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An info gap text discovery task - GCSE level (A2)

 I've been making a lot of these recently, with help from Mistral AI or Chat GPT. I think they're great for generating listening, reading and student talk. This is the type of lesson where, with the right class (able to get on productively in pairs), you can sit back and just monitor what the students are doing. The one I am sharing here is an easy one on the popular GCSE topic of healthy living. In language learning the essential ingredients are input and interaction (communication). This activity provides both of those while being tightly linked to the syllabus. The instructions are given on the worksheets you can see below. I left the Chat GPT texts intact, but added a few glosses of vocabulary. Some classes might not need these.

I have more examples on frenchteacher.net, at both GCSE (A2) and A-level (B1/2).      

                     

PARTENAIRE A

You and your partner each have a short text about a person who tries to live healthily. You will ask each other the questions provided to find out what your partner’s text says. Take notes in English, then when you have both asked and answered your questions you can communicate your notes orally in French.

Votre texte

Je m’appelle Lucas et j’ai 16 ans. J’essaie de vivre sainement (healthily) tous les jours. D’abord, je fais beaucoup de sport. Je joue au football trois fois par semaine avec mon équipe locale, et le week-end je fais du vélo avec mon père.

Je fais aussi attention (take care) à mon alimentation (food). Je mange beaucoup de fruits et de légumes, et je bois beaucoup d’eau. J’évite (avoid) les boissons sucrées (sweet) et les fast-foods, même si ce n’est pas toujours facile avec mes amis.

Pour rester en bonne santé mentale, je prends du temps pour me détendre (relax). J’écoute de la musique ou je regarde des séries le soir. J’essaie aussi de dormir au moins (at least) huit heures par nuit.

Vos questions à poser au Partenaire B

1.    Comment tu t’appelles et quel âge tu as ?

2.    Qu’est-ce que tu fais le matin pour commencer la journée ?

3.    Est-ce que tu prends un petit-déjeuner ? Qu’est-ce que tu manges ?

4.    Combien de temps tu passes sur ton téléphone chaque jour ?

5.    Est-ce que tu fais attention à ton sommeil ?

6.    À quelle heure tu te couches normalement ?

7.    Est-ce que tu fais quelque chose pour te détendre (relax)?

8.    Qu’est-ce que tu fais pour éviter (avoid) le stress ?

9.    Est-ce que tu passes du temps dehors (outside)?

10.  Pourquoi c’est important pour toi de vivre sainement ?



PARTENAIRE B

You and your partner each have a short text about a person who tries to live healthily. You will ask each other the questions provided to find out what your partner’s text says. Take notes in English, then when you have both asked and answered your questions you can communicate your notes orally in French.

Votre texte

Je m’appelle Inès et j’ai 15 ans. Pour moi, vivre sainement, c’est surtout avoir de bonnes habitudes quotidiennes (daily habits). Chaque matin, je me lève à 7h et je prends un petit-déjeuner équilibré (balanced) avec des céréales et un fruit.

Je fais attention (take care) à mon sommeil (sleep). Je dors bien. Je me couche vers 22h30 parce que je sais que le sommeil est très important. J’essaie (try) aussi de limiter le temps que je passe sur mon téléphone, surtout (especially) le soir.

Pour me détendre (relax), je fais du yoga et je lis des livres. Quand je suis stressée, je parle avec mes amis ou je fais une balade (walk) dans le parc. J’aime passer du temps dehors (outside) parce que ça me fait du bien.

Vos questions à poser au Partenaire A

1.    Comment tu t’appelles et quel âge tu as ?

2.    Quel sport tu fais et combien de fois par semaine ?

3.    Avec qui tu fais du sport le week-end ?

4.    Qu’est-ce que tu manges pour rester en bonne santé ?

5.    Qu’est-ce que tu bois pendant la journée ?

6.    Est-ce que tu manges des fast-foods ?

7.    Qu’est-ce que tu fais pour te détendre (relax) le soir ?

8.    Est-ce que tu regardes des séries ou tu écoutes de la musique ?

9.    Combien d’heures tu dors par nuit ?

10.  Pourquoi (why) le sommeil (sleep) est important pour toi ?

 

Answers to questions in English

PARTENAIRE A → Answers about Inès (from B’s text)

  1. Name: Inès, age 15
  2. Morning: wakes up at 7am
  3. Breakfast: yes – cereal + fruit
  4. Phone use: tries to limit it, especially in the evening
  5. Sleep: very important to her
  6. Bedtime: around 10:30pm
  7. Relaxation: yoga and reading
  8. Stress: talks to friends or goes for a walk
  9. Outside: yes, likes spending time outdoors (park)
  10. Importance: healthy habits make her feel good

PARTENAIRE B → Answers about Lucas (from A’s text)

  1. Name: Lucas, age 16
  2. Sport: football, 3 times a week
  3. Weekend: cycling with his father
  4. Diet: lots of fruit and vegetables
  5. Drinks: mainly water
  6. Fast food: avoids it (not always easy)
  7. Evening relaxation: music or series
  8. Activities: listens to music and watches series
  9. Sleep: about 8 hours per night
  10. Importance: sleep is important for health

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