Theme 2: Local, national, international and global areas of - Topic 3: Global issues — AQA GCSE French
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Theme 2: Local, national, international and global areas of - Topic 3: Global issues explained
Theme 2: Local, national, international and global areas of - Topic 3: Global issues covers 2 specification points, including The environment and Poverty/homelessness.
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Open a point below for its explanation and revision guidance.
The environment
This topic covers vocabulary related to environmental issues and protection. Students must discuss local and global problems, such as pollution (la pollution), climate change (le changement climatique), and deforestation (la déforestation). It requires expressing actions taken to protect the environment, using verbs like 'protéger' (to protect), 'recycler' (to recycle), and 'réduire' (to reduce). For example, "Pour protéger l'environnement, on devrait recycler le plastique" (To protect the environment, we should recycle plastic). Students should be comfortable using modal verbs (devoir, pouvoir, falloir) to express obligation and possibility regarding environmental actions, such as 'il faut économiser l'eau' (we must save water).
Poverty/homelessness
This topic focuses on vocabulary needed to discuss poverty (la pauvreté) and homelessness (le sans-abrisme). Students must understand terms related to social issues, such as 'les sans-abri' (homeless people), 'le chômage' (unemployment), and 'les associations caritatives' (charities). The topic requires discussing causes and consequences of poverty, and potential solutions. For instance, "Il est important de faire du bénévolat pour aider les SDF" (It is important to volunteer to help the homeless). Students should use conditional structures to suggest what could or should be done, such as 'on devrait donner de l'argent' (we should give money) or 'le gouvernement pourrait créer des emplois' (the government could create jobs).
Your focus
- Identify specific environmental problems described in French texts or audio.
- Describe actions that can be taken to protect the environment using appropriate modal verbs.
- Evaluate the impact of different environmental initiatives based on French source material.
Show all 6 objectives
- Identify key vocabulary related to poverty and homelessness in spoken and written French.
- Comprehend proposed solutions to social issues using conditional verb forms.
- Differentiate between various charitable activities and their intended beneficiaries.
Theme 2: Local, national, international and global areas of - Topic 3: Global issues exam tips
Marking Points
- Identify key environmental problems from French audio or text, such as 'le réchauffement de la terre' (global warming).
- Recognise actions taken to help the environment, such as 'trier les déchets' (sorting rubbish) or 'économiser l'eau' (saving water).
- Understand the use of 'il faut' or 'on doit' followed by an infinitive to express environmental obligations.
- Distinguish between positive actions (e.g., 'planter des arbres') and negative impacts (e.g., 'les gaz d'échappement').
- Recognise vocabulary related to homelessness, such as 'les SDF' (sans domicile fixe) and 'la rue' (the street).
- Identify mentions of charitable actions, such as 'faire du bénévolat' (volunteering) or 'récolter des fonds' (raising funds).
- Understand the use of the conditional tense when speakers suggest solutions to poverty (e.g., 'il faudrait' - it would be necessary).
- Distinguish between different social problems, ensuring poverty and unemployment ('le chômage') are correctly identified in context.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Look out for negative structures like 'ne... jamais' or 'ne... plus' which change the meaning of environmental habits (e.g., 'je ne prends plus la voiture').
- 💡Pay attention to time frames; a speaker might contrast what they used to do (imperfect tense) with what they do now to help the environment.
- 💡Familiarise yourself with synonyms for environmental terms, such as 'les ordures' and 'les déchets' for rubbish.
- 💡Listen carefully for acronyms like 'SDF' or 'ONG' (non-governmental organisation) which frequently appear in listening tracks about social issues.
- 💡Pay attention to verbs expressing emotion or opinion (e.g., 'je suis triste que...', 'je trouve inacceptable que...') which often accompany discussions on poverty.
- 💡Note the difference between 'aider' (to help) and 'avoir besoin de' (to need) to correctly identify who is providing and who is receiving assistance.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'le déchet' (rubbish/waste) with 'la déforestation' (deforestation); remember that 'les déchets' refers to general waste or rubbish.
- Misunderstanding 'il faut' as 'it is false'; correct this by translating 'il faut' as 'it is necessary to' or 'we must'.
- Translating 'le plastique' as a general term for pollution; ensure it is specifically understood as 'plastic' in recycling contexts.
- Confusing 'le chômage' (unemployment) with 'le champ' (field); ensure 'le chômage' is recognised as a social issue related to poverty.
- Misinterpreting 'un bénévole' as a beneficiary of charity; correct this by understanding it means 'a volunteer' who provides help.
- Translating 'SDF' incorrectly; remember it stands for 'sans domicile fixe' and refers to homeless people.