TCF Canada Reading Practice — Level B2
4 TCF Canada Reading 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
- Press articles and reports on current topics
- What is tested
- Following an argument and identifying the writer's position
In the real test, B2 questions are worth 21 points each out of 699.
Que fait l'auteur de cet article ?
Choose an answer to see the explanation.
The author points out dangerous knowledge gaps among tourists and provides facts to warn them, which constitutes advice.
Ce qu'il faut savoir, c'est qu'il existe des différences qui peuvent être notables selon les législations.
What you need to know is that there are differences that can be notable depending on the legislation.
The text highlights that many tourists drive in Europe without knowing specific local rules. The phrase 'Ce qu'il faut savoir' (What you need to know) introduces important information meant to warn or guide the reader. By pointing out significant differences in speed limits and alcohol tolerance, the author is implicitly advising tourists to be careful and inform themselves before driving abroad.
- A
He comments on a law.
The author mentions differences between legislations in general, not analyzing or critiquing a specific law.
- B
He gives advice.
By identifying a lack of knowledge among tourists and highlighting 'what needs to be known' to avoid issues, the author is effectively giving advice.
- C
He makes a complaint.
The tone is informative and cautionary, not negative or complaining.
- D
He tells an anecdote.
The text lists general facts and rules, not a personal story or narrative event.
Many tourists travel Europe's roads in summer without necessarily knowing the rules in force in each country. What you need to know is that there can be notable differences depending on the legislation. While the maximum speed on motorways is 130 km/h in France, it is only 120 km/h in Belgium, Spain, or Portugal. As for the permitted blood alcohol level, it varies from 0.8 g/l in Ireland to zero in the Czech Republic.
What is the author of this article doing?
- en vigueur
- in force / current
- notables
- notable / significant
- taux d'alcoolémie
- blood alcohol level
- autoroute
- highway
Selon cet article, que doivent faire les parents en matière d’éducation ?
Choose an answer to see the explanation.
The passage states that while parents may differ in methods, they must agree on fundamental values to successfully educate their child.
que les parents s’entendent sur les valeurs fondamentales qu’ils veulent lui donner
that parents agree on the fundamental values they want to give them
The text discusses inevitable conflicts between parents regarding education due to different backgrounds. It concludes by stating that parents can educate a child successfully without agreeing on everything, provided they meet one condition. That condition is explicitly stated in the final sentence: 'parents s’entendent sur les valeurs fondamentales' (parents agree on fundamental values). Option D summarizes this requirement effectively.
- A
Talk with their children.
The text focuses on the relationship and agreement between the two parents, not on the dialogue between parents and children.
- B
Rely on their experience.
The text mentions 'experience' as one of the causes of conflict (because everyone has different experiences), not as the solution to be relied upon.
- C
Break free from their family heritage.
While 'family culture' is mentioned as a source of difference, the text does not suggest parents must break free from or reject their heritage.
- D
Find common values.
This directly corresponds to the text's requirement that parents must 'agree on fundamental values' (s’entendent sur les valeurs fondamentales).
In families, there are conflicts between parents, simply because each person has their own parenting style, values, experience, and family culture. Everyone has their own ideas about the role of a father, a mother, and the place of a child. And when each person wants to put their ideas into practice, they clash with those of the other, which creates arguments in the couple. It is inevitable, completely normal, and there is no need to worry about it. One can perfectly well raise a child without agreeing on everything, on one condition: that the parents agree on the fundamental values they want to instill in their child and that they respect each other's parenting methods even if they do not approve of them.
According to this article, what must parents do regarding education?
- style éducatif
- educational style
- se heurter
- to clash
- inévitable
- inevitable
- s’entendre sur
- to agree on
- valeurs fondamentales
- fundamental values
D’après ce texte, quelle est la nouvelle orientation des grandes écoles ?
Choose an answer to see the explanation.
The text explicitly states that schools are now focusing on ethics, social business, and sustainable development, which aligns with integrating social and environmental values.
Il n’y est question que de « social business » ou de « développement durable ».
It is all about "social business" or "sustainable development".
1. The text starts by stating that business schools were criticized for focusing solely on technical knowledge. 2. It mentions a shift: 'Ethics is now in fashion' ('L’éthique est maintenant à la mode'). 3. Specific examples of this new focus are given: 'social business' and 'sustainable development' ('développement durable'). 4. Students are now expected to engage in humanitarian actions and social support. 5. Option C summarizes this by mentioning the integration of 'social and environmental values', which directly corresponds to 'social business' and 'sustainable development'.
- A
Creating partners with the voluntary/non-profit sector
The text mentions that students participate in associative activities, but the primary new orientation described is the adoption of ethical concepts, not specifically the administrative creation of partnerships.
- B
Training disadvantaged youth in management
The text mentions students providing 'academic support' (soutien scolaire) to youth in suburbs, not training those youth to become managers.
- C
Integrating social and environmental values
This option accurately reflects the text's mention of 'social business', 'sustainable development' (environmental), and 'ethics'.
- D
Preparing technicians for the dangers of finance
The text criticizes the previous focus on purely technical knowledge but does not state that the new goal is preparing technicians for financial dangers.
Future manager, be kind! Since the traders' scandals, the grandes écoles have been put in the dock: What they were transmitting was limited to technical knowledge directly exploitable by companies. Social myopia and lack of critical thinking were threatening the future managers of the business world. Ethics is now fashionable in all the major management schools. The only topics of discussion are "social business" or "sustainable development". Alongside traditional community activities, humanitarian initiatives have flourished and more and more students get involved in them every year. From now on, a student must have done tutoring in the suburbs or set up microcredit in Africa.
According to this text, what is the new orientation of the elite schools?
- mises au banc des accusés
- put in the dock (accused)
- développement durable
- sustainable development
- fleuri
- flourished
- soutien scolaire
- academic support / tutoring
À quelle condition les arbres peuvent-ils aider à combattre la pollution urbaine ?
Choose an answer to see the explanation.
The text states that not all trees are effective; specifically, the 'choice of trees' matters, and older species are often unsuitable compared to specific types like those with hairy leaves.
Le choix des arbres a aussi son importance.
The choice of trees also has its importance.
1. The text introduces tree planting as a solution for air pollution but notes it must be 'thought out' (réfléchie). 2. It explicitly states, 'Le choix des arbres a aussi son importance' (The choice of trees also has its importance). 3. It contrasts species planted 50 years ago (which trap pollution) with trees having 'feuilles poilues' (hairy leaves), which are effective. 4. This comparison confirms that effectiveness depends on selecting the right type or species of tree, matching Option A.
- A
If they belong to an adequate species.
The text emphasizes that 'the choice of trees' is crucial and contrasts ineffective old species with effective specific types (hairy leaves).
- B
If they have evergreen leaves in winter.
The text mentions 'hairy leaves' (feuilles poilues), not 'persistent' (evergreen) leaves in winter.
- C
If they were planted a long time ago.
The text explicitly states that species planted 50 years ago 'do not meet today's needs'.
- D
If they are located far from housing areas.
The text suggests planting trees along traffic routes 'to protect homes' (pour protéger les habitations), not keeping them far away.
Cities are showing concern for improving their air quality. One solution: planting trees. Indeed, trees filter particles contained in the atmosphere. However, tree planting must be carefully thought out. It is relevant to place trees along traffic routes to protect homes from pollutants, but also in pedestrian areas. The choice of trees also matters. Tree species planted 50 years ago do not meet today's needs, as they form a canopy that traps pollution at ground level. On the other hand, trees with hairy leaves are, for their part, effective.
Under what condition can trees help combat urban pollution?
- soucieuses
- concerned
- réfléchie
- thought out
- espèces
- species
- couvercle
- lid/cover
- poilues
- hairy