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French press articles test for French B2 (free PDF download)

Understanding editorials and press bias – French B2 test with Zoé, the Français PDF coach

Quick answer: To read a French press article, identify its parts (titre, chapeau, légende), its type (report, éditorial or tribune) and its sources. This French B2 test on French press articles has 9 questions worth 20 points, to do in 45 minutes: press vocabulary, type of text and fact or opinion?. The scoring guide is on a separate page; free printable PDF.

This test lasts forty-five minutes. It checks press vocabulary, the types of articles, fact and opinion, the conditional of uncertainty and the detection of bias, followed by a reading question and a short writing task. Use no notes.

Level: French B2 (CEFR upper intermediate) · Standards: CEFR B2, Reading

Time: 45 minutes · 9 questions · Total: 20 points · No dictionary

Question 1 Press vocabulary (2 points)

Write the French term.

  1. The very short introduction under the headline. (0.5 point)
  2. The front page. (0.5 point)
  3. The text under a photo. (0.5 point)
  4. The section of a paper devoted to sport. (0.5 point)

Question 2 Type of text (2 points)

Write éditorial, tribune, brève or reportage.

  1. A signed opinion by an outside researcher. (0.5 point)
  2. A three-line news item. (0.5 point)
  3. The newspaper’s own opinion. (0.5 point)
  4. A long description of events seen on the spot. (0.5 point)

Question 3 Fact or opinion? (2 points)

Write fact or opinion.

  1. La rue sera fermée de 9 h à 17 h. (0.5 point)
  2. Cette décision est scandaleuse. (0.5 point)
  3. Il faut absolument voter non. (0.5 point)
  4. Trois cents personnes ont défilé. (0.5 point)

Question 4 Conditional of uncertainty (2 points)

Rewrite with the conditional to show that the information is unconfirmed.

  1. Le directeur part à la retraite. (1 point)
  2. Quatre personnes sont blessées. (1 point)

Question 5 Neutral or loaded? (2 points)

Write the neutral word.

  1. avouer (0.5 point)
  2. un lobby (0.5 point)
  3. un fléau (0.5 point)
  4. imposer (0.5 point)

Question 6 Reading: the editorial (3 points)

Read the editorial, then answer in English.

Black and white extract of an editorial about free buses with a title and three lines of text and the signature La rédactionÉditorial — Gratuité des bus : un cadeau qui coûte cher ?La mairie annonce fièrement la gratuité des bus dès septembre.Qui paiera ? Les contribuables, bien sûr, jamais consultés.Une chose est sûre : ce projet séduit ceux qui n’auront rien à financer.La rédaction
Extract for the reading question.
  1. What is the author’s position? (1 point)
  2. Quote two loaded expressions. (1 point)
  3. What source is missing? (1 point)

Question 7 False friends of the press (2 points)

Complete with rédacteur en chef, éditeur, critique or actualités.

  1. Le ______ a choisi la photo de la une. (0.5 point)
  2. La ______ du film est parue dimanche. (0.5 point)
  3. Je regarde les ______ chaque soir. (0.5 point)
  4. Cet ______ publie des romans. (0.5 point)

Question 8 Rewrite neutrally (2 points)

Rewrite in a neutral tone: Le maire a avoué que la facture, énorme, serait payée par les contribuables.

Question 9 Short writing (3 points)

Write a neutral headline and a lead (chapeau) of about 40 words in French for this event: a library in Liège opens a night reading room for students during exams.

See the French Press Articles test answer key with scoring

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