TEF Canada Writing Section B gives you 35 minutes to express and justify a point of view in a text of at least 200 words. The task presents a claim published in a newspaper—often about work, technology, education, environment or society.
The challenge is that these claims frequently contain absolute language: inutile, permanent, va remplacer, incompatible, partout. A response that addresses the general theme without engaging these specific words will miss the central argument.
The 15 claims below were associated with recent TEF Canada sessions and preparation-community archives during 2025–2026. For each one, this bank identifies:
the paraphrased newspaper claim with French translation
the hidden assumption or pressure point
three possible argument routes you can adapt
About the Prompts
These claims have been paraphrased or reconstructed from candidate reports and third-party archives. They are not official examination papers and do not predict future sessions. They are provided as illustrative training material to help you understand the types of claims you may encounter.
How to Use This Topic Bank
Choose a claim and decide whether you:
agree
disagree
agree only under certain conditions
reject an absolute word while accepting part of the idea
The argument routes are starting points, not model answers. Select and develop the ones that support your genuine position.
Technology and Digital Society
1. Regulating adolescents’ access to social media is pointless
Claim (EN): Regulating adolescents’ access to social networks is pointless.
Sujet (FR) : Il est inutile de réglementer l’accès des adolescents aux réseaux sociaux.
Hidden assumption: Because young users may evade restrictions, regulation has no value at all.
Possible argument routes:
Age limits and content controls can reduce exposure even if they are imperfect.
Parents, schools and platforms share responsibility; legislation cannot work alone.
A total ban may be unrealistic, but proportionate safety requirements are not therefore useless.
2. Social networks are a permanent danger to children
Claim (EN): Social networks represent a permanent danger to children.
Sujet (FR) : Les réseaux sociaux présentent un danger permanent pour les enfants.
Hidden assumption: Risk is constant and meaningful benefits do not exist.
Possible argument routes:
Cyberbullying, harmful content and loss of privacy are serious concerns.
Supervised use can support learning, creativity and relationships.
Risk depends on age, platform design, duration and adult guidance.
3. Machines replacing humans threaten humanity
Claim (EN): Replacing humans with machines represents a danger to humanity.
Sujet (FR) : Le remplacement des humains par les machines représente un danger pour l’humanité.
Hidden assumption: Automation primarily replaces rather than supports people, and its dangers outweigh its benefits.
Possible argument routes:
Machines can remove dangerous, exhausting or repetitive work.
Rapid automation can eliminate jobs before workers receive retraining.
The real issue may be governance, ownership and transition policy rather than technology itself.
4. Computer courses for seniors are useful
Claim (EN): It is useful to offer computer courses to older adults.
Sujet (FR) : Il est utile de proposer des cours d’informatique aux personnes âgées.
Hidden assumption: Training is the main solution to digital exclusion.
Possible argument routes:
Digital skills can improve autonomy and access to essential services.
Courses must be paced appropriately and supported by accessible equipment.
Public services should retain non-digital options rather than forcing everyone online.
5. Films and television series will replace books
Claim (EN): Films and television series will replace books.
Sujet (FR) : Les films et les séries vont remplacer les livres.
Hidden assumption: Audiovisual and written media fulfil the same needs and must compete for survival.
Possible argument routes:
Streaming offers accessible, immediate entertainment and reaches large audiences.
Books encourage sustained attention, imagination and detailed analysis.
Different formats can reinforce each other through adaptations and renewed interest in reading.
Children, Education and Learning
6. Children should learn Chinese from an early age
Claim (EN): Children should learn Chinese from an early age.
Sujet (FR) : Il faut apprendre le chinois aux enfants en bas âge.
Hidden assumption: Chinese should receive priority over other languages and educational needs.
Possible argument routes:
Early exposure can make pronunciation and language acquisition easier.
The most useful additional language depends on family, region and future opportunities.
A new language should complement rather than weaken the child’s first-language development.
7. Handwriting is no longer necessary
Claim (EN): With digital tools, learning handwriting is no longer necessary.
Sujet (FR) : Avec les outils numériques, il n’est plus nécessaire d’apprendre l’écriture manuscrite.
Hidden assumption: Typing can replace every cognitive and practical function of handwriting.
Possible argument routes:
Most professional and administrative communication is increasingly digital.
Handwriting remains useful for learning, memory, examinations and everyday notes.
Schools can teach both efficiently instead of treating them as competing skills.
8. Diplomas guarantee access to employment
Claim (EN): To find a job, you must first have a diploma.
Sujet (FR) : Pour trouver un emploi, il faut avant tout avoir un diplôme.
Hidden assumption: Formal qualifications matter more than experience, practical ability or professional networks.
Possible argument routes:
Regulated professions require recognised qualifications.
Employers also value experience, communication and demonstrated skills.
Vocational training and continuous education may provide better routes than long academic study for some careers.
Environment and Transport
9. People must consume differently to protect the planet
Claim (EN): People must consume differently for the future of our planet.
Sujet (FR) : Il est nécessaire de consommer différemment pour l’avenir de notre planète.
Hidden assumption: Consumer behaviour is a central cause of environmental damage and individuals can change it meaningfully.
Possible argument routes:
Durable, repairable and local products can reduce waste and resource use.
Sustainable alternatives may be unaffordable or unavailable to many households.
Governments and producers must redesign systems rather than placing all responsibility on consumers.
10. Governments should make public transport free
Claim (EN): The government should make public transport free.
Sujet (FR) : Le gouvernement doit imposer la gratuité des transports en commun.
Hidden assumption: Removing fares will substantially reduce car use and is the best use of public funds.
Possible argument routes:
Free transport improves mobility for low-income residents.
People will not abandon cars if routes are unreliable, infrequent or inaccessible.
Reduced fares for targeted groups may be more sustainable than universal free access.
Travel and Culture
11. Travel is no longer reserved for wealthy people
Claim (EN): Travel is no longer reserved for wealthy people.
Sujet (FR) : Les voyages ne sont plus destinés uniquement aux personnes aisées.
Hidden assumption: Low-cost transport and online offers have removed the main financial barriers.
Possible argument routes:
Budget airlines, shared accommodation and comparison platforms have reduced some costs.
Hidden charges, passports, time away from work and currency differences remain barriers.
Travel has become more accessible without becoming equally available to everyone.
12. Organised tours prevent genuine cultural discovery
Claim (EN): Organised tours are incompatible with genuine discovery of a country.
Sujet (FR) : Les voyages organisés sont incompatibles avec la découverte réelle d’un pays.
Hidden assumption: A fixed itinerary necessarily prevents authentic contact and independent understanding.
Possible argument routes:
Group tours may concentrate on famous attractions and isolate travellers from local life.
Guides can provide historical knowledge, language support and access that visitors lack.
Authenticity depends on itinerary design and traveller behaviour, not only the travel format.
Housing and Generations
13. Young adults live with their parents for comfort
Claim (EN): Young adults aged 25–30 live with their parents mainly for convenience and comfort.
Sujet (FR) : Les jeunes de 25 à 30 ans habitent chez leurs parents pour des raisons de facilité et de confort.
Hidden assumption: Remaining in the family home is mainly a personal preference rather than an economic constraint.
Possible argument routes:
High rents, insecure employment and education costs delay independence.
Multigenerational living may reflect cultural norms and mutual family support.
Some individuals may avoid responsibility, but this does not explain every case.
Safety and Society
14. Surveillance cameras do not reduce crime
Claim (EN): Installing cameras everywhere does not reduce crime.
Sujet (FR) : Mettre des caméras partout ne permet pas de lutter contre la criminalité.
Hidden assumption: If cameras do not prevent every offence, they have no useful role in public safety.
Possible argument routes:
Cameras may not deter spontaneous acts or offenders who hide their identity.
Recordings can support investigations and identify suspects after an offence.
Surveillance requires limits, trained staff and privacy safeguards to remain proportionate.
15. Competition has made people selfish
Claim (EN): In a competitive world, people have become selfish and show little solidarity.
Sujet (FR) : Dans un monde de compétition, les gens sont devenus égoïstes et manifestent peu de solidarité.
Hidden assumption: Competitive pressures determine social behaviour and solidarity is generally disappearing.
Possible argument routes:
Workplace and academic competition can discourage cooperation.
Crises, volunteering and community initiatives show continuing solidarity.
Institutions can design competition while still rewarding teamwork and collective responsibility.
The 15 Topics by Theme
| Theme | Section B claims in this bank |
|---|---|
| Technology | Social-media regulation, child safety, automation, senior computing |
| Culture and education | Books and screens, Chinese, handwriting, diplomas |
| Environment and transport | Consumption, free public transport |
| Travel | Accessibility, organised tours |
| Housing and generations | Young adults living with parents |
| Safety | Surveillance cameras |
| Society | Competition and solidarity |
Watch the Strongest Words in the Claim
Several reported prompts contain absolute or restrictive language that changes the argument:
| Wording | What it asks you to examine |
|---|---|
| inutile | Is there truly no benefit? |
| permanent | Is the danger constant in every situation? |
| va remplacer | Is complete replacement likely? |
| il faut | Is the action necessary for everyone? |
| uniquement | Have all other groups or explanations disappeared? |
| incompatible | Can the two ideas never coexist? |
| partout | Is a universal measure proportionate? |
Your response can accept the general concern while challenging the absolute wording. That is often more precise than choosing complete agreement or complete disagreement.
Final Practice Check
After writing a response, ask yourself:
Did I address the statement exactly as written?
Is my position clear near the beginning?
Do my arguments develop different aspects of the issue?
Have I explained the people and consequences involved?
Did I support my claims with relevant examples?
Have I avoided a long generic introduction that could fit any topic?
Next Steps
Choose a claim at random and give yourself 35 minutes to write a response.
Highlight the strongest word in the claim and ensure your response addresses it.
Review whether you answered the exact claim—not just the general theme.
Count your words—aim for at least 200 words.
After writing, check your introduction and conclusion for specificity.
