The questions are on the French Idioms test. Take it under real conditions before reading the answer key.
Quick answer: French idioms are fixed expressions whose meaning cannot be guessed from the separate words. This scoring guide gives the expected answers and the points for the 8 questions of the French 4 test on French idioms, from matching meanings to short writing, with the equivalent answers to accept.
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
Question 1 Matching meanings (3 points)
a) to feel down; b) to stand someone up; c) to cost a fortune.
Scoring: 1 point each.
Question 2 Choose the meaning (2 points)
a) (2) she is daydreaming. b) (1) I give up guessing.
Scoring: 1 point each.
Question 3 Conjugate (2 points)
a) sont tombées b) avions
Scoring: 1 point each; in (a) both the auxiliary and the feminine plural agreement are needed.
Question 4 French to English (2 points)
a) My sister always jumps from one topic to another. b) Don’t butt in!
Scoring: 1 point each.
Question 5 English to French (3 points)
a) Ma cousine m’a posé un lapin. b) Ce vélo a coûté les yeux de la tête. c) J’ai le cafard aujourd’hui.
Scoring: 1 point each. Half credit is not given; the idiom must be exact.
Question 6 Correct the mistakes (2 points)
a) Il m’a posé un lapin. (or Il a posé un lapin à X.) b) Elle est tombée dans les pommes.
Scoring: 1 point each.
Question 7 Reading (3 points)
a) Thursday at 4:00 p.m. b) It costs a fortune. c) Ms. Diallo is cheerful and generous (she pays for everyone); the last request is not to stand her up, that is, to show up.
Scoring: 1 point each.
Question 8 Short writing (3 points)
Model: Samedi soir, mon ami m’a posé un lapin devant le restaurant. J’avais le cafard et mon plat a coûté les yeux de la tête. Heureusement, ma mère est venue me chercher.
Scoring: 1 point for two correct idioms, 1 point for correct verbs and agreement, 1 point for clear, connected sentences.