Common TEF Writing Topics

Preparing for the TEF exam can feel overwhelming, especially the Writing section (Épreuve d’expression écrite). This part of the exam tests not only your French grammar and vocabulary but also your ability to organise ideas, argue logically, and adapt tone to different contexts.

The Writing section consists of two tasks:

• Task 1 – Article (minimum 200 words): Write an article for a newspaper or magazine.
• Task 2 – Opinion Text/Letter (minimum 300 words): Argue for or against a position, often in response to a statement or a reader’s letter.

In this blog, we’ll review the common topics for the TEF writing section to get you ready for the test. We’ll also mention some tips at the end to help you get a better score. Let’s start with task one:

Task 1 – Article (200+ words)

This task focuses on functional and descriptive writing. You’ll usually be asked to present information, describe a situation, or explain a problem in a clear, structured way.

Common Topics of the TEF Exam Writing Task One

In this section, usually 200–250-word essays are recommended. Here are the common topics that usually appear on the exam:

• Should remote work (télétravail) become the norm after the pandemic?
• Are electric cars the future of transportation?
• Should governments ban plastic bags and single-use plastics?
• Is artificial intelligence a danger or an opportunity for society?
• Should the voting age be lowered to 16?
• Are social networks more harmful than beneficial for young people?
• Should junk food advertising be banned, especially for children?
• Is tourism doing more harm than good to certain destinations?
• Should animal testing for cosmetics be completely banned?
• Are online courses as effective as in-person university classes?
• Should governments impose a tax on meat to fight climate change?
• Is it better to buy local products even if they are more expensive?
• Should smartphones be banned in schools?
• Does working from home improve or reduce productivity?

Task 2 – Opinion Text / Letter (300+ words)

This task requires argumentative writing. You must take a clear position, justify it with examples, and structure your essay logically.

Common Topics of the TEF Exam Writing Task Two

In this section, usually 380–450-word essays are recommended. Here are the common topics that usually appear on the exam:

• “Social networks should be regulated like tobacco or alcohol because they are addictive and harmful.”
• “Parents are responsible for their children’s obesity.”
• “We should stop financing space exploration to focus on problems on Earth.”
• “Public transportation should be free in big cities.”
• “Companies have no right to ask candidates about their plans to have children.”
• “Vegetarianism should be mandatory to save the planet.”
• “The legal driving age should be raised to 21.”
• “Governments should forbid advertising aimed at children under 12.”
• “Performance-based pay is the fairest system.”
• “Cultural traditions (bullfighting, hunting, etc.) should be banned if they cause animal suffering.”
• “Remote work will eventually replace offices completely.”
• “University should be free for everyone.”
• “People who refuse to get vaccinated should pay more for healthcare.”
• “Children under 16 should not be allowed to have smartphones.”

Frequent Themes of The TEF Writing Exam

Across both tasks, certain themes appear again and again. If you practice these, you’ll cover 90–95% of what actually shows up in TEF Canada exams. Take a look: 

1. Environment & climate change
2. New technologies & AI
3. Remote work / télétravail
4. Social media & screen time
5. Healthy eating & junk food
6. Animal rights
7. Education & screen bans in schools
8. Transportation (electric cars, free public transport)

Tips To Get High Scores In TEF Written Expression

To maximise your score, remember these tips:

1. Write more than the minimum: 240–280 words for Task 1, 380–450 words for Task 2.

2. Use connectors: d’ailleurs, en revanche, bien que, force est de constater que, il est indéniable que… .

3. Include examples and comparisons to strengthen arguments.

4. Maintain a formal register: avoid “tu” and spoken contractions.

5. Follow The Structure clearly: Introduction (paraphrase + thesis), 2–3 strong arguments with evidence, Conclusion (synthesis or proposal).

You can also take online TEF writing mock exams and find your weaknesses. 

For example, with platforms like Mocko, you can take writing tests just like the main exam and get feedback on your mistakes and weaknesses. 

Final Thoughts

The TEF Writing section doesn’t try to surprise you with unusual topics. Instead, it focuses on common themes that test how well you can argue, explain, and organise ideas in French. 

If you practice the 20–25 most frequent prompts, you’ll be ready for almost anything the exam gives you. Also, don’t forget to take mock exams to get real feedback about your writing. This way, you can improve your writing in a short time.

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