Understanding a documentary — reuse it in speaking and writing

Understanding a documentary: progressive explanation, topic-specific examples, guided exercises and a corrected assessment.

Duration: 25 minPrerequisites: documentaire-pratiquerPass mark: 80%

1. Objective

By the end, you will produce your own content using “Understanding a documentary text” clearly and accurately.

2. I discover

This text describes a method. Identify what is measured, how results are compared and what triggers a new check.

3. I understand

A documentary text organises verifiable information. Start with the topic, then identify subtopics, examples and cause, consequence or comparison links.

Un observatoire local suit chaque mois la qualité de l’eau d’une rivière.Les techniciens prélèvent des échantillons à plusieurs endroits.Ils mesurent notamment la température, l’acidité et la présence de certains polluants.Les résultats sont comparés à ceux des mois précédents.Quand une valeur inhabituelle apparaît, un nouveau prélèvement est réalisé.Les données servent ensuite à décider si une enquête complémentaire est nécessaire.

Watch out

Explicit information is written in the document; an inference must be supported by clues. Do not confuse fact with comment.

4. Guided practice

5. Independent practice

6. I write / I speak

Write a short documentary paragraph explaining the method without copying the six sentences word for word.

7. Check-up

8. Remember

Topic, key information, examples and logical links are your four anchors for understanding a documentary text.

Download the worksheet (PDF)

9. Now I can…

I can identify useful clues in “Understanding a documentary text”.
I can explain my choice instead of guessing.
I can reuse this skill in a real text or exchange.