Identifying key information

    AQA
    GCSE

    The assessment of identifying key information in French requires candidates to extract specific details, identify overall gist, and infer implicit meaning from authentic spoken and written sources. Mastery involves navigating complex linguistic structures, distinguishing between assertion and opinion, and filtering out deliberate distractors. Candidates must demonstrate an understanding of how lexis and grammar interact to create meaning within specific Francophone cultural contexts, moving beyond literal translation to grasp nuance, tone, and register.

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    Objectives
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    Exam Tips
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    Pitfalls
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    Key Terms
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    Mark Points

    Subtopics in this area

    Identifying key information
    Identifying key information

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • Award marks for precise rendering of specific details rather than general gist, unless the question explicitly invites a summary
    • Credit responses that correctly identify the time frame (past, present, future) of the action, distinguishing between 'what happened' and 'what will happen'
    • Reject answers that fail to acknowledge negation (e.g., 'ne... plus' indicating cessation) which fundamentally alters the truth value
    • Accept synonyms in English that convey the exact nuance of the target language phrase, provided they fit the context of the source material
    • Award marks for unambiguous communication of the correct message; grammatical accuracy is not penalized unless it alters meaning.
    • Credit responses that correctly identify the specific detail requested (e.g., 'next week' vs 'in a week') rather than general gist.
    • Reject answers that include 'harmless additions' if they contradict the key information or introduce ambiguity.
    • Candidates must link specific qualifiers (e.g., 'quite', 'extremely') to the main noun/verb to secure marks in higher-tier questions.

    Example Examiner Feedback

    Real feedback patterns examiners use when marking

    • "You identified the keyword, but missed the negative 'ne... pas' which reversed the meaning"
    • "Excellent identification of the time frame; you correctly noted the event is in the future"
    • "Be careful with 'faux amis'; ensure the English meaning fits the context of the passage"
    • "You spotted the detail, but the question asked for the reason, not the action itself"
    • "You correctly identified the topic, but missed the negative structure which reversed the meaning."
    • "Be precise: 'On Saturday' is required, not just 'at the weekend'."
    • "You selected the distractor; look for the connective 'mais' which often introduces the true opinion."
    • "Ensure you answer in the correct language as specified by the section header."

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Award marks for precise rendering of specific details rather than general gist, unless the question explicitly invites a summary
    • Credit responses that correctly identify the time frame (past, present, future) of the action, distinguishing between 'what happened' and 'what will happen'
    • Reject answers that fail to acknowledge negation (e.g., 'ne... plus' indicating cessation) which fundamentally alters the truth value
    • Accept synonyms in English that convey the exact nuance of the target language phrase, provided they fit the context of the source material
    • Award marks for unambiguous communication of the correct message; grammatical accuracy is not penalized unless it alters meaning.
    • Credit responses that correctly identify the specific detail requested (e.g., 'next week' vs 'in a week') rather than general gist.
    • Reject answers that include 'harmless additions' if they contradict the key information or introduce ambiguity.
    • Candidates must link specific qualifiers (e.g., 'quite', 'extremely') to the main noun/verb to secure marks in higher-tier questions.

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡Highlight time markers (hier, demain, la semaine prochaine) before answering to anchor the timeframe of the event
    • 💡In multiple-choice questions, eliminate options that contain words heard or read but used in the wrong context (distractors)
    • 💡Read the question in English first to predict the type of information required (e.g., a number, a place, a feeling)
    • 💡For 'Positive/Negative/P+N' questions, look specifically for adversative conjunctions like 'mais', 'pourtant', or 'par contre'
    • 💡Highlight the question word (Who, When, Why) before reading the text to focus your scanning.
    • 💡Identify time markers (e.g., 'la veille', 'le lendemain') to ensure the event matches the timeframe in the question.
    • 💡In Section B (Target Language), ensure your answer is in French; answering in English scores zero.
    • 💡Watch for synonyms in the text matching the question; the text rarely repeats the exact wording of the question.

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Confusing 'actuellement' (currently) with 'actually' (en fait) or other false friends
    • Overlooking negative particles like 'ne... que' (only) leading to an interpretation of abundance rather than restriction
    • Failing to distinguish between the narrator's opinion and a reported opinion of a third party
    • Ignoring negatives (e.g., treating 'ne... que' as a negative rather than 'only', or missing 'ne... plus').
    • Falling for 'faux amis' (false friends) or distractors where a word appears in the text but the context negates it.
    • Lifting whole sentences from the text which contain both correct and incorrect information (the 'scattergun' approach).

    Study Guide Available

    Comprehensive revision notes & examples

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    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Identify
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    Answer
    Select
    List
    Which
    Mention

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