How Many Questions Are There In The TEF Reading Section?

In the TEF reading section, you’ll face **40 multiple-choice questions** in about **60 minutes**. The texts get progressively harder, starting with short practical notices and ending with longer opinion pieces or reports.

Are The Questions The Same In TEF Canada, TEF Études, And TEF Naturalisation?

Yes. The **question types are identical** across all TEF versions. What changes is the **scoring and purpose** (immigration, studies, citizenship, etc.), but the reading module itself doesn’t change. ****

Do I Need Advanced Vocabulary To Succeed?

Not necessarily. Most questions test **contextual understanding** rather than rare words. Even if you don’t know a word, you can often guess its meaning from the sentence. ****

What’s The Hardest Type Of Question?

Many candidates struggle with **inference questions** because the answer isn’t directly in the text. You need to deduce what the author implies without over-interpreting.

Common Reading Question Types In the TEF Exam

December 02, 202511 MinutesReading, Articles

In the TEF exam, the reading comprehension section is designed to test how well you can understand written French in real‑life contexts. If you can comprehend this part, you can easily increase your overall score.

This guide breaks down the most common reading question types you’ll encounter across TEF Canada, TEFAQ, TEF Études, and TEF Naturalisation, so you know exactly what to expect and how to prepare.

Common Reading Question Types In the TEF Exam

The TEF reading section uses common question types. Learning them ahead helps you avoid mistakes. Here’s a breakdown of the ones you’ll see most often.

1. Finding Specific Details (Repérage d’information précise)

These questions ask you to locate facts such as numbers, dates, names, or percentages. The answer is always explicitly stated in the text, often within one or two lines.

Tip: Scan quickly for keywords; don’t waste time rereading the whole passage.

2. Main Idea & Global Understanding (Compréhension globale)

Here, you need to identify the overall subject or purpose of a text or paragraph. Titles, introductions, and conclusions are your best clues.

Tip: Focus on the first and last sentences; they usually reveal the main idea.

3. Paraphrased Detail (Reformulation)

Instead of repeating the text word-for-word, these questions rephrase information using synonyms. Success depends on recognizing equivalent expressions.

Tip: Train with synonym lists; expect reformulations like économiques → moins chers.

4. Inference & Implicit Meaning (Inférence)

These questions ask you to read between the lines and deduce what the author implies. The answer isn’t stated directly but follows logically.

Tip: Stick to reasonable conclusions, avoid answers that exaggerate or go beyond the text.

5. Vocabulary in Context

You’ll be asked what a word or expression means in the passage. The dictionary definition isn’t always correct; context is everything.

Tip: Reread the sentence carefully, and choose the meaning that fits the situation.

6. Linking Ideas & References

These test your ability to follow pronouns (celle-ci, dont) or connectors (cependant, donc). You’ll need to trace back through the text to see what’s being referred to.

Tip: Always check the sentence before and after, that’s where the clue usually lies.

7. Tone & Author’s Intention

A smaller portion of questions ask about the author’s attitude: ironic, optimistic, critical, etc. Look for emotional cues and modal verbs.

Tip: Watch for strong adjectives or words like 'malheureusement, il faut, devrait,' they signal tone.

8. Text Structure

Rare but possible, these questions ask about the role of a paragraph (introduction, example, conclusion, transition).

Tip: Pay attention to how each paragraph connects; is it adding evidence, contrasting, or wrapping up?

Final Takeaway

No matter which version of the TEF you take, the reading section relies on familiar question patterns. If you can practice skills like finding specific details, identifying main ideas, and understanding vocabulary in context, you’ll be well prepared to handle the exam with confidence.