This DELF B2 mock test is for the reading section of the exam. This exercise is complete with corrections and recommendations. Download test at the end of the tutorial.
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The DELF B2 reading comprehension (compréhension des écrits) includes complex opinion or editorial texts. These often touch on social, political or cultural debates. In this guide, we’ll look at a sample exam text about the defense of the French language at work—particularly the resistance to English in the workplace—and explain how to read, analyse, and answer the exam questions effectively.
We’ll also provide reading strategies, key vocabulary and phrases, and show you how to anticipate the questions based on the type of document.
Understanding the Task
Text type: Argumentative / Editorial
Theme: Cultural identity, workplace language policy
Difficulty: Long sentences, layered arguments, emotional tone
Duration: ~30 minutes (in exam)
Skills tested:
Identify the author’s opinion and purpose
Understand implications, tone, and cultural references
Rephrase in your own words
Extract precise information
Strategies for Reading DELF B2 Texts
1. Skim the Text First (Lecture globale)
Read the first and last paragraph + scan subheadings to understand:
What’s the theme?
Who is speaking? Are they for or against something?
What kind of tone? (militant, ironic, nostalgic?)
In our example, the tone is militant, the main character is Jean-Loup Cuisiniez, and the issue is resisting English in the workplace.
2. Underline Key Info
As you read:
Highlight names, facts, dates, places
Mark linking words (cependant, donc, en effet, pourtant)
Spot the verbs of opinion or engagement: se battre, défendre, militer, refuser…
3. Identify the Author’s Purpose
What does the author want you to believe or understand?
In this article:
To inform and persuade readers about the importance of preserving French at work
To highlight injustice and celebrate resistance to linguistic domination
Key Vocabulary to Understand the Text
| French Term | English Translation |
|---|---|
| les croisés | crusaders (used figuratively) |
| le courriel | email (French alternative to “email”) |
| le tout-anglais | all-English policy |
| la fracture linguistique | language divide |
| franchouillard borné | close-minded French nationalist (negative) |
| l’acculturation | cultural assimilation/loss of cultural identity |
| militant | activist (with strong personal involvement) |
| ringard | outdated, out of touch |
Common Functional Language in Argumentative Texts
Il est essentiel de… – It is essential to…
Cela entraîne… – This leads to…
On constate que… – We observe that…
Il faut souligner que… – We must underline that…
Approaching the Questions
Question Types in the Test:
Main idea: Usually the first question
Inference: What is implied but not said directly
Reformulation: Say it differently in your own words
Vocab in context: Identify the meaning
True / False / Not stated: Check carefully what’s in the text
Examples: Extract specific examples to support an idea
Tips:
Don’t answer from memory. Go back to the paragraph.
Be concise. Avoid copying entire sentences.
Use synonyms when reformulating. Ex: “danger” → “risque”
Be careful with tone: ironic or exaggerated statements are often misunderstood
Sample Question Breakdown
Question: Donnez deux raisons pour lesquelles J.-L. Cuisiniez se bat contre l’anglais au travail.
Tip: Focus on the effects of English in the workplace from the employee perspective
Sample Response (in student’s words):
Parce que certains employés ne comprennent pas les instructions en anglais, ce qui peut provoquer des accidents.
Parce que cela peut créer des inégalités et des blocages dans la carrière des personnes qui ne parlent pas bien anglais.
Suggested Preparation Activities
1. Read Similar Texts:
Le Monde – section “Société”
France Culture – debates about language and society
2. Practise Reformulation
Take 3–4 sentences from a text. Try to say the same thing using:
Different structure (passive → active)
Synonyms
Simpler words
3. Vocabulary Flashcards
Use a tool like Quizlet or Anki to memorise:
Functional phrases (argumentation)
Formal register words
Negative connotation terms (ringard, borné, etc.)
4. Simulate Exam Timing
Set a timer for 30 minutes. Read the text, answer all questions, and check your accuracy.
Final Advice
Don’t panic if the text seems dense. Focus on what you do understand.
Remember: this is not a literary analysis. Stay factual.
Prepare regularly with argumentative texts from real media.
Practice paraphrasing. This is key for B2.
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