# TEF Canada writing: expression écrite

> TEF Canada expression écrite: section A (continue an article, 80+ words) and section B (argue a point of view, 200+ words), with practice prompts and tips.

Canonical: https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tef-canada-writing
Last updated: 2026-10-26

The TEF Canada writing test lasts one hour on computer and has two sections. Here’s what each one asks, with practice prompts we wrote and tips for each.

## The format

| Section | What you write | Time | Minimum |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A | The continuation of a news article, from its opening lines | 25 minutes | 80 words |
| B | Your point of view on a statement, with justification | 35 minutes | 200 words |

You type on a computer, and a virtual keyboard with French accented characters is on screen. The minimums are minimums: a longer, well-organized answer gives the markers more to reward.

## Practice prompts

### Prompt 1

**The task:** TEF Canada writing, section A (25 minutes, at least 80 words): write the continuation of a news article from its opening lines.

> **Practice prompt (ours):** Voici le début d’un article paru dans un journal local de Moncton. Écrivez la suite de l’article (80 mots minimum). « Samedi matin, les promeneurs du parc Centennial ont eu une drôle de surprise : un chevreuil se promenait tranquillement entre les tables de pique-nique, au milieu des familles venues profiter du soleil… »

- Keep the style of a news article: third person, past tenses (passé composé and imparfait), facts first.
- Answer the reader’s questions: what happened next, who did what, how it ended.
- Write well past 80 words; it is a minimum, not a target.
- Save two or three minutes to reread for agreements and accents.

### Prompt 2

**The task:** TEF Canada writing, section A (25 minutes, at least 80 words): write the continuation of a news article from its opening lines.

> **Practice prompt (ours):** Voici le début d’un article. Écrivez la suite (80 mots minimum). « Une enseignante de Winnipeg a reçu hier une lettre bien particulière : un ancien élève, qu’elle n’avait pas revu depuis vingt ans, lui écrivait pour la remercier… »

- Invent concrete details (names, places, a quote) so the story feels like real reporting.
- Link your sentences with connectors: d’abord, ensuite, finalement, en effet.
- Stay consistent with the opening: same people, same tone, same timeline.

### Prompt 3

**The task:** TEF Canada writing, section B (35 minutes, at least 200 words): express and justify a point of view in response to a statement.

> **Practice prompt (ours):** Vous avez lu cette phrase sur un forum : « Les villes devraient interdire les voitures dans leur centre-ville. » Vous écrivez au forum pour donner votre opinion. Justifiez votre point de vue avec des arguments et des exemples (200 mots minimum).

- State your position in the first lines, then give at least three arguments, each with an example.
- Acknowledge the other side once (certes…, mais…) and answer it.
- Use opinion phrases: à mon avis, il me semble que, je suis convaincu(e) que.
- Finish with a short conclusion that restates your view.

### Prompt 4

**The task:** TEF Canada writing, section B (35 minutes, at least 200 words): express and justify a point of view in response to a statement.

> **Practice prompt (ours):** Un journal publie l’opinion suivante : « Le télétravail rend les employés moins engagés envers leur entreprise. » Vous écrivez au courrier des lecteurs pour réagir. Donnez votre opinion et justifiez-la (200 mots minimum).

- Plan for five minutes before writing: position, three arguments, one counter-argument, conclusion.
- Vary your connectors: de plus, par ailleurs, en revanche, pourtant, c’est pourquoi.
- Use a letter format: a greeting (Madame, Monsieur,) and a closing line.

## A simple plan for the hour

1. **Section A, 25 minutes.** Two minutes to plan what happens next, 20 to write in news style, three to reread.
2. **Section B, 35 minutes.** Five minutes to plan your position and arguments, 25 to write, five to reread for agreements, verb endings and accents.
3. **Keep a checklist.** Past participles agree with être, adjectives agree with nouns, accents on é/è/à, no anglicisms like “appliquer pour” (say “postuler à”).

For the other tests, see the [TEF Canada guide](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tef-canada) or try the [reading practice](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tef-canada-practice-test).

See the [score converter](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/nclc-converter) to turn a TEF Canada or TCF Canada score into an NCLC level.

> We’re an independent practice site. We’re not affiliated with CCI Paris Île-de-France (TEF Canada), France Éducation international (TCF Canada) or IRCC, and our questions are our own writing, not real exam questions.

## Questions people ask

### How long is the TEF Canada writing test?

One hour: 25 minutes for section A and 35 minutes for section B.

### How many words do I need?

At least 80 words in section A and at least 200 in section B.

### Is the writing test on paper or computer?

On computer, with an on-screen keyboard for French accented characters.

## Sources

- [TEF Canada: taking the test (Le français des affaires)](https://www.lefrancaisdesaffaires.fr/en/candidate/test-evaluation-francais/tef-canada/examination/) (checked 2026-10-26)
- [TEF Canada: learn more (Le français des affaires, CCI Paris Île-de-France)](https://www.lefrancaisdesaffaires.fr/en/candidate/test-evaluation-francais/tef-canada/presentation/) (checked 2026-10-26)

Not affiliated with CCI Paris Île-de-France (TEF), France Éducation international (TCF) or IRCC.

## Related

- [TEF Canada speaking: expression orale](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tef-canada-speaking)
- [TEF Canada: the complete guide](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tef-canada)
- [The best ways to prepare for TEF Canada](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/best/ways-to-prepare-for-tef-canada)
- [TEF Canada practice test: compréhension écrite](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tef-canada-practice-test)