SAT II French : Verbs

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT II French

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Present Conditional / Le Conditionnel

Choose the correct conjugation of the verb "acheter" to go in the blank.

Si j'étais riche, j'__________ une belle voiture.

Possible Answers:

achète

achèterais

achetais

achèterai

acheter

Correct answer:

achèterais

Explanation:

This sentence means, "If I were rich, I __________ a beautiful car," with all of the answer choices being conjugations of the verb "acheter," which means "to buy." Since "would buy" fits in the sentence and is the conditional tense, "achetèrais" is the only correct answer.

Example Question #1 : Subjunctive / Le Présent Du Subjonctif

Choose the correct conjugation of the verb "être" to go in the blank. 

Je suis content(e) que tu __________ là.

Possible Answers:

sont

soit

étais

sois

es

Correct answer:

sois

Explanation:

"Je suis content(e)" is expressing sentiment, which requires the subjunctive.

Example Question #1 : Tense

Choose the grammatically correct sentence.

Possible Answers:

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

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

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

J'étais en France quand j'ai été 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 #2 : Tense

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:

est

sois

es

ai

suis

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."

Example Question #1 : Idiomatic Expressions

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

Je n'ai rien mangé ce matin. J'ai __________.

Possible Answers:

peur

faim

envie

hâte

honte

Correct answer:

faim

Explanation:

The sentence is saying, "I didn't eat anything this morning. I'm..." It is not logical to next say that you are ashamed/scared, or that you're looking forward to or wanting something.

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