My DELF B2 Preparation Blog – Listening & Writing Practice
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Learning French Through Real Topics: C’est quoi, le métier de pompier ?– 1jour1actu
French firefighters go on a mission every 7 seconds—not just to fight fires, but to help injured people, rescue drowning victims, and save lives. This 1jour1actu article gives us an exciting, real-world view of what firefighters do and what it takes to become one. It’s perfect for learning practical French, including reflexive verbs, emergency vocabulary, and B2-level grammar.
📌Today’s Key Sentence｜Let’s read and understand the original
Les pompiers connaissent les gestes qui sauvent : voir si une blessure est grave, aider quelqu’un à respirer, transporter un malade.
Translation 👉 :
Firefighters know the life-saving actions: checking if an injury is serious, helping someone breathe, and transporting a sick person.
🔍 Vocabulary & Grammar Breakdown
| French | Translation | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| les pompiers | the firefighters | Subject of the sentence |
| les gestes qui sauvent | the actions that save lives | “qui sauvent” is a relative clause with “qui” = that/who |
| voir si une blessure est grave | see if an injury is serious | “voir si” = to check if |
| aider quelqu’un à respirer | help someone breathe | “aider à + infinitive” |
| transporter un malade | transport a sick person | Useful phrase in emergency context |
📚Vocabulary Boost
| Expression | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| un pompier | a firefighter | Also called “soldat du feu” (soldier of fire) |
| se blesser | to injure oneself | Reflexive verb; used in accident context |
| se noyer | to drown | Reflexive; “mourir noyé(e)” = to die by drowning |
| un incendie | a fire | Large-scale fire (building, forest) |
| les gestes qui sauvent | life-saving actions | Often taught in emergency training |
| un camion | a truck | camion de pompiers = fire truck |
| une blessure | an injury | Noun form of “se blesser” |
| aider quelqu’un à respirer | to help someone breathe | Infinitive phrase |
| transporter un malade | to transport a sick person | Also: “un blessé” = an injured person |
| une caserne | a fire station | Where firefighters are based |
| escalader / plonger | to climb / to dive | Rescue or training actions |
| un sapeur-pompier volontaire | volunteer firefighter | Makes up 4/5 of firefighters in France |
| un sapeur-pompier militaire | military firefighter | Paris & Marseille specific roles |
| obéir | to obey | Used with authority or command contexts |
| un tremblement de terre | an earthquake | Natural disaster word |
🔧 Grammar Focus | Key Structures for B2
🔹 Structure: verbe + infinitif
- Meaning: Describes abilities or duties
- Use in writing: To describe competencies
✅ Example:
- Ils savent éteindre les incendies.
→ They know how to extinguish fires.
🔹 Structure: nom + qui + verbe
- Meaning: Adds descriptive detail about a noun
- Use in writing: Used to expand sentences naturally
✅ Example:
- les gestes qui sauvent.
→ the actions that save lives.
📘 Essay Expressions | Ready-to-Use Phrases
| French Expression | Example in French | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Les pompiers jouent un rôle essentiel | Les pompiers jouent un rôle essentiel dans notre société. | Firefighters play an essential role in our society. |
| Il faut savoir réagir rapidement | Pour devenir pompier, il faut savoir réagir rapidement. | To become a firefighter, you must know how to react quickly. |
| sauver des vies | Les gestes qui sauvent permettent de sauver des vies. | Life-saving actions help save lives. |
🖋️ Practice Writing | Short Essay Prompt
Sujet : Que penses-tu du métier de pompier ? Est-ce un métier pour toi ? Pourquoi (pas) ?
(What do you think of the firefighter profession? Is it a job for you? Why or why not?)
✍️ Model Answer (DELF B2 style):
🔹Introduction
Le métier de pompier est très impressionnant. Ces personnes courageuses sauvent des vies chaque jour.🔸Développement 1 – Les missions
Ils interviennent lors des incendies, des accidents de la route, ou des catastrophes naturelles. Ils savent aussi donner les premiers soins.🔸Développement 2 – Les qualités nécessaires
Pour devenir pompier, il faut être sportif, savoir garder son calme et prendre des décisions rapidement.🔹Conclusion
Personnellement, je respecte beaucoup les pompiers, mais je ne pense pas avoir les qualités physiques nécessaires. Cependant, je suis reconnaissant·e pour leur travail essentiel.
Translation:
🔹Introduction
The firefighter profession is very impressive. These brave people save lives every day.
🔸Body 1 – Tasks
They respond to fires, car crashes, and natural disasters. They also know how to give first aid.
🔸Body 2 – Required Qualities
To become a firefighter, you need to be athletic, keep calm, and make quick decisions.
🔹Conclusion
Personally, I really respect firefighters, but I don’t think I have the physical skills needed. However, I’m grateful for their essential work.
✅ Test Yourself | Final Quiz
Q1. Choose the correct infinitive phrase that means “to help someone breathe”:
a) aider quelqu’un à respirer
b) aider de respirer quelqu’un
c) respirer quelqu’un à aider
Q2. What does “une caserne” mean?
a) a hospital
b) a fire station
c) a police car
Q3. Complete: Les gestes ___ sauvent.
a) qui
b) que
c) dont
Answer
Q1. a) a sample
Q2. c) lors de
Q3. b) To ensure the preservation of the oceans
Q1. a) aider quelqu’un à respirer
Q2. b) a fire station
Q3. a) qui
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