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French passé composé imparfait plus-que-parfait test for AP French (free PDF download)

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Quick answer: To narrate a family story in French, use the imparfait for background, habits and descriptions, the passé composé for completed events that move the story forward, and the plus-que-parfait for an action that happened before another past action. This AP French test on passé composé imparfait plus-que-parfait has 8 questions worth 20 points, to do in 45 minutes: conjugate, choose the tense and agreement. The scoring guide is on a separate page; free printable PDF.

This AP French test on passé composé imparfait plus-que-parfait is scored out of 20, like a real class test. The answer key with scoring is on a separate page, and the lesson helps you revise first.

This test checks forms and use of the passé composé, the imparfait and the plus-que-parfait, plus a reading passage and short writing. Work without notes. The total is 20 points.

Level: AP French Language and Culture · Standards: AP French Language and Culture (College Board CED), Theme: Families and Communities

Passé composé imparfait plus-que-parfait: the test questions

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

Question 1 Conjugate (2 points)

Conjugate as indicated.

  1. elles / habiter — imparfait (1 point)
  2. je / partir (a girl speaking) — plus-que-parfait (1 point)

Question 2 Choose the tense (2 points)

Complete with the correct form.

  1. Tous les dimanches, ma tante (préparer) un gâteau. (1 point)
  2. Soudain, mon oncle (ouvrir) la porte. (1 point)

Question 3 Agreement (2 points)

Complete with the correct participle.

  1. Les chansons que Papa a (chanter) hier étaient belles. (1 point)
  2. Mes cousines sont (partir) ce matin. (1 point)

Question 4 Timeline of a family (3 points)

Write one sentence in the passé composé for each event.

Timeline: 1978 Salif is born in Dakar, 1990 the family settles in Lyon, 1998 Salif starts university197819901998Salif naît à Dakarla famille s’installe à LyonSalif entre à l’université
Salif’s story.
  1. 1978 (1 point)
  2. 1990 (1 point)
  3. 1998 (1 point)

Question 5 Read the anniversary (3 points)

Read, then answer in English.

Pour les quatre-vingts ans de mon grand-père, toute la famille est venue à Annaba. Pendant que les enfants jouaient dans la cour, il nous a montré une vieille photo. Il l’avait prise en 1965, le jour de son mariage. Sur la photo, ma grand-mère souriait, mais elle avait pleuré toute la matinée.

  1. What was the occasion? (1 point)
  2. What were the children doing when he showed the photo? (1 point)
  3. Find one plus-que-parfait verb and say why the author chose it. (1 point)

Question 6 Correct the mistakes (2 points)

Rewrite each sentence correctly.

  1. Hier, ma mère était rentrée tard. (1 point)
  2. Chaque été, nous sommes allés à la mer. (1 point)

Question 7 Translate (2 points)

Translate into French: When we arrived, my aunt had already prepared dinner.

Question 8 Family memory (4 points)

Write 6 to 8 sentences in French about a family memory. Use the imparfait for the setting, the passé composé for events and the plus-que-parfait at least once.

See the French Passé Composé Imparfait Plus-que-parfait test answer key with scoring

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