SAT II French : Tense

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT II French

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Example Questions

Example Question #3 : Sat Subject Test In French

Choose the grammatically correct sentence.

Possible Answers:

Je suis allé(e) en France quand j'avais dix-huit ans.

J'ai été en France quand j'ai eu dix-huit ans.

J'étais en France quand j'ai été dix-huit ans.

Je suis allé(e) en France quand j'étais dix-huit ans.

J'ai allé en France quand j'étais dix-huit ans.

Correct answer:

Je suis allé(e) en France quand j'avais dix-huit ans.

Explanation:

This sentence means, "I went to France when I was eighteen." "Went" is one single action and therefore translates into the passé composé. "Was" is a continuous action/state and therefore translates into the imparfait.

Example Question #1 : Compound Past / Le Passé Composé

Choose the correct verb and conjugation to go in the blank.

"Vous allez en Californie?"

"J'y __________ allé(e) il y a trois mois."

Possible Answers:

es

suis

sois

ai

est

Correct answer:

suis

Explanation:

"Aller" is a verb that takes the verb "être" when conjugated in the passé composé.The subject is "je"; therefore, the only correct answer is "suis."

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