What a short-answer question is: A short-answer question (réponse courte) — under the rubric « Répondez aux questions suivantes » — asks you to answer a question about the text in a few words or a short phrase, not a full essay. What's marked is whether your answer is correct and supported by the text, NOT your writing style. Sometimes the question tells you to use your own words («avec vos propres mots»); other times you may lift the words straight from the text.
The exam instruction you'll see: In the real French Paper 2 exam, this question type is introduced by an instruction like:
«Répondez aux questions suivantes.» → Answer the following questions.
What you have to do: Answer briefly using information from the text — usually the exact words. Give EXACTLY what is asked and nothing extra; a full sentence is not required.
- la réponse courte
- short answer (a few words or a short phrase)
- « Répondez aux questions suivantes »
- the short-answer instruction (answer the following questions)
- « En vous basant sur le paragraphe… »
- based on the paragraph… (where to look in the text)
- avec vos propres mots
- in your own words (paraphrase — don't copy)
- selon le texte
- according to the text (the answer is in the passage)
- répondre / la consigne
- to answer / the instruction
Content over style: In a short-answer reading question, content correctness is what earns the mark — not long sentences or perfect grammar. Give the right information, briefly, and you score. A minor language slip in a reading answer is usually not penalised.
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The rules of a short answer: Keep it short — a few words or a phrase. Answer the question that was actually asked. Use your own words when the question says «avec vos propres mots»; otherwise you may lift the words from the text. And don't over-write — extra padding earns no extra marks and risks contradicting yourself.
| Règle | Ce que ça veut dire |
|---|---|
| Sois bref | quelques mots ou une phrase, pas un paragraphe |
| Réponds à la question exacte | réponds à ce qu'on demande, pas à autre chose |
| Tes propres mots si on le demande | reformule quand il est écrit « avec vos propres mots » |
| Tu peux copier si on ne le demande pas | sinon, tu peux reprendre les mots du texte |
| N'écris pas trop | évite le remplissage ; ça n'ajoute pas de points et peut te contredire |
Read the instruction: The little instruction matters: «avec vos propres mots» means you must paraphrase — copying the line word-for-word can lose the mark. If it doesn't say that, you're free to take the words straight from the text.
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A reliable routine: Read the question first so you know exactly what's asked, locate the part of the text that answers it, note the key information, then write a short, precise answer (own words if asked) and check it actually answers the question. Because you can re-read, this is quick and reliable.
Nail the short answer — 5 steps
1
Lis la question (read the question)
What is it actually asking? Underline the key word (qui ? quoi ? pourquoi ? combien ?).
2
Localise dans le texte (locate)
Scan for the line that answers it — the text stays in front of you, so re-read it.
3
Note l'information clé (note)
Pick out only the words that answer the question — ignore the rest.
4
Réponds court (write a short answer)
A few words or a phrase. Use your own words if the question says «avec vos propres mots».
5
Vérifie (check)
Re-read the question and your answer — does it respond to exactly what was asked?
Lis la question → Localise → Note → Réponds court → Vérifie
Answer the question asked: Before you move on, re-read the question and your answer side by side. A common slip is answering a slightly different question — make sure your few words respond to exactly what was asked.
Answering short questions on a real text: Here is a short text — the kind Paper 2 (Reading) gives you. The text stays in front of you, so you locate each answer. Read it once (tap Voir la traduction if you get stuck), then we'll take a two-part short-answer question through the routine, using the exact rubric « Répondez aux questions suivantes ».
La fête du quartier: Samedi dernier, le quartier de Saint-Roch a célébré sa fête annuelle sur la place principale. Le matin, il y avait des jeux pour les enfants et un atelier de cuisine où les habitants ont appris à préparer des pâtisseries traditionnelles. L'après-midi, un groupe de musique a joué des chansons de la région.
La fête s'est terminée par un dîner en plein air. Chaque famille a apporté un plat à partager avec les autres. Marta, une des organisatrices, a dit que le meilleur de la fête n'était pas la nourriture, mais de voir tous les habitants réunis, en train de bavarder et de rire après une année si chargée.
- la fête annuelle
- the yearly / annual festival
- l'atelier de cuisine
- the cookery workshop
- les pâtisseries traditionnelles
- traditional pastries
- le dîner en plein air
- the open-air dinner
- partager
- to share
Answering a short question
Deux questions courtes, pas à pas
- (a) Lis la question — « Qu'est-ce que les habitants ont appris à faire dans l'atelier de cuisine ? » Localise la ligne : « un atelier de cuisine où les habitants ont appris à préparer des pâtisseries traditionnelles ».
- (a) Réponds court — « Ils ont appris à préparer des pâtisseries traditionnelles. » A few words, straight from the text — that's enough (no « avec vos propres mots » here, so lifting is fine).
- (b) Lis la question — « Selon Marta, quel était le meilleur de la fête ? Répondez avec vos propres mots. » Localise : « le meilleur… n'était pas la nourriture, mais de voir tous les habitants réunis ». Maintenant reformule.
- (b) Réponds avec tes propres mots — « Pour Marta, le meilleur était d'avoir tous les habitants ensemble, pas la nourriture. »
Own words means reword: Part (b) said «avec vos propres mots», so we reworded « voir tous les habitants réunis » as « avoir tous les habitants ensemble ». Same idea, different words — copying the line whole could lose the mark.
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Where marks are lost: Most short-answer marks are lost not to hard French but to careless habits: copying word-for-word when own words are required, answering a different question, writing far too much, or leaving it blank out of caution. Compare the two columns.
Bonnes pratiques
- Answer the exact question that was asked.
- Paraphrase in your own words when «avec vos propres mots» is stated.
- Keep it short — a few words or a phrase.
- Always write something supported by the text; never leave it blank.
Erreurs typiques
- Copy the line word-for-word when own words are required.
- Answer a slightly different question from the one asked.
- Write a long paragraph full of padding.
- Leave the answer blank because you weren't certain.
Never leave it blank: If the answer is in the text, a blank scores zero but a brief, text-supported attempt can score. Locate the line, write a few words — even an imperfect answer beats no answer at all.