FIA Grammar Chapter 20

Question 1

What is the difference in pronunciation between the English “a” and the French “a”?

hazard vs. hasard

Answer 1

The French “a” is pronounced more in the front of the mouth.

Question 2

Conjugate attendre and entendre in the present indicative.

Answer 2

• j’attends/j’entends*
• tu attends/tu entends*
• elle attend/tu entend*
• nous attendons/nous entendons*
• vous attendez/vous entendez*
• ils attendent/ils entendents*

Question 3

What are the past participles of attendre and entendre?

Answer 3

attendu and entendu

Question 4

What phrase do you use to talk about making fun of people?

You’re making fun of me!

I’m not making fun of you!

I’m not making fon of him!

I’m not making fun of them!

I never make fun of anyone!

Answer 4

• se moquer de*
• Tu te moques de moi!*
• Je ne me moque pas de toi!*
• Je ne me moque pas de lui!*
• Je ne me moque pas d’eux!*
• Je ne me moque jamais de personne!*

Note the use of disjunctive pronouns.

Question 5

1. How do you use apprendre with a noun, such as a subject?

Mireille is learning Italian.

2. How do you use apprendre with a verb

He is learning to swim.

Answer 5

1. Apprendre is used with a direct object noun.
   * Mireille apprend l’italien.*
2. Apprendre is used with an infinitive introduced by à.
   * Il apprend à nager.*

Question 6

How do you say the following?

The worst student in the class.

A bad student.

An average student.

A good student.

The best student in the class.

Answer 6

• Le pire élève de la class.*
• Un mauvais élève.*
• Un élève moyen.*
• Un bon élève.*
• Le meilleur élève de la classe.*

Question 7

How do you make excuses?

Excuse me.

I’m sorry.

Answer 7

• Excusez-moi.*
• Je suis désolée.*

Question 8

How do you respond to apologies?

It’s not serious.

It’s nothing.

It’s not important.

Don’t disturb yourself.

Leave it.

Answer 8

• Ce n’est pas grave.*
• Ce n’est rien.*
• Ça n’a pas d’importance.*
• Ne vous dérangéz pas.*
• Laissez.*

Question 9

How do you express surprise or incredulity?

Not possible!

Really?

That’s true?

You’re sure?

No joking!

That stuns me!

Answer 9

• Pas possible!*
• Vraiment?*
• C’est vrai?*
• Vous êtes sûr?*
• Sans blague!*
• Ça m’étonne!*

Question 10

How do you deny things?

Who, me?

Not at all!

Me? Never!

Never in my life!

Answer 10

• Qui, moi?*
• Pas du tout!*
• Moi? Jamais!*
• Jamais de la vie!*

Question 11

How do you complain about time?

One never has a moment to oneself!

I never have the time to read!

Answer 11

• On n’a jamais une minute à soi!*
• Je n’ai jamais le temps de lire!*

Question 12

How do you conjugate réflichir, choisir, and finir in the indicative present?

Answer 12

• je réfléchis/choisis/finis*
• tu réfléchis/choisis/finis*

il réfléchit/choisit/finit
nous réfléchissons/choisissons/finissons

• vous réfléchissez/choisissez/finissez*
• ils réfléchissent/choisissent/finissent*

Question 13

What are the past participles of réfléchir, choisir, and finir?

Answer 13

• réfléchi*
• choisi*

fini

Question 14

How do you conjugate mettre in the indicative present?

Answer 14

• je mets*
• tu mets*
• elle met*
• nous mettons*
• vous mettez*
• ils mettent*

Question 15

1. What is the past participle of mettre?
2. What is the auxillary of mettre?
3. What is the auxillary of se mettre?

Answer 15

1. mis
2. avoir
3. être

Question 16

How do you conjugate boire in the indicative present?

Answer 16

• je bois*
• tu boit*
• il boit*
• nous buvons*
• vous buvez*
• ils boivent*

Question 17

How do you conjugate boire in the imparfait?

Answer 17

• je buvais*
• tu buvais*
• il buvait*
• nous buvions*
• vous buviez*
• ils buvaient*

Question 18

What is the past participle of boire?

Answer 18

bu

Question 19

Where do you place object pronouns (including en and y) in the passé composé and other compound tenses?

I saw him.

Answer 19

They are placed in front of the auxillary.

Je l’ai vu.

Question 20

1. In a negative expression, where are ne…pas placed in the passé composé and other compound tenses?

I didn’t know Hemingway.

2. Where does with object pronouns in the same situation?

I didn’t know him.

Answer 20

1. Around the auxillary.
   * Je n’ai pas connu Hemingway.*
2. The object pronoun is still placed directly in front of the auxillary (between ne and the auxillary).
   * Je ne l’ai pas connue.*