French I, Semester I; Le Temps
Sections:

Introduction  |   Section 1  |  Section 2  |   Section 3   |  Dictionaries

  Section One:

Part A  |   Part B  |  Part C  |   Part D 

Section One - Part D

thermometerQuelle est la température?
In all the French-speaking countries, temperature is measured differently than we measure it in the United States. We use the Fahrenheit scale to measure degrees and in most other areas of the world, the Centigrade scale is used. Since you are going to need to be able to understand when you are told what temperature it is, you will need to learn how to convert degrees from one scale to the other.

To convert degrees Centigrade to Fahrenheit, we use this formula: 9/5C + 32 = F.

So, imagine the temperature outside is 18 C. Can you figure out what that would be in degrees Fahrenheit?

9/5 is 1.8. So you take 1.8 (multiplied by) 18 (the degrees C that we know) + 32 = 64.4 F. You try a few. Click on the link to see if you are able to do it correctly and let your teacher know if you are having trouble.

1. 10 C
2. 0 C
3. 25 C
4. 40 C
5. 34 C

Now, you can see why it would be important to understand what the weather would feel like if you were told that it was 34 C in Sénégal. It would be a big difference from 34 F here.

Let's see now if we can convert the other way. That formula is: C = 5/9 F-17.777. Let's imagine the temperature outside is 80 F. Let's figure that one out.

5/9 is .56. So we take .56 (multiplied by 80) - 17.777 = 26 C. You try a few of these.

1. 100 F
2. 32 F
3. 15 F
4. 40 F
5. 212 F

Did you notice that the temperature is 38,2 (with a comma) and not 38.2 (with a period). In French-speaking countries, wherever we would use a period, they use a comma and vice versa. So, for example, if we're talking about 15,500 euros, we would write it 15.500 euros; or 30.5% of the population would be 30,5% de la population.

In order to ask what the temperature is, we say, Quelle est la température? or Combien il fait dehors? Dehors means "outside." To respond, we say, Il fait ... degrés or Il fait ...

So, how would you ask your penpal in Belgium, what the temperature is today? Click here:

If your penpal responded, il fait 10, what would the weather be like? How would you say that in French?

 Practice

Practice Activity Write these questions in your notebook. Click on the sentence after you've answered each question to see sample answers.

Let's see if you can tell what the weather is most likely like after seeing the temperatures given. As with all activities in this course, you are expected to use what you have been learning to complete the activities. Assume that temperatures given are Centigrade. Write your responses down in complete sentences in French and then click on the link to check yourself.

1. Il fait 5 degrés.
2. Il fait 30 degrés.
3. Il fait 14 degrés.
4. Il fait 45 degrés.

Vocabulary Practice

Practice all Section 1 vocabulary in these practice activities.WordWeb.

 Assignment for grade

Writing Assignment

Prepare this written assignment for your teacher. Turn it in at Writing 1d.

Answer each of the following questions in complete sentences in French. Use the vocabulary you have learned so far.


1. Quel temps fait-il en hiver?
2. Quel temps fait-il en mars?
3. Quel temps fait-il en juillet?
4. Quelle est la température en décembre?
5. Il fait 17 degrés. Quel temps fait-il?
6. Il fait 30 degrés. Quel temps fait-il?
7. Est-ce qu'il neige en été ou au printemps?

This assignment is worth 16 points.

test Preparation for Section Quiz!

Be sure to go back through the material that you have covered in this unit to be fully prepared for the Section 1 Quiz.

Go to Section 1 Quiz now. Bon courage!

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