TCF Canada writing task 2: annotated example 3 (staff article on flexible hours)

The prompt

Translation: Your company, Logistique Saint-Laurent in Montréal, has been testing flexible working hours for three months. Before deciding whether to keep the system, management is asking staff for their opinion. You write an article for the company intranet, addressed to all your colleagues. You describe your experience of flexible hours and explain why, in your view, the system should be kept. (120 words minimum/150 words maximum)

Structure both answers follow

1. Greeting and statement of the topic
2. Story: before and now, concrete benefits
3. Colleagues' objection and proposed solution
4. Opinion, conclusion and call to vote

Answer targeting an estimated NCLC around 7

136 words (limit 120–150: met)

Sentence by sentence

1. Bonjour à tous,

   “Bonjour à tous” addresses several readers, as the task requires. The tone is friendly but fairly plain; “Chers collègues” would sound more polished.

2. Depuis trois mois, je profite des horaires flexibles et je voudrais partager mon expérience.

   Effective opening: “Depuis” + present shows an ongoing situation, and the article's purpose is announced. The wording stays simple.

3. Avant, je commençais à 8 h 30 et je passais presque une heure dans le métro.

   The imperfect “commençais”, “passais” correctly describes the old routine. The concrete metro detail makes the story believable.

4. Maintenant, j'arrive à 7 h 30 et je pars à 15 h 30.

   “Maintenant” + present creates a clear contrast with the previous sentence. The exact times illustrate the system well, but the structure is very linear.

5. Le trajet est plus rapide et j'ai plus d'énergie pour travailler.

   Two benefits are clearly joined by “et”. A causal link could be made explicit, but it is not necessary here.

6. En plus, je peux suivre un cours de natation le mardi après-midi.

   “En plus” adds a concrete personal benefit. The connector is slightly informal; “De plus” would suit an article better.

7. Certains collègues pensent que c'est difficile d'organiser des réunions.

   The objection strengthens the argument. “C'est difficile de” is appropriate here; “il est difficile de” would be a more formal alternative.

8. C'est vrai, mais nous avons trouvé une solution simple : toutes les réunions ont lieu entre 10 h et 14 h.

   “C'est vrai, mais” concedes and then refutes: an effective argumentative move. The colon and the concrete solution make the answer convincing.

9. Selon moi, ce système est bon pour tout le monde.

   “Selon moi” clearly signals the requested opinion. The adjective “bon” and the phrase “tout le monde” remain vague and imprecise.

10. Les employés sont plus motivés et l'entreprise est plus efficace.

    The sentence supports the opinion for both parties involved. It stays general, with no example; it is a claim rather than a demonstration.

11. Je propose donc de le garder.

    “donc” clearly marks the conclusion and answers the task: keep the system. The sentence is short and effective.

12. Si vous êtes d'accord, répondez au sondage de la direction avant vendredi !

    The imperative “répondez” and the deadline give the article a concrete purpose. The exclamation mark suits an internal intranet.

Answer targeting an estimated NCLC of 9–10

140 words (limit 120–150: met)

Sentence by sentence

1. Chers collègues,

   “Chers collègues” is a more polished greeting than “Bonjour à tous” and sets a professional register from the start.

2. Il y a trois mois, j'ai accueilli l'annonce des horaires flexibles avec un certain scepticisme : je craignais que l'équipe ne se disperse et que la coordination n'en pâtisse.

   The story starts with doubt, which makes the argument more credible. “craindre que” + subjunctive with expletive “ne” shows advanced grammar.

3. Force est de constater que mes craintes étaient infondées.

   “Force est de constater” is a formal idiomatic expression. The short sentence creates an effective turn after the long previous one.

4. En commençant à 7 h, j'évite les bouchons du matin et je consacre mes premières heures aux dossiers qui exigent de la concentration.

   The gerund “En commençant” and precise vocabulary (“bouchons”, “consacre”, “exigent de la concentration”) make the description more varied and detailed.

5. Résultat : je boucle mes rapports plus vite qu'auparavant.

   “Résultat :” adds rhythm. “Boucler mes rapports” is an idiomatic workplace expression; “auparavant” varies the expression of time.

6. Certes, ce système suppose une discipline collective.

   “Certes” introduces a concession formally, where text A uses “C'est vrai”. “discipline collective” is a well-chosen abstract concept.

7. Encore faut-il que chacun indique ses disponibilités dans l'agenda partagé et respecte la plage commune de 10 h à 14 h.

   The inversion “Encore faut-il que” + subjunctive is a rare, formal structure. The conditions are concrete: shared calendar, common time slot.

8. Mais ces contraintes me paraissent bien légères au regard des bénéfices : moins de retards, moins de stress et une meilleure qualité de vie.

   “Mais” puts the acknowledged constraints into perspective; “au regard de” weighs them against the benefits. The three-part list is rhetorically effective.

9. C'est pourquoi j'invite chacun d'entre vous à se prononcer en faveur du maintien de cette formule lors du sondage.

   “C'est pourquoi” logically links the conclusion. “se prononcer en faveur du maintien” uses a formal nominalisation, more elaborate than “Je propose de le garder”.

One level up: 3 edits to the NCLC 7 answer

Three targeted changes, without rewriting the whole text. It is the fastest way to progress: take your own answer and look for the same kind of sentence.

1. Certains collègues pensent que c'est difficile d'organiser des réunions.
   → Certains collègues estiment qu'il est difficile d'organiser des réunions.

   This alternative preserves the meaning and uses more formal wording; the original sentence is also correct.

2. Le trajet est plus rapide et j'ai plus d'énergie pour travailler.
   → Mon trajet plus rapide me laisse davantage d'énergie pour travailler.

   This wording links the faster commute to increased energy without replacing it with a claim about performance.

3. Selon moi, ce système est bon pour tout le monde.
   → Selon moi, ce système profite à la fois aux employés et à l'entreprise.

   “Profiter à” expresses the benefit more precisely, while “à la fois… et” identifies both parties without claiming equal benefits.

After the three edits: 138 words (limit 120–150: met)

Your turn: write and count your words

Write your version here to check the word count with the TCF rule, then send it for feedback to get an estimated NCLC and your mistakes one by one.

Get feedback on my version of this prompt Task 2 method