Quick answer: French recipes use the imperative, the present-tense form without the subject: Coupez les oignons, Ajoutez du sel, Faites cuire. This French A2 test on French recipe imperative has 9 questions worth 20 points, to do in 40 minutes: kitchen vocabulary, imperative forms and quantities. The scoring guide is on a separate page; free printable PDF.
Level: French A2 (CEFR elementary) · Standards: CEFR A2, Reading
Question 1 Kitchen vocabulary (2 points)
Give the French verb.
- to peel
- to pour
- to cut
- to mix
(½ point each)
Question 2 Imperative forms (2 points)
Write the imperative.
- couper (tu)
- faire (vous)
- ajouter (nous)
- mettre (tu)
(½ point each)
Question 3 Quantities (2 points)
Complete with de, d’ or du.
- une pincée ____ sel
- beaucoup ____ huile
- 200 g ____ beurre
- un peu ____ sucre
(½ point each)
Question 4 The batter (2 points)
Look at the three steps. Write one vous command for each step.
Question 5 Find the mistake (2 points)
Correct each sentence.
- Coupes les légumes !
- Faisez cuire le riz.
- Mettez deux cuillères du sucre.
- Ne ajoutez pas de sel.
(½ point each)
Question 6 Order the steps (2 points)
Put the steps in order (write the letters).
- a) Mangez avec du pain.
- b) Faites chauffer l’eau.
- c) Ajoutez les pâtes.
- d) Égouttez-les.
(2 points)
Question 7 Reading (3 points)
Soupe à l’oignon de Lucas : épluchez quatre gros oignons et coupez-les en fines tranches. Faites-les revenir vingt minutes dans du beurre. Ajoutez un litre d’eau, du sel et du poivre. Laissez cuire trente minutes. Servez avec du pain et du fromage.
Answer in English.
- How many onions do you need?
- How long do you brown them?
- What do you serve with the soup?
(1 point each)
Question 8 Translation (3 points)
Translate into French (use vous).
- Add three eggs.
- Do not put too much sugar.
- Cook the vegetables for twenty minutes.
(1 point each)
Question 9 Short writing (2 points)
Write 3 or 4 commands (use vous) to explain how to make a cup of tea.


