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.
Earn the mark ✓
- Answer in your own words — examiners accept any wording with the same meaning.
- Read the questions first; you hear each listening clip twice.
- Give the full detail the question asks for.
Lose the mark ✗
- Two answers (one in the box, one outside) — only the one in the box counts.
- Irrelevant extra detail that shifts the focus of your answer.
- An incomplete answer — it scores zero.
Good to know
- Small spelling/grammar slips don't cost marks if the meaning is clear.
- In gap-fill, your word must still fit the gap grammatically.
- In Reading, the text stays in front of you — go back and check.
🗝️ Must-know language (one line per sub-topic)
| Vocabulaire clé à réviser | Sous-thème |
|---|---|
| le mode de vie, le rythme de vie, vivre au grand air, l'équilibre, le bien-être | 1.1.1 Lifestyles |
| la santé, une alimentation saine, de saines habitudes, le bio, le stress | 1.1.2 Health & well-being |
| la croyance, les valeurs, la foi, la tradition, le patrimoine | 1.1.3 Beliefs & values |
| la sous-culture, la tribu urbaine, appartenir à un groupe, l'identité, s'exprimer | 1.1.4 Subcultures |
| la langue maternelle, être bilingue, une langue régionale, une langue menacée | 1.1.5 Language & identity |
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.
How do you say « work-life balance » in French? l'équilibre entre vie professionnelle et vie privée.
Give two connectors to link your ideas. cependant (however), par conséquent (therefore) — also « de plus », « bien que ».
In « Vrai/Faux + justifiez », what earns the mark? The exact words quoted from the text that prove your answer — the tick alone scores zero.
How many times is each listening clip played? Twice — and you get 4 minutes to read the questions first.
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.