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Describing art in French test for French 4 (free PDF download)

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Describing Paintings and Analyzing Poems – French 4 test with Zoé, the Français PDF coach

Quick answer: To describe a painting in French, name the work, then place elements with au premier plan, à l'arrière-plan, à gauche and à droite, and add colors and mood. This French 4 test on describing art in French has 8 questions worth 20 points, to do in 45 minutes: name the genre, describe the painting and analyze the poem. The scoring guide is on a separate page; free printable PDF.

This test checks vocabulary of art and literature, the description of a painting, the analysis of a poem and short writing. Answer in French where asked. No dictionaries are allowed.

Level: French 4 (high school, ACTFL Intermediate Mid) · Standards: ACTFL Intermediate Mid, WL 1.2 Interpretive, WL 1.3 Presentational, WL 4.1 Language Comparisons, WL 2.2 Cultural Products

Time: 45 minutes · 8 questions · Total: 20 points · No dictionary

Question 1 Name the genre (2 points)

Give the French name of each genre.

  1. A short tale with a moral. (1 point)
  2. A text written to be performed on stage. (1 point)

Question 2 Describe the painting (3 points)

A harbor scene with houses in the background, a boat in the center and a stall in the foreground
A harbor scene.

Write three French sentences describing the painting. Use a different position word in each sentence. (1 point per sentence)

Question 3 Analyze the poem (3 points)

Read the poem.

Sur le quai, le train soupire / comme un vieux géant fatigué ; / les voyageurs, sans rien dire, / regardent le jour monter.

  1. Give the rhyme scheme. (1 point)
  2. Name the comparison. (1 point)
  3. Name the personification. (1 point)

Question 4 Figures de style (2 points)

Name the figure.

  1. Cette valise pèse une tonne. (1 point)
  2. La ville dort sous la neige. (1 point)

Question 5 Translate into French (3 points)

Translate into French.

  1. This painting shows a quiet village. (1 point)
  2. In the background, there are mountains. (1 point)
  3. The poem has three stanzas. (1 point)

Question 6 Correct the mistake (2 points)

Correct the mistake in each sentence.

  1. J’ai acheté ce livre à la bibliothèque. (1 point)
  2. Les couleurs de ce tableau est chaudes. (1 point)

Question 7 Metaphor and comparison (2 points)

Do both tasks.

  1. Rewrite Le ciel est un océan as a comparison. (1 point)
  2. Write your own metaphor about the moon. (1 point)

Question 8 Give your opinion (3 points)

Write three sentences in French about a book or film you liked. Give the title, an opinion and a reason.

See the Describing Art In French test answer key with scoring

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