B2Unit 5 of the B2 course · « Préparer le DELF B2 »
The DELF B2 tests listening, reading, writing and speaking. This page explains what each paper asks for, the strategies that save marks, and the vocabulary examiners expect.
By the end of this unit you can: practise every part of the B2 exam.
Read the questions before the recording starts: they tell you what to listen for. Some recordings are played twice, others only once. On a first listen, aim for the gist: who is speaking, about what, and what they think. Then hunt for details: figures, names, reasons. Write notes, not sentences.
Connectors tell you where the argument is going. After a contrast word comes the speaker's real view. After a rephrasing word, you get the same idea in simpler words. After a conclusion word, you get the summary you need for the gist question.
Read the questions first, then the title and the opening paragraph: together they usually reveal the topic and the author's position. Next, find each argument and the connector that introduces it. Finally, notice the tone. Is the author worried, ironic, enthusiastic? Questions about attitude are common at B2.
In vrai / faux questions you must copy the words from the text that prove your answer. A correct tick with no justification scores nothing. Quote a short, precise phrase, not a whole paragraph.
You'll write an argued text, often an essay, a formal letter or a forum post, of at least 250 words. Plan for five minutes first. Introduction: present the topic and the question. Two or three paragraphs: one idea each, with an example. Conclusion: answer the question. Link everything with connectors, and leave out all slang.
Examiners reward variety. Slip in a subjunctive after bien que or il faut que, a conditional to suggest a solution, and a relative pronoun like dont. One of each is enough; accuracy matters more than showing off.
You draw a short document, usually an article or opinion piece, and get 30 minutes to prepare. The test itself lasts about 20 minutes: you present the issue the document raises and defend your view, then debate with the examiner, who challenges you. Don't summarise the document line by line: use it as a springboard for your own argument.
The examiner will deliberately take the opposite view. That's the test, not a sign you're wrong. Acknowledge the point, then counter it with a reason or an example. Never just say oui or non.
Daniel, a law graduate, is sitting the DELF B2 at the Alliance française in Rio. Listening, reading, writing, then the oral: help him through each part.
Tap 🔊 to hear each one, recorded by a native-sounding French voice.
| Listen | French | English |
|---|---|---|
| idée principale(feminine) | main idea / gistQuestions like « Quel est le thème du document ? » test the gist. | |
| prendre des notes | to take notesWrite key words, numbers and names, not sentences. Abbreviate: pb (problème), gvt (gouvernement), → (donc). | |
| mot-clé(masculine) | keywordPlural: des mots-clés. | |
| intervenant / intervenante | speaker / contributor (m / f)The people who speak in a radio or TV programme. | |
| il s'agit de | it's about / it's a matter ofAlways impersonal: il s'agit de… Never « le film s'agit de ». |
| Listen | French | English |
|---|---|---|
| thèse(feminine) | thesis / positionThe view the author defends. Look for it in the introduction and the conclusion. | |
| argument(masculine) | argument (a reason)A reason supporting a view, not a quarrel. A quarrel is une dispute. | |
| l'auteur estime que… | the author believes that…Also: l'auteur soutient, affirme, défend l'idée que… | |
| déplorer | to deplore / to lamentA clear sign of the author's disapproval. Its opposite: se réjouir de. | |
| ainsi | thus / in this wayAinsi can introduce a consequence or an example. | |
| justifiez votre réponse | justify your answerIn vrai / faux questions, quote the short passage that proves your answer. No proof, no point. |
| Listen | French | English |
|---|---|---|
| de plus / en outre | moreover / in additionEn outre is more formal. | |
| il est vrai que…, mais… | it's true that…, but…Concede a point, then answer it: the heart of a B2 argument. | |
| en conclusion | in conclusionAlso: pour conclure, en définitive. | |
| je suis convaincu(e) que | I'm convinced thatFollowed by the indicative: je suis convaincue que c'est possible. | |
| bien que + subjonctifBien que ce soit difficile, il faut essayer. (Although it's difficult, we must try.) | although | |
| Veuillez agréer, Madame, Monsieur, l'expression de mes salutations distinguées. | Yours faithfully.The classic closing line of a formal letter. Learn it by heart. |
| Listen | French | English |
|---|---|---|
| ce document traite de… | this document deals with… | |
| je partage cet avis | I share this viewNegative: je ne partage pas du tout cet avis. | |
| prenons l'exemple de… | let's take the example of… | |
| on pourrait objecter que… | one could object that…Raise the counter-argument yourself before the examiner does. | |
| je vous l'accorde, mais… | I grant you that, but…Ideal when the examiner challenges you. | |
| pour résumer | to sum up | |
| si je vous comprends bien… | if I understand you correctly…Buys thinking time and shows you're listening. |
This unit is part of French Ultimate's B2 course: 5 short lessons with an animated video each, speaking and listening practice, a reading and an end-of-unit test.
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