Skip to content
VirtusAcademy

Writing: Short Structured Tasks

FoundationHigherAQA

Understand Writing: Short Structured Tasks for GCSE French with this free worksheet and full mark scheme — Foundation and Higher exam-style practice with worked answers for AQA GCSE French (8652). Foundation writing tasks include short messages and structured responses using prescribed vocabulary.

Free downloads

These worksheets and mark schemes are original, written for Virtus Academy and checked against the current AQA specification. Every worksheet comes with a full mark scheme.

Foundation

WorksheetFoundation · PDFMark SchemeFoundation · PDF

Higher

WorksheetHigher · PDFMark SchemeHigher · PDF

Topic overview

Short structured writing tasks ask for a fixed number of sentences on a given topic, and each sentence must address a specified bullet point.

The marks are for covering every bullet and for accuracy. Missing a bullet loses its marks entirely, however good the rest of the answer is, so the first action is to check the bullets against your sentences before writing anything.

Each sentence needs a subject, a verb and enough detail to be substantial. J'aime le sport is thin; j'aime le sport parce que c'est bon pour la santé addresses the same bullet properly. One developed sentence per bullet, checked for agreement, scores better than several short ones.

Revision notes

Cover every bullet

Each bullet point carries its own marks.

Missing one loses those marks entirely, however strong the rest. Check the bullets against your plan before writing, and tick each one off as you address it.

Developing each sentence

A sentence needs a subject, a verb and enough detail to be substantial.

J'aime le sport is thin. J'aime le sport parce que c'est bon pour la santé addresses the bullet properly. Adding a reason is the quickest way to develop.

Checking

Verb endings match subjects. Adjectives agree with nouns. Articles are present.

These three checks catch most avoidable errors, and there is usually time for them in a short task. Accuracy is worth more than extra length.

Key points

  • Each bullet point carries its own marks.
  • Missing a bullet loses those marks.
  • Check bullets against your plan first.
  • Each sentence needs a subject and verb.
  • Add a reason to develop each sentence.
  • Check agreement before finishing.

Worked examples

Example 1

State what happens if a bullet point is not covered. [2 marks]

Working

The marks for that bullet are lost entirelystate the consequence
regardless of how strong the rest of the answer isexplain the extent

Example 2

Improve this sentence: J'aime le sport. [2 marks]

Working

J'aime le sport parce que c'est bon pour la santéadd a reason with parce que
The reason develops the sentence and addresses the bullet more fullyexplain the improvement

Example 3

State three checks to run before finishing. [3 marks]

Working

Verb endings match their subjectsgive the first
Adjectives agree with their nounsgive the second
Articles are present where French requires themgive the third

Common mistakes

  • Missing a bullet point.

    Its marks are lost entirely.

  • Writing thin sentences.

    Each needs enough detail to be substantial.

  • Prioritising length over accuracy.

    Accuracy is worth more.

  • Not checking before finishing.

    The three checks catch most avoidable errors.

Exam tips

  • Tick off each bullet as you address it.
  • Develop every sentence with a reason.
  • Run the three accuracy checks.
  • Choose accuracy over extra length.

Key terms

Bullet point
A required element carrying its own marks.
Developed sentence
One with enough detail to be substantial.
Parce que
Because, used to develop a sentence.
Accuracy check
Reviewing agreement and articles.

Related topics

Written and reviewed against the current AQA specification. Spotted an error? Let us know.