TEF Canada Writing Task 1: 15 Fait Divers Samples for NCLC 7 Success

TEF Writing Task 1 (Section A) is the "Sprint" of the exam. You have to write a short news article (fait divers) of at least 80 words based on a simple prompt.

The trending data shows that candidates are searching for Task 1 practice more than ever. Why? Because while it's the shortest task, it's also where you can lose the most points for "basic" mistakes in tense coordination.

At PrepMyFrench, we’ve perfected the "Section A Formula." Here are 15 winning samples to help you master the journalistic tone and the Passé Composé / Imparfait balance.

1. The "Fait Divers" Architecture

A perfect Section A must answer the 5 Ws in 80-100 words:

• Who (Qui)
• What (Quoi)
• Where (Où)
• When (Quand)
• Why/How (Pourquoi/Comment)

2. Sample 1: The Unexpected Discovery

Prompt: A construction worker finds a treasure chest in a suburban garden.

Sample Article: "Une découverte insolite a bouleversé le calme de la banlieue de Lyon mardi dernier. Alors qu'il creusait les fondations d'une nouvelle piscine, Monsieur Dupont, un ouvrier du bâtiment, a déterré un coffre en bois datant du XVIIe siècle. À l'intérieur se trouvaient des pièces d'or et des bijoux anciens. Selon les experts, ce trésor appartiendrait à une famille de nobles ayant fui la région pendant la Révolution. Le chantier est actuellement à l'arrêt le temps que les archéologues terminent leurs fouilles."

3. 15 Diverse Themes for Your Practice

1. Animal Heroism: A dog saving its owner from a fire.
2. Technological Glitch: A bank accidentally depositing millions into random accounts.
3. Unexpected Reunion: Long-lost siblings meeting in a grocery store.
4. Weather Anomalies: Snow in the Sahara.
5. Art Theft: A painting found behind a radiator in a local museum.
6. Scientific Breakthrough: A student discovering a new species of butterfly.
7. Sports Miracle: A local underdog winning a national championship.
8. Lottery Luck: A winning ticket found in a pair of old jeans.
9. Historical Mystery: A secret tunnel found under a city hall.
10. Nature's Revenge: A tree falling exactly between two luxury cars without a scratch. (+5 more in the full training pack)

4. The Journalistic Tone Checklist

• Use Nouns in Headlines: "Découverte d'un trésor" is better than "Ils ont trouvé un trésor".
• Avoid "Je": You are a reporter, not a character in the story.
• Coordinate Tenses: Use Imparfait for the background ("Il pleuvait") and Passé Composé for the sudden action ("Il est tombé").

5. Get 15 More Samples & AI Corrections

The samples above provide the structure, but you need to practice. Our Section A Training Hub includes 15 unique prompts and an AI that grades your fait divers based on the official TEF rubric.

Start your Task 1 sprint with PrepMyFrench →