Advanced Studies Exams

French Honors 4, AP Exam and IB Exam

French Honors 4O You will be reviewing past

grammatical structures.O You will learn about French History.O You will learn how to write

sentences, paragraph and essays in French.

O You will be assessed in your listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.

O You will be prepared to move to AP French!

AP ExamO The AP French Language and Culture

Exam assesses students’ proficiencies in the Interpersonal, Interpretive and Presentational modes of communication.

O The exam is 3 hours long and includes both 95-minute multiple section and an 85-minute free-response section.

O Section 1 and Section II are worth 50% each.

Interpersonal Mode

 Interpersonal Communication   

After receiving feedback regarding the Interpretive Phase, students engaged in interpersonal oral communication about a particular topic which relates to the interpretive text. This phase should be either audio- or videotaped.

Interpretive Mode

Interpretive Communication

Students listen to or read an authentic text (e.g., newspaper article, radio broadcast, etc.) and answer information as well as interpretive questions to assess comprehension.

Presentational Mode

Presentational Communication

Students engage in presentational communication by sharing their research/ideas/opinions. Sample presentational formats: speeches, drama, skits, radio broadcasts, posters, brochures, essays, websites, etc.

AP ExamSection I – multiple choice section

O Students must identify main points, details, purpose, and audience of a variety of texts; and then to make inferences and predictions based on them.

O Other questions will require students to show understanding of cultural or interdisciplinary information in the text.

Section I - Part AO Readings from journals, literary texts,

announcements, advertisements, letters, maps, and tables.

AP ExamSection I – Part B

O Audio materials, interviews, podcasts, public service announcements, conversations, and brief presentations will be used.

O Part B is divided into two subsections: audio recordings paired with printed materials and just an audio section

O Students will be able to preview the questions before listening to the audio twice.

AP ExamSection II – free response questions

O Students will write and speak in this section.

O (A) Read and reply to an email message.O (B) Write a persuasive essay based on three

sources that present different viewpoints on a topic. (Read an article, study a table or graph, and listen twice to a related audio, and then write an essay based on a prompt using information from all three sources within 40 minutes).

AP ExamSection II – speaking portion

O (A) Students will respond to questions as part of a stimulated conversation.

O (B) students will make a 2-minute presentation in response to a prompt on a cultural topic. Students should compare cultural features of their own community with those found in an area of the French-speaking world.

O Student should make references to materials they have read, viewed, and listened to as well as personal experiences and observations.

AP Exam

Section I : Multiple Choice (95 minutes) : 50%

Part A: interpretive Communication: Print texts (30 questions – 40 minutes)

Part B: Interpretive Communication: Print and audio texts – combined and interpretive communication: audio texts (35 questions – 55 minutes)

AP ExamSection II : Free Responses : 50%

Interpersonal Writing: E-mail Reply – 1 prompt – 15 minutes

Presentational Writing: Persuasive Essay – 1 prompt – 55 minutes

Interpersonal Speaking: Conversation – 5 prompts – 20 seconds for each response

Presentational Speaking: Cultural Comparison – 1 prompt – 2 minutes to respond

AP Exam Scores 5 = extremely well qualified 4 = well qualified

3 = qualified 2 = possibly qualified 1 = no recommendation

IB Exam

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is a two-year educational program for students aged 16–18 that provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education, and is recognized by universities worldwide. It was developed in the early to mid-1960s in Geneva by a group of international educators.

IB Learner ProfileO inquirers—their natural curiosity has been nurtured

and they actively enjoy learningO thinkers—they exercise initiative in applying thinking

skills critically and creatively to solving complex problems

O communicators—they receive and express ideas and information confidently in more than one language

O risk-takers—they approach unfamiliar situations without anxiety and have the confidence to explore new ideas

O knowledgeable—they have explored themes that have global significance and have acquired a critical mass of knowledge

IB Learner ProfileO principled—they have a sound grasp of the principles

of moral reasoning and have acquired integrity, honesty and a sense of justice

O caring—they show sensitivity towards the needs and feelings of others, and have a sense of personal commitment to helping others

O open-minded—they respect the values of other individuals and cultures and seek to consider a range of points of view

O well-balanced—they understand the importance of physical and mental balance and personal well-being

O reflective—they give thoughtful consideration to their own learning by constructively analyzing their personal strengths and weaknesses.

IB ExamPaper 1

O The Paper 1 exam is 1h 30 minutes. This exam is designed to test your reading comprehension. You will be given two packages:

O The booklet with readings.O The booklet with questions.O The exam is composed of approximately 50

questions. They range from True/False to Fill in the Blanks to Finding Synonyms to Matching.

O A strong grasp of French vocabulary is a must, as well as grammar.

IB ExamPaper 2

O The Paper 2 exam is also 1h 30 minutes. It is designed to test your writing skills. A list of choices will be given to you, upon which you must select ONE and write a minimum of 250 words on.

O Go with quality over quantity. Aim for 350 words, but make those 350 words filled with idiomatic expressions, various verb tenses, and a clear presentation of your knowledge of the language. It is all a matter of personal preference in the end.

IB ExamPaper 2 Topics

O - Discours (speech)O - Lettre à un ami (friendly letter)O - Lettre formelle (business letter)O - Page de journal intime / Blog (journal entry/blog)O - Essai (essay)O - Guide (humoristique ou non) (guide)O - Interview / Dialogue / Conversation (interview/dialogue/conversation)O - Editorial (editorial)O - Brochure (brochureO - Compte-rendu (summary)O - Page d'accueil d'un site Internet (internet page/email response0O - Article de journal (newspaper article)O - Critique (de livre ou de film) (book or film critique)O - Fin d'un récit (story completion)

IB Exam

Paper 2 TopicsKnow the specific formats of each form, as these are easy marks to get. If you fail to write in the specific format, your points can go down by a lot. Format includes register, vocabulary, phrases, and physical appearance (for example if it is a newspaper article include columns).

IB Exam

The Oral ExamO You are expected to speak for 3 to 5

minutes on a subject of your choice. O Following this, there is a question

period between you and your teacher for 2-3 minutes.

O During this question period, their job is to show your extensiveness and depth in the French language.

IB ExamO You have to do your oral via cassette tape

recording or digitally via CD recorder.O Choose something relating in some way to

French culture.O French Regions (i.e. Provence, Champagne,

Franche-Comté)O French-speaking Countries (i.e. Cameroon,

Haiti, Tahiti, Belgium, etc...)O French Cuisine, French Art.O Basically, anything distinctly French or

Francophone will do

IB ExamO Read newspapers and magazines about

recent events in France or French-speaking countries, and express your opinions.

O Watch French television. It is very helpful in picking up enunciation and pronunciation, as well as French expressions, which the markers love to hear.

O Practice your speech and record yourself. It is very helpful to hear yourself on tape, and to recognize what common errors you make.

IB ExamPaper 1 : 40%Reading comprehension with questions - 30%Writing response – 10%

Paper 2: 30%Writing based on 1 chosen prompt

Oral: 30%Individual oral – 15%Interactive oral – 15%

IB Scores

7 = Passing8 = Passing9 = Passing10 = Passing11 = Not passing12 = Not passing13 = Not passing

Warwick High School Grade Conversion

IB Scores 1 2 3 4/5 6/7 

Warwick Grade F D C B A 

AP Scores 

1 2 3 4 5

Warwick Grade F D C B A 

WHS New IB Proposal

Has been proposed:You must maintain a “C” or above in your IB or AP Courses or you will not be able to take the Exams or AP Courses.

Work EthicsO Work hard, study hard, focus!O Be the “Ant” not the grasshopper,

cricket or cicada.O Both exams are very challenging, but

you can do it; if you put forth the effect now.