Read for detail in the 2025–2027 paper format
Practise the earlier 45-mark Reading paper, including its short-answer-in-French tasks, without mixing in the 2028 format.
Exam scope and assessment notes
All passages, prompts, listening scripts, model answers and practice tasks are original StudyForA materials, not Cambridge assessment content. Written answers are self-reviewed and not Cambridge-marked. Browser speech synthesis is not Cambridge audio and cannot guarantee a particular accent, pace or pronunciation. Speaking rehearsal is not the supervised centre assessment, examiner interaction, moderation or an official mark. This is not a complete timed specimen paper or a 130-hour course. Both five-area topic maps and grouped grammar pathways are linked, but the 2028 vocabulary spreadsheet has not been mapped word by word, and grammar still needs item-by-item specialist review. A French-language specialist should review the original French examples before we describe this as publication-ready. Confirm the right syllabus version, entry option and exam series with your centre. Cambridge states that 7156 has the same subject content as 0520, with grades 9–1. Limited-entry route: June is available in zone 3 and for centres in Oman and UAE; November is available in zone 3 only. Confirm your series and centre entry with Cambridge. The official 2028 vocabulary list is linked from the subject page and has not been reconciled word by word.
Before you begin
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
The text says «Le cours finit à onze heures». Asked when it ends, which answer is relevant?
What you will learn
- Use picture and notice matching to identify direct information.
- Read emails, messages, postcards, letters and longer texts for specific detail.
- Write concise French short answers where the older paper requests them.
- Use the 2025–2027 total of 45 marks and six-group format.
Keep the older task format in view
For exams in 2025–2027, Paper 2 is one hour and 45 marks. It has six groups, including statements matched to pictures, public notices, questions on short texts, and longer comprehension with some short answers in French.
For a written answer, mark the question word, locate the supporting clause and respond with the smallest complete French phrase. This helps preserve the passage's person, time and meaning.
Choose the year-specific route
From March 2028 in India and June 2028 onward, Reading changes to 40 marks with all questions multiple-choice/matching. The new route has separate lessons and should be used for those exam years.
The passages in this lesson are original StudyForA examples, not Cambridge assessment material.
Sources for this lesson
- Cambridge IGCSE French (9–1) 7156 subject page, entry notice and vocabulary-list link
- Cambridge IGCSE French (9–1) 7156 syllabus for exams in 2025–2027
- Cambridge IGCSE French (9–1) 7156 syllabus update for 2025–2027
- Cambridge IGCSE French (9–1) 7156 syllabus for exams in 2028–2030
- Cambridge IGCSE French (9–1) 7156 2028–2030 vocabulary list
Pause and explain
What changes from 2028 in Paper 2?
Worked example
Original notice: «La piscine est ouverte du mardi au dimanche, de neuf heures à dix-huit heures. Elle est fermée le lundi.» Answer in French: On which day is it closed?
Show the worked solution
- Find the negative statement.
- Check whether the question asks for a day or time.
- Answer briefly in French.
Answer «Elle est fermée le lundi.» The pool is closed on Monday.
From guided practice to a new situation
Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
Read: «Le magasin ouvre à dix heures. Claire arrive à dix heures vingt; elle achète un cadeau pour son frère.» Answer in French: What does Claire buy?
Give me a hint
Find the object after «achète».
Compare my reasoning
- Locate Claire’s action.
- Identify what follows the verb.
- Answer with the item, not the arrival time.
«Un cadeau pour son frère.» Claire buys a present for her brother.
Look for these in your work
- Finds the object
- Answers the question asked
- Uses a concise phrase
Read: «Nous allons à la plage en juillet d’habitude. Cette année, nous partirons en août parce que mon père travaille en juillet.» What changes this year and why?
Give me a hint
Compare the usual month with the new plan, then find «parce que».
Compare my reasoning
- State the usual month.
- Find this year’s month.
- Give the reason from the final clause.
Cette année, la famille partira en août au lieu de juillet parce que le père travaille en juillet.
Look for these in your work
- Identifies both months
- Reports the stated reason
- Uses a complete French response
A learner copies four full sentences for a two-mark question. Give a concise reading strategy.
Give me a hint
Use the question word to filter the passage and answer only what is requested.
Compare my reasoning
- Underline the requested detail.
- Find the sentence that states it.
- Write one accurate French phrase and compare it with the text.
Underline what the question asks for, locate its supporting clause and write only that information in French. Recheck the person, tense and number against the passage instead of copying unrelated sentences.
Look for these in your work
- Targets the requested detail
- Uses passage evidence
- Checks the response
Common mistakes
- Answering in English when the older question requests French
- Copying a paragraph instead of giving the relevant detail
- Using a 2028 multiple-choice strategy for a 2026/2027 exam
What can you explain now?
How should you answer a short-response question in the older Reading paper?
Compare with the explanation
In French, using the precise detail requested
Some earlier groups require written short answers in French.
After trying it yourself, choose your next review. This is your self-assessment.
Your review choice appears on Today. Sign in to sync it across devices.
Make it stick
Before moving on, explain: use picture and notice matching to identify direct information.
If you needed the solution, close it and solve the problem again from a blank page. A correct answer is stronger when you can explain the reason for each step.