Last updated: June 24, 2026
TEF Speaking Section A Masterclass: 50 Questions to Ask the Examiner
TEF Speaking Section A Masterclass: 50 Questions to Ask the Examiner
TEF Speaking Section A is often underestimated. Candidates think, "I just have to ask 10 questions about an ad. How hard can it be?"
The answer: Harder than you think.
Section A isn't just about asking questions. It’s about interrogating a situation. The examiner wants to see that you can obtain information in a natural, polite, and grammatically varied way. If you ask 10 questions starting with "Est-ce que...", you will get an A2 score.
To get an NCLC 9+, you need to vary your structures, use professional vocabulary, and most importantly, keep the conversation alive.
At , we’ve categorized the most common Section A topics into this master "Interrogation Guide."
1. The Structure of a Winning Section A
You have 5 minutes. Your goal is to obtain roughly 10–12 pieces of information.
The Introduction: Don't just start asking questions. Introduce yourself. "Bonjour, je vous appelle au sujet de votre annonce pour [Job/Apartment/Service]. J'aurais quelques questions à vous poser."
The Closing: Thank the examiner and ask for the next step. "Merci pour toutes ces précisions. Comment puis-je vous recontacter pour finaliser cela ?"
2. Top 50 High-Score Questions by Category
Category: Job Advertisements
- Quelles sont les responsabilités principales liées à ce poste ? (High vocabulary: responsabilités)
- S’agit-il d’un contrat à durée déterminée ou indéterminée ? (High vocabulary: CDD/CDI)
- Quel est le volume horaire hebdomadaire ?
- Est-il possible de télétravailler une partie de la semaine ?
- Quelles sont les perspectives d'évolution au sein de votre entreprise ? (High vocabulary: perspectives d'évolution)
Category: Real Estate (Apartments/Houses)
3. The "Grammar Variety" Rule
To hit NCLC 9, you must use at least 4 different question structures:
- Inversion: Pouvez-vous me dire... ?
- Est-ce que: Est-ce que le poste est disponible ?
- Intonation (Informal/Formal mix): Le loyer s'élève à combien exactement ?
- Indirect Questions: J'aimerais savoir si... / Je me demandais si...
4. Handling "Vague" Responses
The examiner is trained to be slightly vague. If they say, "It depends," you must follow up. "Vous dites que cela dépend, pourriez-vous m'apporter plus de précisions sur les critères de sélection ?"
This shows the examiner you are truly listening and reacting, not just reading from a script.
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5. Practice with the "Pro"
The only way to master the speed and politeness of Section A is to practice with someone who pushes back. Our AI Speaking Examiner is programmed to mimic the exact behavior of TEF examiners. It will give you vague answers, forcing you to use the advanced questions listed above.
Conclusion: Interrogate with Confidence
Section A is your chance to start the speaking exam with high energy and perfect grammar. By having these 50 questions in your "mental back pocket," you ensure that silence never kills your score.