Passé Simple General question

Question

I am working on level C1. I have no interest in learning the Passé Simple, just in being able to speak French. Half the questions in the test are Passé Simple and I'm feeling the remaining questions are repetitive. Getting a bit bored..... Do love what you do usually!

Céline Pickard · Accepted Answer

Bonjour Jennifer,
Thank you for your kind words about our content.
You're absolutely right that you'll almost never speak Le Passé Simple. Yet, as Anne explained it is a very important part of your French learning journey. Also, we agree that Le Passé Simple is a big part of our C1 CEFR level section. However, at C1 level, the focus does shift from "new grammar" toward depth (nuance, register, idiom, reading). And this is often achieved by reading news articles/literary work as much as developing your listening and speaking skills by watching TV/films or listening to the radio.
I hope this is helpful.
Bonne journée !

Anne Davies · Answer

Familiarity with Passé Simple is essential for reading books etc in French, but I do agree the C1 tests feel repetitive, both for this topic and others (eg the irregular verbs coudre, moudre and haire seem to come up over and over again). C1 makes up the smallest fraction of the Brainmap, so I guess the question bank is the most limited: I usually mix it up with Kwizzes at the other levels.