Hi all! I’m studying for the AP French exam, and I’m a bit worried for the persuasive essay and the cultural comparison. What types of questions do they usually ask on the essay, and how can I learn more about different aspects of French culture to be prepared and be able to speak about it intelligently?
Also, I want to build up my French vocab to use it on the test; what tips would you guys recommend?
The question is almost always some version of “Compare/contrast [subject} in your community with that of a French-speaking region” where [subject] is some aspect of culture. Music, sports, multilingualism, immigration are all examples.
Le Figaro, Le Point, Paris Match, L’Express are all good sources.
And perhaps some non-right leaning papers lol.
The reference paper (centrist/moderate) is Le Monde. For left-leaning, Mediapart. (they have an English version of their main articles if you want to check you understood correctly.) Marianne for moderate (half right -leaning, half left-leaning columnists, ‘Republican’ overall.)
ArrêtssurImages is a media -related site that’s really, really interesting.
Students read Phosphore and L’étudiant.
To ease into things, le petit quotidien is easier to read.
Watch plus belle LA vie online, too, they refer to national events pretty regularly (they have great turn around… in November they shot a quick scene in memory of the Bataclan victims and it was broadcast one episode later.)
@skieurope @MYOS1634 thanks guys!