Key Idea: Identities is about who we are. Across its five sub-topics you talk about lifestyles, health, beliefs, subcultures, and the link between language and identity — and you give your opinion about them. This page pulls the whole topic together for revision: the must-know language from each sub-topic, how the topic is tested, and a couple of exam-style questions.
📋 How this topic is tested
Identities can come up in any skill: Paper 2 — Reading: the text stays in front of you; for « Vrai/Faux », quote the exact words that prove your answer. Paper 2 — Listening: 3 audio clips, 25 marks, 45 min. You get 4 minutes to read the questions first, and each clip is played twice — but you never see the words. Paper 1 — Writing: one task, 250–400 words, marked on A Language /12 · B Message /12 · C Conceptual /6. Individual Oral: describe a visual stimulus on the theme, then discuss it.
🗝️ Must-know language (one line per sub-topic)
Give an opinion: « À mon avis… », « Je pense que… », « D'un côté… de l'autre côté… ». Link your ideas: « cependant » (however), « par conséquent » (therefore), « de plus » (besides).
✏️ Exam-style questions
IB-style question — short answer (Reading)
Step by step:
The text — « Depuis que je vis à la campagne, je dors mieux et je mange les légumes de mon potager. » Question : Cite DEUX changements positifs dans la vie de l'auteur.
Model answer — (1) il dort mieux ; (2) il mange les légumes de son potager.
How it's marked — 1 mark for each correct change (2 marks total). You can use your own words — you don't have to copy the text word for word. Don't write out the whole sentence or add extra detail you weren't asked for.
IB-style question — True/False + justification (Reading)
Step by step:
The text — « Ma langue maternelle, le n'djuka, est aujourd'hui menacée, mais j'en suis fier. » Vrai ou Faux ? « L'auteur a honte de sa langue maternelle. »
Model answer — Faux. Justification : « j'en suis fier ».
How it's marked — you need the correct box (Faux) and a quote from the text that proves it. The tick on its own scores zero.
Important: On « Vrai/Faux + justifiez » and « selon le texte » questions, a tick or a one-word answer without the supporting quote scores zero. Always copy the exact words from the text that prove your answer.
Test yourself — tap each card to reveal the answer.
Exam Tips
- Build a word bank for each sub-topic — vocabulary is Criterion A (Language).
- Always have an opinion you can back up with a reason and a connector.
- Reading/Listening: answer in your own words; spelling slips don't cost marks (except gap-fill).
- Vrai/Faux: tick the box AND quote the text — both are compulsory.
- Writing: choose the text type and register first — that's half of Criterion C.