This set covers the whole module: spelling to sound, the u and ou contrast, phrase rhythm and self-review. Say each French word aloud before you open the answer, because the skill is spoken. The questions go from easier to harder.
Keep a note of the numbers you miss and use the routing list at the end. The module overview is in sound, spelling and intelligibility.
Questions
1. Silent letters. Which letters are silent in “grand” and “petit”?
Show answer
The final d in “grand” and the final t in “petit”. “grand” ends on a nasal vowel, and “petit” ends on the “ee” sound.
2. ch and qu. Give the sound of the first letters in “chat” and “quatre”.
Show answer
“ch” is like English “sh” and “qu” is a “k” sound. So “chat” starts with sh and “quatre” starts with k.
3. Nasal or not? Which of these words has a nasal vowel: bon, bonne, pain, pomme?
Show answer
bon and pain. In “bonne” and “pomme” the double consonant means the vowel is not nasal, and the n and m are sounded.
4. gn and ç. What sound do gn and ç make in “montagne” and “garçon”?
Show answer
gn sounds like “ny” in “canyon”, and ç is an “s” sound. The “on” in “garçon” is a nasal vowel.
5. Final consonants. Which of these keep a sounded final consonant: sac, petit, neuf, chat?
Show answer
sac and neuf. The final c and f are among the CaReFuL letters. “petit” and “chat” drop the final t.
6. eau and au. What is the same in the sound of “bureau” and “chaud”?
Show answer
Both end in the “o” sound: “eau” and “au” make it. In “chaud” the final d is silent and ch is like “sh”.
7. u or ou? A friend says they saw a roue in the street. Is the meaning “wheel” or “street”?
Show answer
“Wheel”. Roue has the ou sound and means wheel. Rue has the u sound and means street.
8. Meaning change. Translate “Le livre est dessus” and “Le livre est dessous”.
Show answer
“The book is on top of it” and “The book is underneath it”. The only sound difference is u against ou.
9. Liaison. Where does the liaison fall in “Ils ont deux amis”?
Show answer
Between ils and ont (s sounds like z) and between deux and amis (x sounds like z).
10. Groups and stress. Cut “Nous avons un examen à huit heures” into groups and say which syllables lift.
Show answer
Nous avons / un examen / à huit heures. The lift falls on avons, examen and heures.
11. Speed. Your recording at natural speed drops the nasal vowel in “grand”. What is the most useful next step?
Show answer
Return to a slower step where the nasal vowel is clear, repeat it three times, then raise the speed again in steps.
12. Self-review. Which is stronger evidence that your pronunciation is clear: an app showing 82 out of 100, or a friend writing down every word you said?
Show answer
The friend writing every word. A listener understanding you is direct evidence of intelligibility. A score is a single number and does not tell you what to fix.
If you got these wrong
| Questions | Likely issue | Go to |
|---|---|---|
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 | Spelling pattern not linked to sound | Connect common sound patterns to written forms |
| 7, 8 | u and ou confused | Distinguish a close sound contrast |
| 9, 10, 11 | Rhythm, links or speed | Practise a comprehensible phrase at a controllable speed |
| 12 | Judging progress | Self-review pronunciation without an automatic accent score |
How should you use your results?
If you missed one or two, repeat only those sounds in your next session and record them. If you missed a whole row, return to the lesson in the table and rework its example.
Check your own recordings against the self-review checklist for any wrong answer that came from speaking, not writing. When a mistake persists, our online one-to-one French tuition can hear it live. The next step in the subject is sentence foundations and agreement.