Guide TCF Canada
TCF Canada writing task 3: comparing two viewpoints (120–180 words)
TCF Canada writing task 3 asks for a 120–180 word text: you present the viewpoints of two documents on the same social issue, then give your opinion. In the official sample, that is 40–60 words for the summary, then 80–120 words for your view.
Key facts
- Instructions: a text (for a newspaper, a website, colleagues…) that compares the two opinions in two documents about a social issue, then gives your position. 120 to 180 words.
- In the official sample, the task has two parts: present both viewpoints in 40–60 words, then take a position in 80–120 words.
- Word count: a word = any group of characters between two spaces (“c'est-à-dire” counts as 1).
- May be rated “below A1”: word count out of range, off topic, task not done, sentences copied from the prompt or documents, memorised text, answer left on the scratch paper.
- Scoring: two independent raters give each task a CEFR level, combined into a score out of 20 (10–11/20 = NCLC 7). On computer, the first rating may be done by the FIDELIA marking-assistance system; the second is still human.
Official sources: TCF candidate handbook (version Q, Sept. 2026) · France Éducation international — TCF Canada · Official writing sample test
Practise now
No sign-up. An NCLC estimate as a range, never an official result.
Where candidates get stuck
What comes up most often in the candidate accounts we have read.
- Copying the documents. Under pressure, candidates lift whole sentences from the source texts. It is penalised: you must rephrase.
- Expecting a neat “for” and “against”. The two documents do not always clash head-on; summarise faithfully what each one says, nuances included.
- Unbalanced parts. A 90-word summary leaves no room for your opinion, which is the longer part.
- Running out of time. As the last task, Task 3 is often written in the final ten minutes.
Official sources: TCF candidate handbook (version Q, Sept. 2026) · France Éducation international — TCF Canada
How to practise
- Summary: one sentence per document, with a verb that frames the author (“estime que”, “reconnaît”, “dénonce”) and a contrast connector.
- Opinion: your position, two arguments, an example, a nuanced conclusion. Keep at least 20 minutes for this task.
- Our editor gives you two boxes (summary, then opinion) each with its own counter, and flags passages copied from the documents.
Original practice topics
81 topics written for this site, with pointers and, for writing, two model answers.
- Les messageries instantanées entre parents et enseignants améliorent-elles la relation entre… C1
- Faut-il remplacer les notes chiffrées par des commentaires dans les bulletins scolaires C1
- Les enfants ont-ils trop d'activités parascolaires C1
- Une école doit-elle organiser des voyages de fin d'année coûteux C1
- Faut-il consacrer chaque semaine une journée entière à la classe en plein air C1
- Les fêtes de rue rapprochent-elles les voisins ou dérangent-elles les résidents ? Qu'en… B2
FAQ
How many words for TCF Canada writing task 3?
Between 120 and 180 words in total. In the official sample: 40–60 words to present both viewpoints, then 80–120 words for your opinion.
Official sources: TCF candidate handbook (version Q, Sept. 2026) · Official writing sample test
Should I quote the documents?
No: copying sentences from the documents is penalised. Present their ideas in your own words (“Selon le premier texte…”).
Official source: TCF candidate handbook (version Q, Sept. 2026)
Must my opinion side with one of the documents?
No. You can back one, the other, or a middle position, as long as you justify it.
Read next
TCF TEF Study is independent: neither France Éducation international nor CCI Paris Île-de-France has reviewed this content. Facts come from the official pages cited; check them before you register, as the test owners can change them. Updated 22 October 2026.