OuiPR / Task 3 · opinion
TCF Canada writing Task 3: structure and example
Task 3 is the longest task: 120 to 180 words in two parts. First you sum up two documents with opposite views, then you give and justify your own opinion. Here is the structure, a model answer and the mistakes to avoid.
What Task 3 asks
You get a theme and two short documents with opposite points of view (for example remote work, phones at school, city or countryside). You write one text in two parts.
- Part 1, about 40 to 60 words: present both points of view neutrally, in your own words. No opinion yet.
- Part 2, about 80 to 120 words: give your opinion and justify it with arguments and examples.
- Total: 120 to 180 words. Plan the most time for this task.
How it is scored
The same four criteria: task completion, coherence, vocabulary and grammar. Task 3 shows whether you can summarize and argue, which is what separates B1 from B2 (NCLC 7 and above). Nuance (cependant, en revanche, bien que), the conditional and the subjunctive are rewarded here.
How to write it in 5 steps
- Read both documents and write down the two or three main ideas of each in a few words.
- Part 1: one sentence to introduce the debate, then each point of view with neutral verbs: selon le premier document..., le second document souligne au contraire...
- Part 2: state your opinion clearly in the first sentence: à mon avis, je pense que...
- Give two arguments with an example each, then admit one limit: certes..., cependant...
- Conclude in one sentence, then check the word count of each part.
Example topic
Le télétravail
Document 1 : Pour beaucoup de salariés, le télétravail est une vraie libération. Plus de transports pendant des heures, moins de stress, plus de temps pour la famille. Les entreprises y gagnent aussi : les employés sont souvent plus concentrés à la maison et les bureaux coûtent moins cher.
Document 2 : Travailler chez soi n'a pas que des avantages. Beaucoup de télétravailleurs se sentent seuls et ont du mal à séparer vie professionnelle et vie privée. Sans contacts directs avec les collègues, la communication devient plus difficile et l'esprit d'équipe disparaît peu à peu.
Model answer (152 words)
Part 1 sums up both documents in new words and stays neutral. Part 2 opens with a clear opinion, gives two arguments with a personal example, admits a limit (certes...) and ends with a balanced proposal. Varied connectors (tandis que, au contraire, d'abord, ensuite, c'est pourquoi) carry the logic.
Mistakes that cost points
- Copying whole sentences from the documents instead of summarizing them.
- Giving your opinion already in Part 1.
- A Part 2 with an opinion but no reasons or examples.
- Only one side of the debate in the summary.
- Going over 180 words, or a Part 1 so long that Part 2 has no room.
Check your Task 3 text
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How many words is TCF Canada writing Task 3?
120 to 180 words in total: about 40 to 60 words for the summary of the two documents and 80 to 120 words for your opinion.
Can I copy phrases from the documents in Task 3?
Short key words are fine, but whole sentences are not. Examiners want to see that you can rephrase the ideas in your own French.
How do I get a higher score in Task 3?
Make the opinion clear, support it with two arguments and examples, show nuance with connectors like cependant or bien que, and keep both parts inside their word ranges.