TCF Canada writing · task 1
Plan for a weekend with friends: 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 organisez un week-end entre amis le mois prochain. Rédigez un message pour leur expliquer le programme (lieu, transport, activités, etc.)
Translation: You are organizing a weekend with friends next month. Write a message explaining the plan (place, transport, activities, 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: where you are going, and where you will sleep.
- Transport: how, at what time, where you leave from.
- Activities: what is planned, day by day.
- The « etc. »: what to bring, the budget, the reply date.
Who you are writing to. You are writing to several friends: « vous » (or « on » for the group), in a friendly tone.
A plan in five steps
About 100 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.
- Announce. A greeting, then the exact dates of the weekend. about 15 words
- The place. Where, and the accommodation: cabin, cottage, campsite. about 20 words
- The journey. Departure time and place, cars or train. about 20 words
- The plan. Friday evening, Saturday, Sunday: one activity for each. about 30 words
- Wrap up. What to bring, the reply you need, a sign-off. about 15 words
Vocabulary for this topic
B1 to B2 words and phrases to use in your text, not to pile up.
- du vendredi 14 au dimanche 16 novembrefrom Friday, November 14 to Sunday, November 16
- louer un chaletto rent a cabin
- un gîtea holiday cottage
- se donner rendez-vous devantto meet in front of
- le trajet dure deux heuresthe drive takes two hours
- faire du covoiturageto carpool
- partager les fraisto share the costs
- au programmeon the agenda
- une balade à véloa bike ride
- une soirée autour du feuan evening around the campfire
- prévoir des vêtements chaudsto bring warm clothes
- s’occuper des coursesto take care of the groceries
- on a prévu de + infinitifwe’ve planned to
Three pitfalls on this topic
Telling it in the past
The weekend has not happened yet. Use the near future (« on va partir ») or the simple future (« nous partirons »); the passé composé would describe a weekend that is already over.
A jumbled plan
Without time markers (« vendredi soir », « samedi matin », « dimanche »), the activities blur together. One marker at the start of each sentence is enough to make it clear.
Staying vague
« Le mois prochain, dans un bel endroit »: give dates, a named place, a departure time. And watch the prepositions: « à la montagne », « au bord de la mer », « en Gaspésie ».
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.
- Nous partirons le vendredi 14 novembre vers 18 h et nous rentrerons le dimanche en fin d’après-midi.We will leave on Friday, November 14 around 6 p.m. and come back on Sunday late in the afternoon.
- Samedi matin, ceux qui le souhaitent pourront faire une randonnée jusqu’au lac ; les autres resteront au chalet pour se reposer.On Saturday morning, those who want to can hike to the lake; the others will stay at the cabin and rest.
- Pour réduire les frais, je propose qu’on fasse du covoiturage : il nous faudra deux voitures.To keep costs down, I suggest we carpool: we will need two cars.
Write it, then read your report
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