TCF Canada Reading Practice — Level B1
4 TCF Canada Reading questions at level B1. 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
- Letters, short articles, practical documents
- What is tested
- Understanding the main idea and the events described
In the real test, B1 questions are worth 15 points each out of 699.
Quel service propose cette société ?
Choose an answer to see the explanation.
The advertisement offers a ride to the airport charged by the kilometer, serving as an alternative to parking your own car.
Avec notre société, payez seulement le nombre de kilomètres nécessaires.
With our company, pay only for the number of kilometers necessary.
The text starts by addressing people who need to go to the airport and complains about the high cost of parking (implying you should not drive your own car). The key phrase 'payez seulement le nombre de kilomètres nécessaires' (pay only for the necessary kilometers) indicates a pricing model based on distance traveled, which is characteristic of a taxi or shuttle service. Therefore, the service is transporting people.
- A
Buy a plane ticket.
The text mentions the airport as a destination, not the sale of flight tickets.
- B
Organize vacations.
The text focuses on a specific trip to the airport, not general vacation planning.
- C
Reserve a parking space.
The text mentions parking is 'too expensive' to suggest an alternative to using a parking lot, not to sell a spot.
- D
Transport people.
Paying based on kilometers to get to a destination confirms it is a transport service.
Do you need to get to the Marseille airport? Is parking too expensive? With our company, pay only for the number of kilometers you need. Call us every day, 24 hours a day.
What service does this company offer?
- société
- company
- aéroport
- airport
- coûte
- costs
- kilomètres
- kilometers
Selon l’auteur de l’article, qu’est-ce qui caractérise la société contemporaine ?
Choose an answer to see the explanation.
The author describes the current era as one seeking 'maximum pleasure' with 'minimum constraints,' which equates to the pursuit of easy happiness.
Il faut dire que l’animal colle à son époque : un minimum de contraintes pour un maximum de plaisir.
It must be said that the animal fits its era: a minimum of constraints for a maximum of pleasure.
The question asks what characterizes contemporary society according to the text. The text states: 'l’animal colle à son époque : un minimum de contraintes pour un maximum de plaisir' (the animal fits its era: a minimum of constraints for a maximum of pleasure). This suggests that the current era ('son époque') is defined by a desire to obtain pleasure without having to deal with burdens or difficulties. This aligns perfectly with Option C, 'La quête du bonheur facile' (The quest for easy happiness).
- A
The fear of dependency.
The text mentions 'minimum constraints' but does not explicitly frame this as a 'fear of dependency'.
- B
The ambient emotional desert.
The text states the cat provides affection, but it does not claim that society itself is an 'emotional desert'.
- C
The quest for easy happiness.
This option paraphrases 'maximum pleasure' (happiness) with 'minimum constraints' (easy).
- D
The search for balance.
The text focuses on maximizing pleasure and minimizing effort, not necessarily on finding 'balance'.
The French love cats. It must be said that the animal suits its time: a minimum of constraints for a maximum of pleasure. With it, no mandatory walks, a negligible footprint, a moderate appetite, and the satisfaction of having a small, affectionate domestic tiger at home. All reasons are good to welcome this small animal into our homes.
According to the author of the article, what characterizes contemporary society?
- colle à son époque
- fits its era / fits the times
- contraintes
- constraints / burdens
- encombrement dérisoire
- negligible space / clutter
- foyers
- homes / households
De quoi le texte fait-il la publicité ?
Choose an answer to see the explanation.
The phrase 'for one or two nights' confirms that this is an accommodation service, fitting the definition of a 'lieu d'accueil'.
Marie-Dominique, qui vous reçoit dans sa chaleureuse famille pour une ou deux nuits à petit prix.
Marie-Dominique, who welcomes you into her warm family for one or two nights at a low price.
1. Scan the text for key services offered. The text says: 'vous reçoit... pour une ou deux nuits' (welcomes you... for one or two nights). 2. This phrase clearly indicates accommodation or lodging. 3. While food is mentioned ('goûter les spécialités'), it is presented as a perk of staying with the family, not the primary business (restaurant or grocery). 4. Therefore, the text advertises a place that welcomes guests (lieu d'accueil).
- A
A place of welcome/accommodation.
The text explicitly mentions being received for 'nights', which defines a place of accommodation/welcome.
- B
A historical monument.
There is no mention of a building with historical significance.
- C
A family grocery store.
While food is mentioned, the text describes a host offering tastings during a stay, not a shop selling goods.
- D
A traditional restaurant.
Although 'tasting specialties' is mentioned, the primary offer is overnight stays ('nuits'), distinguishing it from a simple restaurant.
Come and discover the beauty of Haut-Rhin with Marie-Dominique, who welcomes you into her warm family home for one or two nights at a low price. She will let you taste the specialties of this region, such as homemade cheeses or cured meats.
What is the text advertising?
- reçoit
- welcomes / receives
- nuits
- nights
- lieu d’accueil
- place of welcome / accommodation
- goûter
- to taste
- faits maison
- homemade
D’après ce psychologue, pourquoi se parle-t-on à voix haute ?
Choose an answer to see the explanation.
The psychologist explains that speaking aloud forces us to order our thoughts and organize our reflection, which corresponds to clarifying ideas.
À l’oral, il faut choisir les mots, énoncer les choses dans l’ordre, les mettre à plat pour organiser notre réflexion, comme l’explique le psychologue Sébastien Dupont.
When speaking, one must choose words, state things in order, lay them out to organize our reflection, as explained by psychologist Sébastien Dupont.
1. Scan the text for the psychologist's name (Sébastien Dupont). It appears in the final sentence. 2. Analyze his explanation: He states that speaking allows one to 'choose words' (choisir les mots), 'state things in order' (énoncer les choses dans l'ordre), and 'lay them out to organize our reflection' (les mettre à plat pour organiser notre réflexion). 3. Compare this logic with the options. 4. Option A ('To clarify one's ideas') is a direct synonym for organizing reflection and laying thoughts out clearly. 5. Options B, C, and D mention concepts (loneliness, memory, decisions) that are not present in the text.
- A
To clarify one's ideas.
The text states that speaking aloud helps 'organize our reflection' and 'lay things out' (mettre à plat), which effectively means clarifying one's ideas.
- B
To fill the loneliness.
The text discusses the cognitive process of thinking versus speaking, not emotional states like loneliness.
- C
To exercise memory.
Memory exercises are not mentioned in the passage.
- D
To make decisions.
While organizing thoughts might lead to decisions, the text specifically focuses on the process of organizing/clarifying thoughts, not the final act of decision-making.
We have all talked out loud while being alone. But why do we start expressing ourselves this way, rather than simply thinking silently in our heads? When speaking aloud, not everything can be said at the same time, unlike what happens in the mind, where thoughts come simultaneously and can contradict one another. When speaking, one must choose words, state things in order, and lay them out to organize one's thoughts, as psychologist Sébastien Dupont explains.
According to this psychologist, why do we speak to ourselves out loud?
- simultanément
- simultaneously
- s’exclure
- exclude each other
- mettre à plat
- lay out / clarify
- réflexion
- reflection / thinking
- nous contentons de
- content ourselves with