cadeaux. Au printemps, le Carnaval de Nice a des chars et des parades colorees sur le bord de la mer. En hiver, le Carnaval de Quebec est celebre pour ses sculptures sur glace, ses promenades en traineau et les grandes fetes 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. Fete de la Musique
2. 14 juillet (Fete Nationale)
3. Noel et le Reveillon
4. Carnaval de Nice
5. Carnaval de Quebec

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)

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

a) The Fete 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 Noel.
e) The Carnaval de Quebec uses fireworks as its main attraction.

(Total for Question 2 is 5 marks)

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

Lundi 12 fevrier
Je suis arrive au Carnaval de Quebec avec mes parents. Il fait tres froid mais l'ambiance est fantastique. Nous avons vu des sculptures sur glace enormes, et j'ai fait une promenade en traineau tire par des chiens. Le soir, il y avait une grande soiree dans la rue avec de la musique et des lampions. J'ai porte mon bonnet rouge prefere et j'ai bu du chocolat chaud apres avoir joue dehors.

(Total for Question 3 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 4 is 1 mark)

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

(Total for Question 5 is 1 mark)

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

La Fete 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 encourage a jouer de la musique, des debutants aux musiciens professionnels. Dans certaines villes anglaises il y a aussi des concerts de rue, mais en general ils sont plus petits. Le but est de partager la musique et de celebre la diversite culturelle. Beaucoup de cafes 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: diversite, concerts, cafes, 21, partager

1. La Fete 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 celebre la ___ culturelle.
5. Beaucoup de ___ restent ouverts tard.

(Total for Question 6 is 5 marks)

Multiple choice. Which date is La Fete 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 7 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 8 is 1 mark)

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

a) La Fete 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 cafes close early during the festival.

(Total for Question 9 is 4 marks)

Translate into English the French sentence from Text A: "A Noel et le Reveillon, les familles se reunissent, on mange un gros repas et on echange des cadeaux." Give a natural English sentence or two.

(Total for Question 10 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 11 is 2 marks)

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

(Total for Question 12 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 Quebec
2. Carnaval de Nice
3. La Fete de la Musique
4. Le 14 juillet
5. Christmas and New Year Eve (Noel et le Reveillon)

Options:
A. France, nationally
B. Quebec, 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 13 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. (defiles militaires) = __________
2. (sculptures sur glace) = __________
3. (le bord de la mer) = __________
4. (gros repas) = __________

(Total for Question 14 is 4 marks)

Mark scheme · FR.R8 Theme 1.4: Festivals and Traditions in the French-Speaking World

Question 1

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

Question 2

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

Question 3

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 4

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 5

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

Question 6

B1 1 = 21 (numeric), date as in the leaflet
B1 2 = concerts
B1 3 = partager
B1 4 = diversite
B1 5 = cafes (accept cafes spelled without accent as in box; 'cafes' is correct in ASCII)
Answer: 1 21; 2 concerts; 3 partager; 4 diversite; 5 cafes

Question 7

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

Question 8

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 9

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

Question 10

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 11

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 12

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 13

B1 1 = B, Carnaval de Quebec = Quebec, Canada
B1 2 = C, Carnaval de Nice = Nice (city in France)
B1 3 = E, La Fete 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, Noel et le Reveillon celebrated nationally in France (families reunite)
Answer: 1 B; 2 C; 3 E; 4 D; 5 A

Question 14

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

Theme 1.4: Festivals and Traditions in the French-Speaking World - Worksheets, Questions and Revision