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NotesFrench B HLTopic 5.2Short answer
Back to French B HL Topics
5.2.44 min read

Short answer (French B HL)

IB French B · Unit 5

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Contents

  1. 1What a short answer is
  2. 2Nail the short answer step by step
  3. 3In action
  4. 4Common errors
What it is: You hear a recording and answer questions in French. One to three words is usually enough. 1 mark each.
The instruction on the paper: Répondez aux questions suivantes. → Answer the following questions.

Example: Répondez aux questions suivantes.

Press play, answer in one to three words, then show the answers.

Vous allez entendre Élodie, qui parle de son métier de vétérinaire à la campagne.

  1. Quels animaux Élodie soigne-t-elle surtout ?
  2. Selon Élodie, quel est le principal problème de son métier ?

Je suis vétérinaire dans un petit village de montagne depuis cinq ans. Ici, je soigne surtout des vaches et des moutons, et pas seulement des chiens et des chats comme en ville. Mes journées sont longues : je fais parfois cent kilomètres par jour en voiture d'une ferme à l'autre. Ce qui me plaît le plus, c'est la confiance des agriculteurs. En revanche, le manque de collègues est un vrai problème : quand je suis malade, personne ne peut me remplacer.

I've been a vet in a small mountain village for five years. Here I mainly treat cows and sheep, and not only dogs and cats as in town. My days are long: I sometimes drive a hundred kilometres a day from one farm to another. What I like most is the farmers' trust. On the other hand, the lack of colleagues is a real problem: when I'm ill, nobody can replace me.

  1. vaches et moutons
  2. le manque de collègues
Répondez aux questions suivantes.
Answer the following questions.
Pour quelle raison… ?
For what reason…?
Donnez un détail. / Donnez un exemple.
Give one detail. / Give an example.
Selon…, quelle est la particularité de… ?
According to…, what is special about…?
Qu'est-ce qui… ?
What… ? (the thing that…)
Remember: Answer only what is asked. A short, exact answer scores; an extra wrong detail can lose the mark.

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Nail the short answer

1

Underline the question word

Pour quelle raison = a reason.

2

Wait for the signal

Mais, en revanche, le plus lead in.

3

Write 1–3 words

No full sentence needed.

4

Check it answers the question

Right moment? Right person?

Question word → Signal → 1–3 words → Check

Copy, don't translate: You may use the speaker's own words. Write the French you hear; never answer in English.

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Répondez aux questions suivantes.

Vous allez entendre Karim, qui a créé une application contre le gaspillage alimentaire.

  1. Où Karim travaillait-il quand il a eu l'idée ?
  2. À quel prix les invendus sont-ils vendus ?
  3. Pour quelle raison les commerçants hésitaient-ils au début ?
  4. Qui Karim veut-il convaincre maintenant ?

L'idée m'est venue quand je travaillais dans une boulangerie : chaque soir, on jetait des dizaines de croissants. Avec deux amis, on a créé une application qui permet aux commerçants de vendre leurs invendus à moitié prix, en fin de journée. Au début, les commerçants avaient peur que ça nuise à leur image. Aujourd'hui, plus de trois cents magasins de la ville participent. Notre prochain défi, c'est de convaincre les supermarchés, qui jettent beaucoup plus que les petits commerces.

The idea came to me when I was working in a bakery: every evening we threw away dozens of croissants. With two friends, we created an app that lets shopkeepers sell their unsold food at half price at the end of the day. At first, shopkeepers were afraid it would harm their image. Today more than three hundred shops in the city take part. Our next challenge is to convince the supermarkets, which throw away much more than small shops.

  1. dans une boulangerie
  2. (à) moitié prix
  3. (peur pour) leur image
  4. les supermarchés
The trap: Au début… / Aujourd'hui…: check which moment the question asks about before you write.

Do

  • Underline the question word first.
  • Wait for signals like en revanche.
  • Answer in French, 1–3 words.

Don't

  • Copy a whole sentence from the audio.
  • Mix up au début and aujourd'hui.
  • Add details nobody asked for.

IB Exam Questions on Short answer

Practice with IB-style questions filtered to Topic 5.2.4. Get instant AI feedback on every answer.

Practice Topic 5.2.4 QuestionsBrowse All French B HL Topics

How Short answer Appears in IB Exams

Examiners use specific command terms when asking about this topic. Here's what to expect:

  • Define

    Give the precise meaning of key terms related to Short answer.

    AO1
  • Describe

    Give a detailed account of processes or features in Short answer.

    AO2
  • Explain

    Give reasons WHY — cause and effect within Short answer.

    AO3
  • Evaluate

    Weigh strengths AND limitations of approaches in Short answer.

    AO3
  • Discuss

    Present arguments FOR and AGAINST with a balanced conclusion.

    AO3

See the full IB Command Terms guide

Related French B HL Topics

Continue learning with these related topics from the same unit:

5.1.1Format & rubric5.2.1Multiple choice5.2.2Choose the true statements5.2.3Gap-fill
View all French B HL topics
Improve your exam techniqueCommand terms, paper structure, and mark-scheme tips for French B HL
Previous5.2.3Gap-fillNextWho says what? (grid)5.2.5

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