MockoThe TEF Canada writing task asks you to write a response of around 200 words in which you give and justify your opinion. Because this variant is used for immigration and citizenship purposes, candidates are often nervous and tend to overthink. The result is rambling or off-topic writing. This lesson focuses on three practical skills: reading the prompt quickly to know exactly what you must say, organising your ideas in a two-minute plan, and writing under time pressure without losing coherence.
What you’ll learn
- Extract the exact task requirements from the TEF Canada writing prompt
- Plan a two-minute outline before writing
- State your opinion clearly and directly in the first paragraph
- Develop each reason with a brief explanation and linking language
- Work within the time constraint without sacrificing structure
Reading the prompt under pressure
TEF Canada writing candidates have a limited time window for all sections. When you open the writing task, the first 90 seconds should be spent reading the prompt carefully enough to answer two questions: what is the topic and what exactly am I asked to do? Many candidates paraphrase the topic back in their opening paragraph and then start arguing a different point entirely. That disconnect costs marks.
- 1Read the prompt once all the way through
- 2Underline or mentally note the topic (the subject you are writing about)
- 3Note the format required: a letter, an email, a forum post, or a free text
- 4Note whether you must take a position, suggest solutions, or describe advantages and disadvantages
De nombreuses villes proposent des programmes d'aide aux nouveaux arrivants. Pensez-vous que ces programmes sont utiles ? Justifiez votre réponse en donnant des arguments et des exemples précis. (Environ 200 mots)
Many cities offer support programmes for newcomers. Do you think these programmes are useful? Justify your answer with arguments and specific examples. (Approximately 200 words)
Off-topic is the main reason for low scores
- If the prompt asks "are these programmes useful?", do not write about whether the government should spend more money on immigration. Stay focused on usefulness.
- Reread the prompt question after planning and before writing to make sure your plan answers it directly.
Two-minute planning method
Two minutes is enough to plan a 200-word opinion text if you use a minimal structure. Write just key words, not sentences.
- 1Position: "oui, utiles" or "non, insuffisants" (yes/no plus one key word)
- 2Reason 1: key word + one supporting detail or example
- 3Reason 2: key word + one supporting detail or example
- 4Closing: one action or recommendation in two or three key words
Position : oui, très utiles. Raison 1 : intégration plus rapide (cours de langue, aide pour trouver un logement). Raison 2 : réduction de l'isolement (activités communautaires, réseau social). Conclusion : recommander le développement de ces programmes.
Position: yes, very useful. Reason 1: faster integration (language classes, help finding housing). Reason 2: reduced isolation (community activities, social network). Conclusion: recommend developing these programmes.
Writing the opening paragraph
Your opening paragraph has one job: state your position clearly in two or three sentences. Do not use the first paragraph to describe the topic at length. The examiner already knows the topic. They want to know what you think.
Les programmes d'aide aux nouveaux arrivants me semblent absolument nécessaires. Arriver dans un nouveau pays est une expérience difficile et ces programmes offrent un soutien concret à un moment où les personnes en ont le plus besoin. Je pense qu'ils jouent un rôle essentiel dans la réussite de l'intégration.
Support programmes for newcomers seem to me absolutely necessary. Arriving in a new country is a difficult experience and these programmes offer concrete support at the moment when people need it most. I believe they play an essential role in successful integration.
Developing your arguments efficiently
At B1 level, each argument paragraph should have three elements: a topic sentence stating the reason, one explanatory sentence, and one brief example or detail. Three sentences per argument paragraph is enough for 200 words when combined with an opening and closing.
D'une part, ces programmes accélèrent l'intégration des nouveaux arrivants. En proposant des cours de langue et une aide pratique pour les démarches administratives, ils permettent aux personnes de devenir autonomes plus rapidement. Par exemple, un immigrant qui trouve rapidement un logement et parle suffisamment la langue peut commencer à travailler en quelques semaines seulement.
On the one hand, these programmes speed up the integration of newcomers. By offering language classes and practical help with administrative procedures, they allow people to become independent more quickly. For example, an immigrant who quickly finds housing and speaks enough of the language can start working within just a few weeks.
- "D'une part," ... "D'autre part," for paired arguments
- "En proposant [+ noun]," to introduce what the programme offers
- "Cela permet de / aux personnes de + infinitive" to state the benefit
- "Par exemple," + a brief real or plausible scenario
Closing under time pressure
When time is short, keep your closing to two sentences. Restate your position briefly and add one recommendation or forward-looking idea. Do not introduce new arguments.
Pour toutes ces raisons, je suis convaincu(e) que les programmes d'aide aux nouveaux arrivants sont non seulement utiles mais indispensables. Il serait souhaitable que davantage de villes investissent dans ces initiatives pour faciliter une intégration réussie.
For all these reasons, I am convinced that support programmes for newcomers are not only useful but indispensable. It would be desirable for more cities to invest in these initiatives to facilitate successful integration.
Time management suggestion
- Allocate roughly 2 minutes to read and plan, 20 minutes to write, 3 minutes to re-read and correct.
- If you are running short of time, cut your second argument paragraph to two sentences rather than three.
- Never cut the closing: an incomplete text loses marks for task completion.
How to practise this
Timed practice drill
- Set a 25-minute timer and write a full 200-word opinion text on any immigration, urban, or civic topic.
- After writing, check the structure: does the opening have a clear position? Does each body paragraph have a reason, an explanation, and an example? Does the closing restate the position?
- If you finished with time to spare, spend it fixing grammar, not adding words.
Key takeaways
- Spend the first 90 seconds reading the prompt and identifying the exact question you must answer.
- Plan in two minutes: position, two reasons with one detail each, and a brief closing.
- The opening paragraph must state your position clearly within the first three sentences.
- Each argument paragraph needs a topic sentence, an explanation, and one brief example.
- Keep the closing to two sentences: restate your position and add one recommendation.
