Une demi-baguette ou une moitié d'une?Like many other commenters, I am confused by the the expected answer to this question: "Write 'He ate half a baguette'."
The phrasing is, at best, ambiguous in English. Either 1) he had a half baguette and he ate the whole thing, or 2) he had a whole baguette and ate half of it. Either one is a possible interpretation, and without more context and with this exact English phrase, I would assume case 2.
If indeed case 2 is intended (he ate one half of the whole baguette that he had), could one not say in French, "Il a mangé une moitié d'une baguette."? The lesson has these examples that seem like the same situation and use moitié : J'ai bu la moitié de la bouteille and Il ne mange qu'une moitié du biscuit.
The lesson also says: "Depending on context, Un/une demi-[nom] can either refer to half a full-sized item (i.e. bucket) or to one of these half-sized items . . . but you use demi- in both cases." That seems to say that demi-baguette would be correct even if he ate half of the full-sized one he had, but I don't understand why une moitié would not also work. What is the difference between the baguette and the bouteille ("J'ai bu la moitié de la bouteille ")?
Merci!
I have done several times of the "blocks" and try my best to made them "deeper green all around" in Brainmap, can I just try to get into next level? I would like to follow your design and get progress instead of jump with my will, since the language learning should be step by step for me, I am not that smart. So, where can I see on the dashboard that i still need to go around parts again and again till int he end, it will pump up a sign like "you can go to the next level !!!"? Or i can totally decide to get into next level?
The phrasing is, at best, ambiguous in English. Either 1) he had a half baguette and he ate the whole thing, or 2) he had a whole baguette and ate half of it. Either one is a possible interpretation, and without more context and with this exact English phrase, I would assume case 2.
If indeed case 2 is intended (he ate one half of the whole baguette that he had), could one not say in French, "Il a mangé une moitié d'une baguette."? The lesson has these examples that seem like the same situation and use moitié : J'ai bu la moitié de la bouteille and Il ne mange qu'une moitié du biscuit.
The lesson also says: "Depending on context, Un/une demi-[nom] can either refer to half a full-sized item (i.e. bucket) or to one of these half-sized items . . . but you use demi- in both cases." That seems to say that demi-baguette would be correct even if he ate half of the full-sized one he had, but I don't understand why une moitié would not also work. What is the difference between the baguette and the bouteille ("J'ai bu la moitié de la bouteille ")?
Merci!
Can I also say " Je vais bien" instead of ca va bien?
I am confused about the marking system. As an exercise I didn't give myself any marks. I only made, I know a couple of mistakes but QizbIq still gave me five marks out of sixty! I have done the exercise several times and have nearly obtained 100% marking my own work. What is the definitive answer,? Do I mark myself or do you mark me?
It seems I'm not the only one struggling with the response option involving t-on, such as "Quand ouvre-t-on les cadeaux?"
Is it possible that this construct is a little too advanced for this lesson at the A1 level (especially because this structure isn't included in the lesson?
All the other questions seemed in line with principal focus of the lesson, but this one response option tied me in knots.
Or maybe that just what being a beginner is all about!
Many thanks again for this excellent platform -
J.
Why is « merci » not accepted as correct? My understanding is les guillemets (double angle brackets «») are the standard quotation marks and double quotes ("") are only used when quoting within a quote, for example, « something "else" ».
This was the example for plurals. Would the correct answer not be: Nous y pensons a faire? (Since the y is replacing nos devoirs). Nous pensons à faire nos devoirs. Nous y pensons
When the answer for the 1st question of the comprehension test was given, the Russian word for instruments (инструменты) showed up at the end of the sentence for some reason. I saved a screenshot of it if somebody needs to see it.
I really enjoy the new conversations between Aurélie and Céline. I understand about 90% on the first pass, then I read the transcription to confirm what I heard and to discover what I did not. Usually, it is a new word or expression for me. I then listen several more times until I understand everything including the grammar. I also appreciate the fact that the dialog is broken into smaller chunks, in this case two. Doing so seems to make it less overwhelming.
On the other hand, I understood perhaps 10 % of the "generique", despite listening several times. Since there was no transcription, it was not possible to investigate what was being said.
All in all, a great learning opportunity. Bravo!
Pourquoi « je connais personne en dors de mon petit groupe…. » n’est pas …en dors du mon petit groupe?
Find your French level for FREE
And get your personalised Study Plan to improve it
Find your French level