TCF Canada Listening Practice — Level B2
4 TCF Canada Listening questions at level B2. Choose an answer to see whether you were right, why, and what makes each of the other options wrong.
- What you get at this level
- Interviews, news reports, discussions
- What is tested
- Understanding opinions, arguments and the speaker's attitude
In the real test, B2 questions are worth 21 points each out of 699.
Listen, then choose
Écoutez le document sonore et la question. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
Choose an answer to see the explanation.
The correct answer is A because the speaker explicitly states that the best hunter assumes a leadership role in the community. The audio mentions, 'Le meilleur chasseur, c'est celui qui va devenir le chef du village' (The best hunter is the one who will become the village chief). This role of 'chef du village' (village chief) is a clear example of a 'poste de responsabilité du village' (position of responsibility in the village), as stated in option A.
Le meilleur chasseur, c'est celui qui va devenir le chef du village.
The best hunter is the one who will become the chief of the village.
1. Analyze the Question: The question asks what the 'best hunter' (meilleur chasseur) can claim or expect within the community according to the speaker. 2. Scan the Text for Keywords: Look for 'meilleur chasseur' in the transcript. 3. Locate Key Information: The text states, 'Le meilleur chasseur, c'est celui qui va devenir le chef du village' (The best hunter is the one who will become the chief of the village). 4. Match with Options: Compare 'chef du village' (chief of the village) with the options. Option A: 'Poste de responsable' (Position of responsibility/manager). This aligns with being a 'chef'. Option B: 'Loisir' (Leisure) is mentioned as a reason for hunting, not a reward for the hunter. Option C: 'Histoire' is mentioned regarding historians, not the hunter's reward. Option D: 'Nourriture' (Food) is explicitly mentioned as the reason people stopped hunting ('cessé de chasser pour se nourrir'). 5. Conclusion: Option A is the correct paraphrase of the audio content.
- A
A position as village leader.
The correct answer is A because the speaker explicitly states that the best hunter assumes a leadership role in the community. The audio mentions, 'Le meilleur chasseur, c'est celui qui va devenir le chef du village' (The best hunter is the one who will become the village chief). This role of 'chef du village' (village chief) is a clear example of a 'poste de responsabilité du village' (position of responsibility in the village), as stated in option A.
- B
More leisure time.
The audio explains that hunting evolved from a necessity into a leisure activity, mentioning "chasser pour le loisir" (hunting for leisure). However, it does not state that the best hunter is rewarded with more leisure time. Instead, the reward is a position of leadership, as the speaker says, "Le meilleur chasseur, c'est celui qui va devenir le chef du village" (The best hunter is the one who will become the village chief).
- C
A special place in history.
While the speaker mentions "les historiens" (historians) at the beginning of the audio, it is in the context of who has studied the origins of sport. The text never claims that the best hunter earns "une place spéciale dans l’histoire" (a special place in history). The reward described is a concrete, immediate role within the community, not a historical legacy.
- D
A larger share of food.
This option is directly contradicted by the audio. The speaker's main argument is that sport hunting began when people "a cessé de chasser pour se nourrir" (stopped hunting to feed themselves). Therefore, the best hunter's reward would not be a larger share of food, but rather the symbolic power and status that comes with being the strongest, which allows him to become "le chef du village" (the village chief).
Le sport aurait commencé, d'après les anthropologues, d'après les historiens, d'abord d'après les archéologues, quand la chasse est devenue un sport. C'est-à-dire qu'on a cessé de chasser pour se nourrir et chasser pour le loisir, chasser pour le symbolique. Le meilleur chasseur, c'est celui qui va devenir le chef du village. Celui qui rapporte le plus de têtes d'animal, c'est le plus fort physiquement, donc il s'impose symboliquement. Donc le lien entre la chasse et la guerre est direct. Parce que si on fait encore un autre lien, celui qui est un bon chasseur va être un bon guerrier. D'après cet intervenant, à quoi peut prétendre le meilleur chasseur d'une communauté?
Sport would have begun, according to anthropologists, according to historians, first according to archaeologists, when hunting became a sport. That is to say, people stopped hunting to eat and started hunting for leisure, hunting for symbolic reasons. The best hunter is the one who will become the village chief. The one who brings back the most animal heads is the physically strongest, so he imposes himself symbolically. So the link between hunting and war is direct. Because if we make another link, the one who is a good hunter will be a good warrior. According to this speaker, what can the best hunter in a community aspire to?
- chasseur
- hunter
- chef
- chief/leader
- loisir
- leisure
- se nourrir
- to feed oneself
- guerrier
- warrior
Listen, then choose
Écoutez le document sonore et la question. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
Choose an answer to see the explanation.
The man regrets going to the exhibition alone because he didn't understand many of the pieces, stating, 'il y a beaucoup d'œuvres que je n'ai pas comprises' (there were many works I didn't understand). His regret is confirmed when his friend says she could have explained things to him and he replies, 'La prochaine fois, je te demanderai de m'accompagner' (Next time, I'll ask you to accompany me), showing he wishes he had gone with her.
Tu aurais dû attendre ce week-end.
Next time, I will ask you to accompany me.
The dialogue begins with the man stating he visited the exhibition but did not understand many of the artworks ('beaucoup d'œuvres que je n'ai pas comprises'). The woman mentions that if he had waited to go with her, she could have explained them ('j'aurais pu t'expliquer pas mal de choses'). The man agrees with her expertise and concludes by saying, 'Next time, I will ask you to accompany me.' This resolution indicates that his main regret is not having her there to explain the art, meaning he regrets going alone.
- A
Having chosen to go there alone.
The man regrets going to the exhibition alone because he didn't understand many of the pieces, stating, 'il y a beaucoup d'œuvres que je n'ai pas comprises' (there were many works I didn't understand). His regret is confirmed when his friend says she could have explained things to him and he replies, 'La prochaine fois, je te demanderai de m'accompagner' (Next time, I'll ask you to accompany me), showing he wishes he had gone with her.
- B
Having waited in a queue.
The man states that “il y avait du monde” (it was crowded), but he never mentions having to “attendu dans une file” (wait in a line). His main regret, expressed at the end, is not having his friend with him to explain the art, not the crowd.
- C
Having missed some works.
The man does not say he “manqué quelques œuvres” (missed some works). In fact, he says the opposite: he saw “beaucoup d'œuvres” (a lot of works), but the problem was that he “n'ai pas comprises” (didn't understand) them.
- D
Having followed his friend's advice.
The man does not regret following his friend's advice. He explicitly says the exhibition “C'était sympa” (It was nice). His regret is about the circumstances of his visit, specifically going alone and not understanding the art, not about the recommendation itself.
Je suis allé voir l'exposition que tu m'as conseillée. Et qu'en as-tu pensé ? C'était sympa, mais il y a beaucoup d'œuvres que je n'ai pas comprises. Et puis, j'y suis allé jeudi en soirée, il y avait du monde. Tu aurais dû attendre ce week-end. J'y retourne, et j'aurais pu t'expliquer pas mal de choses. C'est vrai que tu es passionné d'art contemporain. La prochaine fois, je te demanderai de m'accompagner. Que regrette le jeune homme ?
I went to see the exhibition you recommended to me. And what did you think of it? It was nice, but there are a lot of works I didn't understand. And then, I went on Thursday evening, there were a lot of people. You should have waited until this weekend. I'm going back, and I could have explained quite a few things to you. It's true that you're passionate about contemporary art. Next time, I'll ask you to come with me. What does the young man regret?
- œuvres
- works (of art)
- comprises
- understood
- du monde
- people / crowded
- m'accompagner
- to accompany me
Listen, then choose
Écoutez le document sonore et la question. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
Choose an answer to see the explanation.
The correct answer is C because the mother is worried about the logistical difficulties and lifestyle compromises required by her children's sports activities. She explicitly describes how families must make 'plusieurs entorses à l'hygiène de vie' (several compromises to a healthy lifestyle) in order to 'réussir à rencontrer les horaires' (manage the schedules). Specific examples of these constraints include having children eat in the car, 'faire manger les enfants dans la voiture' (have the children eat in the car), and doing extra homework in advance because there won't be time on other days. These examples directly illustrate the 'contraintes' (constraints) mentioned in option C.
on fait faire du sport à nos enfants pour développer des valeurs, des valeurs de rigueur, de saines habitudes de vie, de qualité de vie et puis on se retrouve à devoir composer avec des attitudes qui ne sont pas très très de grande qualité.
So, we make several breaches of lifestyle hygiene sometimes to manage to meet the schedules.
1. Identify the main topic: The speaker discusses the difficulty of balancing ('concilier') heavy sports schedules ('beaucoup d'heures de sport') with studies. 2. Analyze the argument: She points out a 'paradox'. While sports are supposed to promote a healthy lifestyle, the reality forces them into unhealthy habits to save time. 3. Locate specific examples: She mentions 'eating in the car' and rushing homework to fit the schedule. 4. Connect to options: These examples represent logistical difficulties and compromises required to make the schedule work. This aligns perfectly with 'constraints linked to sports practices'. 5. Eliminate distractors: She does not mention winning/losing (D), specific training drills (B), or the number of competitions specifically (A), but rather the overall daily pressure.
- A
The frequency of sports competitions.
The mother's concern is not specifically about "La fréquence des compétitions sportives" (The frequency of sports competitions). While she mentions having "beaucoup d'heures de sport" (many hours of sport), her main worry is the overall negative impact on lifestyle, such as having to "faire manger les enfants dans la voiture" (make the children eat in the car) and making "entorses à l'hygiène de vie" (compromises to a healthy lifestyle) to meet the "horaires" (schedules). The issue is the general time commitment, not just the frequency of competitions.
- B
The content of sports programs.
The mother does not criticize "Le contenu des programmes sportifs" (The content of the sports programs). In fact, she acknowledges the positive goals of sports, which are to "développer des valeurs, des valeurs de rigueur, de saines habitudes de vie" (develop values, values of rigor, of healthy life habits). Her concern is not with what happens during the sport, but with the logistical challenges and lifestyle compromises required to participate.
- C
The constraints related to sports practices.
The correct answer is C because the mother is worried about the logistical difficulties and lifestyle compromises required by her children's sports activities. She explicitly describes how families must make 'plusieurs entorses à l'hygiène de vie' (several compromises to a healthy lifestyle) in order to 'réussir à rencontrer les horaires' (manage the schedules). Specific examples of these constraints include having children eat in the car, 'faire manger les enfants dans la voiture' (have the children eat in the car), and doing extra homework in advance because there won't be time on other days. These examples directly illustrate the 'contraintes' (constraints) mentioned in option C.
- D
The insufficiency of sports results.
The option "L’insuffisance des résultats sportifs" (The insufficiency of sports results) is never mentioned in the audio. The mother's entire monologue focuses on the difficulty of balancing sports with studies and a healthy lifestyle ("concilier les études," "hygiène de vie"). There is no reference to the children's performance, winning, or losing.
Est-ce que c'est toujours compatible ça, d'avoir beaucoup d'heures de sport comme ça et pouvoir concilier les études aussi ? Non, spontanément c'est pas toujours compatible et puis c'est un grand paradoxe qui s'installe d'entrée de jeu parce que on fait faire du sport à nos enfants pour développer des valeurs, des valeurs de rigueur, de saines habitudes de vie, de qualité de vie et puis on se retrouve à devoir composer avec des attitudes qui ne sont pas très très de grande qualité. on va faire manger les enfants dans la voiture en s'en allant à l'aréna, on va faire tes devoirs deux, trois fois plus parce qu'on sait que tel ou tel jour, on n'aura pas le temps de les faire. Donc, on fait plusieurs entorses à l'hygiène de vie parfois pour réussir à rencontrer les horaires. Qu'est-ce qui inquiète cette mère de famille ?
Is it always compatible, having so many hours of sports like that and being able to balance studies as well? No, spontaneously it's not always compatible, and it's a big paradox that sets in right from the start because we have our children play sports to develop values, values of rigor, healthy lifestyle habits, quality of life, and then we find ourselves having to deal with attitudes that are not of very high quality. We'll feed the children in the car on the way to the arena, we'll do your homework two, three times more because we know that on such and such a day, we won't have time to do it. So, we sometimes make several compromises to our lifestyle hygiene to manage the schedules. What worries this mother?
- concilier
- to reconcile / to juggle
- d'entrée de jeu
- from the start
- entorses
- breaches / compromises
- hygiène de vie
- lifestyle habits / healthy living
- rencontrer
- to meet (the schedules)
Listen, then choose
Écoutez l’extrait sonore et les 4 propositions. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
Choose an answer to see the explanation.
The correct answer is D because the report explicitly states that the record number of vacations is due to a new trend. It specifies that, on average, "les gens partent moins longtemps, mais plus souvent" (people go away for shorter periods, but more often). This directly supports the statement that they travel several times a year for brief periods. The report attributes this to the popularity of "courts séjours" (short stays) like city breaks.
Une tendance durable, puisqu'en moyenne, les gens partent moins longtemps, mais plus souvent.
A lasting trend, since on average, people leave for shorter periods, but more often.
1. Analyze the Context: The audio begins by stating that despite a difficult economic context, French people have never gone on vacation so much. This eliminates Option A, which suggests they are avoiding travel expenses. 2. Identify the Trend: The speaker attributes this record to an enthusiasm for "courts séjours" (short stays) and "city breaks" facilitated by low-cost flights. This eliminates Option B, as they are actively using flights for these short trips. 3. Geographic Scope: The audio mentions "capitale européenne" (European capital), whereas Option C claims they travel to "tous les continents" (all continents), making C incorrect due to scope. 4. Conclusion: The final sentence explicitly states, "les gens partent moins longtemps, mais plus souvent" (people go away for shorter periods, but more often). Option D ("travel several times a year briefly") is a direct paraphrase of this statement.
- A
They avoid travel expenses because of the crisis.
This option is directly contradicted by the first sentence of the report, which states, "Malgré un contexte économique et social compliqué, les Français ne sont jamais autant partis en vacances" (Despite a complicated economic and social context, the French have never gone on holiday so much). This indicates that they are not avoiding travel expenses; in fact, they are travelling more than ever.
- B
They refuse to travel by plane for a few days.
The report explicitly links the trend of short trips to the availability of cheap flights. It says these trips "sont en vogue depuis la démocratisation des vols aériens low-cost" (are in vogue since the democratization of low-cost air travel). This shows that the French are embracing, not refusing, air travel for these short stays.
- C
They travel to all continents every year.
The report does not mention travel to "tous les continents" (every continent). It specifically gives the example of short trips spent "dans une capitale européenne" (in a European capital). The focus is on short, frequent trips, not extensive intercontinental travel.
- D
They travel several times a year for short periods.
The correct answer is D because the report explicitly states that the record number of vacations is due to a new trend. It specifies that, on average, "les gens partent moins longtemps, mais plus souvent" (people go away for shorter periods, but more often). This directly supports the statement that they travel several times a year for brief periods. The report attributes this to the popularity of "courts séjours" (short stays) like city breaks.
Malgré un contexte économique et social compliqué, les Français ne sont jamais autant partis en vacances. La raison de ce record ? L'engouement pour les courts séjours. Ce sont les fameux city breaks, ces gros week-ends souvent préparés au dernier moment que l'on passe dans une capitale européenne, et qui sont en vogue depuis la démocratisation des vols aériens low-cost. Une tendance durable, puisqu'en moyenne, les gens partent moins longtemps, mais plus souvent. Que nous apprend ce reportage sur les Français ?
Despite a complicated economic and social context, the French have never gone on vacation as much. The reason for this record? The enthusiasm for short stays. These are the famous city breaks, those long weekends often planned at the last minute spent in a European capital, which have been in vogue since the democratization of low-cost air travel. A lasting trend, as on average, people go away for shorter periods but more often. What does this report teach us about the French?
- l'engouement
- craze / enthusiasm
- courts séjours
- short stays
- en vogue
- in fashion / popular
- durable
- lasting