The Comprehension des Ecrits (Reading) section of the DELF A1 is worth 25 points and tests your ability to understand very short, simple written texts in French. At A1 level, texts are taken from everyday contexts: shop signs, short notices, simple emails and text messages, menus, timetables, and basic public information. Sentences are short, vocabulary is high-frequency, and grammar is straightforward. You do not need to understand every word — recognising key information to answer factual questions is sufficient. This guide explains the task types and strategies.
DELF A1 Comprehension des Ecrits – Module Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Duration | Approximately 30 minutes |
| Total marks | 25 |
| Pass mark | 5 out of 25 for this section; overall DELF A1 pass is 50 out of 100 with no section below 5 |
| Number of tasks | 3–4 tasks based on short texts |
| Text types | Shop signs, notices, short emails, SMS messages, menus, timetables, simple adverts, information cards |
| Text length | Very short: 20–80 words each; no long paragraphs |
| Answer formats | Multiple choice, True/False, matching, ticking boxes, completing simple information |
Task Type 1 – Matching Signs and Notices to Situations
You see 4–6 very short public signs, notices, or labels and must match them to situations or people. For example: “Which sign tells you the shop is closed on Sundays?” or “Which notice is for children?” At A1, this task tests whether you can identify the main purpose of a very short text — prohibition, information, invitation, or instruction.
| Sign Type | Typical French Vocabulary |
| Prohibition / restriction | Interdit / Defenlu / Ne pas… / Ferme / Prive / Acces interdit |
| Opening hours / schedule | Ouvert de… a… / Ferme le… / Horaires d’ouverture / lundi-vendredi |
| Instructions | Pousser / Tirer / Sonner / Appuyer / Prendre un numero |
| Announcements / events | Concert / Exposition / Reunion / Fete / Brocante / a partir de… |
| Prices and promotions | Promotion / Soldes / Reduction / Gratuit / -20% / prix special |
Task Type 2 – Reading Short Personal Messages
You read a short SMS, postcard, or informal email (30–60 words) and answer 2–3 questions about it. Questions are factual: What day does the person suggest meeting? What does the writer want to buy? Where will they be? At A1, the texts are written simply with high-frequency vocabulary.
| What to Look For | Example Signals |
| Day and time | lundi / mardi / ce soir / demain matin / a 10h / vers midi |
| Place | au cafe / a la maison / dans le parc / pres de la gare / chez moi |
| Action or request | je vais / on peut / tu peux / je voudrais / je t’invite / appelle-moi |
| Feelings or reactions | content(e) / desole(e) / super / dommage / sympa / merci |
Task Type 3 – Reading Practical Information Texts
You read a simple practical document — a menu, a timetable, a programme, a simple advert — and answer questions by ticking boxes or selecting correct options. At A1, you are always looking for specific factual data: a price, a time, a day, a location, or a yes/no fact. Do not try to understand every word — scan for the specific information the question asks for.
| Document Type | How to Read It Efficiently |
| Menu | Scan for food categories (entree / plat / dessert); find specific dishes or prices; match to question |
| Timetable (train, bus, cinema) | Find the row and column that match the question’s day and destination; read only that cell |
| Advert / event programme | Identify: what is the event, when, where, how much; answer questions directly from these four facts |
| Simple form or registration card | Fields are labelled clearly; find the field name mentioned in the question and read its value |
Key A1 Reading Vocabulary by Topic
| Topic | Must-Know Words |
| Days and months | lundi, mardi, mercredi, jeudi, vendredi, samedi, dimanche; janvier–decembre |
| Numbers and time | 1–100; heure; matin / apres-midi / soir; maintenant / aujourd’hui / demain |
| Places | maison / appartement; ville / village; rue / avenue / place; gauche / droite / tout droit |
| Food and drink | pain / eau / cafe / lait / viande / poisson / legume; menu / prix / addition |
| Common verbs | aller / venir / avoir / etre / vouloir / pouvoir / faire / aimer / habiter / travailler |
DELF A1 reading is fully manageable for a beginner with 4–6 weeks of vocabulary preparation. Focus on the high-frequency A1 word list, practise reading very short French texts daily, and complete at least three full Comprehension des Ecrits mock tests before your exam. languagetest.in provides DELF A1 Comprehension des Ecrits mock tests with answer keys and explanations for targeted A1 reading preparation.
References: DELF A1 official guide: ciep.fr/delf-dalf | Alliance Francaise DELF A1 resources: alliancefrancaise.in | languagetest.in DELF A1 reading preparation
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