TEF Speaking Section A: The Art of Asking 10 Distinct Questions

Introduction: The Information Quest

In the Section A of the TEF (Test d'Évaluation de Français) Speaking subtest, you are given a short advertisement (usually for a job, a service, or an event) and you must call the "advertiser" (your examiner) to ask for more information.

You have 5 minutes to ask questions. Most candidates run out of things to say after 2 minutes. They repeat themselves or ask "basic" questions like "What is the price?"

To score an NCLC 9 or 10, you must show off your ability to use Varied Question Structures (Les structures interrogatives). You aren't just looking for info; you are looking for a C1 score.

In this 2000-word guide, we’ll show you exactly how to ask 10+ distinct questions without ever sounding repetitive at prepmyfrench.com.

---

Section 1: The Anatomy of a High-Scoring Call

The first thing the examiner checks is your "Aisance" (Fluency) and your "Niveau de Langue" (Register).

The Three Registers of Questions

1. Soutenu (Formal): Inversion (Pourriez-vous me dire...)
2. Courant (Standard): Est-ce que...
3. Familier (Informal): Intonation (Vous travaillez le week-end ?) - USE THIS SPARINGLY.

Pro-Tip: For Section A, stay in the Soutenu and Courant registers. Inversion is your "Golden Ticket."

---

Section 2: The "10-Question Drill" for Section A

We teach our students the "Categorized Question List" to ensure they never run out of ideas:

Category 1: Logistics and Schedule

• Quels sont vos horaires d'ouverture ?
• Pourrait-on envisager un rendez-vous en soirée ?

Category 2: Cost and Payment

• Quel est le tarif horaire de votre service ?
• Proposez-vous des facilités de paiement ou des forfaits mensuels ?

Category 3: Requirements and Prerequisites

• Y a-t-il des prérequis spécifiques pour s'inscrire ?
• Est-il nécessaire de fournir des documents justificatifs ?

Category 4: Benefits and Features

• En quoi consiste précisément la séance de découverte ?
• Qu'est-ce qui distingue votre offre de celle de vos concurrents ?

---

Section 3: The "Indirect Question" Multiplier

If you want to move from B2 to C1, you must stop using Est-ce que for every question. Use Indirect Questions to sound more sophisticated:

• Instead of: Est-ce que c'est gratuit ?
• Use: J'aimerais savoir si l'inscription est gratuite.
• Use: Je me demandais si vous proposiez des remises pour les étudiants.

---

Section 4: Handling the Examiner’s Response

In Section A, the examiner will give you an answer. If you just say "D'accord" and move to the next question, you lose points for Interaction.

The Strategy: Use Follow-Up Connectors.

• "Ah, c'est très intéressant ! Dans ce cas, pourriez-vous me préciser..."
• "C'est parfait. Et par rapport aux frais annexes, qu'en est-il ?"

---

Section 5: How PrepMyFrench Automates Section A

At prepmyfrench.com, we have developed a Speaking Simulator that is specifically designed to handle these "Information Seeking" calls.

AI-Driven Question Analysis

When you record your Section A practice call on our platform, our AI analyzes your questions. It tells you:

• Structure Variety: Did you use more than 3 different ways to ask a question?
• Register Balance: Was your tone appropriate for the context?
• Hesitation Markers: Where did you struggle to find the right word?

By practicing with our simulated advertisers, you will build the "reflex" needed to ask 10+ questions with ease.

---

Conclusion: From Interviewer to Communicator

Section A is a test of your ability to get what you want in French. Be curious, be polite, and use the structure of the language to show that you are a C1 speaker.

Ready to start asking? Head over to PrepMyFrench and try our Section A Speaking Simulations today!