Sequence of Tenses (concordance des temps) – Test 1
C1AdvancedGrammarFrench
This C1 test covers the French sequence of tenses (concordance des temps) in reported speech, indirect questions, subjunctive clauses, hypothetical si-clauses and formal literary style. It is for advanced learners and teachers who want to check accurate tense choice in complex sentences and spot the errors common at this level.
Choose the one correct option for each question. Choose your answers, then press “Check my answers”.
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About this test
This C1 test covers the French sequence of tenses (concordance des temps) in reported speech, indirect questions, subjunctive clauses, hypothetical si-clauses and formal literary style. It is for advanced learners and teachers who want to check accurate tense choice in complex sentences and spot the errors common at this level.
Topics covered
Reported speech in the pastIndirect questionsFuture in the pastSubjunctive concordanceSi-clausesAprès que / avant queLiterary imperfect subjunctiveError detection
How to use this test
Download the PDF and print it, or take the test online below.
Answer every question without a dictionary or time pressure.
Check your answers and note the topics you need to review.
Notes for teachers
Use the test after teaching reported speech and subjunctive concordance, or as a diagnostic before exam preparation (DALF C1). It targets typical C1 errors: no tense shift after a past main verb, shifting tenses after a present main verb, conditional after hypothetical si, subjunctive after après que, and confusing ouvrît with ouvrit. As a follow-up, ask students to rewrite Part 4 as direct speech, or to report a short dialogue in the past.