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French gérondif test for French 3 (free PDF download)

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Quick answer: The French present participle ends in -ant and is built from the nous form of the present tense: nous parlons gives parlant. This French 3 test on French gérondif has 8 questions worth 20 points, to do in 45 minutes: participle forms, irregular gérondifs and complete the sentence. The scoring guide is on a separate page; free printable PDF.

This test covers the formation of the present participle, the use of the gérondif for simultaneity and means, and the participles étant, ayant and sachant. Work alone, without notes, and answer in French unless the question asks for English.

Level: French 3 (high school, ACTFL Intermediate Low) · Standards: ACTFL Intermediate Low, WL 1.1 Interpersonal, WL 1.2 Interpretive, WL 1.3 Presentational

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

Question 1 Participle forms (3 points)

Write the present participle of each verb.

  1. finir (1 point)
  2. manger (1 point)
  3. faire (1 point)

Question 2 Irregular gérondifs (2 points)

Write the gérondif of each verb.

  1. avoir (1 point)
  2. savoir (1 point)

Question 3 Complete the sentence (3 points)

Complete with the gérondif of the verb in parentheses.

  1. Il fait ses devoirs ______ de la musique. (écouter) (1 point)
  2. Elle s’est blessée ______ de vélo. (tomber) (1 point)
  3. On apprend ______ des erreurs. (faire) (1 point)

Question 4 Combine (2 points)

Combine each pair into one sentence with a gérondif.

  1. Il marche. Il téléphone à son frère. (1 point)
  2. Nous prenons le train. Nous lisons un roman. (1 point)

Question 5 Correct the sentences (2 points)

Each sentence has one mistake. Rewrite it correctly.

  1. Elle chante en cuisiner. (1 point)
  2. Je suis lisant un livre. (1 point)

Question 6 On the way to school (2 points)

Two students commuting: Kofi walks and phones his friend; Lina takes the train and readsKofimarchertéléphoner à un amiLinaprendre le trainlire
Two commutes in Lausanne.

Write one present-tense sentence for each student, using a gérondif for the second action.

  1. Kofi (1 point)
  2. Lina (1 point)

Question 7 Saturday at the market (3 points)

Read the text, then answer in English.

Chaque samedi, Élodie fait ses courses au marché de Lausanne en écoutant la radio. Hier, ayant oublié son porte-monnaie, elle a dû rentrer chez elle. Sachant que le marché ferme à midi, elle est repartie en courant. Elle a acheté des pommes en discutant avec une marchande, tout en regardant sa montre.

  1. What does Élodie do while she shops? (1 point)
  2. Why did she go back home yesterday? (1 point)
  3. How did she leave again, and why? (1 point)

Question 8 Translate (3 points)

Translate into French.

  1. She laughs while talking. (1 point)
  2. He left without saying goodbye. (1 point)
  3. Being tired, we stayed home. (1 point)

See the French Gérondif test answer key with scoring

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