Baccalaureate National Exam 2011 July Humanities

Baccalaureate National Exam 2011 July Humanities

[1] The number of elderly people is constantly growing in Morocco. By 2030, old people will have made up 15% of the Moroccan population, rising from 2.5 million to 8 million. Government officials and social activists say that actions to protect these marginalized people must intensify. Otherwise, more aging citizens will end up on the streets.

[2] Ba Mohamed, aged 70, once lived with a loving family. Now, he wanders the streets of Rabat every day, suffering from solitude and marginalization. He no longer receives any news from his two children, who emigrated to France 25 years ago. After the death of his wife, Ba Mohamed continued performing seasonal work, until health problems prevented him from supporting himself. Without financial resources or help from family members, he ended up begging in the streets.

[3] Sociologist Naïma Bichri says, “We’re seeing problems which never existed in the past. Indeed, it was rare for elderly people to be rejected. Their families used to take good care of them. But this habit is dying out more and more”. Nevertheless, it is important to remember that this is not the case for all families because many of them are still happy to look after their parents and grandparents.

[4] Hnia, in her eighties, has been living with her children since her husband died 32 years ago. She organizes her own schedule of visits to stay with her eight children, who live in different towns and cities. “When I’m bored staying with one of them, I phone one of the others to come and collect me immediately. Whenever I’m sick, my sons pay for my treatment. I feel spoiled even if my daughters-in-law irritate me,” she says with a broad smile.

[5] Bichri thinks that social and economic changes have had a negative impact on social solidarity. It is becoming more difficult for young people to continue to support their elders, even if they want to, because of unemployment and the high cost of living. She argues that the government and civil society should work together to find solutions to help families and provide resources.

[6] One possible solution is that families can collaborate as part of a support network. Samira Tamiri of the ‘Together for a Better Future’ association feels that a family network could effectively help in dealing with problems facing senior citizens. Indeed, government officials are focusing on helping families to take care of their elderly.

I. COMPREHENSION (15 POINTS) BASE ALL YOUR ANSWERS ON THE TEXT

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

1. There are 8 million old people in Morocco now.

2. According to Bichri, neglecting old people is a new problem in Morocco.

3. According to Bichri, it is easy for many young people to help their elders.

B. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS. (4 pts)

1. What may happen to old people if the government doesn’t help them?

2. Why did Ba Mohamed stop working?

3. How did families treat their elderly in the past?

4. How long has Hnia been living with her children?

A. C. PICK OUT FROM THE TEXT EXPRESSIONS OR PHRASES WHICH SHOW THAT: (2 pts)

1. Ba Mohamed’s children have abandoned him.

2. Hnia has a large family

D. FIND IN THE TEXT WORDS THAT MEAN ALMOST THE SAME AS. (3 pts)

1. old (paragraph 1) …………

2. effect (paragraph 5) ………

3. work together (paragraph 6) …………

E. WHAT DO THE UNDERLINED WORDS IN THE TEXT REFER TO? (3 pts)

1. them: ………

2. I: ……………

3. they: ………

II. LANGUAGE (15 POINTS)

A. FILL IN EACH GAP WITH THE APPROPRIATE PHRASAL VERB FROM THE LIST. (2 pts)

show up – find out – set off – make up – stand for – go through – take up – catch up

1. Ali: I will probably ………………Spanish at the university.

Jason: Good idea! You’ll soon ………………. that it is easier than French.

2. Leila: What does UN …………………..?

Susan: United Nations, I think.

3. I waited for the guests for two hours but they didn’t …………………..

B. GIVE THE CORRECT FORM OF THE WORDS BETWEEN BRACKETS. (2 pts)

1. Some people (criticism) ……………….. the government’s actions against corruption.

2. Many children can use computers without adult (assist) ………………..

C. FILL IN EACH GAP WITH AN APPROPRIATE WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE LIST. (4 pts)

1. We ……………. be at the bus stop at 08:00 if we don’t want to miss the bus.

may – have – must

2. I can’t find my car keys. I must…………. ………………. them at home.

leave – be leaving – have left

3. Don’t forget ………………….. me a call when you get home.

to give – giving – give

4. The man ……….. phoned yesterday didn’t give his name.

which – whose – who

D. REWRITE THE SENTENCES BEGINNING WITH THE WORDS GIVEN. (3 pts)

1. They will build a new hospital in the city.

A new hospital .…………

2. I had a bad mark on the test because I didn’t prepare well.

If I ………………………

3. “Where can I find a gas station?” The woman asked.

The woman wanted to know ………………

E. FILL IN EACH GAP WITH THE APPROPRIATE WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE LIST. ( 2 pts)

in addition to – in spite of – because of – although – also

1. Kids can use computers to learn, play games, or surf the Net. They can ……. use them to

communicate with the outside world.

2. Many Moroccan families have returned to Morocco from Libya …………………. the conflict

there.

F. COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CONVERSATION APPROPRIATELY. (2 pts)

Your friend: You look so tired. What’s the matter?

You: I have terrible pain in my leg (Ask for advice) …………………..?

Your friend: Well. (Give advice)……………

You: Yes, you’re right.

III. WRITING (10 POINTS)

You have received the following email from your friend Robert.

Dear friend,
How are you? I’m planning to visit Morocco this summer. I will probably stay there for ten days. As I don’t know much about Morocco, I would be thankful if you could send me details about interesting places to visit, sights to see, typical Moroccan food to try... and anything that would make my stay enjoyable.
Thank you very much.

Write an email to Robert and give him the information he asks for.

(Approximately 250 words)

Key Answers to Baccalaureate National Exam 2011 July Humanities