Baccalaureate National Exam 2014 July Sciences

Baccalaureate National Exam 2014 July Sciences

[1] Brain drain is a major problem facing developing countries like Morocco. The opportunities offered by new information technologies in Western countries have attracted waves of Moroccan computer science graduates. They go there in search of higher salaries or better working conditions.

[2] In 1986, Dr. Mehdi ElMandjra, the Moroccan researcher who used to work as Deputy Director of UNESCO in human and social sciences, warned against the negative impacts of brain migration on the development of Morocco. In his book Premiere Guerre Civilisationnelle (1991), he mentioned that more than 700 Moroccan researchers at the doctoral level work for Le Centre National de Recherche Scientifique (CNRS). Morocco, however, has not benefited from their expertise although the cost of educating each of them is about one million dirhams.

[3] On his part, Professor Khalid El Hariry, the president of the Moroccan Federation of
Information Technology, says that since 1999, the number of Moroccan immigrants abroad has noticeably increased. Nearly 60% of the students who graduated from L ‘Institut National des Postes et Telecommunications (INPT) left Morocco in 2000.

[4] Ahmed Akartit, an engineer in a mobile phone company in Rabat, said: “The technology
experts left Morocco as salaries here reach a maximum of $800 a month. In Europe, these
engineers will receive salaries ten times higher than what Moroccan private or public firms can offer them.” The Moroccan government argues that it cannot increase salaries at a time it has to reduce the high rate of unemployment.

[5] Conversely, Morocco wants its citizens living abroad to come back although their money
transfers are the second source of foreign currency after tourism. But many expatriates in Europe say they have worked hard to build a successful career and returning home would be risky and uncertain.

[6] Ahmed Najm, an economist, stressed the need for Morocco to care for its experts and grant more importance to scientific research. Otherwise, the country will be out of the race. “Morocco cannot benefit from its human potential unless it takes full advantage of existing opportunities to develop science and technology,” he said

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

A. CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER. (2 pts)

The text is mainly about brain drain as:

a. a new phenomenon in Morocco

b. a challenge to Morocco

c. a financial gain for Morocco

The best answer is: . . . . . . .

B. ARE THESE SENTENCES TRUE OR FALSE. JUSTIFY. (2 pts)

1. Ahmed Akartit is a Moroccan immigrant.

2. Moroccan private or public firms offer the same salaries as the European ones.

C. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS. (3 pts )

1. What did Dr. ElMandjra warn against?

2. How much does it cost to educate a Moroccan researcher according to Dr. ElMandjra?

3. Why do many Moroccan immigrants hesitate to return to their country?

D. COMPLETE THESE SENTENCES. (2 pts)

1. The Moroccan government cannot increase salaries as ……..

2. In Najm’s view, Morocco will benefit from its experts if it………

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

1. he (paragraph 2): . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2. them (paragraph 4): . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3. the country (paragraph 6) : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F. FIND WORDS IN THE TEXT WHICH MEAN THE SAME AS: (3 pts )

1. big numbers (paragraph 1) : . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2. skill and knowledge (paragraph 2 ) : . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3. give (paragraph 6) : . . . . . . . . . .

II. GRAMMAR (15 pts)

A- FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE APPROPRIATE WORDS FROM THE LIST (2 pts)

Bringing – paying – taking – having – looking

1. Judy is……………… Forward to her sister’s marriage ceremony.
2. The kids are……………………a lot of fun in the zoo

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

1. If you need any (clarify)………………………… please ask the librarian.
2. Hassan El Fad has acted in many (humor)…………………. sitcoms.

C- FILL IN EACH GAP WITH AN APPROPRIATE WORD FROM THE LIST. (2 pts)

where – whose – who – which – when

1. I can’t remember……………………..received the Noble Prize in physics last year.
2. The Souss valley in Morocco is the area…………………….…… Argan trees grow

D- REWRITE THE SENTENCES AS INDICATED. (3 pts)

1. “I will take the tram to work,” Youssef said.
   Youssef said……………………
2. Candidates mustn’t use mobile phones during the exam.
   Mobile phones………………………
3. Badr didn’t get a bank loan; so he wasn’t able to set up his business
   If Badr…………………………

E- FILL IN THE BLANKS WITH THE CORRECT WORDS FROM THE LIST (2 pts)

1. You……………………carry this suitcase; the porter will take care of it

Needn’t – couldn’t – wouldn’t

2. Oliver enjoys……………………….to rap music

To listen – listen – listening

F- MATCH EACH EXPRESSION WITH ITS APPROPRIATE FUNCTION. (4 pts)

1. What about creating a new blog?
2. Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you.
3. Although video games are exciting, they may be harmful to children.
4. Many natural disasters are the result of climate change.

a. cause and effect
b. suggesting
c. apologizing
d. concession

WRITING (10 pts)

Write an article for a health magazine about the advantages and disadvantages of using bicycles as a means of transport

These cues may help you.

Advantages

• inexpensive means of transport
• good for health
• protects the environment.

Disadvantages

• not practical in bad weather
• may not be safe on busy roads
• not practical for a long distance

Key Answers to Baccalaureate National Exam 2014 July Sciences