Reading comprehension is one of the four main subparts of the DELF exams. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the reading comprehension section of the DELF exams and how it is structured in the different levels: A1, A2, B1, and B2.
The DELF exams are divided into four levels, which correspond to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The A1 and A2 levels are designed for beginner learners, while the B1 and B2 levels are for intermediate and upper-intermediate learners. Each level is divided into two parts: written and oral. The reading comprehension section is part of the written exam, and it tests the candidate’s ability to understand and interpret written texts in French. The format of the reading comprehension exam varies between exam levels, but not between different version of the exam (such as the Tout Public, Junior/Scolaire, Pro, etc.).
Reading Comprehension in the DELF A1
The reading comprehension section of the DELF A1 comprises either 4 or 5 tasks each containing 1 text. The texts as well as the tasks are short and simple, and the questions are straightforward, asking the candidate to identify specific information from the texts from a multiple a set of multiple choices or to answer sentences with the appropriate word or phrase (only in the new format). Each task only has 2-3 questions, although the first task might have 5. The total duration of the test is 30 minutes.
Reading Comprehension in the DELF A2
The DELF A2 has a similar format of the DELF A1 in that it also has 4 or 5 tasks. However, this time the tasks are much longer and the questions are less straightforward. In addition to the question types in the DELF A1, the DELF A2 incorporates true or false questions that require a justification from the text. However, this difference is only in the old format and the new format only has multiple choice options. Each task has 4 or more questions. The total duration of the test is also 30 minutes.
Reading Comprehension in the DELF B1
In the DELF B1, the format of the reading comprehension task significantly changes. Unlike previous levels where there were multiple tasks, in the DELF B1 there are only two tasks. Each task has at least 7 questions along with multiple sub questions at times, especially in the true and false section. Because of this, the total duration of the test increases to 1 hour.
Reading Comprehension in the DELF B2
The DELF B2 has the same reading comprehension format as the DELF B1 as there are only 2 tasks, (however, there are 3 in the new format). Each task has at least 7 just like the DELF B1. The only difference between the two tests is the level of difficulty of their questions. The total duration of the test increases to 1 hour.
The reading comprehension section of the DELF exams is an important part of the assessment process, and it is designed to test the candidate’s ability to understand and interpret written texts in French at different levels of proficiency. By preparing for and performing well on this section, candidates can demonstrate their knowledge and skills in reading comprehension, which is essential for effective communication in French. To do so, it is important to understand the format of the DELF reading comprehension in order to have a better understanding on what you need to prepare.