Quick answer: To synthesize several documents in French, read each one for its key idea, compare them in a grid, group the shared ideas by theme, and rewrite them in your own words with reporting verbs such as souligne que or nuance. For French B2 students practising French document synthesis B2, this worksheet gives 20 problems from easy to hard: find the key idea, spot the shared idea and reformulation or copy. The answer key is on a separate page, and the worksheet is a free printable PDF.
These twenty problems train the skills behind a synthesis of several documents at B2 level: finding the key idea, spotting what documents share, reformulating without copying and writing a neutral themed text. The early problems are short; the last five use three documents.
Write in the third person, keep your opinion out of the text and check your accents. This worksheet matches the CEFR B2 reading standard.
Level: French B2 (CEFR upper intermediate) · Standards: CEFR B2, Reading
Problem 1 Find the key idea ★★★
Choose the key idea of this sentence: Le prix des loyers pousse les jeunes à partager leur logement. (a) Young people love living together. (b) High rents lead young people to share housing. (c) Landlords sell their apartments.
Problem 2 Spot the shared idea ★★★
Two sentences: (1) Les loyers ont beaucoup augmenté à Bordeaux. (2) À Bordeaux, se loger coûte de plus en plus cher. Choose the common idea: (a) Housing is becoming more expensive. (b) Bordeaux is growing. (c) Tenants are moving.
Problem 3 Reformulation or copy ★★★
The original is Le nombre de cyclistes a doublé en cinq ans. Which version is a true reformulation? (a) Le nombre de cyclistes a doublé en cinq ans. (b) En cinq ans, le nombre de personnes à vélo a été multiplié par deux. (c) Le nombre de cyclistes a doublé en cinq ans, selon l’étude.
Problem 4 Choose a synonym ★★★
Choose the closest synonym of une pénurie: (a) un manque (b) une abondance (c) un prix
Problem 5 Choose the reporting verb ★★★
Complete with souligne, nuance or s’oppose à. (a) Le document 2 ______ cette idée en rappelant certains avantages. (b) Le document 3 ______ la fermeture de la ligne. (c) L’auteur ______ que les prix augmentent.
Problem 6 Translate agreement ★★★
Translate into French: Both authors agree that the cost is too high.
Problem 7 Read the theme grid ★★★
Look at the grid. Write one sentence stating the idea common to the three documents.
Problem 8 Find the common idea ★★★
Read the two documents and write the common idea in one sentence.
Problem 9 Contrast two documents ★★★
Join with alors que: Le document 1 insiste sur le coût. Le document 2 insiste sur le confort.
Problem 10 Use a noun form ★★★
Rewrite starting with a noun: Les loyers augmentent, ce qui inquiète les étudiants.
Problem 11 Change the voice ★★★
Rewrite in the passive: Les habitants ont créé un jardin partagé.
Problem 12 Fact or opinion ★★★
Write fact or opinion. (a) Le musée a accueilli 120 000 visiteurs l’an dernier. (b) C’est évidemment une catastrophe. (c) La ligne ferme le 1er janvier. (d) Cette décision est absurde.
Problem 13 Reformulate a sentence ★★★
Reformulate with other words and another structure: Le télétravail permet de réduire les trajets quotidiens.
Problem 14 Remove the opinion ★★★
Correct for a synthesis: Je trouve que le document 2 a raison quand il dit que « les loyers sont trop chers ».
Problem 15 Group the ideas ★★★
Sort six ideas from three documents into problems and solutions. (a) Les loyers dépassent le tiers du budget des étudiants. (b) Les résidences universitaires manquent de places. (c) Certains étudiants partagent un appartement. (d) La colocation réduit les dépenses. (e) Les aides au logement sont jugées insuffisantes. (f) Des communes construisent des logements étudiants.
Problem 16 Fill the theme grid ★★★
Read the three documents.
Name one theme for each document and say which documents share it.
Problem 17 Write a themed paragraph ★★★
Using the three documents above, write a paragraph of 60 to 80 words on the benefits of shared workspaces. Do not copy.
Problem 18 Correct a weak synthesis ★★★
Find three problems in this paragraph: Le document A dit que « je ne suis plus isolée ». Le document B dit que les abonnements augmentent. Le document C parle d’une gare. Personnellement, je trouve que le coworking est une très bonne idée.
Problem 19 Write an introduction ★★★
Write an introduction (3 sentences) for a synthesis of the three documents above: theme, nature of the documents, question and plan.
Problem 20 Write the full synthesis ★★★
Write a synthesis of about 150 words from the three documents above, grouped by theme, with an introduction and a short conclusion.
