Diagnostic evaluation file

The mastery of the French language

First name and last name: ………………………………………………….. Year:

Validated skill
Validated
+ or -
READ
Read alone and understand a statement, an instruction

Identify the theme of a text

Identify explicit information in a text

Inferring new (implicit) information

Identify the effects of formal choices (use of certain words, use of
of a level of language

WRITE
Copy without error a text of at least fifteen lines by giving it a
tailored presentation
Answer a question with a complete sentence in writing.
Write a text of about fifteen lines using your knowledge.
in grammar and vocabulary

VOCABULARY
Mastering some relationships of meaning between words

Mastering some relationships concerning the meaning and form of words

Knowing how to use a dictionary

GRAMMAR
Distinguish the words according to their nature

Identify the functions of words in the sentence

Conjugate the verbs, use the tenses judiciously.

ORTHOGRAPHY

Correctly spell a simple ten-line text.

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 Dans le livre dont ce texte est extrait, des enfants et leurs grands-parents ont constaté la mort de leur arbre préféré
(a maple tree). A neighbor, Vincendon, while coming to cut down the dead tree, had stated: "Trees never die."
»…
The singing tree
The air that entered at the same time as Vincendon was dotted with tiny white flakes. The fire growled.
louder, then there was silence. They were all four there, watching Father Vincendon and his bundle.
tightly bound. Vincendon placed his package on the table, removed his glasses, wiped them thoroughly, and
Moucha took off his glasses and approached the fire, rubbing his large hands together.
made a grating noise.
It's better here than outside, he said.
The children were getting restless. Each on one side of the table, they looked at the package without daring to touch it. The
The old man seemed to take pleasure in prolonging their wait. He watched them out of the corner of his eye and addressed them.
grandparents of knowing smiles. Finally he turned around and said:
So what are you waiting for to open it? It's not my job to undo the
package.
Four tiny hands flew at the same time. The knots were numerous and well tied.
Lend us your scissors, Grandmother...
-No, said Vincendon. One must learn patience and economy. Untie the knots and do not damage anything.
I want to get back my string and my paper. [...]
The grandparents, as eager as the children, were waiting, watching each of their gestures with their eyes.
Finally, the paper was removed, and a long box of shiny red wood appeared. It was wider at one end.
that on the other side. Vincendon approached it slowly and opened it. Inside, in a green velvet bed, a
the violin was sleeping.

There you go, said the old man simply. It wasn't any more complicated than that. Apart from the ropes,
velvet and the hairs of the bow, everything was at the heart of your tree.
Oh my God, repeated Grandmother, who had clasped her hands in a sign of admiration. Oh my God, how it is
beautiful!
-Wow! ...Wow! stuttered Grandfather. I knew you were very skilled, but still!
The old artisan smiled. He ran his hand over his mustache several times before saying:
Do you understand why I didn't want to let you into my dryer? You
You would have seen violins, guitars, mandolins, and many other instruments. And you would have everything.
Guess. Oh yes! I am a luthier. I make violins... And maple, you see, it's the wood that sings.
better.
His big hand slowly reached out to stroke the instrument, then it pulled back, all trembling.
So, he said to Gérard. Don't you want to try playing? You really don't want to have your sing?
tree? Come on, you can take it, it won't bite you, be calm.
The boy took the violin out of his bed and held it as he had seen the musicians do. He placed the bow on the
strings and let out a terrible creaking. Grandmother covered her ears while the cat, awakened
with a start, disappeared under the sideboard. Everyone began to laugh.
Well then! said Grandfather, if that's what you call singing!
He needs to learn, said Vincendon as he took the instrument, which he placed under his chin.

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 And the old luthier with huge hands began to play. He played while slowly walking around the room, in
direction of the window. Motionless, the children watched and listened. […] Vincendon was playing, and it was
truly the soul of the old tree that sang in its violin.
Bernard Clavel, excerpt from The Singing Tree (Pocket Youth)

French - READING Part 1

Prénom et nom :………………………………………………..

Date: …………………………………………………………………..

The singing tree

Questionnaire

Identify explicit information in a text

Answer a question with a complete sentence.

1 Who are the characters in this story? /3

...........................................................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................................................

2 Réponds par une phrase complète aux questions A et B. Responses: /2

Writing: /2

What instrument does Vincendon offer to children?

...........................................................................................................................................................................

According to Vincendon, what is the wood that sings the best?

...........................................................................................................................................................................

Infer new (implicit) information

3 Highlight, in the text, two phrases that show that the grandfather and grandmother are
admiring of the work done by Vincendon. /2

4 Choose the correct answer and justify your answer. 2

The story unfolds: in summer in winter

What phrase from the text allowed you to respond? ……………………………………………………….

5 Check the correct answer. /2

At line 32, in the sentence "Come on, you can take it, it won't bite you, be calm."
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 • the pronoun replaces: Gérard □Vincendon□The violin □other answer
• the pronoun replaces: Gérard □Vincendon□The violin □other response

6 Highlight, in the text, at least two expressions used by the author to show that the child does not
does not play the violin well. /2

Identify the effects of formal choices

7 Four little handsto fly at the same [Link] be employed at

figurative sense. Invent a sentence where this verb is used in its literal sense.

...........................................................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................................................

8 Explain what this sentence means: 'The boy took the violin out of his'lit. /1

This sentence means that the boy takes the violin out of ...

...........................................................................................................................................................................

Identify the theme of a text

9 Circle the correct answer. /2

• Grandfather cut down a dead tree at Vincendon to make a fire. Vincendon to thank him
brought his violin and plays music for his whole family.
• Vincendon cut down a tree at his neighbors'. He then sold the tree and with the money, he
offered a violin to his neighbors.
• Vincendon cut down a dead tree at his neighbors'. From that dead tree, he made them a
violin.
• Vincendon cut down a tree at his neighbors' and retrieved the wood. To thank them, Vincendon offered them
bought a violin.

Read alone and understand a statement, an instruction

The instructions from the previous exercises must have been followed (enclose, check, underline,...)

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 French–WRITING Part 2

First name and last name: ... Date: …………………………………………………………………..

Write a text of about fifteen lines.

1 The children decide to surprise Vincendon in turn. Tell what happens;

you will have to describe the surprise, explain how the children prepare it and describe the reaction of
Vincendon. /15

Copy without error a text of at least fifteen lines...

2 Copy the poem while respecting the spelling, punctuation, and presentation of the text. /5

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 French - GRAMMAR Part 3

First name and last name: ………………………………………………..

Date :
……………………………………………………………………..

Identify the functions of the words in the sentence

1 In each of the following sentences, circle the conjugated verb and underline its subject. /2

Inside, a violin was sleeping in a bed of green velvet.

He will not bite you.

2 In the following sentence, underline two direct object complements (COD). /2

Vincendon placed his package on the table, took off his glasses, wiped them for a long time, blew his nose,
"put on the glasses and approached the fire."

3 In the following sentences, find two adverbial complements of time and two complements.
place circumstances and copy them into the table below. 4

A/Vincendon placed his package on the table and approached the fire.
I have been making violins for thirty years.
Inside, a violin was sleeping in a bed of green velvet.
During the opening of the package, the children were getting impatient.

Distinguish words according to their nature

4 Sort the underlined words into the table. /4

When she reached the top, she turned around to look at the sea, and she had to close her eyes to not
not feeling dizzy. Beneath her, as far as one could see, there was only that: the sea. Immense, blue,
the sea filled the space up to the enlarged horizon, and it was like an endless roof, a giant dome made of
dark metal, where all the waves' wrinkles moved. [...] Between the high walls, the vegetation grew,
of brambles and vines that completely covered the ground.

Pronoun
Determinants Names Adjectives Relative pronoun
staff

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 Conjugate the verbs, use the tenses wisely.

[Link]

5 Complète le tableau suivant, en conjuguant chaque verbe donné à l’infinitif aux temps demandés et à la
person indicated by the personal pronoun. /4

6 Transform this text by putting it in the past; use the simple past or the imperfect tense when necessary.
Write, on the dotted lines, the verbs in the appropriate tense. /4

Usually, students stand up when an adult enters the classroom.

One day, the director approaches while Pierre and Mehdi are discussing.
Not paying attention to him, they remain seated. Unhappy, the director
the scold. It is not the first time they have drawn attention to themselves

because of their chatter.

Usually, students ... when an adult ... in class.

One day, the director ... while Pierre and Mehdi ...

Not paying attention to him, they sat down. Unhappy, the director them...

…………………………...

This is not the first time they have noticed each other.

because of their chatter.

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French - SPELLING Part 4
Date :
Prénom et nom: ………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………..

Correctly spell a simple text of ten lines.

Dictation

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French–VOCABULARY Part 5

First name and last name: ………………………………………………..

Date :
……………………………………………………………………..

Knowing how to use a paper dictionary

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1 Answer the questions using this dictionary page excerpt. /5

The word 'savage' has 5 definitions.

For each sentence, write the number of the definition that best corresponds to the word 'wild':
• The garden is overrun with wild plants. ..................
• Outside of his home, this child is very wild. ..................
• Nous aimons nous promener dans les valléessauvages. ..................

2. Replace the underlined words in the sentences below with synonyms.

Example: The cat is wild. The cat is feral.
• The canary has saved its cage. The canary ................................................ from its cage.
• The cat jumps on the bird. The cat ................................................... on the bird.
Mastering some semantic relationships between words

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2 Group the words by column like in the example of column A and give a name to column C.
and D. /3

3 Indicate whether the underlined word is used in its literal sense (P) or in a figurative sense (F). /3

A/ When I have run a lot, I feel the beats of my heart.

This person is very generous; she has a heart of gold.

The doctor diagnosed a heart disease.

4 For each list, write the three words from least intense to most intense. /3

Mastering some relationships concerning the meaning and form of words

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5 Group the words that have the same prefix. /2

6 Group the words that have the same suffix. /2

7 Group the words that have the same root. /2

Support teacher
Dictation
The students have been going to the pool once a week since the Christmas holidays. Today, they
swim at least twenty-five meters; the bravest double that distance. Soon they
will start learning to dive. They really love underwater games but sometimes they are
fearful. When it's cold outside, they really can't leave the heated locker rooms without putting on
a hat on their wet hair. They find it unpleasant.

Each underlined group counts for one point.

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