【DELF B2 Prep】What Does an Oceanographer Really Do? | 1jour1actu𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼

My DELF B2 Preparation Blog – Listening & Writing Practice

Learning French Through Real Topics: C’est quoi le métier d’océanographe?– 1jour1actu

This article introduces the role of an oceanographer — a specialist who studies the oceans, marine life, and their impact on the planet. It’s an ideal topic for DELF B2 learners, combining environmental vocabulary, technical professions, and advanced sentence structures commonly used in exams.

📌Today’s Key Sentence｜Let’s read and understand the original

Il étudie et analyse les données recueillies lors de ses missions en mer ou alors il prépare ses prochaines expéditions.

Translation 👉 :
He studies and analyzes the data collected during his sea missions or prepares for his next expeditions.

🔍 Vocabulary & Grammar Breakdown

French	Translation	Explanation
il étudie	he studies	Present tense of étudier
et	and	Coordination conjunction
analyse	analyzes	Present tense of analyser
les données	the data	Donnée = data point, les données = dataset
recueillies	collected	Past participle of recueillir, agrees with plural feminine noun données
lors de	during	Preposition meaning “during”, often used in formal/written French
ses missions en mer	his sea missions	mission = mission; en mer = at sea
ou alors	or else / alternatively	More formal than ou alone
il prépare	he prepares	Present tense of préparer
ses prochaines expéditions	his next expeditions	prochaine agrees with expéditions (f. pl.)

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📚Vocabulary Boost

Expression	Meaning	Notes
l’océanographe	oceanographer	A scientist studying oceans
les fonds marins	the seabed	Often plural in French
un échantillon	a sample	Used in scientific context
un navire	ship	Formal/technical term
recueillir	to collect	Irregular verb, important for science contexts
lors de	during	Formal, often used in reports or scientific writing
veiller à	to ensure / watch over	Often followed by an infinitive
préserver	to protect/preserve	Synonym of protéger, more formal
ou alors	or else / or alternatively	Adds nuance and formality
le changement climatique	climate change	Core vocabulary for environmental topics

🔧 Grammar Focus | Key Structures for B2

Structure: Participe passé accordé avec le nom (recueillies)

Meaning: Past participles used as adjectives or after passive-like structures agree with the noun they refer to.
Use in writing: Very common in formal texts, scientific reports, and passive constructions.
✅ Les données recueillies sont analysées au laboratoire.
➝ The data collected are analyzed in the lab.

🎁 Bonus Grammar Insight | How to Use “lors de”

Expression: lors de + nom
Meaning: during / at the time of
Register: Formal (often used in written or academic French)

✅ Lors de son expédition, il a prélevé des échantillons.
➡ During his expedition, he collected samples.

📌 Difference with “pendant”:

• Pendant is more common in everyday spoken French.
• Lors de is used more in formal contexts like reports, scientific documents, or news.

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📘 Essay Expressions | Ready-to-Use Phrases

French Expression	Example in French	English Translation
Il est essentiel de…	Il est essentiel de préserver les océans.	It is essential to preserve the oceans.
Ce métier consiste à…	Ce métier consiste à analyser des données.	This job consists of analyzing data.
En effet…	En effet, les océans produisent plus de 50 % de l’oxygène.	Indeed, the oceans produce more than 50% of oxygen.
À cause de…	Les océans souffrent à cause de la pollution.	Oceans are suffering because of pollution.

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🖋️ Practice Writing | Short Essay Prompt

Sujet :Penses-tu qu’il soit important d’étudier les océans ? Pourquoi ?
(Do you think it is important to study the oceans? Why?)

✍️ Model Answer (DELF B2 style):

🟦 Introduction
À notre époque, les océans jouent un rôle crucial dans l’équilibre de la planète. Pourtant, ils sont de plus en plus menacés.

🟩 Développement 1
D’abord, les océans produisent une grande partie de l’oxygène que nous respirons. Les étudier permet de mieux comprendre leur fonctionnement et leur importance.

🟥 Développement 2
Ensuite, l’activité humaine comme la pêche intensive ou la pollution a des conséquences graves. L’océanographie aide à trouver des solutions durables.

🟨 Conclusion
Donc, il est essentiel d’étudier les océans pour les protéger et assurer l’avenir de notre planète.

Translation:
🟦 Introduction
Today, oceans play a crucial role in the planet’s balance. Yet, they are increasingly threatened.

🟩 Development 1
First, oceans produce a large part of the oxygen we breathe. Studying them helps us better understand their function and importance.

🟥 Development 2
Next, human activities like overfishing or pollution have serious consequences. Oceanography helps find sustainable solutions.

🟨 Conclusion
So, studying the oceans is essential to protect them and ensure our planet’s future.

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✅ Test Yourself | Final Quiz

Q1. What is “un échantillon” in scientific French?
a) a sample
b) a chemical formula
c) a graph

Q2. Which of the following means “during” in formal French?
a) pendant que
b) quand
c) lors de

Q3. What is the correct translation of “veiller à préserver les océans”?
a) To admire the oceans
b) To ensure the preservation of the oceans
c) To avoid the oceans

Answer

Q1. a) a sample
Q2. c) lors de
Q3. b) To ensure the preservation of the oceans