Bac National Exam 2009

Kuwaiti Working Women

Letters ( Letters )

Traditionally, the idea of a working woman was not accepted by many people; they saw it as a radical change in family life. The reasons were simple: a woman’s place is at home. Who is going to clean, cook, feed the kids and look after them?

Batool, a 29-year-old Kuwaiti pharmacist and mother of two children says: "I feel guilty." Now that my eldest daughter is going to school, I’m starting to have second thoughts about being a career woman." She says that when she was a kid, her mother would wake her up every morning for school. "She made us breakfast, me and five other siblings, whereas I find difficulty taking care of only two daughters," she added.

Like many other young Kuwaiti women, Batool finds it necessary to be taking a share in the household finances. "It’s not as easy as it used to be with my mother’s generation," explained Batool. "A woman now has to have her awn income, if not to support her family, then to satisfy her needs. Life is too expensive compared to twenty or thirty years ago." The number of working women in Kuwait is continuously increasing, with 42 percent participating in the total of Kuwait’s working force, according to a recent study conducted by the Arab Planning Institute.

Reem, a student, says: "I’m studying hard to get a degree, have a good career and make a difference. Moreover, at this point in my life, I don’t want to have any kids. Maybe five years after my marriage, I will start to consider it. But I want to do my master’s degree abroad and I can’t do that unless I’m married; otherwise my dad won’t permit it."

Aisha, a 51-year-old mother, has been a housewife all her life. She says: "I got married when I was seventeen and didn't’ have time to finish high school. Most of my friends studied further. Some of them are successful in their careers."

Staving at home to take care of children or working to increase the family’s income is apparently a personal choice. "I believe that you can do well in what you believe in if you have your family supporting you," says Aisha. The debate over working women versus housewives is one that has been going on for generations. This is the issue that women around the world have to deal with. They are under the pressure of supporting a household with an additional income and the guilt of not being available for the kids. Finding the balance between both world sis what is expected of women, something that is not always feasible.

I- COMPREHENSION (15 points)

(BASE ALL YOUR ANSWERS ON THE TEXT )

A/ WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING WOULD BE THE BEST TITLE FOR THE PASSAGE? 1 pt

TICK (√) THE APPROPRIATE BOX

• The problem of illiterate women in Kuwait
• The problem of working women in Kuwait
• The problem of housewives in Kuwait

B/ ARE THESE SENTENCES TRUE OR FALSE? JUSTIFY: 2 pts

1. Reem will be able to study abroad if she gets married

…………………………………….………………………………

2. Aisha has never had a chance to work

…………………….………………………………………………

C/ ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS: 3 pts

1. According to Batool, why is it important for a woman to have her own income?

…………………………………………………………………………

2. What is Reem doing for the moment?

…………………………………………………………………………….

3. According to the author, what is expected of working women?

…………………………………………………………………………

D/ COMPLETE THESE SENTENCES: 2 pts

1. Unlike her mother, Batool finds it difficult to……………………………………….

2. The study by the Arab Planning Institute shows that …………………………………

E/ FIND IN THE TEXT WORDS THAT MEAN THE SAME AS: 3 pts

1. child (parag2) : …………………………………

2. allow (parag 4) : ……………………………….

3. look after (parag 6): …………………………….

F/ WHAT DO THE UNDERLINED IN THE TEXT REFER TO? 3 pts

1. it : …………………………..

2. she : ………………………..

3. them : ………………………

II- LANGUAGE: 15 points

A/ FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE APPROPRIATE COLLOCATIONS FROM THE LIST: 3 pts

Film making – have access – take place - have fun - note taking - take care

1. Many people do not ………………………to the Internet in the countryside.
2. Listening and ……………………….are important skills to understand presentations at the university.
3. "Where will the next conference ……………………..? " the journalist asked.

B/ GIVE THE CORRECT FORM OF THE WORDS BETWEEN BRACKETS: 3 pts

Parents often worry about their children’s (addict) ________________to computer games. They think that playing games for a long time can be (harm) ________________to their children’s health. They are also afraid of changes that might occur in their (behave) ________________

C/ PUT THE VERBS BETWEEN BRACKETS IN THE CORRECT TENSE: 1,5 pt

Last Monday, while firemen (try)………………….to put out the fire in the forest, two helicopters (join) ………………them. Unfortunately. Most of the trees were destroyed. We hope that by the end of 2011, the local authorities (replant) ……………..………..the forest.

D/ FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE APPROPRIATE WORDS FROM THE LIST: 1,5 pt

Where - which - who - whom -whose

Many Moroccan immigrants ______________ live abroad would like to return to Morocco ______________ they can invest their money. They have promising projects ______________ will certainly help to improve the local economy.

E/ REWRITE THE SENTENCES BEGINNING WITH THE WORDS GIVEN.

1. "Won’t be able to attend the wedding party."

Kamal said …………………………………………………….

1. The association has funded many social projects.

Many social projects …………………………………………….

2. Mounir dropped out of school at an early age.

Mounir wishes ………………………………………….………….

F/ FILL IN THE BLANKS WITH THE APPROPRIATE WORDS OR EXPRESSIONS FROM THE LIST: 3 pts

whereas - due to - as a result - despite - though - so as to

1. Jane was often absent from work; ……………., her director dismissed her.

2. I’ll try to find some time to see you this afternoon…………..I have so many things to do.

3. Thousands of people are driven out their homes…………. civil wars maybe parts of the world.

III- WRITING

Young people often face various problems at home or at school. Write an e-mail to a friend telling him/her about a problem that you or one of your friends once had. (Approximately 250 words)

What was the problem? When was it?

Who was involved? (father, mother, teacher, headmaster, classmates etc)

Was the problem solved? How?

How did you or your friend feel?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

School Drop-outs

Letters ( Human Sciences)

Dropping out of school is a serious problem in Morocco. Each year, nearly 200,000 children leave school before completing their primary education. A new government initiative in morocco offers some measures to reduce the number of students who withdraw from school. This initiative is part of an awareness campaign targeting parents.

Researchers and government officials largely attribute the phenomenon to the ignorance of poor parents who do not realise the importance of education. Some parents, for example, withdraw their children from school due to the competing demands for household income which often push children to work. Drop-out rates are higher among children of illiterate parents. These rates can be reduced if we sensitise parents about the importance of sending their children to school. In 2006, Morocco launched a number of awareness campaigns to address this growing problem. These campaigns aim at introducing a national programme which encourages school children to make a list of non-registered children and children who have dropped out. More than 14,000 teachers and headmasters will also be responsible for implementing this plan.

The initiative is considered a logical one because it will get children who have dropped out back into the school system, and it will act as a preventive measure because it raises students’ awareness to the negative consequences of dropping out. The initiative was tested last year in a few regions. Fatima Lharti, a twelve-year-old schoolgirl from Tangiers, says she managed to stop approximately one dozen children from dropping out and persuaded a number of others who had already dropped out to come back to school. "The most difficult part of the work is convincing parents." However, "when they hear children – the same age as their own – talking about the consequences of taking their children out of school, most of them come around within a few minutes," Fatima proudly told Magharebia website reporter.

Samir El Garoumi missed a year of school to work for his family. He is now back in school and has struck a healthy balance between work and studies. In the morning, he goes to school and in the evening, he helps his father in his workshop. This year, he is taking part in the initiative to make a list of children who are not in school. He also advises parents in his family circle to allow their children to finish their education.

(Adapted from : www.magharevia.com)

I- COMPREHENSION 15 points

(BASE YOUR ANSWERS ON THE TEXT)

A/ CHOOSE THE RIGHT ANSWER FROM THE LIST GIVEN (1 pt)

TICK (√) THE RIGHT ANSWER

The test is taken from

A magazine.

The Internet.

A newspaper.

B/ ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: 3 pts

1. How many students drop out of primary school in Morocco every year?

……………………………………………………………………………..

2. Why do poor parents withdraw their children from school?

………………………………………………………………………………

3. How can drop-out rates be reduced?

…………………………………………………………………………………

C/ ARE THESE SENTENCE TRUE OR FALSE? JUSTIFY: 3 pts

1. The programme encourages parents to make lists of children who have dropped out of school.

………………………………………………………………………………….

2. Fatima Lharti convinced nearly one dozen children to stay at school.

………………………………………………………………………………….

3. Samir studies and helps his father as well …………………………………..

D/ COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES: 2 pts

1. As a preventive measure, the initiative aims at ……………………………………...

2. Fatima Lharti found it difficult to …………………………………………..

E/ FIND IN THE TEXT WORDS THAT MEAN ALMOST THE SAME AS: 3 pts

1. Minimize (parag1): ………………………………………………………………

2. Money we get from work or investment (parag2): …………………………………

3. Participating (parag 4): …………………………………………………………….

F/ WHAT DO THE UNDERLINED WORDS OR EXPRESSIONS IN THE TEXT REFER TO? 3 pts

1. the phenomenon : …………………………………….

2. they : …………………………………………………

3. he : ……………………………………………….

II- LANGUAGE 15 points

A/ PUT THE VERBS BETWEEN BRACKETS IN THE CORRECT TENSE: 3 pts

Najib Sidqi (get)………………………….his degree in marketing before he started work at the bank. In 2007, he (conduct) …………………….a piece of research on developing customer services. Now, he (be) ……………..the manager of a bank agency.

B/ REWRITE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES AS SUGGESTED: 3 pts

1. The government launched an educational programme in 2006.

An educational programme …………………………………..

2. "The film has attracted a lot of viewers," the film director said.

The film director said that …………………………………..

2. Saida left school at an early age.

The teacher wishes …………………………………………..

C/ GIVE THE CORRECT FORM OF THE WORDS BETWEEN BRACKETS: 3 pts

1. Reducing the rates of drop-outs in Morocco will be an important (achieve) _________________

2. Fatima will be (promotion) __________________ for her hard work.

3. Many NGOs contribute to the (develop) ______________ of citizenship values.

D/ FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE RIGHT PHRASAL VERBS FROM THE LIST: 1,5 pt

Stand for - fill in –bring about - look up - get off – apply for.

1. The father encouraged his son to ………………………another job.

2. The letters VIP ………………….Very Important Person.

3. The new initiative tries to …………………………change in education.

E/ JOIN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES USING THE WORDS GIVEN: 3 pts

1. Hamid did a great job. He was not offered a better position. (though)

…………………………………………………………………………….

2. Souad did not come to the show. She was sick. (because of)

……………………………………………………………………………..

3We were unable to get financial support. We had to abandon the project. (therefore)

……………………………………………………………………………..

F/ MATCH THE WORDS THAT GO TOGETHER TO MAKE APPROPRIATE

COLLOCATIONS. 3 pts

1: ………………………………. 2 : ……………………….. 3: …………………….

III- WRITING

A lot of people in developing countries suffer from illiteracy. Write a short essay about the causes and consequences of this phenomenon and suggest some solutions (Approximately 250)

Here are some suggestions to help you :

§ Poverty/parents’ ignorance,

§ Lack of awareness to the importance of education.

§ Remote schools in rural areas,

§ Remote schools in rural areas,

§ Role of youth organisations, NGOs government, etc

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Moroccan Street Children

(Sciences & LO)

Morocco’s street children live a difficult life, often filled with harmful drugs and crime. Efforts to reintegrate them into families and schools are somewhat successful but experts say the problem is large and its root lies in poverty and difficult social circumstances.

Othmane left his home and school at the age of fourteen to live on the street. He no longer wanted to see his mother fight the daily battle to get bread for his five little siblings and pay for his school expenses. "The street is not a better place to live in," Othmane says, "but at least she will not have to think about my daily living. In the meantime, I may be able to help her." Othmane carries bags of vegetables and other purchases for customers at a nearby market. In this way, he earns a few dirhams a day, enough to bring a little money back home.

Othmane is one of the growing numbers of street children in Morocco. These are the homeless and marginalized youths without identity or family. The sidewalks, public gardens, and the buildings doorsteps are their beds.

In Casablanca, these children’s main residences are alleys in the old city, the port, the train station, and the fruits and vegetables wholesale market. The port provides them with an opportunity to emigrate illegally. The wholesale market gives them the chance to work as porters. At the train station, they can earn little money from helping passengers or by begging from tourists.

According to the most recent statistics, 7,000 street children live in Casablanca Wilaya alone. 8,800 more live in other major cities such as Marrakesh, Fes, and Meknes. The government and many non-governmental organisations have adopted a strategy of building centres to shelter some of these street children and reintegrate them into schools and families, but the challenge is enormous. The number of children usually the centres’ capacities; there are not enough beds for all of them, and urgent is the need to act once to save those children!

I- COMPREHENSION: 15 points

(BASE ALL YOUR ANSWERS ON THE TEXT)

A/ ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS: 3 pts

1. Why did Othmane become one of the street children?

………………………………………………………………………….

2. What does he do to earn money?

…………………………....………………………………………………..

3. What has he done to solve the problem of street children?

……………………………………………………………………………..

B/ PICK OUT FROM TJE TEXT EXPRESSIONS OR PHRASES WHICH SHOW THAT: 2 pts

1. Othmane doesn't like living in the street. (parag2) ………………………..

2. There is a need to build more centres for street children. (parag 5) ………

C/ FILL IN THE CHART WITH THE RIGHT INFORMATION FROM THE TEXT: 3 pts

D/ FIND IN THE TEXT WORDS OR EXPRESSIONS WGICH MEAN THE SAME AS: 4 pts

1. origin (parag1): ……………………..

2. clients (parag 2): …………………….

3. without a place to live in: (parag 3) ………………

4. a plan: (parag 5) ……………………..

E/ WHAT DO THE UNDERLINED WORDS IN THE TEXT REFER TO? 3 pts

1. its (pph 1) : …………………

2. she (pph 2) : …………………

3. them (pph 4): …………………

II – LANGUAGE 15 points

A/ FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE APPROPRIATE WORDS FROM THE LIST: 2 pts

Non-formal / cooperation / labour / non- profit / conference

UNESCO is a __________ organisation which contributes to peace and security by

Promoting international __________ Through education, science and culture.

B/ FILL IN THE BLANKS WITH THE APPROPRIATE PHRASAL VERBS:

Put on - set up - turn down - write down - make up

1. How could you ………………. such an interesting job offer?

2. ………………..your coat; it’s cold in here.

C/ MATCH THE WORDS THAT GO TOGETHER TO MAKE APPROPRIATE COLLOCATIONS: 2 pts

1 : …………………………………….. 2 : ………………………………….

D/ REWRITE THESE SENTENCES BEGINNING WITH THE WORDS GIVEN: 3 pts

1. The government should take measures to reintegrate street children into society.

……………………………………………………………………………

2. "I will take her suggestions into consideration," Jack said.

Jack promised …………………………………………………………….

3. Younes said: "I regret having accepted my firt cigarette."

"If only I ………………………………………………." Younes said.

E/ PUT THE VERBS BETWEEN BRACKETS IN THE CORRECT TENSE.

"Our son (run away)………………………from home last week. We (still/look for)

……………………….him. His best friend says that he (not see)…………….…. him for two weeks," the father said.

F/ MATCH EACH SENTENCE WITH ITS APPROPRIATE FUNCTION: 3 pts

1: ……………………. 2: ………………………. 3: ………………………..

III- WRITING: 10 points

Taking drugs is dangerous. Write a short article to your school magazine about the consequences of drug-taking on youths’ health and education. (Approximately 150 words)

These questions may help you :

· Why do you think young people take drugs?

· What effects do these drugs have on their health and education?

· What solutions do you suggest for them?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Souad

Letters (HS)

Souad was afraid not to finish her education. The schools were located dozens of kilometers away from her home, and she had no way to get there each day. In addition, her family couldn’t afford to pay her schooling.

When Souad about learned a boarding school where students live and study, she jumped at the chance to continue learning. The boarding school in Tighassaline, a small village in the Middle Atlas, was supported by an aid organization and run by a local group, the Rural Girls Scholarship Committee. The committee runs a dormitory for gifted middle school girls who cannot afford to continue studying. It provides scholarships for boarding, lodging, and financial support to cover books and fees. When Souad applied, she was accepted. She was able not only to complete middle school, but also to continue to high school.

When Souad finished middle school, the school director invited her to continue living in the dormitory so that she could complete her high school education in return, he asked her to tutor the younger girls and help them with their homework. Souad was grateful; she knew that her family was too poor to pay for her studies.

“I feel that I have been given a wonderful opportunity, and I know that opportunities in life don’t come twice. I have succeeded in middle school and I don’t want to lead the same life as my mother. I know that education has changed my life. My interests are different from those of my sister and I have learned to make my own decisions and judgments.”

With tears in her eyes, Souad thanked everybody for having her opportunity to complete her secondary education. I want you to be proud of me, “she said.” And I want to do something for girls and women later on.”

In July 2005, the first group of scholarship students graduated from Tighassaline after completing three years of middle school. The aid organization is hoping to increase the number of girls benefiting from scholarships and to aid more girls like Souad to finish their schooling

COMPREHENSION: (15 POINTS)

BASE YOUR ANSWERS ON THE TEXT.

A .ARE THESE SENTENCES TRUE OR FALSE. JUSTIFT.( 3 pts)

1-Souad’s home was far from school.

..............................................................................................................

2 - Souad’s family was rich enough to support her education.

…………………………………………………………………………

3- Souad thinks that education has changed her personality.

B. ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS IN YOUR OWN WORDS. (2pts)

1- What help does the aid organization offer to the girls?

…………………………………………………………………………………

2- What did souad do when she finished middle school?

…………………………………………………………………………………

C- WHAT DO THE UNDERLINED WORDS IN THE TEXT REFER TO .( 3 pts)

1- There (pph 1)…………………………..

2- It: (pph 2)……………………………….

3- Their: (pph 6)………………………..

D- FIND IN THE TEXT WORDS OR EXPRESSIONS THET MEAN THE SAME AS: (2pts, 0.5 each)

1- Situated (pph 1):……………………………………..

2- Took the opportunity (pph 2):………………………………

3- Teach (pph 3):……………………………..

4- Help (pph 6):……………………………….

E-COMPLETE THESE SENTENSES IN YOUR OWN WORDS: (3 PTS)

1- Souad feels that she is very lucky because ………………………

2- Souad cried while ………………………………………………

3- One of the aims of the organization is trying to …………………………

F- WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING WOULD BE THE BEST TITLE FOR THE PASSAGE? (2pts)

1- A village in the middle Atlas

2- A successful school headmaster.

3- A rural student’s success story

Title :…………………………………………………………………

LANGUAGE (15 POINTS)

A - FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE APPROPRIATE WORD OR EXPRESSION FROM THE LIST (3pts)

1- My friend Kamal looks happy and satisfied today; he …………………. well on the test. (must have done , mustn’t have done , needn’t have done)

2- Kamal managed …………………………the test yesterday. (passes , pass , to pass)

3-Amazingly, he …………………………… despite his handicap. (is succeeding , has succeeded, will succeed)

B- MATCH THE WORDs THAT GO TOGETHER TO MAKE APPROPRIATE COLLOCATIONS (3 pts)

1- ……………………… 2-………………….… 3-…………..…………

C- REWRITE THE SENTENCES BEGINNING WITH THE WORDS GIVEN (3 pts)

1- John didn’t follow his father’s advice about high studies.

John wishes…………………………………………………………

2- “Do you know how to install an anti-virus?” The shop assistant asked Mike.

The shop assistant asked Mike ……………………………………………………………………..

3- Candidates must send their applications before the end of June.

The applications……………………………………………………

D. GIVE THE CORRECT FORM OF THE WORDS BETWEEN BRACKETS (3pts)

The Moroccan government has taken serious measures to reduce (illiterate)………………. among women. It also raises their (aware)……………………………..to the importance of education in human (develop)……………………..

E- JOIN THE PAIRS OF SENTENCES WITH THE LINKING WORDS GIVEN . MAKE ANY NECESSARY CHANGES (3pts).

1- Aziza learnt how to read and write. She learnt how to do business. (as well as)

………………………………………………………………………….

2- Michel worked hard in and out of school. That’s why he got excellent marks. (Because)

…………………………………………………………………………………

3- Adil worked in the evenings .he wanted to save money to buy a computer (in order to)

…………………………………………………………………………………

WRITING (10 points)

You saw a film you liked very much in the cinema, on TV, etc. Write a review of that film.

(Approximately 200 words)

Here are some suggestions to help you:

· Title of the film,

· When and where you saw it,

· Where it is set (place , time),

· Type of film (love story, detective story , thriller, science fiction, etc)

· Actors in the film , film director , etc

· The story , how it ended,

· Your reaction to the film