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      Au château de Versailles : -ir verbs like 'ouvrir' (singular)

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can use singular -ir verbs like 'ouvrir' alongside other -ir verb groups and adjectives to describe a tourist experience.

      Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons

      Key learning points

      1. [ou] is pronounced like 'nous' and [u] is pronounced like 'tu'.
      2. -ir verbs like ouvrir have the same present tense verb endings as regular -er verbs.
      3. Four groups of -ir verbs are: verbs like choisir, verbs like partir, verbs like venir and verbs like ouvrir.
      4. When using adjectives, it's important to know which ones precede and which follow the noun.
      5. Le château de Versailles is a palace near Paris built by Louis XIV, famous for the Hall of Mirrors and beautiful gardens

      Keywords

      • Ouvrir - an example of a group of -ir verbs, and meaning 'to open'

      • Venir - an example of a group of -ir verbs, and meaning 'to come'

      • Choisir - an example of a group of -ir verbs, and meaning 'to choose'

      • Partir - an example of a group of -ir verbs, and meaning 'to leave'

      • Adjective - a word that describes and usually agrees in number and gender with a noun or pronoun.

      Common misconception

      -ir verbs have the same verb endings in the present tense as -er verbs.

      Only verbs like 'ouvrir' have the same endings in the present tense as -er verbs. There are also verbs like 'choisir', verbs like 'partir' and verbs like 'venir' which have different endings.

      Teacher tip

      To make the most of short read aloud activities, teachers may consider a solo-duo-ensemble cycle whereby pupils say the phrases three times: once to themselves, once to a partner and once all together.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Read the verbs aloud. Which ones contain the [ou] sound like in the word 'nous'?

      Correct answer: ouvrir
      continuer
      Correct answer: découvrir
      Correct answer: nourrir
      annuler

      Q2.
      Match the -er verb endings to their correct pronouns.

      Correct Answer:je,-e
      Correct Answer:tu,-es
      Correct Answer:nous,-ons

      Q3.
      Which of the following adjectives are placed before the noun they are describing?

      Correct answer: beau(x), belle(s)
      Correct answer: grand(s), grande(s)
      ouvert(s), ouverte(s)
      Correct answer: vieux, vieille(s)
      Correct answer: premier(s), première(s)

      Q4.
      In which city are the following attractions located?: le stade de France, le basilique du Sacré-coeur, le château de Versailles.

      Correct Answer: Paris

      Q5.
      Match the words to their English meaning.

      Correct Answer:décider de,to decide to
      Correct Answer:descendre (de),to go down, to get off
      Correct Answer:voler,to steal, to fly
      Correct Answer:le vol,theft, flight
      Correct Answer:impossible,impossible
      Correct Answer:la face,front, side, face

      Q6.
      Match the -ir verbs to a verb that is conjugated in the same way in the present tense.

      Correct Answer:choisir,finir
      Correct Answer:venir,devenir
      Correct Answer:partir,sortir

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the -ir verbs to their English meanings.

      Correct Answer:ouvrir,to open
      Correct Answer:découvrir,to discover
      Correct Answer:couvrir,to cover
      Correct Answer:rouvrir,to re-open

      Q2.
      Which words do not contain the [ou] sound like in 'nous'?

      découvrir
      Correct answer: destruction
      nouveaux
      ouverte
      Correct answer: unique

      Q3.
      Verbs like 'ouvrir' have the same endings in the present tense as which type of verbs?

      -ir verbs like choisir
      -ir verbs like venir
      Correct answer: -er verbs like parler
      -re verbs like prendre

      Q4.
      Fill in the missing verb in this question: - tu la porte? (Are you opening the door?)

      Correct Answer: ouvres, Ouvres

      Q5.
      Match the -ir verbs to another verb which follows the same pattern in the present tense.

      Correct Answer:ouvrir,découvrir
      Correct Answer:partir,dormir
      Correct Answer:choisir,nourrir
      Correct Answer:venir,tenir

      Q6.
      Translate the sentence correctly: We discover a pretty park, a big stadium and a beautiful church.

      On découvre un parc joli, un stade grand et une belle église.
      On découvres un joli parc, un grand stade et une belle église.
      Correct answer: On découvre un joli parc, un grand stade et une belle église.

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