TCF Canada writing · task 1
Wedding castle directions for Cédric: the task 1 topic, and how to handle it
What it really asks, a plan, the vocabulary and the pitfalls, explained in English. No model answer to copy: you write the text yourself.
At a glance
The prompt, as candidates report it (in French, as on the exam)
Vous avez invité votre ami Cédric à votre mariage au Château de Chombony et il vous a répondu qu’il ne connaît pas ce château. Décrivez à votre ami (lieu, localisation, transports, etc.).
Translation: You invited your friend Cédric to your wedding at the Château de Chombony, and he replied that he does not know this castle. Describe it to your friend (place, location, transport, etc.).
Word counts: France Éducation international, the body that designs the TCF Canada. Reports: a public archive of topics reported by candidates since 2023, explained in the study of 642 topics.
What the prompt really asks
- The place: what the castle looks like (its period, its grounds, the hall where the party will be).
- The location: near which town, how far away, in what kind of landscape.
- Transport: by car and where to park, or by train then shuttle.
- The « etc. »: a word about accommodation or an offer of a ride shows you are thinking of him.
Who you are writing to. You are writing to Cédric, a friend: use « tu » from start to finish. No « vous », no « Cordialement ».
A plan in five steps
About 95 words, for a range of 60 to 120. The numbers for each step are guides; the word range itself is part of the instructions, and every point asked for must be covered.
- Reply. Thank him for his reply and reassure him: few people know this castle. about 15 words
- Describe. Two or three visible details: the period, the grounds, the hall. about 25 words
- Locate. The nearest town, the distance, the landscape. about 20 words
- Getting there. Car and parking, or train then shuttle. about 25 words
- Wrap up. Offer your help, then a friendly sign-off. about 10 words
Vocabulary for this topic
B1 to B2 words and phrases to use in your text, not to pile up.
- se trouver à vingt kilomètres deto be twenty kilometres from
- en pleine campagnein the middle of the countryside
- au bord d’un lacon the shore of a lake
- datant du XVIIIe siècledating from the 18th century
- un parc arboréwooded grounds
- la salle de réceptionthe reception hall
- un parking gratuit sur placefree parking on site
- la gare la plus prochethe nearest train station
- une navette gratuitea free shuttle
- prendre la sortie 12to take exit 12
- suivre les panneauxto follow the signs
- faire du covoiturageto carpool
- loger sur placeto stay on site
Three pitfalls on this topic
Describing the wedding instead of the castle
Cédric has one question: where the castle is, and how to get there. The preparations, the dress or the menu do not answer the prompt and eat up your 120 words.
Prepositions of place and transport
« à 20 km de Lyon », « au bord du lac », « en voiture », « en train », but « à pied » and « à vélo ». « Dans la voiture » means inside the car.
Switching register
You start with « Salut Cédric » and end with « Je vous attends » or « Cordialement »: a register mistake the examiner spots at once.
B2-level sentences to inspire you
Two or three sentences, not a full answer: borrow the idea, not the words, and write the rest yourself.
- Le château de Chombony se trouve à une vingtaine de kilomètres de Lyon, en pleine campagne, au bord d’un petit lac.The Château de Chombony is about twenty kilometres from Lyon, in the middle of the countryside, on the shore of a small lake.
- Si tu viens en train, descends à la gare de Villefranche : une navette gratuite fera l’aller-retour toute la soirée.If you come by train, get off at Villefranche station: a free shuttle will run back and forth all evening.
- Si tu préfères la voiture, je peux te mettre en contact avec d’autres invités qui habitent près de chez toi.If you would rather drive, I can put you in touch with other guests who live near you.
Write it, then read your report
On the platform, you write this topic and get a report: word count, register, linking words, opening and closing phrases, mistakes found. Never a score. Free account, no card: one new topic a week.
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