French language Q&A Forum

Could someone explain the subtleties of these three? 

I used 'environ' which was marked incorrect.

Each example of aux alentours de was paired with a 24-hour clock and vers with the 12-hour clock. Are they interchangeable?

This is a bit subtle, and perhaps it is more advanced than an A1 level test.

I notice in the summary of the text that Président has been capitalised. "Le Président visite un musée"

I believe this is incorrect and that this should not be capitalised in French:

le président français. = the French president.

Le président de la République française = The President of the French Republic.

Although if you were speaking to the President of France in direct address , you would address them as: "Monsieur le Président/Madame la Présidente (de la Republique).

We are always told that depuis is always used with present tense.

1. J‘habite en France depuis 6 ans…. Here depuis is being used with present tense.

2. Quand  j’avais l’opportunité de choisir la langue à l’école, mon choix était fait depuis longstemps…… here we are using imparfait with depuis.

Pls explain 

The passive voice in several examples where we needed "was sent" and "had prepared" used plus que parfait ie) était envoyé and avait préparé, but for "the students were welcomed", my use of étaient accueillis was incorrect and the correct answer was the p.c.: Les étudiants ont été accueillis was correct. This seems illogical to me. Please explain the difference.