Lycée · 2ⁿᵈᵉ · Anglais (LVA)
Compréhension de l'écrit : stratégies et entraînement
Lire et comprendre des textes authentiques en anglais — méthodes, stratégies et pratique (programme LVA 2nde lycée général)
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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 'skimming' mean?
- A. Reading every word carefully
- B. Reading quickly to get the general idea
- C. Looking for a specific detail
- D. Translating the text word by word
Réponse
B. Reading quickly to get the general idea — Skimming is a fast reading technique to grasp the overall theme and structure of a text.
What is the main purpose of 'scanning'?
- A. To understand the author's feelings
- B. To identify the text genre
- C. To find a specific piece of information quickly
- D. To read the text aloud
Réponse
C. To find a specific piece of information quickly — Scanning involves searching the text for a particular detail (a date, a name, a number) without reading everything.
What does 'inference' allow you to do?
- A. Translate unknown words using a dictionary
- B. Deduce the meaning of a word from context
- C. Copy the text to understand it better
- D. Read the text backwards
Réponse
B. Deduce the meaning of a word from context — Inference means using surrounding context, morphology and logic to guess the meaning of an unknown word.
The prefix 'un-' (as in 'unhappy') means:
- A. very
- B. again
- C. not
- D. too much
Réponse
C. not — The prefix 'un-' expresses negation: unhappy = not happy, unknown = not known.
Which of the following is an informal text?
- A. An academic research paper
- B. An official government report
- C. A text message between friends
- D. A formal business letter
Réponse
C. A text message between friends — Informal texts include text messages, social media posts, and casual emails — they use contractions, slang and short sentences.
The linking word 'however' expresses:
- A. Addition
- B. Contrast or opposition
- C. Cause
- D. Time sequence
Réponse
B. Contrast or opposition — 'However' is a connector of contrast/opposition, used to introduce a different or opposing idea.
Which strategy should you use FIRST when approaching a new text?
- A. Read every sentence carefully
- B. Translate unknown words
- C. Skim the text to identify the theme
- D. Answer the questions immediately
Réponse
C. Skim the text to identify the theme — Skimming first helps you orient your reading and activate background knowledge before reading in depth.
The suffix '-less' (as in 'careless') means:
- A. full of
- B. without
- C. again
- D. too
Réponse
B. without — '-less' means 'without': careless = without care, hopeless = without hope.
A formal text is likely to contain:
- A. Contractions like 'it's' and 'don't'
- B. Slang and emojis
- C. Long, complex sentences and sophisticated vocabulary
- D. Abbreviations like 'lol' and 'btw'
Réponse
C. Long, complex sentences and sophisticated vocabulary — Formal texts use complete words (no contractions), elevated vocabulary and complex sentence structures.
Which question type tests your LITERAL understanding?
- A. 'What does the author imply?'
- B. 'How does the author create tension?'
- C. 'Who wrote this article and when?'
- D. 'What is the overall effect of the text?'
Réponse
C. 'Who wrote this article and when?' — Literal questions ask about information that is explicitly stated in the text (who, what, when, where).
What does the prefix 're-' mean in 'rewrite'?
- A. not
- B. badly
- C. again
- D. before
Réponse
C. again — The prefix 're-' means 'again': rewrite = write again, reconsider = think about again.
When answering comprehension questions, you should:
- A. Copy sentences from the text without thinking
- B. Always use bullet points only
- C. Paraphrase and use your own words to show understanding
- D. Write in French if you don't know the English
Réponse
C. Paraphrase and use your own words to show understanding — Paraphrasing (reformulating in your own words) proves genuine comprehension and is valued by teachers and examiners.
Niveau moyen — 12 questions
Which linking word best completes: 'She worked hard. ___, she failed the exam.'?
- A. Therefore
- B. Moreover
- C. Nevertheless
- D. Furthermore
Réponse
C. Nevertheless — 'Nevertheless' (or 'however', 'yet') expresses an unexpected contrast: despite working hard, she failed.
'The blizzard left roads impassable and schools closed.' — The word 'blizzard' most likely means:
- A. A sunny day
- B. A violent snowstorm
- C. A traffic jam
- D. A power cut
Réponse
B. A violent snowstorm — Context clues ('roads impassable', 'schools closed') suggest extreme weather — a blizzard is a heavy snowstorm.
Which word belongs to the FORMAL register?
- A. cool
- B. loads of
- C. commence
- D. gonna
Réponse
C. commence — 'Commence' is the formal equivalent of 'start' or 'begin'. The other options are informal or colloquial.
'As a result' introduces a:
- A. Contrast
- B. Concession
- C. Consequence
- D. Condition
Réponse
C. Consequence — 'As a result' (like 'therefore', 'consequently') introduces a consequence — the effect of something that has been mentioned.
A rhetorical question is:
- A. A question that requires a factual answer
- B. A question asked to emphasise a point, not to get an answer
- C. A question about grammar rules
- D. A question translated from French
Réponse
B. A question asked to emphasise a point, not to get an answer — A rhetorical question is used for persuasive or stylistic effect — the reader is not expected to actually respond.
Which sentence uses a SIMILE?
- A. Life is a journey.
- B. He ran as fast as the wind.
- C. She devoured the book.
- D. Time flies.
Réponse
B. He ran as fast as the wind. — A simile makes a comparison using 'as' or 'like': 'as fast as the wind'. A metaphor would say 'He was the wind.'
To identify the MAIN IDEA of a paragraph, you should focus on:
- A. The last word of each sentence
- B. The topic sentence, usually at the beginning
- C. All the adjectives
- D. The longest sentence
Réponse
B. The topic sentence, usually at the beginning — The topic sentence (usually the first sentence of a paragraph) states the main idea. Supporting sentences develop it.
'Despite being exhausted, she continued.' — 'Despite' is followed by:
- A. A clause with a verb (despite + she was…)
- B. A noun phrase or -ing form (despite + noun/gerund)
- C. A full sentence with subject + verb
- D. A comma only
Réponse
B. A noun phrase or -ing form (despite + noun/gerund) — 'Despite' is a preposition followed by a noun or gerund: 'Despite being tired' or 'Despite the rain' — NOT 'despite she was tired'.
An evaluative adjective like 'alarming' in a text signals:
- A. A neutral, factual description
- B. The author's subjective opinion or attitude
- C. A definition of a term
- D. A comparison between two things
Réponse
B. The author's subjective opinion or attitude — Evaluative adjectives (alarming, promising, outrageous, devastating) reveal the author's viewpoint rather than objective facts.
The linking word 'although' is used to express:
- A. A consequence
- B. A concession or contrast within the same sentence
- C. An addition
- D. An example
Réponse
B. A concession or contrast within the same sentence — 'Although' introduces a subordinate clause of concession: 'Although it was raining, they went out.' It contrasts two ideas in one sentence.
Which sentence shows IRONY?
- A. The weather is sunny today.
- B. 'Oh great, another traffic jam — just what I needed.'
- C. She studied biology at university.
- D. The results were published last week.
Réponse
B. 'Oh great, another traffic jam — just what I needed.' — The sentence uses sarcasm/irony: the speaker says 'Oh great' and 'just what I needed' to express frustration, not genuine enthusiasm.
Background knowledge (prior knowledge) helps you:
- A. Write faster in an exam
- B. Activate existing knowledge to better understand a new text
- C. Memorise the text word by word
- D. Avoid reading the title
Réponse
B. Activate existing knowledge to better understand a new text — Activating background knowledge before reading helps contextualise the text and makes inference easier.
Niveau difficile — 12 questions
'The policy, albeit well-intentioned, has failed to produce results.' — 'Albeit' expresses:
- A. Addition
- B. Concession
- C. Consequence
- D. Condition
Réponse
B. Concession — 'Albeit' is a formal concessive linking word meaning 'even though / although'. It acknowledges a positive quality while introducing a criticism.
In academic writing, the passive voice ('It has been suggested that…') is used mainly to:
- A. Make the text more exciting
- B. Identify the author's personal opinion
- C. Create an impersonal, objective tone
- D. Simplify complex ideas
Réponse
C. Create an impersonal, objective tone — The passive voice in formal/academic writing depersonalises statements, giving the impression of objectivity and authority.
« She had dreamed of Paris all her life. Now, standing in the rain outside a dingy hotel, she wondered what she had been thinking. » — This passage mainly creates a sense of:
- A. Joy and fulfilment
- B. Excitement and anticipation
- C. Disillusionment and irony
- D. Anger and protest
Réponse
C. Disillusionment and irony — The contrast between the dream of Paris and the grim reality ('dingy hotel', rain) creates a sense of disillusionment — reality fails to match the dream.
Which of these texts would you expect to use the MOST complex vocabulary and syntax?
- A. A tweet about a football match
- B. A text message to a friend
- C. A peer-reviewed academic article on climate change
- D. A children's picture book
Réponse
C. A peer-reviewed academic article on climate change — Academic articles are written in formal register with technical vocabulary, long sentences, passive constructions and complex syntax.
The technique of ANAPHORA consists of:
- A. Comparing two things using 'like' or 'as'
- B. Repeating the same word(s) at the beginning of successive sentences for emphasis
- C. Using an unexpected image to describe something
- D. Ending a sentence with the most important word
Réponse
B. Repeating the same word(s) at the beginning of successive sentences for emphasis — Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase at the start of consecutive clauses, e.g. 'We shall fight on the beaches. We shall fight on the landing grounds.' (Churchill)
When a question asks you to 'justify your answer using the text', you should:
- A. Express your personal opinion only
- B. Summarise the whole text
- C. Support your answer with a quote or reference from the text
- D. Write a translation of the relevant sentence
Réponse
C. Support your answer with a quote or reference from the text — Textual justification means quoting or paraphrasing a specific passage from the text to support your interpretation.
« The data clearly demonstrates that air quality in urban areas has improved significantly. » — The word 'clearly' here functions as:
- A. A linking word expressing contrast
- B. An adverb showing the author's certainty/stance
- C. An adjective describing the data
- D. A connector expressing consequence
Réponse
B. An adverb showing the author's certainty/stance — 'Clearly' is a stance adverb — it signals the author's conviction that the evidence is unambiguous, reinforcing the persuasive tone.
Which is the best PARAPHRASE of: 'The unemployment rate has plummeted over the last decade'?
- A. Unemployment is very bad
- B. The number of people without jobs has fallen sharply in the last ten years
- C. People have stopped looking for work
- D. Unemployment has slightly increased recently
Réponse
B. The number of people without jobs has fallen sharply in the last ten years — 'Plummeted' means dropped rapidly. The best paraphrase uses different words ('fallen sharply', 'number of people without jobs') while preserving the original meaning.
An author who uses the modal 'must' frequently (e.g. 'Governments must act now') is likely:
- A. Describing a past fact
- B. Expressing uncertainty or hypothesis
- C. Urging action — persuasive and committed in tone
- D. Describing a habitual action
Réponse
C. Urging action — persuasive and committed in tone — The modal 'must' expresses obligation and urgency. Used in persuasive writing, it pushes the reader to agree that action is necessary.
What is the main difference between a simile and a metaphor?
- A. A simile uses 'not' and a metaphor uses 'like'
- B. A simile compares using 'like' or 'as'; a metaphor states the comparison directly
- C. A metaphor is only used in poetry
- D. A simile is always humorous
Réponse
B. A simile compares using 'like' or 'as'; a metaphor states the comparison directly — Simile: 'She was like a lioness.' Metaphor: 'She was a lioness.' Both make comparisons, but similes use 'like' or 'as' while metaphors are direct.
In the sentence: 'Despite widespread opposition, the bill was passed.' — the author implies:
- A. The bill had strong public support
- B. The bill was rejected after a long debate
- C. The bill was approved even though many people opposed it
- D. The bill will be reconsidered next year
Réponse
C. The bill was approved even though many people opposed it — 'Despite' signals that the opposition was real but did not prevent the bill from passing — it was approved in spite of resistance.
Which feature is characteristic of PERSUASIVE writing in English?
- A. Only factual statements with no opinion
- B. Frequent use of the passive voice with no modal verbs
- C. Rhetorical questions, modal verbs of obligation, and evaluative adjectives
- D. Short paragraphs with no linking words
Réponse
C. Rhetorical questions, modal verbs of obligation, and evaluative adjectives — Persuasive texts use rhetorical questions ('How can we ignore this?'), modals of obligation ('we must'), and evaluative language ('alarming', 'crucial') to influence the reader.
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.
Prof d'anglais à Marseille · Cours particuliers au lycée · Aide aux devoirs