Six scenario banks for the news-continuation task. Each deck gives you the nouns, verbs, collocations and safe richer phrases to write a believable story — plus the one literal-translation error to stop making. French terms, English glosses.
Road crashes, falls, fires, collisions — the most common fait-divers opening.
un accident est arrivé → un accident s'est produit / a eu lieu (an accident happened).
Theft, break-ins, arrests — keep the tone factual, never sensational.
il a robé le magasin → il a cambriolé / dévalisé le magasin (he robbed the shop). Rober doesn't exist.
Rescue, emergency services and witnesses — the "who arrived and what they said" layer that adds detail.
la police est venue pour sauver les gens → les secours sont intervenus pour porter secours aux victimes — use the news register, not everyday verbs.
Storms, floods, heatwaves — nature-driven openings with clear cause and consequence.
le temps était très mauvais et a fait des dommages → les intempéries ont causé d'importants dégâts — les intempéries = bad weather (news word).
Strange finds, unusual events, lucky escapes — the "fait divers insolite". Lets you be creative while staying factual.
il a trouvé sur un trésor → il est tombé sur un trésor / il a découvert un trésor — tomber sur takes no extra preposition.
The reaction layer — how people felt and responded. Adds human detail without breaking the neutral news tone (report the emotion, don't feel it yourself).
Keep it 3rd person: j'étais très choqué ! → les témoins étaient sous le choc. In a news item you report the emotion; you don't feel it. Personal opinion belongs in Section B, never Section A.
Fires — one of the most frequent openings, rich in cause, spread and rescue.
un feu a commencé → un incendie s'est déclaré (a fire broke out).
Stray, escaped or rescued animals — a classic "insolite" fait divers, often with a happy ending.
un animal perdu → un animal égaré / errant (a stray animal).
Festivals, celebrations, gatherings, parades — crowd events, usually positive in tone.
beaucoup de gens sont venus → une foule nombreuse a afflué (a large crowd flocked in).
Scams and fraud — a modern fait divers, often a warning to readers.
il a scammé les gens → il a escroqué / arnaqué des personnes.
Missing persons and searches — tension, mobilization, and often a relieved ending.
il est manquant → il a disparu / il est porté disparu (he is missing).
Heroic rescues and feats — the "feel-good" fait divers, ideal for a strong ending.
un homme courageux a aidé → un passant a porté secours au péril de sa vie — use the news register.
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