Lycée · 1ʳᵉ · Anglais (LVA)
Synthèse de documents en langue anglaise
Lire, analyser et croiser des documents variés en anglais — compétences d'expression écrite et orale (programme de 1re LVA)
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Choisis ton niveau. Questions et réponses mélangées à chaque partie. Bonne chance !
Les 36 questions du QCM en version texte
Pour réviser sans écran ou imprimer : chaque question avec ses propositions ; la bonne réponse et son explication se déplient.
Niveau facile — 12 questions
What does a 'document synthesis' involve?
- A. Summarising each document separately
- B. Crossing ideas from several documents around a common theme
- C. Translating documents into French
- D. Choosing the best document
Réponse
B. Crossing ideas from several documents around a common theme — A synthesis crosses ideas from multiple sources around a central issue — it does not summarise each document separately.
Which connector introduces an opposing idea?
- A. furthermore
- B. in addition
- C. however
- D. similarly
Réponse
C. however — 'However' introduces a contrast or opposing idea. 'Furthermore' and 'in addition' add ideas; 'similarly' compares.
What does 'according to' introduce in a synthesis?
- A. A personal opinion
- B. A reference to a source or document
- C. A conclusion
- D. A definition
Réponse
B. A reference to a source or document — 'According to document 1…' is used to reference and cite a source in a synthesis.
Which of these is the most formal alternative to 'I think' in a synthesis?
- A. I believe
- B. It appears that
- C. I feel
- D. In my own words
Réponse
B. It appears that — 'It appears that' uses an impersonal construction, which is the most formal. 'I believe' is less formal.
What is a 'bar chart'?
- A. A pie chart
- B. A graph with vertical or horizontal bars showing data
- C. A photograph
- D. A timeline
Réponse
B. A graph with vertical or horizontal bars showing data — A bar chart (or bar graph) uses bars to display quantitative data.
How should a synthesis be organised?
- A. Document by document
- B. By thematic axes (themes)
- C. By author
- D. By date of publication
Réponse
B. By thematic axes (themes) — A synthesis is organised by thematic axes, not document by document. This is the key rule.
Which word means 'de plus / en outre' in a formal English text?
- A. but
- B. so
- C. furthermore
- D. then
Réponse
C. furthermore — 'Furthermore' (or 'moreover') means 'de plus, en outre' in a formal context.
What does the English word 'actually' mean?
- A. actuellement
- B. en réalité / en fait
- C. finalement
- D. éventuellement
Réponse
B. en réalité / en fait — 'Actually' is a faux ami: it means 'en réalité / en fait', NOT 'actuellement' (which is 'currently' or 'nowadays').
Which verb is most appropriate to describe what an image 'shows' formally?
- A. says
- B. writes
- C. depicts
- D. thinks
Réponse
C. depicts — 'Depicts' (or 'illustrates', 'shows', 'portrays') is used for images and visual documents.
What is a 'synthesis' different from a 'summary'?
- A. A summary uses more documents
- B. A synthesis covers one document only
- C. A synthesis crosses multiple documents; a summary covers only one
- D. There is no difference
Réponse
C. A synthesis crosses multiple documents; a summary covers only one — A summary (résumé) deals with a single document. A synthesis crosses several sources around a common theme.
Which connector signals a conclusion?
- A. for instance
- B. however
- C. furthermore
- D. in conclusion
Réponse
D. in conclusion — 'In conclusion' (or 'to sum up', 'all things considered') signals the end of a piece of writing.
What does 'whereas' express?
- A. Addition
- B. Contrast or opposition
- C. Consequence
- D. Example
Réponse
B. Contrast or opposition — 'Whereas' expresses a contrast between two ideas or situations: 'Document 1 argues X, whereas document 2 claims Y.'
Niveau moyen — 12 questions
Which sentence correctly integrates a source reference in formal English?
- A. Document 1 says technology is good.
- B. According to document 1, technology may offer significant educational benefits.
- C. I think document 1 is about technology.
- D. Document 1 talks about technology.
Réponse
B. According to document 1, technology may offer significant educational benefits. — A formal synthesis uses 'According to document 1…' followed by a nuanced verb like 'may offer'. Avoid 'says' (too informal) or first-person statements.
What does 'nevertheless' mean?
- A. de plus
- B. par exemple
- C. néanmoins / pourtant
- D. donc
Réponse
C. néanmoins / pourtant — 'Nevertheless' means 'néanmoins / pourtant' — it introduces a concession or contrast despite a previous statement.
What is the purpose of a 'problématique' (central question) in a synthesis?
- A. To list all documents
- B. To translate the topic
- C. To frame a debatable issue that all documents address
- D. To give your personal opinion
Réponse
C. To frame a debatable issue that all documents address — The problématique is an open debatable question that all documents illuminate, guiding the structure of the synthesis.
Which sentence best shows a 'convergence' between two documents?
- A. Document 1 says X but document 2 says Y.
- B. Both documents suggest that technology is reshaping education.
- C. Document 2 disagrees with document 1.
- D. Only document 3 addresses this issue.
Réponse
B. Both documents suggest that technology is reshaping education. — 'Both documents suggest that…' clearly expresses a convergence — a shared idea between two sources.
What does 'op-ed' stand for in journalism?
- A. online edition
- B. opinion editorial
- C. open editorial
- D. official edition
Réponse
B. opinion editorial — 'Op-ed' stands for 'opinion editorial' — a piece published in a newspaper expressing the personal view of the author, not the publication.
What is the correct meaning of 'eventually' in English?
- A. éventuellement (possibly)
- B. finalement (in the end)
- C. actuellement (currently)
- D. certainement (certainly)
Réponse
B. finalement (in the end) — 'Eventually' means 'finalement, à terme' — not 'éventuellement' (which is 'possibly' or 'perhaps').
Which tense is most commonly used in a synthesis to report what an author says?
- A. Past simple
- B. Present simple
- C. Future simple
- D. Past perfect
Réponse
B. Present simple — The present simple is used to report ideas from texts (historic present): 'The author argues that…', 'The chart shows that…'
How many documents must each thematic axis reference in a synthesis?
- A. Only one document
- B. At least two documents
- C. All documents equally
- D. No specific requirement
Réponse
B. At least two documents — Each axis must reference at least two documents to show genuine synthesis, not just summary.
What does 'highlights' mean when used to cite an author?
- A. cache
- B. souligne / met en avant
- C. contredit
- D. ignore
Réponse
B. souligne / met en avant — 'Highlights' = 'souligne / met en avant'. Other citation verbs: argues, claims, states, suggests, emphasises, contends.
Which structure correctly expresses divergence between two documents?
- A. Both doc 1 and doc 2 agree that…
- B. Doc 1 and doc 2 say the same thing.
- C. While document 1 argues X, document 2 challenges this view by claiming Y.
- D. Document 1 is better than document 2.
Réponse
C. While document 1 argues X, document 2 challenges this view by claiming Y. — 'While document 1 argues X, document 2 challenges this view by claiming Y' is the model structure for expressing divergence.
What does 'sensible' mean in English (faux ami)?
- A. sensible (easily affected)
- B. raisonnable / plein de bon sens
- C. sentimental
- D. sensuel
Réponse
B. raisonnable / plein de bon sens — 'Sensible' in English means 'raisonnable, sensé'. To say 'sensible' in French, use 'sensitive' in English.
Which modal verb is most appropriate to nuance a claim in a synthesis?
- A. must
- B. will
- C. may
- D. shall
Réponse
C. may — 'May' expresses possibility and nuance, which is appropriate in a synthesis: 'Technology may offer benefits…' This avoids overgeneralising.
Niveau difficile — 12 questions
Which sentence uses the passive voice correctly to objectify a claim in a synthesis?
- A. Everybody knows that social media is harmful.
- B. I argue that social media is harmful.
- C. It is widely argued that social media may have harmful effects on teenagers.
- D. Social media, I think, is very harmful.
Réponse
C. It is widely argued that social media may have harmful effects on teenagers. — The passive construction 'It is widely argued that…' is formal, impersonal and appropriate for a synthesis. It avoids first-person and overgeneralisation.
A student writes: 'Document 1 is about technology and document 2 is also about technology.' What is wrong?
- A. The student should use more documents.
- B. This is a document-by-document approach, not a thematic synthesis.
- C. The student used the wrong tense.
- D. The student did not use enough quotes.
Réponse
B. This is a document-by-document approach, not a thematic synthesis. — Describing each document separately is a résumé, not a synthèse. A proper synthesis organises ideas by theme, crossing the documents.
What does 'admittedly' signal in an argument?
- A. A strong conclusion
- B. A contradiction
- C. A concession before a counterargument
- D. An example
Réponse
C. A concession before a counterargument — 'Admittedly' (certes) signals a concession — acknowledging the opposing view before presenting your own argument. Example: 'Admittedly, social media has benefits, yet its risks cannot be ignored.'
Which of these best describes 'mediation' as used in the 1re LVA programme?
- A. Direct translation from English to French
- B. Adapting and reformulating information for a new audience or context
- C. Reading aloud in class
- D. Writing a personal essay
Réponse
B. Adapting and reformulating information for a new audience or context — Médiation linguistique involves adapting a message from one form or language to another, considering the new audience. It goes beyond translation.
What is wrong with: 'The author of document 2 is sensible about this issue'?
- A. 'Author' is incorrect here.
- B. 'Sensible' is a faux ami — it means 'raisonnable', not 'sensible' in French. Use 'sensitive' instead.
- C. The tense is wrong.
- D. No error.
Réponse
B. 'Sensible' is a faux ami — it means 'raisonnable', not 'sensible' in French. Use 'sensitive' instead. — 'Sensible' in English = 'reasonable/sensible'. To express the French 'sensible à quelque chose', use 'sensitive' in English.
Which is the most sophisticated way to introduce a second argument extending the first?
- A. Also, …
- B. And then, …
- C. Furthermore, this perspective is further reinforced by…
- D. But there is more.
Réponse
C. Furthermore, this perspective is further reinforced by… — 'Furthermore, this perspective is further reinforced by…' is the most formal and cohesive transition, linking the second argument to the first.
In a synthesis introduction, what must be included? (Most complete answer)
- A. Only the topic
- B. Topic, list of documents, and problématique
- C. The conclusion and personal opinion
- D. A direct quote from each document
Réponse
B. Topic, list of documents, and problématique — A synthesis introduction should: briefly present the documents (nature, source, theme), state the common theme, and formulate the problématique (central question).
A caricature shows a CEO polluting a river while holding a 'Green Company' sign. How would you analyse this document formally?
- A. The image is funny.
- B. The cartoon depicts a CEO polluting a river, satirising corporate hypocrisy about environmental responsibility.
- C. It is a photograph of a CEO.
- D. The document says corporations are bad.
Réponse
B. The cartoon depicts a CEO polluting a river, satirising corporate hypocrisy about environmental responsibility. — The correct analysis uses 'depicts', identifies the satirical tone ('satirising'), and names the central idea ('corporate hypocrisy'). Formal language is essential.
What does 'contends' mean when used to introduce a quote?
- A. contradicts
- B. soutient / affirme (avec force)
- C. ignore
- D. résume
Réponse
B. soutient / affirme (avec force) — 'Contends' means 'soutenir / affirmer' (often a controversial position). Similar: 'argues', 'asserts', 'maintains', 'claims'.
Which phrase correctly expresses a nuance to avoid overgeneralisation?
- A. All young people are addicted to social media.
- B. Young people definitely damage their health with phones.
- C. Screen time may, to some extent, contribute to anxiety, though individual factors also play a significant role.
- D. Technology is always harmful.
Réponse
C. Screen time may, to some extent, contribute to anxiety, though individual factors also play a significant role. — Nuancing with 'may', 'to some extent', and 'though… also' avoids overgeneralisation — essential in a high-level synthesis.
What is the difference between 'in contrast' and 'on the contrary'?
- A. They are identical in meaning.
- B. 'In contrast' compares two different things; 'on the contrary' contradicts a previous statement directly.
- C. 'On the contrary' is informal; 'in contrast' is formal.
- D. 'In contrast' is used only for graphs.
Réponse
B. 'In contrast' compares two different things; 'on the contrary' contradicts a previous statement directly. — 'In contrast' compares two different entities or situations. 'On the contrary' directly refutes what was just said. They are not interchangeable.
Which sentence correctly transitions from one thematic axis to the next?
- A. Now I will talk about my second point.
- B. Moving on to the second dimension of this issue, the documents also shed light on…
- C. OK so, the second thing is…
- D. Next, document 2 says…
Réponse
B. Moving on to the second dimension of this issue, the documents also shed light on… — 'Moving on to the second dimension…' is a formal, cohesive transition phrase appropriate for a synthesis or oral presentation.
Cours particuliers de anglais (lva) à Marseille, en présentiel ou à distance — un prof qui s'adapte à ton rythme et reprend ce qui coince.
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