The answer is in the passage. Write it in French. A likely story that the text does not say is a wrong answer.
The idea
Read the whole passage before the questions. Note who is speaking, where they are, and what they want. Then read each question and find the sentence that answers it. Qui asks for a person. Où asks for a place. Quand asks for a time. Pourquoi asks for a reason. Comment asks for the way something is done. The word in the question is often sitting next to the sentence you need.
Write the answer in French, in a sentence, unless the question asks only for a word. Copying a whole paragraph is not an answer. Take the words that meet the question. If the question says "en vos propres mots" or asks you to explain, rebuild the meaning. Keep names and numbers. A fact you know from outside the text does not count when the text says something else. The practice passage on this page was written for the page. It is not from a past paper.
The French tips guide sets out the papers, how to answer from a passage, and the mistakes that cost marks. WASSCE French tips
What earns the marks
An answer in English earns nothing on this part, even when the idea is right. A vrai ou faux with no sentence from the text is only half an answer. Do not add a reason the text never gave. Do not choose a word only because it appeared somewhere nearby. If two details are asked, both details are marks.
Practice questions
These are practice questions in the style of the paper, with a model answer and a mark scheme. They are not a promise of what your paper will ask.
1Question 1
5 marks
Lis le texte, puis réponds en français.
Samedi matin, Awa quitte la maison très tôt. Elle prend le trotro jusqu'au marché de Makola avec sa tante. Elles vendent du riz, des tomates et de l'huile. À midi, Awa compte l'argent et donne la moitié à sa tante. Puis elle rentre pour faire ses devoirs de français.
(a) Avec qui Awa va au marché? (1 mark)
(b) Nomme deux choses qu'elles vendent. (2 marks)
(c) Que fait Awa après le marché? (2 marks)
Model answer
(a) Elle va au marché avec sa tante.
(b) Elles vendent du riz et des tomates.
(c) Elle rentre à la maison et elle fait ses devoirs de français.
Mark scheme
With her aunt1 mark
One item they sell, such as rice, tomatoes or oil1 mark
A second item, different from the first1 mark
She goes home, or she returns1 mark
She does her French homework1 mark
2Question 2
2 marks
Le texte dit : « Kofi est malade, alors il reste à la maison. » La phrase « Kofi va à l'école aujourd'hui » est elle vraie ou fausse? Justifie ta réponse avec le texte. (2 marks)
Model answer
Elle est fausse. Le texte dit que Kofi est malade et qu'il reste à la maison.
Mark scheme
False1 mark
A reason taken from the text: he is ill, or he stays at home1 mark
3Question 3
2 marks
Pourquoi une réponse en anglais ne gagne pas le point dans une compréhension de français? (2 marks)
Model answer
Le papier teste le français. Une idée juste en anglais ne montre pas la phrase que le correcteur peut noter.
Mark scheme
The paper is testing French1 mark
The marker needs a French sentence, not only a correct idea1 mark
Practise French with Anna
More questions on this topic are inside glearn, marked as you answer, with the reason written out. The first ones need no account.