AP French AP French Vocabulary & Idiomatic Expressions 2

Question 1

What does the French verb 'se tutoyer' mean?

Accepted Answer

To address each other informally using 'tu'

Answer

Se tutoyer means to address one another using the informal tu form, indicating familiarity or closeness between speakers.

Question 2

In AP French, 'le registre soutenu' refers to which type of language use?

Accepted Answer

Formal, elevated, or literary language

Answer

Le registre soutenu is the formal, elevated register used in academic writing, official speeches, and literary texts.

Question 3

What is the meaning of the French expression 'coûter les yeux de la tête' ?

Accepted Answer

To be extremely expensive

Answer

Coûter les yeux de la tête literally means 'to cost the eyes of the head' and idiomatically means something is outrageously expensive.

Question 4

Which French word is a 'faux ami' (false cognate) that does NOT mean what its English look-alike suggests?

Accepted Answer

Actuellement (currently, not 'actually')

Answer

Actuellement is a classic faux ami: it means 'currently' or 'at present,' not 'actually' (which is en fait or à vrai dire).

Question 5

What does the French expression 'prendre une décision' mean, and which verb is commonly confused with 'prendre' in this context?

Accepted Answer

To make a decision; commonly confused with 'faire'

Answer

Prendre une décision means 'to make a decision'; English speakers often mistakenly use faire une décision, which is not standard French.

AP Practice Test