French Culture Review
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- What do you call someone you share a deep friendship with?
- un(e) ami(e)
- What do you call someone you have a more casual relationship with?
- un copain/une copine
- What do you call someone you have a romantic relationship with?
- un(e) petit(e) ami(e)
- In Quebec, what is the equivalent to "un copain" or "une copine"?
- un(e) chum
- Are there more marriages in France now than in the past?
- Yes
- What is the average divorce rate in France, and who divorces their partner the most often?
- 39%; women
- Do more people in France live alone now than in the past?
- Yes
- What percentage of people live together before getting married?
- 60%
- What do you call a civil union in France? (available since 1999)
- Le PACS (Pacte civil de solidarite')
- Where do people most often meet each other in France?
- Through their group of friends
- What is the French word for dating?
- They don't have one!
- Are school and social activities combined or separate in France?
- Completely separate
- What is Le Ramadan? What does it celebrate? Who is the prophet of Islam?
-
- a sacred month for Muslims
- celebrates the ninth calendar year of Islam
- commemorates the descent of the Coran
- Mahomet - Why is Le Ramadan so important to French culture? (2 reasons)
-
1. Islam is the 2nd religion in France
2. 50% of African francophones are muslim - What do you call a period of fasting during Le Ramadan in French?
- le jeu^ne
- What is the French word for Easter, which is always a holiday in France?
- Pa^ques (m.)
- What are some classic symbols of Easter in France?
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- oeufs de Pa^ques (easter eggs)
- des lapins (ou des poissons) en chocolat (chocolate bunnies or fish)
- les cloches (bells) - What is the most appropriate way to respond to a compliment in France?
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Saying thank you = too prideful
Modesty is best - Why was the legal working week reduced to 35 hours per week in France?
-
- to reduce unemployment
- to create more jobs - What is the unemployment rate in France? Is it more or less than in the U.S.?
- 9%; more (compared to 5.5%)
- What is the unemployment rate among young people (15-24) in France? Despite what?
- 20%; adding more jobs
- What is the goal of 'Le pouvoir exe'cutif'? (a gov't branch in France)
- to ensure the execution of the law
- What is the French president called, how long is his term, and what does he do?
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- le Premier ministre
- 5 year term
- manages 40 - 50 other ministers - What are the two major government bodies within 'Le pouvoir le'gislatif'? (a gov't branch in France) Which is bigger?
- l'Assemble'e nationale et le Se'nat; l'Assemble'e nationale is bigger
- What does le Parlement consist of? What does it do?
- l'Assemble'e nationale et le Se'nat; discuss and vote on laws
- What is another name for 'Le pouvoir judiciaire' in France?
- le Conseil d'E'tat
- Is life expectency higher or lower in France than in the U.S.?
- higher
- Is everyone in France covered by medical insurance? What percentage of medical costs are covered? What is medical insurance called?
- yes; 75%; la se'curite' sociale
- What percentage of additional insurance do most French people also have?
- 10%
- Is alternative medicine and homeopathic remedies popular in France?
- yes; usually covered by insurance
- About how many times do the French consult a doctor each year? What percentage of these visits are domestic?
- about 7; 20%
- Who is the author of "Une abominable.." and where was he born?
- Roch Carrier; near Montreal in Quebec
- What was le Parti que'be'cois?
-
- political party
- won large majority in 1976 elections
- wanted to secede from Canada - Who was the little boy's hero in "Une abominable.."?
- Maurice Richard
- What team did the boy love in "Une abominable.." and what were the colors of their jersey?
- les Canadiens de Montre'al; rouge, blanc et bleu
- What was the rival team that the boy hated in "Une abominable.." and what were the colors of their jersey?
- les Maple Leafs de Toronto; bleu et blanc
- What is Le jour des Rois (l'E'piphanie), when is it, and what is associated with it?
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1. religious holiday commemorating the adoration of Christ
2. the day after le Jour de l'An
3. a special cake called 'galette' with a plastic king inside (un ga^teau appele' galette des rois qui contient une petite figurine en plastique), whoever finds the king dans son morceau is crowned (couronne') king or reine pour la journe'e - When is Le Mardi Gras?
- In February, the last day of Lent, ending preparations for Easter
- What happens during Mardi Gras?
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- Tout le monde se de'guisent
- Les villes organisent de grands carnavals avec des de'file's et des bals costume's