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CBSE Class 9 French Chapter 5 Être et Avoir Worksheet with Answers

CBSE Class 9 French Chapter 5 introduces être (to be) and avoir (to have), the two most frequently used irregular verbs in the French language. Mastering these verbs is non-negotiable — they form the foundation of all French grammar, appear in every conversation, and serve as building blocks for compound tenses like passé composé. This printable worksheet contains six progressive sections with complete answer explanations, tailored to the NCERT Class 9 French syllabus and CBSE exam format.

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Key takeaways

  • ✓Être and avoir are the two most important irregular verbs in French; être means 'to be' and avoir means 'to have', both requiring complete memorization.
  • ✓Use être for identity, profession, nationality, and descriptions with adjectives; use avoir for possession and expressing age in French.
  • ✓French uses avoir in idioms where English uses 'to be': avoir faim (to be hungry), avoir peur (to be afraid), avoir raison (to be right).
  • ✓Present tense conjugations: je suis, tu es, il/elle/on est, nous sommes, vous êtes, ils/elles sont for être; j'ai, tu as, il/elle/on a, nous avons, vous avez, ils/elles ont for avoir.
  • ✓Age in French is always expressed with avoir plus ans: 'J'ai quinze ans' means 'I am fifteen years old', never use être for age.
  • ✓Both verbs serve as auxiliary verbs in compound past tenses, making them critical for future grammar topics in Class 9 and 10.
  • ✓This worksheet is designed for 60-minute practice and mirrors the CBSE Class 9 French exam pattern with varied question types.

Worksheet Difficulty Level and Time Guidelines

This worksheet is designed at intermediate difficulty, perfectly aligned with CBSE Class 9 French curriculum and NCERT textbook standards for Chapter 5 Être et Avoir. Students who have completed the chapter and reviewed conjugation tables should attempt this independently. The suggested completion time is 60 minutes under exam-like conditions, with an additional 15 minutes for self-checking against the answer key. Teachers can use this for formative assessment, homework, or pre-exam revision. The worksheet progresses from recall-based MCQs to application-level short answers, culminating in HOTS questions that require synthesis of both verbs in real-world contexts. Each section has clearly marked marks allocation to help students manage time: Section A (12 marks), Section B (5 marks), Section C (5 marks), Section D (15 marks), Section E (9 marks), and Case Study (4 marks), totaling 50 marks.
  • Difficulty: Intermediate (aligned with CBSE Class 9 Term 1 and Term 2 expectations)
  • Suggested time: 60 minutes for worksheet completion, plus 15 minutes for answer review
  • Total marks: 50 (mimics a unit test format used in many CBSE schools)
  • Prerequisites: Completion of NCERT Class 9 French Chapter 5, familiarity with basic French pronunciation
  • Best used for: Weekly practice, pre-exam revision, homework assignment, or classroom assessment

Quick Chapter Recap: Être et Avoir Essentials

Before diving into the worksheet, let us revisit the core concepts from CBSE Class 9 French Chapter 5. The verb être (to be) is used to express identity (Je suis Priya), profession (Elle est médecin), nationality (Nous sommes indiens), and descriptions (Le ciel est bleu). Its present tense forms — je suis, tu es, il/elle/on est, nous sommes, vous êtes, ils/elles sont — are entirely irregular and must be memorized. The verb avoir (to have) expresses possession (J'ai un livre) and age (Tu as quinze ans). Its conjugation — j'ai, tu as, il/elle/on a, nous avons, vous avez, ils/elles ont — is also irregular but slightly more predictable. French uses avoir in many idioms where English uses 'to be': avoir faim (to be hungry), avoir soif (to be thirsty), avoir peur (to be afraid), avoir besoin de (to need), avoir envie de (to feel like), avoir raison (to be right), avoir tort (to be wrong). Remember: for age, always use avoir, never être. Both verbs also function as auxiliaries in forming compound tenses, a topic that will appear in later chapters and in Class 10 French.
  • Être = identity, profession, nationality, description; avoir = possession, age, idioms
  • Key idiom rule: French says 'j'ai faim' (I have hunger) where English says 'I am hungry'
  • Age formula: subject + avoir + number + ans (e.g., Elle a seize ans = She is sixteen years old)
  • Both verbs are completely irregular; no pattern exists, so rote memorization is essential
  • Professions after être take no article unless an adjective is added: Je suis professeur vs. Je suis un bon professeur

Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (12 Marks)

This section contains six multiple-choice questions, each carrying 2 marks. Choose the correct option (a, b, c, or d) for every question. These questions test your recall of conjugations, correct verb choice, and understanding of idiomatic expressions. MCQs are a staple of CBSE Class 9 French exams and appear frequently in Term assessments. Read each sentence carefully, identify the subject pronoun, determine whether identity, possession, age, or an idiom is being expressed, then select the appropriate form of être or avoir. Negative marking is not applied in this worksheet, but in actual CBSE exams, guessing without understanding can cost you marks in other sections, so practice reasoning through each choice.

Section B: Fill in the Blanks (5 Marks)

Section B has five fill-in-the-blank sentences, each worth 1 mark. You must write the correct present tense form of either être or avoir in each blank. No options are provided, so you need to recall the conjugation table from memory. This section directly mirrors NCERT Class 9 French exercise formats and is common in CBSE school unit tests. Pay close attention to the subject pronoun or noun at the start of each sentence — it determines which form you must use. Also watch for elision: j'ai (not je ai), and for context clues such as age (use avoir) or adjectives describing the subject (use être). Write neatly; spelling errors in French can cost marks even if the conjugation is conceptually correct.
  • Total 5 sentences, 1 mark each, no options given
  • Test pure recall of conjugation forms for both verbs
  • Watch for subject-verb agreement and elision rules (j'ai, j'__, etc.)
  • Common trap: sentences with idioms — always use avoir for expressions like faim, soif, peur
  • Double-check spelling: 'êtes' has a circumflex, 'sommes' has double-m

Section C: Match the Following (5 Marks)

This section contains five items in Column A (French phrases or sentences) and five options in Column B (English meanings or completions). Each correct match earns 1 mark. Matching exercises assess your understanding of idiomatic expressions and ability to distinguish between être and avoir contexts. Read all items in both columns before you start matching — sometimes the same English phrase can appear similar for two French expressions. This format appears in CBSE Class 9 French textbooks and is a favorite in internal school assessments. Write your answers as A-1, B-3, etc., clearly in your answer sheet. Partial marking is not awarded; each match is either fully correct or incorrect.
  • 5 items, 1 mark per correct match, total 5 marks
  • Tests idiomatic expressions, meaning recognition, and verb choice understanding
  • Read all items in both columns first to avoid mismatches
  • Common pairs: 'avoir faim' with 'to be hungry', 'être en retard' with 'to be late'
  • No partial credit; each match is all-or-nothing

Section D: Short Answer Questions (15 Marks)

Section D contains five short-answer questions, each carrying 3 marks. You are expected to write answers in 30-50 words (or 2-3 complete French sentences). These questions test application and explanation skills: conjugate a verb in a given context, rewrite sentences, correct errors, or translate English sentences into French using être or avoir. This mirrors the CBSE Class 9 French paper pattern where students must demonstrate grammatical accuracy, not just recognition. Write in full sentences, underline the verb forms you use, and ensure subject-verb agreement. Marks are awarded for correct conjugation (1 mark), accurate sentence structure (1 mark), and appropriate use of vocabulary or context (1 mark). Spelling and accents matter here — 'êtes' without the circumflex or 'sommes' spelled as 'somes' will lose you marks. Practice writing neatly in French script if your school emphasizes it.
  • 5 questions, 3 marks each, total 15 marks
  • Requires written sentences, not just one-word answers
  • Tests conjugation accuracy, sentence construction, and contextual verb choice
  • Marking scheme: 1 mark for correct verb form, 1 mark for sentence structure, 1 mark for meaning/vocabulary
  • Always reread your answer to check subject-verb agreement and accents

Section E: Long Answer and HOTS Questions (9 Marks)

Section E has three long-answer or Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) questions, each worth 3 marks. These questions require you to synthesize knowledge of both verbs, apply them in dialogues, analyze errors, or create original sentences in context. For example, you might be asked to write a short self-introduction in French using both être and avoir, or to correct a paragraph with multiple verb errors and explain why each correction is needed. HOTS questions test whether you can use the grammar actively and creatively, not just recall it. CBSE has been emphasizing application-based questions since the 2020 curriculum update, so expect such questions in your Term exams. Write in proper paragraph format if asked, use connecting words (et, mais, parce que), and demonstrate variety in sentence structure. Each answer should be 50-70 words or 4-5 French sentences. Markers look for grammatical range, accuracy, and logical flow.
  • 3 questions, 3 marks each, total 9 marks
  • HOTS questions: create, analyze, correct, or synthesize using both être and avoir
  • Expected length: 50-70 words or 4-5 complete French sentences per answer
  • Marking criteria: accuracy (1 mark), range/variety (1 mark), coherence/logic (1 mark)
  • Use connectors like 'et' (and), 'mais' (but), 'parce que' (because) to show language maturity

Section F: Case Study Question (4 Marks)

The case study question presents a short paragraph or dialogue in French (70-100 words) that uses both être and avoir multiple times in different contexts. You will answer two sub-questions based on this passage: typically one asks you to identify and write all forms of être or avoir used, and the other asks you to answer a comprehension or application question (like 'Why did the speaker use avoir here instead of être?'). Case-based questions have been part of CBSE question papers since 2021 and test reading comprehension alongside grammar. Read the passage twice: first for overall meaning, second to underline every instance of être and avoir. Then answer the sub-questions in the space provided. Each sub-question is worth 2 marks. Answers should be concise, accurate, and directly reference the passage. This section mirrors real-world use of French and prepares you for CBSE Class 10 where longer texts and dialogues are standard.
  • 1 case study passage (70-100 words), 2 sub-questions, 2 marks each, total 4 marks
  • Tests reading comprehension plus grammatical analysis in context
  • Sub-question types: identify verb forms, explain verb choice, comprehension-based application
  • Read passage twice before answering; underline all instances of être and avoir on first read
  • Reference line numbers or specific sentences from passage in your answers for full marks

Complete Answer Key with Explanations

The answer key below provides correct answers for every question in all six sections, along with brief explanations for why each answer is correct. Use this key only after you have attempted the entire worksheet yourself. Self-correction is a powerful learning tool — compare your answers, understand your mistakes, and revisit the NCERT Class 9 French textbook or your class notes for any concepts that remain unclear. If you are a teacher, you can use these explanations as marking guidelines and to provide feedback to students. Every MCQ option is explained so students understand not just the right answer, but why the wrong options are incorrect. For fill-in-the-blanks and short answers, alternate acceptable phrasings are noted where applicable. The answer key is structured section-by-section for easy reference, and each explanation reinforces the conjugation rules and usage contexts from Chapter 5.
  • Complete answers for all 50 marks' worth of questions across six sections
  • Each MCQ includes explanation of correct answer and why distractors are wrong
  • Fill-in-blanks: correct verb form plus reason (subject, context, idiom rule)
  • Short and long answers: model responses with marking notes (conjugation, structure, meaning)
  • Case study: step-by-step breakdown of how to extract answers from passage

How CBSETUTOR.ai Can Help You Master Être et Avoir

Learning irregular verb conjugations and idiomatic expressions requires consistent practice, instant feedback, and personalized guidance — exactly what CBSETUTOR.ai delivers. At a flat fee of ₹999 per month for any class (6 to 12), your child gets a 24×7 AI tutor that can solve French grammar doubts instantly. Simply snap a photo of any worksheet question, a confusing sentence from your NCERT textbook, or even your own written answer, and upload it. The AI explains the correct conjugation, why a particular verb is used, and even generates similar practice sentences so your child masters the pattern. For CBSE Class 9 French, where être and avoir form the backbone of almost every chapter ahead (passé composé, plus-que-parfait, future tenses), getting these verbs right now saves months of confusion later. Parents in cities like Pune, Bengaluru, and Jaipur love CBSETUTOR.ai because it eliminates the need for expensive weekend French tuition — your child learns at their own pace, at home, with unlimited questions. A 3-day free trial lets you test the platform risk-free. Whether your child is stuck on idiom meanings, conjugation tables, or sentence construction, CBSETUTOR.ai provides step-by-step solutions in seconds, making French practice as easy as chatting with a knowledgeable friend.
  • Flat ₹999/month for classes 6-12; no hidden fees, unlimited French grammar help
  • Photo-upload feature: snap your NCERT exercise, get instant conjugation explanations and corrections
  • AI generates extra practice sentences for être and avoir, tailored to your child's mistakes
  • Available 24×7, perfect for last-minute doubt clearing before CBSE Term exams
  • 3-day free trial; cancel anytime if not satisfied, no questions asked

Tips for Scoring Full Marks in Être et Avoir Questions

To excel in CBSE Class 9 French exams on Chapter 5, follow these proven strategies. First, make flashcards for both conjugation tables and review them daily for five minutes — spaced repetition is the key to memorizing irregular verbs. Second, practice writing sentences out loud; speaking the conjugations ('je suis, tu es, il est...') embeds them in auditory memory. Third, create a dedicated idiom list with English meanings and example sentences; revise this list weekly. Fourth, whenever you write a French sentence, pause and ask yourself: am I expressing identity/description (être) or possession/age (avoir)? This conscious check prevents careless errors. Fifth, underline every instance of être and avoir when reading French passages in your NCERT textbook or workbook — active reading reinforces recognition. Sixth, do timed practice with past worksheets; CBSE French papers have strict time limits and you need speed plus accuracy. Seventh, check your work: reread every answer, verify subject-verb agreement, and confirm you have used the right verb. Finally, if a question seems ambiguous, write both your answer and a one-line justification ('Used avoir because the sentence expresses age') — this can earn you partial marks even if there is a minor error elsewhere.
  • Make conjugation flashcards and revise daily using spaced repetition (5 minutes per day is enough)
  • Write and speak conjugations aloud; auditory memory helps recall under exam pressure
  • Maintain a separate idiom notebook with French expression, English meaning, and one example sentence each
  • Before writing any sentence, ask: identity/description (être) or possession/age (avoir)?
  • Underline être and avoir in every NCERT reading passage to train pattern recognition
  • Practice past worksheets under timed conditions (60 minutes) to build speed and accuracy
  • Always reread your answers and verify subject-verb agreement before submitting your paper
  • In doubt, add a brief justification in brackets after your answer to secure partial marks

Frequently asked questions

Why are être and avoir called irregular verbs in CBSE Class 9 French?+
Être and avoir are irregular because they do not follow the standard conjugation patterns of regular -er, -ir, or -re verbs. Each person-form has a unique stem that must be memorized individually. For example, être changes from 'suis' to 'es' to 'est' with no predictable pattern. This irregularity exists because both verbs are among the oldest in the French language, inherited from Latin, and have evolved differently over centuries due to their extremely high frequency of use.
When do I use être and when do I use avoir in French sentences?+
Use être to express identity (Je suis Priya), profession (Il est médecin), nationality (Nous sommes indiens), and descriptions with adjectives (Elle est belle). Use avoir to express possession (J'ai un livre), age (Tu as quinze ans), and in idiomatic expressions like avoir faim (to be hungry), avoir peur (to be afraid), and avoir besoin de (to need). The key rule: for age, always use avoir, never être, because French says 'you have years' rather than 'you are years old'.
What are the most common mistakes Indian students make with être and avoir?+
The most frequent errors are: (1) using être for age instead of avoir (saying 'Je suis quinze ans' instead of 'J'ai quinze ans'), (2) using être in idioms where avoir is required (saying 'Je suis faim' instead of 'J'ai faim'), (3) incorrect conjugation due to incomplete memorization (writing 'nous êtes' instead of 'nous sommes'), and (4) forgetting elision before vowels (writing 'je ai' instead of 'j'ai'). Regular practice with worksheets like this one eliminates these mistakes within two weeks.
How many marks does Chapter 5 Être et Avoir carry in CBSE Class 9 French exams?+
Être et avoir appear across the entire CBSE Class 9 French paper because they are foundational verbs. Directly, you can expect 8-12 marks in grammar sections (fill-in-blanks, MCQs, error correction). Indirectly, these verbs are embedded in reading comprehension, letter-writing, and dialogue questions, adding another 10-15 marks. In total, strong command of être and avoir can influence 20-25 marks out of 80 in your Term exam. Mastery of this chapter is therefore critical for scoring above 70 in French.
Can I use this worksheet for self-study at home without a tutor?+
Absolutely. This worksheet is designed for independent practice. Each section has clear instructions, and the detailed answer key with explanations allows you to self-correct and learn from mistakes. Attempt all questions first without looking at answers, then check your work section-by-section. For concepts that remain unclear after checking the key, refer back to your NCERT Class 9 French textbook pages on être and avoir, or use CBSETUTOR.ai to upload a photo of the confusing question and get an instant AI explanation.
What is the difference between 'avoir faim' and 'être faim' in French?+
'Avoir faim' is correct French and means 'to be hungry'. 'Être faim' is grammatically incorrect and does not exist in French. French uses avoir (to have) plus a noun for many physical and emotional states where English uses 'to be' plus an adjective. So you say 'J'ai faim' (I have hunger = I am hungry), 'J'ai soif' (I have thirst = I am thirsty), 'J'ai peur' (I have fear = I am afraid). Remember: if the idiom involves a physical or emotional state, use avoir, not être.
How should I practice conjugations of être and avoir for long-term retention?+
Use spaced repetition: write out the full conjugation table for both verbs every day for one week, then every alternate day for two weeks, then twice a week for a month. Combine writing with speaking — recite the conjugations aloud while writing. Create fill-in-the-blank sentences for yourself and solve them. Use NCERT exercises and worksheets like this one weekly. Additionally, read French sentences in your textbook and underline every instance of être and avoir, noting which form is used and why. This active engagement ensures retention for exams and beyond.
Are there any online tools to help my child practice être and avoir interactively?+
Yes. CBSETUTOR.ai is an excellent choice: for ₹999/month, your child can upload photos of French exercises and get instant AI explanations and extra practice questions. The platform generates custom sentences using être and avoir based on your child's mistakes, making practice targeted and efficient. Other free resources include NCERT solutions PDFs, but they lack interactivity. CBSETUTOR.ai's photo-upload and instant feedback loop is unmatched for busy parents who cannot supervise French homework daily. A 3-day free trial is available, so you can evaluate it risk-free.
Why does French say 'J'ai quinze ans' instead of 'Je suis quinze ans' for age?+
French conceptualizes age as something you possess (you have fifteen years) rather than something you are. This is a fundamental linguistic difference from English and Hindi. The construction is avoir + number + ans (years). So 'J'ai quinze ans' literally means 'I have fifteen years', but it translates to 'I am fifteen years old' in English. This is not optional — using être for age ('Je suis quinze ans') is a grammatical error and will lose you marks in CBSE exams. Always use avoir for age.
Can I download and print this worksheet for my child's offline practice?+
Yes, this worksheet is designed to be printer-friendly. Copy the questions section-by-section into a document, print it, and let your child solve it on paper under timed conditions (60 minutes). Keep the answer key separate and provide it only after your child has completed all sections. Offline practice is highly recommended because it simulates actual CBSE exam conditions where students write on paper without digital distractions. After correction, discuss mistakes together or have your child review the explanations in the answer key to reinforce learning.
What is the role of être and avoir in forming compound tenses like passé composé?+
Both être and avoir serve as auxiliary (helping) verbs in compound tenses. Most French verbs use avoir as the auxiliary in passé composé (e.g., 'J'ai mangé' = I ate). A small group of motion and reflexive verbs use être (e.g., 'Je suis allé' = I went). You will study passé composé in detail later in Class 9 or in Class 10, but mastering the present tense conjugations of être and avoir now is essential because they form the backbone of all past-tense constructions in French.
How can parents who do not know French help their child practice être et avoir at home?+
Even without knowing French, parents can support practice by: (1) ensuring the child solves worksheets like this one weekly, (2) checking that answers are filled in completely before allowing access to the answer key, (3) asking the child to explain in English why they chose être or avoir in a sentence (this builds metacognitive skills), (4) using CBSETUTOR.ai's AI tutor as a supervisor — the child uploads practice work, gets feedback, and the parent monitors progress through the platform dashboard. Consistent routine and accountability matter more than subject expertise at this stage.

Related resources

Important Questions: CBSE Class 9 French Chapter 5 Être et AvoirClass 9 French Chapter 5 Être et Avoir — Formulas & Key PointsCBSE Class 9 French Chapter 5 Être et Avoir — 20 MCQs with AnswersNCERT Solutions for CBSE Class 9 French Chapter 5: Être et AvoirCBSE Class 9 Mathematics Chapter 1 Number Systems — NotesCBSE Class 9 Mathematics — Number Systems: complete chapter guideClass 9 French Chapter 1 Salut ! Bonjour ! (Greetings & Introductions) — Previous Year Questions with Complete SolutionsCBSE Class 9 Mathematics Chapter 1 Number Systems Worksheet with Answers

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