FlexiLingoGetting information about a cultural festival in Montreal
The task
2 min preparation + 3 min 30Vous habitez à Montréal depuis quelques semaines. En vous promenant dans votre quartier, vous avez remarqué une affiche annonçant un Festival international des cultures du monde. Vous téléphonez au bureau d'information du festival pour en savoir plus avant de vous y rendre. L'examinateur joue le rôle du responsable des renseignements du festival. Vous devez obtenir des informations sur le programme, les dates et horaires, les lieux, les tarifs et les moyens d'accès en transport en commun.
TCF Canada — expression orale — tâche 2
Translation of the prompt
أنت تقيم في مونتريال منذ بضعة أسابيع. أثناء تجوّلك في حيّك، لاحظت لافتة تعلن عن مهرجان دولي لثقافات العالم. تتصل بمكتب معلومات المهرجان لمعرفة المزيد قبل التوجّه إليه. الممتحن يلعب دور المسؤول عن المعلومات في المهرجان. عليك الحصول على معلومات حول البرنامج، والتواريخ والأوقات، والأماكن، والأسعار، ووسائل الوصول عبر النقل العام.
Translation of the prompt
Sie wohnen seit einigen Wochen in Montreal. Bei einem Spaziergang durch Ihr Viertel haben Sie ein Plakat bemerkt, das ein Internationales Festival der Weltkulturen ankündigt. Sie rufen das Informationsbüro des Festivals an, um mehr darüber zu erfahren, bevor Sie hingehen. Der Prüfer übernimmt die Rolle des Auskunftsverantwortlichen des Festivals. Sie müssen Informationen zum Programm, zu den Terminen und Uhrzeiten, zu den Veranstaltungsorten, zu den Preisen und zu den Möglichkeiten der Anreise mit öffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln erhalten.
Translation of the prompt
You have been living in Montreal for a few weeks. While walking around your neighbourhood, you noticed a poster announcing an International Festival of World Cultures. You call the festival's information office to find out more before attending. The examiner plays the role of the festival's information officer. You must obtain information about the programme, the dates and times, the venues, the prices, and how to get there by public transport.
Translation of the prompt
چند هفتی است که در مونترال زندگی می‌کنید. در حین قدم زدن در محله‌تان، پوستری دیدید که یک جشنواره‌ی بین‌المللی فرهنگ‌های جهان را اعلام می‌کرد. با دفتر اطلاعات جشنواره تماس می‌گیرید تا قبل از رفتن، اطلاعات بیشتری کسب کنید. ممتحن نقش مسئول اطلاعات جشنواره را بازی می‌کند. شما باید اطلاعاتی درباره‌ی برنامه، تاریخ‌ها و ساعت‌ها، مکان‌ها، قیمت‌ها و نحوه‌ی دسترسی با حمل‌ونقل عمومی به دست آورید.
Translation of the prompt
आप कुछ हफ़्तों से मॉन्ट्रियल में रह रहे हैं। अपने मोहल्ले में टहलते हुए, आपने एक पोस्टर देखा जिसमें एक अंतरराष्ट्रीय विश्व संस्कृति फ़ेस्टिवल की घोषणा की गई थी। वहाँ जाने से पहले और जानकारी लेने के लिए आप फ़ेस्टिवल के सूचना कार्यालय को फ़ोन करते हैं। परीक्षक फ़ेस्टिवल के जानकारी प्रभारी की भूमिका निभाता है। आपको प्रोग्राम, तारीख़ों और समय, जगहों, टिकट की कीमतों और सार्वजनिक परिवहन से वहाँ पहुँचने के साधनों के बारे में जानकारी लेनी है।
Translation of the prompt
Bạn sống ở Montréal được vài tuần. Trong khi đi dạo trong khu phố của mình, bạn để ý thấy một tấm áp phích quảng cáo một Lễ hội quốc tế các nền văn hoá thế giới. Bạn gọi điện đến văn phòng thông tin của lễ hội để tìm hiểu thêm trước khi đến đó. Giám khảo đóng vai người phụ trách thông tin của lễ hội. Bạn cần thu thập thông tin về chương trình, ngày giờ, địa điểm, giá vé và các phương tiện di chuyển bằng giao thông công cộng để đến đó.
Translation of the prompt
您搬到蒙特利尔已经几个星期了。在您所住街区散步时，您注意到一张海报，宣传一个国际世界文化节。在前往参加之前，您打电话给该节日的问询处，想了解更多信息。考官将扮演该节日问询处负责人的角色。您需要获取有关节目内容、日期和时间安排、举办地点、票价以及公共交通到达方式等方面的信息。
How to structure your answer
Greet the person, briefly explain why you are calling, and mention how you found out about the festival (a poster in your neighbourhood).
Ask about the programme content: what kinds of activities are on offer (concerts, exhibitions, workshops) and which cultures or communities are represented.
Find out the exact dates, times and locations of the various events.
Ask about prices, any available discounts, and how to buy tickets.
Ask how to reach both venues by public transport, then close the call with a warm thank-you.
Model answer
about 439 wordsCandidat : Bonjour ! Je vous appelle au sujet du Festival international des cultures du monde. J'ai aperçu une affiche dans mon quartier et j'aimerais obtenir quelques renseignements, s'il vous plaît.
Examinateur : Bien sûr, je suis là pour vous aider ! Qu'est-ce que vous souhaitez savoir ?
Candidat : Tout d'abord, pourriez-vous me décrire le programme général du festival ? Quels types d'activités sont proposés ?
Examinateur : Nous proposons des concerts, des spectacles de danse traditionnelle, des expositions d'art et des ateliers de cuisine du monde entier.
Candidat : C'est vraiment très varié ! J'aurais une question un peu personnelle : est-ce que des cultures africaines ou maghrébines sont représentées ? Je viens d'Afrique subsaharienne et ce serait formidable de retrouver un peu de chez moi.
Examinateur : Absolument ! Nous avons un espace entièrement dédié à l'Afrique et au Maghreb, avec des concerts de musique traditionnelle et une exposition photographique samedi soir.
Candidat : C'est une excellente nouvelle ! Maintenant, j'aurais besoin de connaître les dates et les horaires exacts. Quand est-ce que le festival se déroule ?
Examinateur : Le festival a lieu du 15 au 20 septembre, tous les jours de 10 h à 22 h.
Candidat : Très bien. Est-ce que tous les événements se tiennent au même endroit, ou y a-t-il plusieurs sites ? Je dois avouer que je ne connais pas encore très bien la ville et je veux éviter de me perdre.
Examinateur : Il y a deux sites principaux : le parc Jean-Drapeau et la Place des Arts, en plein centre-ville.
Candidat : Je comprends. En ce qui concerne les tarifs, l'entrée est-elle payante pour tous les événements ? Et si oui, comment peut-on se procurer les billets ?
Examinateur : L'accès au parc est entièrement gratuit, mais les spectacles en salle coûtent entre 15 et 40 dollars. Vous pouvez acheter vos billets en ligne ou directement aux guichets sur place.
Candidat : D'accord. Existe-t-il des tarifs réduits ? Je suis nouvellement arrivé au Canada et je gère encore mon budget de façon assez serrée pour le moment.
Examinateur : Oui, nous proposons un tarif communautaire à 8 dollars sur présentation d'une pièce d'identité.
Candidat : C'est une très bonne nouvelle, merci ! Dernière question : comment me rendre sur ces deux sites en transport en commun ? Est-ce que le métro les dessert facilement ?
Examinateur : Tout à fait. Le parc Jean-Drapeau est accessible par la station du même nom sur la ligne jaune, et la Place des Arts se trouve sur la ligne verte.
Candidat : Parfait, c'est vraiment très pratique. Je vous remercie infiniment pour tous ces renseignements. Vous m'avez été d'une aide précieuse. Je pense que je vais m'y rendre dès ce week-end !
Examinateur : Avec plaisir ! Bonne visite et bienvenue à Montréal !
Show the translation
Candidate: Hello! I'm calling about the International Festival of World Cultures. I spotted a poster in my neighbourhood and I'd like to get some information, please.
Examiner: Of course, I'm here to help! What would you like to know?
Candidate: First of all, could you describe the festival's general programme for me? What kinds of activities are on offer?
Examiner: We have concerts, traditional dance performances, art exhibitions and cooking workshops from around the world.
Candidate: That sounds wonderfully varied! I have a slightly personal question: are African or North African cultures represented? I come from sub-Saharan Africa and it would be wonderful to find a little piece of home.
Examiner: Absolutely! We have a space entirely dedicated to Africa and the Maghreb, with traditional music concerts and a photography exhibition on Saturday evening.
Candidate: That's excellent news! Now, I'd need to know the exact dates and times. When does the festival take place?
Examiner: The festival runs from 15 to 20 September, every day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Candidate: Very good. Do all the events take place in the same location, or are there several venues? I have to admit I don't know the city very well yet and I want to avoid getting lost.
Examiner: There are two main venues: Parc Jean-Drapeau and Place des Arts, right in the city centre.
Candidate: I see. As far as prices go, is there an admission fee for all events? And if so, how can one get tickets?
Examiner: Access to the park is completely free, but indoor performances cost between 15 and 40 dollars. You can buy your tickets online or directly at the box offices on site.
Candidate: I see. Are there any reduced rates? I've just arrived in Canada and I'm still managing my budget fairly carefully for now.
Examiner: Yes, we offer a community rate of 8 dollars on presentation of a piece of identification.
Candidate: That's very good news, thank you! One last question: how do I get to these two venues by public transport? Does the metro serve them easily?
Examiner: It certainly does. Parc Jean-Drapeau is accessible via the station of the same name on the yellow line, and Place des Arts is on the green line.
Candidate: Perfect, that's really very convenient. Thank you so much for all this information. You've been a tremendous help. I think I'll head there this very weekend!
Examiner: My pleasure! Enjoy your visit, and welcome to Montreal!
Key vocabulary
| Word or phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| se procurer des billets | to obtain or buy tickets, implying you take active steps to do so |
| les tarifs réduits | reduced prices available to certain groups: students, newcomers, people on low incomes |
| le guichet | a physical ticket counter or booth where you buy tickets on the spot |
| desservir un lieu | to serve a place with regular public transport |
| dédié à | entirely devoted or reserved for a particular theme, group or subject |
| un atelier | a hands-on, participatory session centred on an activity such as cooking, dance or craft |
| une exposition | a public, organised display of artworks, photographs or cultural objects |
| gérer son budget de façon serrée | to watch your spending carefully and avoid any financial excess |
| un tarif communautaire | a preferential price offered to certain groups, often people in vulnerable situations or new residents |
| les spectacles en salle | artistic performances held inside a building, as opposed to outdoor events |
| se repérer | to find your bearings in a place or city you do not yet know well |
| apercevoir | to catch a brief or chance glimpse of something without having looked for it — more specific than simply 'voir' |
Common mistakes
Use the conditional 'pourriez-vous' rather than 'pouvez-vous' when making a request in a semi-formal context. The conditional is the expected register for polite questions at B2 level.
WrongPouvez-vous me décrire le programme ?
RightPourriez-vous me décrire le programme ?
The verb 'entendre' must be followed by 'parler de' when it means 'to hear about something'. You cannot use 'entendre de' directly.
WrongJ'ai entendu de ce festival.
RightJ'ai entendu parler de ce festival.
'Assister à' means to watch as an audience member; 'participer à' means to take an active part. You attend a concert but you take part in a workshop — mixing them up changes your meaning entirely.
WrongJe veux participer au concert.
RightJe veux assister au concert.
Firing off several questions in a row without pausing for the examiner to answer destroys the interactive nature of the task and will cost you marks. Ask one question, wait for the reply, react, then move on.
'C'est combien ?' is too informal for a B2 oral task. Use 'Quels sont les tarifs ?' or 'Pourriez-vous m'indiquer le prix d'entrée ?' to match the expected register.
WrongC'est combien, l'entrée ?
RightPourriez-vous m'indiquer le prix d'entrée ?
Without transition phrases between your questions, the conversation sounds abrupt and mechanical. Expressions such as 'en ce qui concerne…', 'maintenant, j'aurais besoin de savoir…' or 'dernière question' signal clearly that you are moving to a new topic and make the exchange flow naturally.
'Renseigner' used without a reflexive pronoun is incorrect in this construction. You must say 'me renseigner sur' or use the noun form 'obtenir des renseignements sur'.
WrongJe voudrais renseigner sur les horaires.
RightJe voudrais me renseigner sur les horaires.
Failing to react to the examiner's answers before asking your next question makes the exchange feel artificial. Short responses such as 'c'est une excellente nouvelle !', 'je comprends' or 'très bien' show you are genuinely listening and are essential for a natural interaction.
The grammar this task needs
Conditional for polite requests (le conditionnel de politesse)
This task is a semi-formal phone call. Examiners expect you to frame every request with the conditional, not the present tense. Using the present sounds blunt and costs marks.
- Pourriez-vous me décrire le programme général du festival ?
- J'aurais besoin de connaître les dates et les horaires exacts.
- Pourriez-vous m'indiquer comment me rendre sur ces deux sites ?
The construction 'entendre parler de'
You need to explain how you found out about the festival. This fixed construction is obligatory in French and cannot be shortened.
- J'ai entendu parler de ce festival par une affiche dans mon quartier.
- J'avais déjà entendu parler du parc Jean-Drapeau.
Distinction between 'assister à' and 'participer à'
The festival offers both passive events (concerts, exhibitions) and hands-on sessions (workshops). Using the wrong verb signals a gap in vocabulary precision.
- J'aimerais assister à un concert de musique traditionnelle.
- Est-il possible de participer à un atelier de cuisine ?
Transition phrases to structure a spoken exchange
The task lasts 3 minutes 30 and covers five distinct topics. Linking phrases signal to the examiner that you are organising your speech, not just listing questions.
- En ce qui concerne les tarifs, l'entrée est-elle payante ?
- Maintenant, j'aurais besoin de connaître les dates exactes.
- Dernière question : comment me rendre sur ces deux sites ?
Phrases to reuse
| Phrase | When to use it |
|---|---|
| J'ai aperçu une affiche dans mon quartier et j'aimerais obtenir quelques renseignements. | Opening the call — explains why you are phoning without a long preamble. |
| Pourriez-vous me décrire le programme général ? | Asking for an overview of any programme or offer, politely. |
| J'aurais une question un peu personnelle… | Softening a question that relates to your own background or situation before asking it. |
| C'est vraiment très varié ! | Reacting positively to an answer before moving on to your next question — keeps the exchange natural. |
| J'aurais besoin de connaître les dates et les horaires exacts. | Asking about timing in a polished, indirect way rather than a blunt 'quand ?' |
| Je dois avouer que je ne connais pas encore très bien la ville. | Giving brief personal context to justify a question, which makes the dialogue sound spontaneous. |
| En ce qui concerne les tarifs, l'entrée est-elle payante ? | Pivoting to the topic of prices with a clear linking phrase. |
| Existe-t-il des tarifs réduits ? | Asking about discounts in formal register, more appropriate than 'vous avez des réductions ?' |
| Comment me rendre sur ces deux sites en transport en commun ? | Asking for directions by public transport — covers the last required topic. |
| Je vous remercie infiniment pour tous ces renseignements. Vous m'avez été d'une aide précieuse. | Closing the call warmly — shows range and leaves a strong final impression. |
| C'est une excellente nouvelle, merci ! | Short positive reaction ('back-channelling') after any piece of good news from the examiner. |
| Je pense que je vais m'y rendre dès ce week-end ! | Natural closing remark that rounds off the conversation and sounds spontaneous. |
Ideas bank
| Position | Argument | Example |
|---|---|---|
| For attending | Personal cultural connection — the festival represents your own heritage, making it emotionally meaningful, not just a leisure activity. | The candidate in the model answer is from sub-Saharan Africa and is relieved to find a dedicated Africa and Maghreb space at the festival. |
| For attending | Free or heavily discounted access makes the festival financially accessible to newcomers on a tight budget. | The park is entirely free; a community rate of $8 is available on presentation of ID — far less than a regular $15–40 ticket. |
| For attending | A wide variety of activities (concerts, dance shows, art exhibitions, cooking workshops) means you can return on multiple days without repeating the same experience. | You could attend a photography exhibition on Saturday evening and a cooking workshop on Sunday afternoon. |
| For attending | Direct metro access removes the stress of navigating an unfamiliar city, a real concern for someone who has only lived in Montréal for a few weeks. | Line yellow for Parc Jean-Drapeau, line green for Place des Arts — no transfers or buses needed. |
| Nuance | Having two separate venues spread across the city requires planning ahead, especially if you want to attend events at both sites on the same day. | Travelling between Parc Jean-Drapeau and Place des Arts involves changing metro lines, which adds time. |
| Nuance | Indoor shows cost significantly more ($15–$40) and buying tickets online or at the box office requires some prior organisation. | If you only find out about an evening show on the day, tickets at the door may be sold out. |
| Nuance | A six-day festival running 10 am to 10 pm can be overwhelming; choosing two or three targeted events is more practical than trying to see everything. | Prioritising the African and Maghreb concerts and one cooking workshop gives a focused, enjoyable experience. |
What the examiner looks for
The examiner is assessing whether you can sustain a realistic phone conversation in a semi-formal register — not just recite a list of questions. They want to see you open and close the call correctly, react to each answer with a brief verbal acknowledgement before moving on, and use the conditional consistently for requests. Covering all five required topics (programme, dates and times, venues, prices, public transport) is essential: skipping one is a direct loss of marks. Transition phrases such as 'en ce qui concerne…' and 'maintenant, j'aurais besoin de savoir…' signal clear organisation and raise your score. Vocabulary precision — 'assister à' vs 'participer à', 'se procurer des billets' rather than 'acheter des tickets' — is also noticed. Finally, giving a small amount of personal context (newcomer to the city, tight budget, African background) makes the exchange sound authentic and demonstrates the spontaneity required at B2–C1 level.