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French passé composé vs imparfait test answer key with scoring for French 2 (free PDF download)

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Telling a Story: Event or Background? – French 2 test answer key with Zoé, the Français PDF coach

The questions are on the French Passé Composé Vs Imparfait test. Take it under real conditions before reading the answer key.

Quick answer: Use the passé composé for events that happened and ended: they move a story forward. This scoring guide gives the expected answers and the points for the 8 questions of the French 2 test on passé composé vs imparfait, from signal words to short writing, with the equivalent answers to accept.

Use these model answers to score the test. Award a point only when the tense and the form are both correct. For the open writing question, accept any original and accurate sentences. Check agreement of past participles with être and the double-verb sentences carefully.

Level: French 2 (high school, ACTFL Novice High) · Standards: ACTFL Novice High, WL 1.1 Interpersonal, WL 1.2 Interpretive, WL 1.3 Presentational

Question 1 Signal words (2 points)

a. IMP; b. PC.

Scoring: 1 point each.

Question 2 Choose the correct tense (3 points)

a. avons visité; b. jouais; c. faisait.

Scoring: 1 point each.

Question 3 Two verbs in one sentence (4 points)

a. Nous dînions quand le voisin a sonné. b. Elle lisait un livre quand elle a entendu un bruit.

Scoring: 2 points per sentence, 1 for each verb; the imparfait is for the action in progress and the passé composé for the interruption.

Question 4 Correct the tense (2 points)

a. Hier soir, nous avons mangé au restaurant. b. Soudain, il s’est mis à pleuvoir très fort. (also accepted: il a plu très fort)

Scoring: 1 point each.

Question 5 Translate into French (3 points)

a. Il pleuvait quand je suis parti(e). b. Chaque été, nous rendions visite à ma tante. c. Soudain, il a ouvert la porte.

Scoring: 1 point each; in a, both verbs must be correct. In b, “nous allions voir ma tante” is also accepted.

Question 6 Tell what you see (2 points)

A. Le chien dormait sur le canapé. B. Le ballon a cassé la fenêtre.

Scoring: 1 point per sentence, with the correct tense.

Question 7 Reading (2 points)

a. Il travaillait dans une boulangerie à Lausanne. b. Il a appelé son patron.

Scoring: 1 point each; the verb must be in the same tense as in the text.

Question 8 Short writing (2 points)

Model answer: Il faisait beau et la plage était pleine de monde. Soudain, ma petite sœur a trouvé un crabe.

Scoring: 1 point for a correct imparfait setting, 1 point for a correct passé composé event.

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