Speaking · task 34 min 30 · no preparationLevel B2

La parité hommes-femmes au gouvernement

The task

4 min 30 · no preparation

Vous passez la tâche 3 de l'expression orale : vous devez exprimer votre point de vue, sans préparation, pendant 4 minutes 30. L'examinateur vous pose la question suivante : « Dans certains pays, le gouvernement est composé à parts égales d'hommes et de femmes, soit 50 % de chaque sexe, au nom de l'égalité. Que pensez-vous de cette pratique ? » Présentez votre opinion de façon claire et continue, justifiez-la par des arguments et des exemples, et essayez de convaincre l'examinateur.

TCF Canada — expression orale — tâche 3

Translation of the prompt

You are taking task 3 of the oral expression test: you must express your point of view, without preparation, for 4 minutes 30 seconds. The examiner asks you the following question: "In some countries, the government is made up of equal numbers of men and women, that is 50% of each sex, in the name of equality. What do you think of this practice?" Present your opinion clearly and continuously, justify it with arguments and examples, and try to convince the examiner.

How to structure your answer

  1. Introduction (30 seconds): rephrase the question in your own words, state the facts (a gender-balanced government, for example Canada in 2015) and announce your position clearly, making it a nuanced one: "Je pense que c'est une bonne initiative, à condition que..."

  2. First argument in favour (1 minute): parity corrects a historical under-representation and gives the government democratic legitimacy, since women make up half the population. Back it up with a concrete example, such as Canada's 2015 cabinet or other gender-balanced cabinets.

  3. Second argument (1 minute): a variety of viewpoints leads to better decisions, especially on health, family and education. Women in senior posts also act as role models for young girls.

  4. Limits and objections (1 minute): present the criticisms fairly (choosing by sex rather than competence, reducing women to a quota, neglecting other forms of diversity), then answer them: parity does not rule out competence, because there are as many competent women as men. Use connectors such as "Cependant" and "Je ne partage pas entièrement cet avis".

  5. Conclusion (30 seconds): restate your position (in favour of parity as a stage, backed by education and measures for real equality) and look ahead to the future. Finish clearly with "Je vous remercie."

  6. Time management: you must keep talking for the full 4 min 30. Prepare precise examples and varied connectors in your head so that you do not repeat yourself or stop early.

Model answer

about 374 words

Bonjour. La question porte sur les gouvernements qui comptent autant d'hommes que de femmes, au nom de l'égalité. Je pense que c'est une bonne initiative, à condition qu'elle ne soit pas une fin en soi.

D'abord, la parité est une question de légitimité démocratique. Les femmes représentent un peu plus de la moitié de la population. Il est donc normal qu'elles participent aux décisions qui concernent toute la société. Pendant des décennies, elles ont été presque absentes des gouvernements, non pas par manque de compétence, mais à cause d'obstacles sociaux, de préjugés et d'un accès plus difficile aux réseaux de pouvoir. Quand le Canada a formé en 2015 un conseil des ministres paritaire, le message était très fort : l'égalité n'est pas seulement un discours, elle peut devenir une réalité concrète.

Ensuite, la parité apporte un vrai bénéfice pour la qualité des décisions. Des personnes qui ont des expériences de vie différentes perçoivent des problèmes différents. Les questions comme la santé maternelle, la garde des enfants, les violences conjugales ou l'égalité salariale sont parfois mieux prises en compte lorsque des femmes participent aux décisions. De plus, voir des femmes ministres de la Défense ou des Finances encourage les jeunes filles à viser les mêmes carrières. Dans mon pays d'origine, beaucoup de jeunes filles hésitent à faire de la politique parce qu'elles ne voient aucun modèle.

Cependant, je comprends les critiques. Certains disent qu'imposer 50 % de femmes revient à choisir selon le sexe et non selon la compétence. Ils craignent aussi que les femmes nommées soient perçues comme des « femmes de quota ». Je ne partage pas entièrement cet avis, car il existe autant de femmes compétentes que d'hommes compétents. Le vrai problème, c'est que, sans règle claire, les talents féminins restent souvent invisibles. De plus, la parité ne devrait pas masquer d'autres inégalités : l'origine sociale, le handicap ou l'origine culturelle méritent aussi d'être représentés.

En conclusion, je suis favorable à la parité dans les gouvernements, mais comme une étape. Elle doit s'accompagner de mesures plus profondes : une éducation égalitaire dès l'école, un meilleur partage des tâches familiales et un soutien aux candidates dans les partis politiques. À long terme, l'objectif est une société où le sexe n'est plus un sujet, parce que l'égalité est devenue naturelle. Je vous remercie.

Show the translation

Hello. The question concerns governments that have as many men as women, in the name of equality. I think it is a good initiative, provided that it is not an end in itself.

First, parity is a question of democratic legitimacy. Women make up a little more than half of the population. It is therefore normal for them to take part in decisions that affect the whole of society. For decades, they were almost absent from governments, not through lack of competence, but because of social obstacles, prejudice and more difficult access to networks of power. When Canada formed a gender-balanced cabinet in 2015, the message was very strong: equality is not only talk, it can become a concrete reality.

Next, parity brings a real benefit to the quality of decisions. People with different life experiences perceive different problems. Issues such as maternal health, childcare, domestic violence or pay equality are sometimes better taken into account when women take part in decisions. Moreover, seeing women as ministers of Defence or Finance encourages girls to aim for the same careers. In my country of origin, many girls hesitate to go into politics because they see no role models.

However, I understand the criticisms. Some say that imposing 50% women amounts to choosing on the basis of sex and not competence. They also fear that the women appointed will be seen as "quota women". I do not entirely share this view, because there are as many competent women as competent men. The real problem is that, without a clear rule, women's talents often remain invisible. Moreover, parity should not mask other inequalities: social origin, disability or cultural origin also deserve to be represented.

In conclusion, I am in favour of parity in governments, but as a step. It must be accompanied by deeper measures: egalitarian education from school onwards, a fairer sharing of family tasks and support for women candidates in political parties. In the long term, the goal is a society where sex is no longer an issue, because equality has become natural. Thank you.

Key vocabulary

Word or phraseMeaning
la paritéan equal number of men and women in a body or institution
un quotaa number or percentage set in advance for a given group
la sous-représentationunder-representation: a group's presence being too small compared with its share of the population
un conseil des ministresthe cabinet: all the ministers of a government
la légitimité démocratiquedemocratic legitimacy: the fact that an institution genuinely represents the people
le plafond de verrethe glass ceiling: an invisible barrier that stops women from reaching the highest positions
la discrimination positivepositive discrimination (affirmative action): a measure that favours a disadvantaged group in order to correct an inequality
la compétencecompetence, skill: the ability to perform a role well
un modèle (rôle modèle)a role model: a person who inspires others through their career or life path
l'égalité réellereal (de facto) equality: equality in practice, not just in law
une candidate / une candidaturea female candidate (a woman standing for a post or an election) / an application or candidacy
le partage des tâchesthe sharing of tasks: a fair division of housework and family responsibilities

Common mistakes

  • Confusing "parité" and "égalité". Parity means an equal number of men and women; equality is a broader principle. Do not use them as synonyms.

    WrongLa parité, c'est l'égalité.

    RightLa parité est un moyen d'atteindre l'égalité.

  • After a percentage, do not add the article before the noun: say "composé à 50 % de femmes" (a mass-type quantity), not "de 50 % des femmes".

    WrongLe gouvernement est composé de 50 % des femmes.

    RightLe gouvernement est composé à 50 % de femmes.

  • "Malgré que" followed by the subjunctive is considered incorrect or non-standard in careful French. Prefer "bien que" (+ subjunctive) or "même si" (+ indicative).

    WrongMalgré qu'il y ait des critiques, je suis favorable.

    RightBien qu'il y ait des critiques, je suis favorable.

  • Wrong prepositions with "d'accord". Say "d'accord avec" (someone or something) or use "favorable à". "D'accord que" is not used in this way.

    WrongJe suis d'accord à la parité.

    RightJe suis d'accord avec la parité. / Je suis favorable à la parité.

  • Participle agreement: with the auxiliary "être", the past participle agrees with the subject. For feminine plural, add -es. Watch out for this when speaking too.

    WrongLes femmes sont nommé.

    RightLes femmes sont nommées.

  • For women in ministerial posts, make articles and adjectives agree with the feminine ("la ministre", "les femmes ministres"). The form "un ministre femme" should be avoided.

    WrongUn ministre femme.

    RightUne ministre. / Les femmes ministres.

  • Staying too general or repeating the same ideas just to fill the 4 min 30. Use precise examples and a variety of connectors (en revanche, d'une part, par ailleurs).

  • Ending without a conclusion, without stating your position clearly, or speaking too fast and stopping before the time is up. Keep a steady pace and finish with a clear conclusion.

  • Misusing or mispronouncing "quota" and "parité": not defining them, or using them without nuance. Define these words briefly and show that you understand the debate around them.

The grammar this task needs

Expressing concession and contrast: « bien que » + subjunctive, « même si » + indicative, « malgré » + noun

Your position is nuanced: you support parity but acknowledge its limits. You need correct concession structures to present the objections and answer them. Note that « malgré que » is best avoided in careful French.

  • Bien que la parité soit une bonne initiative, elle ne suffit pas à garantir l'égalité réelle.
  • Même si certains craignent les quotas, il existe autant de femmes compétentes que d'hommes.
  • Malgré les préjugés, de nombreuses femmes ont dirigé des ministères importants.

Percentages and quantities: « à 50 % de + noun » and agreement with « autant de... que »

The topic revolves around the figure 50 %. Candidates often make article mistakes (« 50 % des femmes » instead of « 50 % de femmes »). Note that « des » is correct when the group is specific and defined (« 50 % des ministres du Canada »).

  • Le gouvernement est composé à 50 % de femmes.
  • Il existe autant de femmes compétentes que d'hommes compétents.
  • Les femmes représentent un peu plus de la moitié de la population.

Feminine and plural agreement (past participles, nouns for professions)

You will talk constantly about women who are appointed, elected or represented. The agreement of the past participle with « être » and of professions (« la ministre », « les candidates ») is something the examiner listens for, even though it is hard to hear in speech.

  • Les femmes nommées au gouvernement sont souvent très compétentes.
  • La ministre des Finances a été élue à une large majorité.
  • Ces candidates sont soutenues par leur parti.

Cause and consequence: « parce que », « puisque », « à cause de », « donc », « ainsi »

Convincing the examiner means linking ideas logically: why women were absent (cause), what parity changes (consequence). Reminder: « à cause de » is usually negative, « grâce à » positive.

  • Les femmes étaient absentes à cause d'obstacles sociaux, et non par manque de compétence.
  • Puisque les femmes sont la moitié de la population, il est normal qu'elles participent aux décisions.
  • Grâce à ces modèles, les jeunes filles osent viser les mêmes carrières.

Phrases to reuse

PhraseWhen to use it
La question porte sur + nomTo open by rephrasing the question in your own words, as the examiner expects.
Je pense que c'est une bonne initiative, à condition que + subjonctifTo state a nuanced position: favourable, but with a condition.
D'abord, ... Ensuite, ... Enfin, ...To organise your arguments clearly and let the examiner follow your structure.
Il est donc normal que + subjonctifTo draw a logical conclusion from a premise (for example the share of women in the population).
Cela envoie un message très fort : ...To introduce the symbolic impact of a measure, with a concrete example such as Canada in 2015.
Par exemple, dans mon pays d'origine, ...To bring in a personal, concrete example, which makes the answer more convincing and fills the time.
Cependant, je comprends les critiques.To introduce an objection fairly before answering it.
Certains disent que ..., mais je ne partage pas entièrement cet avis.To present the opposing view and politely disagree.
Le vrai problème, c'est que ...To shift the debate to what you think is the real issue.
De plus, ... / Par ailleurs, ...To add an argument without repeating yourself.
En conclusion, je suis favorable à + nom, mais comme une étape.To restate your position clearly at the end, which is essential.
À long terme, l'objectif est + nomTo open onto the future in your last sentence, before thanking the examiner.

Ideas bank

PositionArgumentExample
ForDemocratic legitimacy: women are about half of the population, so they should take part in decisions.A government made up only of men would be hard to describe as representative of the whole country.
ForParity corrects a historical under-representation caused by social obstacles, not by lack of competence.The glass ceiling and unequal access to power networks kept qualified women out of ministries for decades.
ForDiverse life experiences improve the quality of decisions.Maternal health, childcare, domestic violence and pay equality can be better taken into account when women are at the table.
ForRole models: seeing women in key ministries inspires girls.A girl who sees a woman as Minister of Defence or Finance may imagine the same career for herself.
ForSymbolic and political strength of a clear rule.Canada's gender-balanced cabinet in 2015 showed that equality can become concrete.
AgainstRisk of choosing on the basis of sex rather than competence.Critics say a rigid 50 % rule could force a party to pass over a better-qualified man.
AgainstRisk of stigmatising appointed women as « women of the quota ».A minister might have to prove twice over that she deserves her post.
NuanceThe answer to the competence objection: there are as many competent women as competent men.Without a clear rule, female talent often remains invisible because of networks and prejudice.
NuanceParity must not hide other inequalities (social origin, disability, cultural origin).A cabinet can be gender-balanced yet made up only of people from the same social background.
NuanceParity is a step, not an end in itself: deeper measures are needed.Egalitarian education from school, fairer sharing of family tasks and support for women candidates within parties.

What the examiner looks for

The examiner wants to hear a clear, sustained opinion for the full 4 minutes 30, with a visible structure: introduction, two arguments, an objection with a reply, and a conclusion. A nuanced position (in favour of parity as a step) is welcome as long as it is stated clearly and defended. Concrete examples (Canada 2015, your own country) and varied connectors matter more than general statements. Precise vocabulary (la parité, un quota, la légitimité démocratique, l'égalité réelle) and accurate gender and plural agreement are rewarded. Stopping too early, repeating the same ideas or finishing without a conclusion will cost you points.

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