Edexcel IGCSE French Past Papers & Mark Schemes | 4FR1
Revise with Pearson Edexcel International GCSE French (4FR1) past papers and official mark schemes for Paper 1: Listening, Paper 2: Reading and Writing and Paper 3: Speaking. Organised by exam series and year, these resources help you practise French vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, extended writing and spoken communication across all five specification topic areas. Use the mark schemes to understand how accuracy, communication and language are assessed, then jump to our examiner tips for expert advice or read the frequently asked questions for clear guidance about the 4FR1 exams.
June 2025 Edexcel IGCSE French (4FR1) Past Papers – Question Papers, Audio & Mark Schemes
June 2025 Edexcel IGCSE French | Question Papers & Audio | Mark Schemes |
Paper 1 (4FR1/01) – Listening | ||
Paper 1R (4FR1/01R) – Listening, Regional Paper | ||
Paper 2 (4FR1/02) – Reading and Writing | ||
Paper 2R (4FR1/02R) – Reading and Writing, Regional Paper |
November 2024 Edexcel IGCSE French (4FR1) Past Papers – Question Papers, Audio & Mark Schemes
November 2024 Edexcel IGCSE French | Question Papers & Audio | Mark Schemes |
Paper 1 (4FR1/01) – Listening | ||
Paper 2 (4FR1/02) – Reading and Writing |
June 2024 Edexcel IGCSE French (4FR1) Past Papers – Question Papers, Audio & Mark Schemes
June 2024 Edexcel IGCSE French | Question Papers & Audio | Mark Schemes |
Paper 1 (4FR1/01) – Listening | ||
Paper 1R (4FR1/01R) – Listening, Regional Paper | ||
Paper 2 (4FR1/02) – Reading and Writing | ||
Paper 2R (4FR1/02R) – Reading and Writing, Regional Paper |
November 2023 Edexcel IGCSE French (4FR1) Past Papers – Question Papers, Audio & Mark Schemes
November 2023 Edexcel IGCSE French | Question Papers & Audio | Mark Schemes |
Paper 1 (4FR1/01) – Listening | ||
Paper 2 (4FR1/02) – Reading and Writing |
June 2023 Edexcel IGCSE French (4FR1) Past Papers – Question Papers, Audio & Mark Schemes
June 2023 Edexcel IGCSE French | Question Papers & Audio | Mark Schemes |
Paper 1 (4FR1/01) – Listening | ||
Paper 1R (4FR1/01R) – Listening, Regional Paper | ||
Paper 2 (4FR1/02) – Reading and Writing | ||
Paper 2R (4FR1/02R) – Reading and Writing, Regional Paper |
June 2022 Edexcel IGCSE French (4FR1) Past Papers – Question Papers, Audio & Mark Schemes
June 2022 Edexcel IGCSE French | Question Papers & Audio | Mark Schemes |
Paper 1 (4FR1/01) – Listening | ||
Paper 1R (4FR1/01R) – Listening, Regional Paper | ||
Paper 2 (4FR1/02) – Reading and Writing | ||
Paper 2R (4FR1/02R) – Reading and Writing, Regional Paper |
June 2021 Edexcel IGCSE French (4FR1) Past Papers – Question Papers, Audio & Mark Schemes
June 2021 Edexcel IGCSE French | Question Papers & Audio | Mark Schemes |
Paper 1 (4FR1/01) – Listening | ||
Paper 2 (4FR1/02) – Reading and Writing |
November 2020 Edexcel IGCSE French (4FR1) Past Papers – Question Papers, Audio & Mark Schemes
November 2020 Edexcel IGCSE French | Question Papers & Audio | Mark Schemes |
Paper 1 (4FR1/01) – Listening | ||
Paper 1R (4FR1/01R) – Listening, Regional Paper | ||
Paper 2 (4FR1/02) – Reading and Writing | ||
Paper 2R (4FR1/02R) – Reading and Writing, Regional Paper |
Six Examiner Tips for Edexcel International GCSE French
1. Follow the exact number of responses requested
In multiple-choice and matching questions, never add extra crosses because you are uncertain. If the instructions ask for six answers, select exactly six. Extra responses can lead to marks being deducted, even when some of your choices are correct.
Before moving on:
Count the number of crosses.
Cross out any answer you have replaced.
Remember that some options are distractors.
Check that each answer is in the correct column or category.
Correct information placed under the wrong heading, such as a positive point in the negative column, cannot receive credit.
2. Adapt information from reading texts instead of copying blindly
You may use information from the reading passage, but make sure it answers the question logically. Copying an entire sentence can create errors if its pronouns, possessive adjectives or verb forms do not match the question.
Keep your answer concise and make any necessary grammatical changes. Check whether you need to change:
The subject or object pronoun
The possessive adjective
The verb tense
A conjugated verb into an infinitive
A first-person statement into the third person
Your final answer should make sense independently and respond directly to what has been asked.
3. Match every verb tense to its time marker
Underline time expressions before choosing your verb tense. Expressions such as “hier”, “l’année dernière” and “le week-end dernier” require a past tense, while “demain” and “à l’avenir” usually indicate a future tense.
When checking your work, make sure that:
Compound past tenses contain the correct form of “avoir” or “être”.
Verbs agree with their subjects.
Past participles agree when required.
Infinitives have not been used incorrectly after subject pronouns.
The chosen tense matches the meaning of the sentence.
Regularly revise high-frequency verbs such as “être”, “avoir”, “faire” and “aller” in the past, present, future and conditional.
4. Use every prescribed word and answer every bullet point
In the 60–75-word writing task, include all four prescribed words or phrases exactly as printed. Do not shorten them or change their spelling, gender, number or grammatical form. Tick each one off after using it.
In the 130–150-word task, address all four bullet points. A simple planning method is to assign one paragraph or clearly developed section to each bullet point.
Do not force memorised paragraphs into an unrelated question. Read every prompt carefully and adapt your language to the actual task, especially when distinguishing similar words such as “métier” and “matière”.
5. Use context and grammar to overcome listening and reading distractors
Do not choose an answer because you recognise one familiar word. Listen to or read the complete statement and check how the word is being used in context.
Pay particular attention to:
Negatives such as “ne…pas”, “ne…jamais” and “ne…plus”
Contrast words such as “mais”, “cependant” and “pourtant”
Words with more than one meaning, such as “le temps”
Similar-sounding words such as “chaussures” and “chaussettes”
Gender, number and word-class clues in gap-fill exercises
Use the five-minute listening reading period actively. Read ahead, examine the answer options and identify the type of information or grammatical form required in each gap.
6. Keep speaking answers natural, developed and properly timed
Do not spend most of the picture discussion delivering a rehearsed monologue for the first question. Give a clear but controlled description so that the examiner has enough time to ask the remaining questions.
In the topic conversations, develop answers with an opinion, a reason and an example. Include clear references to past, present and future events to demonstrate a range of language.
If you do not understand a question, ask for repetition naturally in French:
“Pardon, pouvez-vous répéter la question, s’il vous plaît ?”
Practise responding spontaneously instead of memorising complete speeches. This will help you answer the actual question and maintain a more natural conversation.
Edexcel International GCSE French 2027 FAQs
1. What is the Edexcel International GCSE French specification for 2027?
Students taking Edexcel International GCSE French in 2027 study the Pearson Edexcel 4FR1 specification. It is a linear qualification, which means all three papers are completed at the end of the course.
The qualification includes:
Paper 1: Listening (4FR1/01) – 25%
Paper 2: Reading and Writing (4FR1/02) – 50%
Paper 3: Speaking (4FR1/03) – 25%
Together, the papers assess listening, reading, writing, grammar and spoken communication.
2. Is Edexcel IGCSE French divided into Foundation and Higher tiers?
No. Edexcel International GCSE French 4FR1 is a single-tier qualification. All students take the same papers, with questions progressing through different levels of difficulty.
This differs from some UK GCSE French qualifications that have separate Foundation and Higher papers. Because the Edexcel International GCSE is single tier, students can demonstrate achievement across the full grade range from 9 to 1.
3. What topics are assessed in Edexcel IGCSE French?
The Edexcel International GCSE French syllabus contains five main topic areas:
Home and abroad
Education and employment
Personal life and relationships
The world around us
Social activities, fitness and health
Students should revise the vocabulary and grammar needed to discuss each topic in the past, present and future. The papers may also include unfamiliar language, so learning how to work out meaning from context is essential.
4. What is the Edexcel IGCSE French Listening exam like?
Paper 1 is a 30-minute listening examination with five minutes of reading time before the recordings begin. It contains seven tasks and is worth 40 marks.
Question types may include:
Multiple choice
Multiple matching
Note-taking
Table completion
Gap filling
Short answers
Each recorded text is played twice. During the five-minute reading period, underline names, times, negatives, opinions and other details you need to identify. Look carefully at the question language so that you know whether to listen for a person, place, reason, advantage or opinion.
5. How should I revise for Edexcel IGCSE French Listening Paper 1?
Practise listening to different French speakers rather than relying on one familiar voice. Use past-paper recordings and train yourself to identify:
Negatives such as “ne…pas”, “ne…jamais” and “ne…plus”
Opinions and attitudes
Time markers
Numbers, prices and dates
Different verb tenses
Distractors and corrected statements
Synonyms and paraphrased vocabulary
Do not select an answer immediately after hearing one familiar word. Listen to the complete sentence because the speaker may change or qualify the point.
6. What is included in Edexcel IGCSE French Paper 2?
Paper 2 is a one-hour and 45-minute Reading and Writing examination worth 80 marks and 50% of the qualification.
The paper is divided equally:
Reading section – 40 marks
Writing and grammar section – 40 marks
Pearson recommends spending approximately 52 minutes on each section. The reading section contains five tasks based on materials such as advertisements, emails, articles, letters, webpages and literary extracts. The writing section contains two writing tasks and one grammar exercise.
7. How many words should I write in the Edexcel IGCSE French writing exam?
The first writing task requires 60–75 words and includes four prescribed words or short phrases that must be incorporated into the response.
The longer writing task requires 130–150 words. Students choose one of three questions and must address all four bullet points.
Before writing, identify:
The required topic
The intended audience
Every bullet point
The required time frames
Opportunities to include opinions and reasons
Writing far beyond the word count does not automatically earn more marks. It can lead to repetition, irrelevant material and additional grammatical mistakes.
8. How does the Edexcel IGCSE French speaking exam work?
Paper 3 is an 8–10 minute speaking examination worth 40 marks and 25% of the qualification. It contains three tasks:
Task A: A picture-based discussion
Task B: A spontaneous conversation
Task C: A second spontaneous conversation
The three tasks must cover three different topic areas. Students choose their Task A picture before the examination, while Pearson’s randomisation process determines the topics for Tasks B and C.
The chosen picture must contain at least two people, background objects and visible interaction. Students cannot take notes into the examination.
9. How can I score highly in the Edexcel IGCSE French speaking exam?
Avoid memorising long monologues that do not respond naturally to the examiner’s questions. Instead, practise extending answers with:
A clear opinion
A reason
A relevant example
A contrasting point
A past or future reference
For example:
“À mon avis, les transports publics sont très importants parce qu’ils réduisent la pollution. La semaine dernière, j’ai pris le train pour aller en ville et, à l’avenir, je voudrais l’utiliser plus souvent.”
Successful answers should be spontaneous, relevant and developed. Practise responding confidently to follow-up prompts such as “Pourquoi ?”, “Autre chose ?” and “C’est tout ?”.