LanguagesReading and deducing meaning in French20 min★★ difficulty

Reading a short French text for detail

Skimming for the gist and then reading again for detail is how confident readers tackle a French text, whether it's a menu, an advert or a short story.

Part of your national curriculum

Reading: Read and show comprehension of original and adapted materials from a range of different sources

Lesson overview

What you'll learn in this lesson

Read and show comprehension of original and adapted materials from a range of different sources

Key learning points

• Skim first, then scan
• Question words to look out for
• Worked example

This lesson at a glance

20 minutes
13 parts to scroll through
3 quick checks
Marked quiz at the end
Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses

Words to know

comprehensionoriginaladaptedmaterialssources

Scroll down — the lesson carries on below

Part 1 of 13 · Discover8%

Watch & discover

Part 1 of 13

Watch first

Reading a short French text for detail

An English teaching video on this topic from Cate Waidyatilleka. Watch it, then scroll down for the lesson.

In a nutshell

Read and show comprehension of original and adapted materials from a range of different sources

Learning cycle

Part 2 of 13

Learning cycle 1 of 2

Part 1 · Skim first, then scan

A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.

Explore the idea

Part 3 of 13

Learn

Skim first, then scan

On a first read, skim the whole text quickly to get the general idea (the gist) without worrying about every word. Then read again more slowly, scanning for specific details you need, such as times, prices or names.

Explore the idea

Part 4 of 13

Learn

Question words to look out for

Recognising question words helps you find answers fast: 'qui' (who), 'quoi' (what), 'où' (where), 'quand' (when), 'pourquoi' (why) and 'comment' (how). If a task asks 'Où habite Camille?', scan the text for a place name near the word 'habite'.

Quick check

Part 5 of 13

Quick check

What does 'surtout' mean in the worked example text?

Reset break

Part 6 of 13

Pause

That's sitting 1 of 2 done

Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.

Stop here for now

Quick check

Part 7 of 13

Quick check

What is Camille's age according to the text 'Elle a quatorze ans'?

Learning cycle

Part 8 of 13

Learning cycle 2 of 2

Part 2 · Worked example

A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.

Explore the idea

Part 9 of 13

Learn

Worked example

Text: 'Camille habite à Lyon avec sa famille. Elle a quatorze ans et elle adore le sport, surtout le basket.' Question: Quel sport aime Camille? Scanning shows 'sport, surtout le basket' — so the answer is basketball, and 'surtout' (especially) tells us it's her favourite.

Quick check

Part 10 of 13

Quick check

What is the best first step when reading an unfamiliar French text?

Challenge round

Part 11 of 13

Game · Sort it

Which of these are true?

Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.

True

Not true

Mastery quiz

Part 12 of 13

Marked quiz

End of lesson quiz: Reading a short French text for detail

3 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.

1. What does 'surtout' mean in the worked example text?
2. What is Camille's age according to the text 'Elle a quatorze ans'?
3. What is the best first step when reading an unfamiliar French text?

Lesson round-up

Part 13 of 13

Lesson round-up

Ready when you are

Quiz score

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Do the work

Your written work for this lesson

This is the part you'd do in your book at school. Pick the pieces below, write here or on paper, and photograph anything you draw or work out.

Extract

Une journée à Lyon

Samedi matin, je me lève à sept heures et demie. Je prends le petit déjeuner avec ma sœur — du pain, du beurre et un chocolat chaud. Ensuite, nous prenons le bus jusqu'au centre-ville.

J'aime beaucoup Lyon parce qu'il y a un grand marché près du fleuve. Ma sœur préfère les magasins, mais moi, je préfère le marché : c'est moins cher et c'est plus intéressant. À midi, nous mangeons un sandwich au parc.

L'après-midi, il commence à pleuvoir, alors nous rentrons à la maison en tram. Le soir, je fais mes devoirs et je regarde un film avec mes parents.

Original text written for Good Learning Co.

Reading questions

In English, say what the writer does in the morning, at midday and in the evening.
Find the phrases that give an opinion and a reason, and copy them out.
Write 8–10 sentences about your own Saturday, using at least three phrases from the text.

Written practice
Writing
Write the sentences out in the language, then translate them back into English.
8–10 sentences
Vocabulary page
Working out
Copy the new words, cover them, and test yourself. Note the ones you keep missing.
15 words

Write your answer, notes or working here

Saved as you type.

Photos of paper work, diagrams or working outHow many minutes did the written work take?

Part 1 of 13 · Watch & discover

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Read and show comprehension of original and adapted materials from a range of different sources