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Formal complaint letter in French test for French B1 (free PDF download)

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

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 French B1 test on formal complaint letter in French has 8 questions worth 20 points, to do in 45 minutes: register and layout, facts in the past and pronouns. The scoring guide is on a separate page; free printable PDF.

This French B1 test on formal complaint letter in French 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 the structure, register and key phrases of a formal complaint. Work alone, without notes, and write complete answers. The test lasts forty-five minutes and is worth twenty points.

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

Formal complaint letter in French: the test questions

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

Question 1 Register and layout (3 points)

Choose the correct option.

  1. Greeting to a customer service: Chère amie, / Madame, Monsieur, (1 point)
  2. Reader pronoun: tu / vous (1 point)
  3. The line that names the topic starts with: Objet : / Titre : (1 point)

Question 2 Facts in the past (3 points)

Put the verbs in the passé composé or imparfait.

  1. Hier, le plombier (arriver) à 18 h. (1 point)
  2. Il (pleuvoir) et la porte (être) ouverte. (1 point)
  3. Je (prendre) des photos des dégâts. (1 point)

Question 3 Pronouns (2 points)

Replace the noun in bold with a pronoun.

  1. Je vous prie d’envoyer le justificatif. (1 point)
  2. Je vous demande de refaire les calculs. (1 point)

Question 4 Subjunctive (2 points)

Complete with the subjunctive: Nous souhaitons que vous ___ rapidement.

  1. (répondre) (1 point)
  2. (agir) (1 point)

Question 5 Find the mistake (2 points)

Correct the mistake.

  1. Je vous demande que me répondre. (1 point)
  2. Salutations amicales, Madame, Monsieur. (a formal closing is needed) (1 point)

Question 6 Translate (2 points)

Translate into French.

  1. The washing machine arrived with a broken door. (1 point)
  2. Please answer within ten days. (1 point)

Question 7 Reading: a gym complaint (3 points)

Read, then answer in English.

Madame, Monsieur, Depuis le 1er septembre, je paie 35 € par mois pour l’abonnement de votre salle de sport à Nantes. Or, la piscine est fermée depuis six semaines, alors qu’elle figurait dans l’offre. Je vous demande de suspendre mes prélèvements jusqu’à la réouverture. Dans l’attente de votre réponse, je vous prie d’agréer, Madame, Monsieur, mes salutations distinguées. Yann Le Gall

  1. What is the problem? (1 point)
  2. What does Yann ask? (1 point)
  3. How long has the problem lasted? (1 point)

Question 8 Short writing (3 points)

Train ticket and cancellation noticeTRAIN 6214 Rennes – Paris : ANNULÉBillet : 31 € | Nouveau billet : 48 €Date : 9 mars
Documents for the writing question.

Write four to five sentences to a train company: your train was cancelled, you bought a new ticket for 48 €, you want a refund before the end of the month.

See the Formal Complaint Letter In French test answer key with scoring

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