The Expression Écrite section of TEF Canada is examiner-graded. Two independent examiners assess both tasks against standardised criteria. Understanding the rubric is as important as the French itself.
Section A (25 minutes): Continue an article — 80 words minimum
You receive the beginning of a journalistic or opinion text and must continue it coherently in the same register. The 80-word minimum is firm — falling short loses task completion marks immediately. Match the register and style of the extract provided.
Section B (35 minutes): Express and justify a point of view — 200 words minimum
A statement or scenario — typically on environment, technology, social change, immigration, or health — and you must argue a clear position with evidence and structure. 200 words is the minimum; 230 to 260 words is the target zone.
The four examiner criteria
Both tasks are scored on: task completion (all required elements at required length?), coherence and cohesion (do ideas connect logically using discourse markers?), vocabulary range and register (precise and appropriate beyond basic vocabulary?), and grammatical accuracy and complexity (correct and varied sentence structures?).
What separates CLB 6 from CLB 7
Connectors: CLB 6 relies on et and mais. CLB 7 deploys Cependant, En outre, En revanche, D'une part… d'autre part, C'est pourquoi. These signal coherent argumentation. Sentence complexity: CLB 6 uses mostly simple sentences. CLB 7 uses relative clauses (dont, auquel), conditional structures, and subjunctive where appropriate.
Section B structure that reliably scores CLB 7
Introduction: topic and position (two to three sentences). Body 1: first argument with concrete example (four to five sentences). Body 2: second argument with concrete example (four to five sentences). Optional nuance: acknowledge counter-argument (one to two sentences). Conclusion: restate position and broaden (two to three sentences).
