TEF Section A: Top 5 Question Patterns & How to Answer Them

Watch: TEF Section A Practice Demo

What is TEF Section A?

In TEF Canada Section A, you're placed in a phone call scenario. You get an advertisement (apartment rental, job posting, event listing, etc.) and your job is to call the person who posted it and ask questions to gather more information.

The examiner pretends to be the person on the other end. You have roughly 5 minutes, and the goal is to ask as many relevant, well-formed questions as you can.

The 5 Most Common Question Patterns

1. Clarification Questions (Demander des precisions)

These dig deeper into something already mentioned in the ad.

Example: If the ad says "spacious apartment":

• "Pourriez-vous me preciser la superficie exacte de l'appartement ?"
• "Combien de pieces comporte l'appartement ?"

Why this works: It shows the examiner you actually read the ad and can engage with the details.

2. Condition & Requirement Questions

Things the ad didn't mention but a real caller would want to know.

Example:

• "Est-ce qu'un depot de garantie est exige ?"
• "Y a-t-il des conditions particulieres pour postuler ?"

Why this works: It proves you can think practically, like someone who actually needs this information.

3. Schedule & Availability Questions

Time and date questions fit naturally into almost any scenario.

Example:

• "Quels sont les horaires d'ouverture ?"
• "A partir de quelle date le poste est-il disponible ?"

4. Comparison & Alternative Questions

Asking about other options shows you're thinking at a higher level.

Example:

• "Est-ce qu'il y a d'autres formats disponibles ?"
• "Proposez-vous des tarifs reduits pour les etudiants ?"

5. Follow-up & Next Steps Questions

Wrapping up the call like a professional.

Example:

• "Comment puis-je proceder pour m'inscrire ?"
• "Est-il possible de visiter les lieux avant de prendre une decision ?"

How Section A Is Scored

Here's the official scoring breakdown:

• Information Gathering (40%): How many relevant questions did you ask?
• Linguistic Accuracy (30%): Grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation
• Communication Effectiveness (20%): Did the conversation flow naturally?
• Formal Register (10%): Did you consistently use "vous" and a professional tone?

Quick tip: Shoot for 8 to 12 questions in your 5-minute window. Quality beats quantity, but you still need enough questions to show range.

The Best Way to Prepare

Reading about patterns is a good start, but the real difference comes from actually practicing out loud. Speaking French in your head and speaking it into a microphone are two very different experiences. The more you practice with realistic scenarios, the more natural your questions will sound on test day.