Teacher and corrector-informed guidance
Nicola is a qualified French teacher with nearly 20 years’ Higher Level experience and work as an SEC corrector. This guide focuses on careful reading, precise evidence and efficient exam technique.
The reading section at a glance
Two texts
Question 1 and Question 2 are both compulsory.
60 marks each
Together they contribute 120 marks, or 30% of the overall examination.
Two styles
The paper traditionally contains a journalistic text and a literary extract.
Shared paper
Reading and written production share the 2½-hour written examination.
Journalistic and literary texts
The journalistic text
This may be adapted from a newspaper, magazine or online article. Expect factual details, viewpoints, examples and vocabulary connected with contemporary life. Headings and opening paragraphs often help establish the subject quickly.
The literary text
A literary extract may require closer attention to character, motivation, relationships, feelings and changes during the passage. An important answer may depend on several lines rather than one matching keyword.
Neither text requires you to understand every word. Use the complete context, familiar word families and the order of the questions to guide your reading.
Question types you should practise
Specific information
Locate people, actions, reasons, places, times or consequences.
Quotation
Find the exact French word or phrase requested—no more and no less.
Explanation
Show understanding in English or Irish when instructed.
Grammar
Identify a tense, pronoun, infinitive, adjective, participle or other form.
Vocabulary
Find an expression in the text that matches a supplied meaning.
Inference
Use evidence to explain an attitude, feeling or implied meaning.
A reliable comprehension method
- Preview the text: read the title, source and opening to establish the topic and setting.
- Read the questions: identify the relevant section and what type of answer is required.
- Locate evidence: find the line or passage that supports the answer rather than relying on memory.
- Read around it: check the preceding and following sentence for negatives, contrast or changed information.
- Construct the answer: obey the requested language, number of details and quotation length.
- Verify: make sure your answer genuinely responds to the question rather than merely repeating a keyword.
French answers, English answers and manipulation
Follow the language specified in the question. If asked to quote from the text, provide the precise French evidence. If asked to explain in English or Irish, demonstrate the meaning clearly rather than reproducing untranslated French.
Some questions allow direct lifting; others require grammatical manipulation so that the answer fits the question. Pay attention to pronouns, person, tense and sentence structure. Copying a full line does not guarantee that the required information has been isolated correctly.
Handling grammar questions
- Know common terminology in both English and French.
- Read exactly what is requested: a complete verb form is not always the same as a past participle.
- Check that your chosen word comes from the stated section.
- Include only the grammatical unit requested.
- Use past-paper marking schemes to learn the expected level of precision.
Grammar questions are often short, but they reward exact knowledge. Build this knowledge gradually rather than hoping to recognise the answer on the day.
Time management
A useful practice target is approximately 35–40 minutes per comprehension, leaving sufficient time for the 100-mark written-production section and a final check. Your personal split may differ, but it must be tested under timed conditions.
If one small answer is taking several minutes, mark it and move on. The marks available elsewhere are more valuable than repeatedly rereading the same sentence.
Common comprehension mistakes
- Translating the entire passage before attempting the questions.
- Answering from general knowledge rather than the text.
- Matching one keyword while missing a negative or contrast.
- Giving one detail when two were requested.
- Quoting far more text than necessary.
- Writing French when an English or Irish explanation was requested.
- Copying a verb without the auxiliary when a complete tense was required.
- Spending too long on one question and rushing written production.
How to improve your reading score
- Complete one section of a past comprehension under a short time limit.
- Correct it with the official marking scheme.
- Label each lost mark: understanding, vocabulary, grammar, quotation or question-reading.
- Add only genuinely reusable language to your vocabulary record.
- Redo the questions without looking at the answers.
- Return later and attempt the complete text under exam timing.
The marking scheme is not just for checking a score. It teaches you how precise an answer needs to be and exposes patterns in the mistakes you make.
Frequently asked questions
How much are the Higher Level comprehensions worth?
They are worth 120 marks in total, or 30% of the complete examination.
Do I answer both texts?
Yes. In the established Higher Level format, both Question 1 and Question 2 are compulsory.
Must I understand every word?
No. You need the overall context and the specific information required by the questions. Use surrounding language to manage unfamiliar words.
Can I copy directly from the text?
Sometimes, but not automatically. Follow the instruction and manipulate language when necessary so that the answer fits the question.
Develop every part of Higher Level French
The complete 36-week programme teaches reading, writing, listening, oral work and grammar in a structured weekly sequence—with detailed exam technique throughout.
Explore the Complete ProgrammeOfficial basis: Weighting and assessment principles are taken from the Leaving Certificate French syllabus. Students should always follow the current SEC paper instructions.