FlexiLingoBuying belongings from a friend who is moving abroad
The task
2 min preparation + 3 min 30Vous êtes en situation d'échange avec un ami. Cet ami part s'installer à l'étranger et ne peut pas emporter tous ses biens. Il a donc décidé de mettre plusieurs objets en vente : des meubles, des appareils, des objets du quotidien. Vous êtes intéressé(e) par certains de ces articles.
Rôles : l'examinateur joue l'ami qui déménage et vend ses affaires ; vous êtes le candidat, un(e) ami(e) qui souhaite acheter.
Votre tâche : posez-lui des questions pour obtenir toutes les informations utiles sur ce qu'il vend (nature et état des articles, âge, dimensions, prix, possibilité de négocier, modalités de paiement, de retrait ou de livraison, délai). Vous pouvez aussi vous renseigner sur son départ. Rebondissez sur ses réponses.
Préparation : 2 minutes. Échange : 3 minutes 30.
TCF Canada — expression orale — tâche 2
Translation of the prompt
أنت في وضعية تبادل مع صديق. هذا الصديق سينتقل للعيش في الخارج ولا يستطيع أخذ كل أغراضه معه، لذلك قرّر عرض عدة أغراض للبيع: أثاث وأجهزة وأشياء من الاستعمال اليومي. أنت مهتمّ (مهتمّة) ببعض هذه الأغراض. الأدوار: الممتحن يلعب دور الصديق الذي ينتقل ويبيع أغراضه؛ وأنت المرشح، صديق (صديقة) يرغب في الشراء. مهمتك: اطرح عليه أسئلة للحصول على جميع المعلومات المفيدة حول ما يبيعه (نوع الأغراض وحالتها، وعمرها، وأبعادها، والسعر، وإمكانية التفاوض، وطرق الدفع، والاستلام أو التوصيل، والمهلة). يمكنك أيضاً أن تسأله عن سفره. تفاعل مع أجوبته. التحضير: دقيقتان. الحوار: 3 دقائق و30 ثانية.
Translation of the prompt
You are in an exchange situation with a friend. This friend is going to settle abroad and cannot take all of their belongings. They have therefore decided to put several items up for sale: furniture, appliances, everyday objects. You are interested in some of these items. Roles: the examiner plays the friend who is moving and selling their things; you are the candidate, a friend who wants to buy. Your task: ask them questions to obtain all the useful information about what they are selling (type and condition of the items, age, dimensions, price, whether the price is negotiable, payment arrangements, pick-up or delivery arrangements, timing). You may also ask about their departure. React to their answers. Preparation: 2 minutes. Exchange: 3 minutes 30.
Translation of the prompt
شما در یک موقعیت گفتگو با یک دوست هستید. این دوست قصد دارد به خارج از کشور نقلمکان کند و نمیتواند همهی وسایلش را با خود ببرد. به همین دلیل تصمیم گرفته چند وسیله را برای فروش بگذارد: مبلمان، لوازم برقی و وسایل روزمره. شما به برخی از این اقلام علاقهمندید. نقشها: ممتحن نقش دوستی را بازی میکند که نقلمکان میکند و وسایلش را میفروشد؛ شما داوطلب هستید، دوستی که میخواهد خرید کند. وظیفهی شما: از او سؤال بپرسید تا همهی اطلاعات لازم دربارهی آنچه میفروشد به دست آورید (نوع و وضعیت وسایل، سن آنها، ابعاد، قیمت، امکان چانهزنی، روشهای پرداخت، تحویل گرفتن یا ارسال، مهلت). همچنین میتوانید دربارهی سفرش بپرسید. به پاسخهایش واکنش نشان دهید. آمادهسازی: ۲ دقیقه. گفتگو: ۳ دقیقه و ۳۰ ثانیه.
How to structure your answer
Open on a friendly note: greet your friend, react to the news of the move, and say you saw that he is selling some of his things. For example: "Alors c'est vrai, tu pars bientôt à l'étranger ?"
Ask what is for sale overall, then zero in on two or three items (sofa, table, fridge). Ask about condition, age, dimensions and why he is selling. Pick up on his answers instead of just moving to the next question.
Move on to price: ask what each item costs, judge the value for money, suggest one price for a bundle of items and negotiate politely. For example: "Si je prenais aussi la table, tu pourrais me faire un prix pour les deux ?"
Sort out the logistics: payment method, pick-up or delivery, transport (a van), the deadline before he leaves, and reserving the items.
Close by summing up what you have agreed, thanking him, and offering to help with the move or wishing him good luck with the next stage.
Model answer
about 362 wordsCandidat : Salut Karim ! Alors c'est vrai, tu pars bientôt à l'étranger ? Je viens de voir que tu vends une partie de tes affaires. Examinateur : Oui, je pars à Montréal dans trois semaines, donc je dois tout vendre rapidement. Candidat : Félicitations, quelle belle nouvelle ! Qu'est-ce que tu as exactement à vendre ? Examinateur : Il y a le canapé, la table à manger, un réfrigérateur, une télé et quelques lampes. Candidat : Super, le canapé m'intéresse beaucoup. Il a quel âge et il est en bon état ? Examinateur : Il a trois ans, il est en tissu gris et il est en très bon état. Candidat : Parfait. Et il fait quelles dimensions ? Je dois vérifier qu'il passera dans mon salon. Examinateur : Il fait environ deux mètres vingt de long. Candidat : D'accord, ça devrait convenir. Tu le vends à combien ? Examinateur : Je le vends 250 dollars. Candidat : Je trouve que c'est un peu cher pour un canapé de trois ans. Et si je prenais aussi la table à manger, tu pourrais me faire un prix pour les deux ? Examinateur : Pour les deux, je peux te les laisser à 350 dollars. Candidat : Ça me semble correct. Est-ce que la table est solide ? Elle a des rayures ? Examinateur : Elle est solide, juste une petite rayure sur un coin. Candidat : Pas de souci. Et le réfrigérateur, il fonctionne bien ? Il est encore sous garantie ? Examinateur : Il marche très bien, mais la garantie est terminée. Je le vends 150 dollars. Candidat : Je vais y réfléchir, je dois d'abord vérifier mon budget. Comment je peux te payer : en espèces ou par virement ? Examinateur : Les deux me conviennent. Candidat : Très bien. Et pour le transport, tu peux livrer, ou je dois venir avec une camionnette ? Examinateur : Je n'ai pas de véhicule, il faudra venir les chercher. Candidat : Aucun problème, j'emprunterai la camionnette d'un ami. Tu es disponible quel jour ce week-end ? Examinateur : Samedi après-midi, ça marche. Candidat : Parfait, alors je viens samedi vers 14 heures. Peux-tu me réserver le canapé et la table d'ici là ? Examinateur : Oui, je te les garde. Candidat : Merci beaucoup ! Si tu as besoin d'aide pour tes cartons avant le départ, n'hésite pas. À samedi et bonne installation à Montréal !
Show the translation
Candidate: Hi Karim! So is it true, you're leaving soon to go abroad? I just saw that you're selling some of your things. Examiner: Yes, I'm moving to Montreal in three weeks, so I have to sell everything quickly. Candidate: Congratulations, what great news! What exactly do you have for sale? Examiner: There's the sofa, the dining table, a fridge, a TV and a few lamps. Candidate: Great, I'm very interested in the sofa. How old is it and is it in good condition? Examiner: It's three years old, it's grey fabric and it's in very good condition. Candidate: Perfect. And what size is it? I need to check that it will fit in my living room. Examiner: It's about two metres twenty long. Candidate: OK, that should be fine. How much are you selling it for? Examiner: I'm selling it for 250 dollars. Candidate: I think that's a bit expensive for a three-year-old sofa. And if I also took the dining table, could you give me a price for both? Examiner: For both, I can let you have them for 350 dollars. Candidate: That seems fair. Is the table sturdy? Does it have any scratches? Examiner: It's sturdy, just one small scratch on a corner. Candidate: No problem. And the fridge, does it work well? Is it still under warranty? Examiner: It works very well, but the warranty has run out. I'm selling it for 150 dollars. Candidate: I'll think about it, I first need to check my budget. How can I pay you: in cash or by bank transfer? Examiner: Either is fine with me. Candidate: Very good. And for transport, can you deliver, or do I have to come with a van? Examiner: I don't have a vehicle, you'll have to come and collect them. Candidate: No problem, I'll borrow a friend's van. Which day are you free this weekend? Examiner: Saturday afternoon works. Candidate: Perfect, then I'll come on Saturday around 2 p.m. Could you reserve the sofa and the table for me until then? Examiner: Yes, I'll keep them for you. Candidate: Thank you so much! If you need help with your boxes before you leave, don't hesitate. See you Saturday and enjoy settling in to Montreal!
Key vocabulary
| Word or phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| mettre en vente | to put something up for sale |
| être en bon état | to be in good condition: it works well and is not damaged |
| un rapport qualité-prix | value for money: what you get compared with what you pay |
| négocier / faire un prix | to negotiate / to offer a better price: to discuss in order to get a lower price |
| un lot | a bundle or job lot: several items sold together |
| la garantie | the warranty: the seller's commitment to repair or replace the item if it breaks down |
| payer en espèces / par virement | to pay in cash / by bank transfer |
| retirer / venir chercher | to pick up / to come and collect: to collect the item from the seller |
| réserver un article | to reserve an item: to ask the seller to hold it for you |
| une rayure | a scratch: a thin mark that damages a surface |
| d'occasion | second-hand: already used |
| s'installer à l'étranger | to settle abroad: to go and live in another country |
Common mistakes
Do not fire off a series of closed questions without reacting to the answers. Pick up the information you were given and build on it; this is what the task means by "rebondir" and it shows real interaction.
WrongIl a trois ans. Il coûte combien ?
RightTrois ans, d'accord, et il n'est pas usé ?
Avoid incorrect price questions such as "c'est combien le prix ?" or "quel est le prix de combien". Use a correct form: the price is already contained in "combien" or in "prix", so do not use both.
WrongC'est combien le prix ?
RightIl coûte combien ? / Quel est son prix ?
Avoid the clumsy "tu peux me dire c'est quoi l'état", which mixes a request with a direct question. Use a correct interrogative structure.
WrongTu peux me dire c'est quoi l'état ?
RightDans quel état est-il ?
Watch the agreement and the fixed expression. To say an item is in good condition, use "en bon état"; "bonne" does not agree with "meuble" and the preposition is missing.
WrongLe meuble est bonne.
RightLe meuble est en bon état.
Saying "je veux acheter" sounds too blunt. Use the polite conditional to sound courteous.
WrongJe veux acheter le canapé.
RightJe voudrais acheter le canapé. / Je serais intéressé(e) par le canapé.
Do not confuse these verbs. "Emmener" is for taking a person somewhere; for an object you carry with you, use "emporter" (or "apporter" when you bring it to a place). Be careful with the choice depending on direction and on whether it is a person or a thing.
WrongJ'emmène le canapé dans ma camionnette.
RightJ'emporte le canapé dans ma camionnette.
"Livrer" means to deliver, which is what the seller does. If you are the one collecting the item, use "venir le chercher".
WrongJe peux le livrer ?
RightJe peux venir le chercher ?
The situation is between friends, so use "tu" throughout. Do not slip into "vous" halfway through.
WrongTu es disponible ? Pouvez-vous me réserver le canapé ?
RightTu es disponible ? Peux-tu me réserver le canapé ?
Do not stay too short (under 3 minutes). Vary the topics (condition, price, payment, transport, deadline) so that you fill the whole exchange.
The grammar this task needs
Interrogative forms: inversion and est-ce que, with natural spoken variants
The whole task is about asking questions. The examiner rewards varied, correct questions rather than a string of identical ones. You need to switch between 'est-ce que', inversion with 'tu' or 'vous' and intonation, while avoiding faulty forms like 'c'est combien le prix ?'.
- Dans quel état est-il ?
- Est-ce que la table est solide ?
- Quel est son prix ?
- Il coûte combien ?
- Peux-tu me réserver le canapé ?
The politeness conditional (je voudrais, je serais intéressé(e), tu pourrais)
When you ask for information or negotiate with a friend, a direct request ('je veux', 'donne-moi') sounds abrupt. The conditional keeps the tone friendly and polite and shows control of a higher-level structure.
- Je voudrais savoir si le canapé est encore disponible.
- Je serais intéressé par la table à manger.
- Tu pourrais me faire un prix pour les deux ?
- Ce serait possible de venir samedi ?
Hypothesis with si + imparfait + conditionnel
Negotiating a bundle price relies on this structure: you propose a condition and its consequence. It is typical of the 'prix global pour un lot' step.
- Et si je prenais aussi la table, tu pourrais me faire un prix ?
- Si je venais samedi, tu serais disponible ?
- Si j'achetais le canapé et le réfrigérateur, tu me ferais une remise ?
Choosing the right verbs: emporter, emmener, apporter, venir chercher, livrer
Transport and pick-up are part of the task, and these verbs are often confused. Using them correctly shows precise vocabulary. Rule of thumb: you take an object away with you (emporter), you take a person somewhere (emmener), and the seller delivers (livrer), while you pick up (venir chercher).
- Je peux venir le chercher samedi ?
- Tu peux le livrer, ou je dois venir avec une camionnette ?
- J'emporterai le canapé dans la camionnette d'un ami.
- Je pourrais emmener mon frère pour m'aider à porter la table.
Phrases to reuse
| Phrase | When to use it |
|---|---|
| Je viens de voir que tu vends + nom | To open the conversation and explain why you are calling or writing. |
| Qu'est-ce que tu as exactement à vendre ? | To ask for the full list of items before choosing the ones you want. |
| Il a quel âge et il est en bon état ? | To ask about the age and condition of an item in one go. |
| Il fait quelles dimensions ? | To check size, for example to see whether a sofa will fit in your living room. |
| Tu le vends à combien ? | To ask the price in a natural, friendly way. |
| Je trouve que c'est un peu cher pour + nom | To start negotiating politely without offending a friend. |
| Et si je prenais aussi + nom, tu pourrais me faire un prix ? | To propose a bundle (a lot) and ask for a discount. |
| Comment je peux te payer : en espèces ou par virement ? | To ask about payment methods. |
| Tu peux livrer, ou je dois venir le chercher ? | To clarify delivery or pick-up. |
| Peux-tu me réserver + nom d'ici + moment ? | To ask your friend to hold an item until you come back for it. |
| Je vais y réfléchir, je dois d'abord vérifier mon budget. | To avoid committing right away without ending the discussion. |
| Si tu as besoin d'aide pour + nom, n'hésite pas. | To close warmly by offering help with the move. |
Ideas bank
| Position | Argument | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Information to ask for | Condition and age of each item, including defects. | Ask whether the table has scratches, or whether the sofa fabric is worn or stained. |
| Information to ask for | Practical details: dimensions, working order, warranty. | Check that the sofa is 2.20 m long and will pass through your door, and ask whether the fridge still works well even though the warranty has expired. |
| Information to ask for | Reason for the sale and the friend's departure. | Ask when exactly he leaves for Montréal, what he is going to do there, and whether he is selling everything because of luggage limits. |
| Negotiation | Compare price and quality to justify a discount. | Say that 250 dollars is a bit high for a three-year-old sofa, then suggest a lower price if you take two items. |
| Negotiation | Buy several items to get a lot price. | Offer to take the sofa and the dining table together, and ask about the lamps as a bonus. |
| Nuance | Show you are interested without committing immediately. | Say you need to check your budget before deciding on the fridge, and ask how long he can wait for your answer. |
| Logistics | Payment, pick-up and delivery. | Ask whether cash or bank transfer suits him, and explain that you will borrow a friend's van since he has no vehicle. |
| Logistics | Timing and reservation before the departure. | Agree on Saturday at 2 p.m. and ask him to keep the items for you until then. |
| Friendly gesture | Offer help and good wishes at the end. | Offer to help with the boxes before he leaves and wish him a good settling-in abroad. |
What the examiner looks for
The examiner wants to see that you can obtain information through varied, correct questions covering the whole list: nature, condition, age, dimensions, price, negotiation, payment, pick-up or delivery, and deadline. They also check that you react to the friend's answers instead of reading out a list of questions. A friendly, consistent register (tutoiement throughout) with polite forms such as the conditional is expected. Fill the full 3 minutes 30 by moving through several themes, and use precise vocabulary and a few complex structures (si + imparfait, relative clauses) to reach B2 or C1.