ExamLearn.ie Journal Entry
Journal Entry The 'Journal/Diary Entry' question appears in Question 2 of the Written Production section of the French exam very regularly. Therefore, it's essential to study its layout and some vocabulary. Key Tips: Learn set layout so there is never any confusion - date, 'cher/chère/.' and sign off. Read question carefully so you answer what you are being asked to do. Learn standard opening and closing phrases that you can always use. Include various tenses if possible. Build up vocabulary throughout the year to enable you to produce some strong language in your journal entry. Write in 'je' form (first person). Use expressions and phrases that express feelings The question will usually tell you to write about 75 words. Therefore, do not overdo your answer as you will inevitably make more mistakes. However, you should still try to show off your abilities. So, it is key to find the right balance. Layout: As you can see, the layout for a journal entry is very basic. Now, you just need to learn off some common vobaulary that you can use in the entry.
Vocabulary: Introduction Quelle journée intéressante je viens de passer. = What an interesting day I just had. Ce matin, tout a mal commencé pour moi = This morning, everything started badly for me Aujourd'hui, j'ai eu une journée vraiment pénible = Today, I had a really bad day J'ai plein de bonnes/ mauvaises nouvelles aujourd'hui = I am full of good/ bad news today Je ne peux pas y croire = I cannot believe it J'ai des ennuis = I am in trouble Note: You cannot have a set opening piece since sometimes you will angry writing your entry and sometimes you will be happy. However, if you learn these phrases you will be covered for any instance. Expressing Feelings Tout va pour le mieux = everything is fine Je n'ai pas à me plaindre = I have no complaints Quel cauchemar/ désastre = what a nightmare/ disaster Quel soulagement = what a relief Quel problème/ dilemme = what a problem/ dilemma Quel(le) dommage = what a shame Quelle chance/malchance = how lucky/unlucky Je suis/ j'étais..: Ravi = thrilled Soulagé = relieved Crevé = exhausted Choqué = shocked Effrayé = scared En colère = angry Déprimé = depressed Remué = worried Décontracté = relaxed Je suis fou (folle) de joie = I am so happy Je m'en fiche = I don't care Je suis complètement déprimé = I am completely depressed Je suis de mauvaise humeur = I am in bad humour J'ai un mal de tête atroce = I have a splitting headache Argument With Parents Je viens de me disputer fortement avec mes parents = I have just had a fight with my parents J'en ai marre de mes parents = I am fed up with my parents
Ils ne comprennent rien = they understand nothing Je n'ai jamais le droit de sortir = I never have the right to go out Aujourd'hui, je me suis disputé(e) avec ma mère à cause de = Today, I argued with my mother because Il/elle m'a grondé(e) = He/she grounded me Ils m'interdisent/ m'ont interdit de = they are forbidding me/ have forbidden me to Ils ont dit qu'il était hors de question pour moi d'y assister = they said that it was totally out of the question for me to go Il semble que je parle à un mur car mes doléances tombent sur des oreilles de sourds = It feels like I am talking to a wall because my suffering falls on deaf ears. Future Plans J'avais prévu de = I had planned to.. Je voulais/ veux/ voudrais = I wished/ wish/ would like J'avais l'intention de.. = I had the intention to.. J'ai envie de.. = I want to.. J'aimerais bien partir mais.. = I would really like to go out but A Match/ Party J'ai assisté à un match de.. = I attended a match of.. On a gagné = we won Il y avait une superbe ambiance = there was a superb atmosphere Il y avait une foule énorme = there was a huge crowd Je suis sorti(e) en boîte = I went to a nightclub Je suis allé(e) à une fête d'anniversaire = I went to a birthday party J'ai passe une soirée géniale = I had a great night La musique était super = the music was super General Phrases C'est un problème répandu et inquiétant de nos jours = It's a worrying and widespread problem nowadays. Il faut que souligner ce problème = It's necessary to highlight the problem. La violence/racisme (whatever!) est une triste réalité de nos jours = Violence/racism is a sad reality now a days. Cela fait régulièrement là une des journaux = This regularly makes the front page of newspapers. Il est difficile d'ouvrir un journal sans livre un article sur le crime/la pollution etc.. = It's difficult to open a newspaper without reading an article on crime/pollution etc Tous mes projets sont tombés à l'eau = all of my plans are ruined Cela m'enlève une épine du pied = that's a weight off my shoulders(thorn from my foot) Je peux à peine le croire/j'ai du mal a y croire = I can hardly believe it Ils sont montés sur leurs grands chevaux = they got up on their high horses Il faut voir des choses du bon coté = you have to look on the bright side Conclusion C'est tout pour ce soir = that is all for tonight
Je crois que je ne pourrai pas m'endormir, je suis trop.. = I don't believe I will be able to sleep, I am too Il faut que j'y aille maintenant = I've got to go now J'attends demain avec impatience = I wait for tomorrow with impatience Ça ira mieux demain j'espère = It will be better tomorrow I hope Sample Diary Question: Leaving Certificate - 2013 Q2 Question : Vos parents sont partis passer le weekend à Paris et ils vous ont laissé(e) seul(e) dans la maison. Alors, vous avez décidé de profiter de leur absence et d'organiser une fête chez vous le samedi soir. Qu'estce que vous notez à ce sujet dans votre journal intime, après la fête? (75 mots environ) Answer: