Complete Guide to DELF A2 Writing Test (2024)
1. The exam at a glance
The writing test is the third part of the DELF A2 exam. Here's what you need to know:
- ⏱️ Duration: 45 minutes
- 📝 Number of exercises: 2
- 📊 Length: At least 60 words per exercise (120 words in total)
- 🎯 Goal: To demonstrate that you can write about simple everyday topics in French
2. Types of exercises
There are two different exercises:
|
Exercise 1
Creative Writing |
Exercise 2
Written Interaction |
|
|---|---|---|
| Task Type | Describe an event or experience | Respond to a message |
| Format | Free text narration | Email, note, or message |
| Common Topics | Vacations, celebrations, daily activities | Invitations, thank-you notes, requests |
| Length | 60 words minimum | 60 words minimum |
Exercise 1: Creative writing
- You need to recount an event or experience in French.
- For example: talk about your vacation, describe your day, or recount a celebration.
Décrivez votre dernière fête d'anniversaire. Parlez de ce que vous avez fait, qui était là, et ce que vous avez aimé.
(Describe your last birthday party. Talk about what you did, who was there, and what you enjoyed.)
Example response:
Le mois dernier, c'était mon anniversaire. C'était super ! Mes amis sont venus chez moi. On a mangé un grand gâteau au chocolat. Ma mère l'a fait, il était très bon. On a joué à des jeux vidéo et on a dansé. J'ai reçu de beaux cadeaux. Mon cadeau préféré était un nouveau livre. J'étais très content de passer cette journée avec mes amis.
English translation
Last month was my birthday. It was great! My friends came to my house. We ate a big chocolate cake. My mother made it, it was very good. We played video games and danced. I received beautiful gifts. My favorite gift was a new book. I was very happy to spend this day with my friends.
Exercise 2: Written interaction
- You need to write a short message in French.
- For example: an invitation, a thank-you note, an apology, or a request for information.
Vous avez reçu ce message de votre ami Thomas :
Salut !Écrivez un message pour dire oui à l'invitation. Dites ce que vous allez apporter et posez une question sur la fête.
C'est mon anniversaire samedi prochain. Je vais faire une petite fête chez moi à partir de 19h. Tu veux venir ? Dis-moi si tu as besoin de mon adresse.
À bientôt j'espère !
Thomas
(You've received this message from your friend Thomas. Write a message to accept the invitation. Say what you'll bring and ask a question about the party.)
Example response:
Salut Thomas,
Merci pour l'invitation ! Je suis content(e) de venir à ta fête d'anniversaire samedi. Je vais apporter un gâteau au chocolat et des boissons. Est-ce que je dois apporter autre chose ? Aussi, peux-tu me donner ton adresse ? Je ne suis jamais venu(e) chez toi. J'ai hâte de fêter ton anniversaire avec toi !
À samedi,
[Votre nom]
English translation
Hi Thomas,
Thanks for the invitation! I'm happy to come to your birthday party on Saturday. I'll bring a chocolate cake and some drinks. Should I bring anything else? Also, can you give me your address? I've never been to your place. I'm looking forward to celebrating your birthday with you!
See you Saturday,
[Your name]
You can write different types of texts:
- 📝 A vacation postcard
- ✉️ An email to a friend
- 📰 A forum message
- 📄 A short note
Each type of text is slightly different, but all should be clear and simple.
3. What you're asked to do
To succeed, you need to show that you can:
- Describe simply people, places, or events in French
- People: Say what they're like (grand, petit, gentil...)
- Places: Describe how they are (grand, beau, intéressant...)
- Events: Say what happened and what you thought
- Talk about yourself
- Share things about your family, your work, what you like to do
- Use simple sentences like "J'ai deux frères" or "Je travaille dans un magasin"
- Express your thoughts or feelings
- Use phrases like "J'aime...", "Je pense que...", "À mon avis..."
- Say if you're content(e), triste, surpris(e)...
- Write simple messages
- Start with "Bonjour" or "Salut"
- End with "Au revoir" or "À bientôt"
- Adapt your style to the person you're writing to (friend or teacher)
4. How you're graded
The examiners look at whether you can:
- Answer the question: Address all parts of what you're asked
- Write appropriately: Use "tu" with a friend and "vous" with a teacher
- Organize your text: Put your ideas in a logical order
- Use the right words: Employ everyday French words correctly
- Write without too many mistakes: Pay attention to grammar and spelling
5. Tips for success
- 🔍 Read the question carefully to understand what you're being asked.
- 🏗️ Organize your text: start with an introduction, then develop your ideas, and finish with a conclusion.
- 🔗 Use simple words to connect your ideas: et, mais, parce que, après (and, but, because, after).
- 💡 Give examples from your life to explain your ideas.
- 📚 Use everyday French words that you know well.
- ✏️ Reread your text to correct small errors.
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