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Formal complaint letter in French test answer key with scoring for French B1 (free PDF download)

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Complaining in writing, politely and firmly – French B1 test answer key with Zoé, the Français PDF coach

The questions are on the Formal Complaint Letter In French test. Take it under real conditions before reading the answer key.

Quick answer: A formal French complaint letter uses vous, opens with Madame, Monsieur,, states the facts in the passé composé and imparfait, makes one clear request with a deadline, and ends with Je vous prie d'agréer… l'expression de mes salutations distinguées. This scoring guide gives the expected answers and the points for the 8 questions of the French B1 test on formal complaint letter in French, from register and layout to short writing, with the equivalent answers to accept.

Answer key and scoring guide of the French B1 test on formal complaint letter in French. Take the test first without notes, then score it here and revise with the lesson.

Model answers follow. Accept any correct equivalent form. Open questions are scored on tenses, register, clarity of the request and spelling, as detailed under each answer.

Level: French B1 (CEFR intermediate) · Standards: CEFR B1, Writing

Formal complaint letter in French: answers and scoring

Question 1 Register and layout (3 points)

  1. Madame, Monsieur,
  2. vous
  3. Objet :

Scoring: 1 point each.

Question 2 Facts in the past (3 points)

  1. est arrivé
  2. pleuvait … était
  3. ai pris

Scoring: 1 point each; item b needs both verbs.

Question 3 Pronouns (2 points)

  1. Je vous prie de l’envoyer.
  2. Je vous demande de les refaire.

Scoring: 1 point each.

Question 4 Subjunctive (2 points)

  1. répondiez
  2. agissiez

Scoring: 1 point each.

Question 5 Find the mistake (2 points)

  1. Je vous demande de me répondre.
  2. Je vous prie d’agréer, Madame, Monsieur, l’expression de mes salutations distinguées.

Scoring: 1 point each.

Question 6 Translate (2 points)

  1. La machine à laver est arrivée avec une porte cassée.
  2. Veuillez répondre dans un délai de dix jours.

Scoring: 1 point each; minor spelling slips cost half a point.

Question 7 Reading: a gym complaint (3 points)

  1. The pool has been closed although it was part of the offer.
  2. To suspend the payments until it reopens.
  3. Six weeks.

Scoring: 1 point each.

Question 8 Short writing (3 points)

Model: Mon train du 9 mars a été annulé. J’ai donc acheté un nouveau billet à 48 €. Je vous demande de me rembourser cette somme avant la fin du mois. Je vous prie d’agréer, Madame, Monsieur, mes salutations distinguées.

Scoring: request clear (1), correct past tenses (1), formal register and spelling (1).

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