Follow-up questions in the TCF
How to answer additional questions in TCF: useful tips
Many candidates already know that the examiner may ask follow-up questions in Tâche 3 of the TCF speaking section. Being asked a question doesn’t in itself indicate your level, a lower score or an attempt to trip you up. There can be several reasons: you’ve gone quiet after losing your train of thought, run out of ideas quickly or finished before the allotted time of 4.5 minutes. Be ready for those questions so you can keep your composure, stay confident and show your skills at their best.
Main difficulties⬇️
In my classes, I often observe two main difficulties:
1. The answer does not get to the heart of the question.
Instead of a direct answer, the student goes to the side, “spreads his thoughts along the tree,” gets confused in his speech, builds complex and florid sentences. As a result, a clear and understandable answer never appears.
2. Panic and desire to demonstrate expertise.
The student tries to appear knowledgeable about the topic by trying to use complex terms that he has heard once but is not sure of their meaning. This leads to hesitation and eventually to a complete stop. Even if the initial response was good, the impression is spoiled.
How to deal with additional questions?
To successfully answer such questions, it is important to remember a few key points:
1. A minimum vocabulary base on the topic is required.
At level B2 you should have basic vocabulary knowledge on various topics. No one requires complex terminology or deep knowledge in specialized fields, such as astronautics. However, words such as:
• fusée (f) – rocket
• exploration (f) de l’espace – space exploration
• technologies (f) spatiales – space technologies
should be in your arsenal.
Exam topics often overlap, so you can create lists of basic vocabulary that will help you cover several topics at once. This is especially useful when tasks are predictable. My Boosty subscribers are already familiar with such databases.
2. Pay attention to the grammar of the question.
The grammatical structure of a question is your best guide. If, for example, you were asked a question with l’hypothèse:
«Si nous investissions davantage dans l’exploration spatiale, cela changerait-il notre quotidien ?»,
use the same structure in your answer:
«Oui, si nous investissions davantage, cela changerait notre quotidien.»
To develop the idea and make the answer stronger, add more verbs to conditionnel, as in the question:
• «Cela pourrait permettre de développer des technologies qui amélioreraient les transports ou les communications.»
• «Les satellites pourraient aider à mieux gérer les ressources et prévoir les catastrophes.»
• «Les matériaux développés pour l’espace serviraient dans la construction et l’aviation.»
• «Nous aurions la possibilité d’optimiser les appareils médicaux grâce aux technologies spatiales.»
• «La recherche spatiale permettrait de rendre nos vies plus efficaces et écologiques.»
3. Use blanks to start your answer.
If the structure of the question does not seem convenient to you or you do not understand it, start with universal introductory phrases:
• «C’est une question très difficile, mais je vais essayer d’y répondre.»
• «Pour être honnête, je ne suis pas un expert en exploration spatiale. Mais si je devais donner une réponse, je dirais que…»
• «Je ne suis pas spécialiste dans ce domaine, mais je supposerais que…»
• «À mon humble avis…»
What is important to remember?
Examiners are assessing your language, not your expertise. Even if your answer sounds naive, but it is logical, grammatically correct, understandable, confident and without pauses, then this will be a big plus.
Well, complete your answer by adding:
Mais bien sûr, ce n’est qu’une hypothèse. putting the final chord in their conditionnel.
The main thing is to exude confidence.
Everything will work out!
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