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A washing machine is broken. What can you do?
Model-written, not yet read by a native reader.
Correct answer: Take it back free to a retailer if you buy a new one. When you buy a new appliance, the retailer must take back the old one free of charge. You can also drop the appliance at a collection point. An electrical appliance does not go in the ordinary bin.
Sources: Sheet “Déchets d'équipements électriques et électroniques (DEEE ou D3E)” (French), read on 15 October 2026. Answer written by Hexaciv from this source. Hexaciv is an independent preparation tool. It is not an official website, is not linked to any government body and does not give legal advice. The authoritative source is the Ministry of the Interior's, cited on this page.
The four choices and why
- ✗ Leave it in the street outside the buildingLa laisser dans la rue devant l'immeubleIt is forbidden to throw an appliance on the public road, under penalty of a fine.
- ✗ Throw it in the household waste bin of the buildingLa jeter dans le bac des déchets ménagers de l'immeubleAn electrical appliance does not go with household waste: it has a specific collection.
- ✗ Put it in the glass bottle bank with the bottlesLa mettre dans le conteneur à verre avec les bouteillesThis option does not match what the sheet says: an electrical appliance has a specific collection.
- ✓ Take it back free to a retailer if you buy a new oneLa rapporter gratuitement chez un distributeur si on en achète un neufCorrect answer. When you buy a new appliance, the retailer must take back the old one free of charge. You can also drop the appliance at a collection point. An electrical appliance does not go in the ordinary bin.
What the source says
« Lorsque vous achetez un appareil, le distributeur doit reprendre gratuitement l’ancien équipement , que l’achat soit effectué en magasin ou à distance (sur internet). »
Sentence copied word for word from the source, in French, read on 15 October 2026.
How it reads on exam day
The exam is in French, so this is the question you will see: « Une machine à laver est cassée. Que peut-on faire ? ». Learn the English idea above and the French words in the options.
This question comes from the list of the naturalisation version of the exam (PDF relayed by Le Français des affaires, read on 14 October 2026; the Ministry's own page for this list did not answer). The list's wording: “Si une machine à laver est cassée, il est possible de :”.
Where the Ministry explains it
Sheet “Déchets d'équipements électriques et électroniques (DEEE ou D3E)” (French).
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