THE MOROCCAN BACCALAUREATE ENGLISH EXAM

THE MOROCCAN BACCALAUREATE ENGLISH EXAM

A fierce debate has erupted following the British government’s announcement that it is considering a ban on the use of mobile phones by all drivers. New legislation could outlaw the use of mobiles while at the wheel of any vehicle which has its engine running and that includes those stopped at traffic lights or in traffic jams.

Many drivers are unhappy. A mobile phone is useful if you are late for a meeting or an appointment. And chatting to a family member or friend passes the time, reduces your stress level and makes life more bearable if you are stuck in an endless tailback. It also greatly enhances your sense of security if you are out at night in unfamiliar surroundings. In short, losing the right to use a mobile phone while driving would be a blow to many sensible and responsible people.

The big question is : would such a measure save lives ? The answer is probably yes. Earlier this year, the Transport research Laboratory published the results of a detailed scientific study of reaction and stopping times of drivers in various states of distraction. Their findings were startling. It turned out that talking on a mobile is more dangerous than being just over the legal alcohol limit. Besides, hands-free kits are almost as bad because it is the conversation, rather than the handling of the phone that causes the distraction. Paper after paper added to the growing mountain of research support the idea that mobile phones and driving make a lethal* combination. A Canadian team reported that the risk of road accidents is higher in mobile phone users. But there are some who argue the dangers of in-car mobile phones are exaggerated.

Other researchers have dismissed the proposals as unnecessary. They claim that existing driving laws are sufficient and that, in any case, there are many other in-car distractions that are equally dangerous.

But the fact is that a mobile phone, in the wrong place, at the wrong time, can kill. More than 30 countries have already banned using one while driving. The UK used to be a world leader in road safety and our road accident death rate is one of the lowest in Europe as a result.

The mobile phone ban will happen one day. This is as inevitable as the drink driving or the seat belt laws which were fiercely criticise at the time by many drivers, politicians, and associations. Let parliament prepare a new law; banning mobiles while driving, and let’s implement it quickly. I believe the potential victims and their loved ones would approve, don’t you?

* Lethal: that can kill

I- COMPREHENSION:

BASE ALI YOUR ANSWERS ON THE TEXT

A/ ARE THESE SENTENCES TRUE OR FALSE? JUSTIFY: 3 pts

1. The British government has forbidden the use of phones while driving.

……………………………………………………………………


2. The Canadian team results confirmed those of the Transport Research laboratory.

……………………………………………………………………

3. Drivers strongly criticised the drink driving and seat belt laws before.

……………………………………………………………………


B/ ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS:

1. What was surprising in the results of the study of the Transport Research Laboratory?

……………………………………………………………………

2. How practical can the mobile phone be? Give two examples.

……………………………………………………………………

3. What is the writer’s attitude?

a. totally neutral

b. for (agrees with) the new legislation

c. against the government proposal.

C/ PICK OUT FROM THE TEXT EXPRESSIONS OR PHRASES WHICH SHOW THAT:

1. A hot discussion started in the UK (paragraph 1): ………………………

2. A mobile can be relaxing for drivers (paragraph 2): ……………………

3. The UK has fewer deadly road accidents (paragraph 5): ………………

D/ FIND IN THE TEXT PHRASES OR EXPRESSIONS THAT MEAN TGE SAME AS:

1. in the driving seat (paragraph 1): ……………………………

2. caught in a traffic jam (paragraph 2): ………………………

3. That shouldn’t be discussed (paragraph 6): …………………

E/ WHAT DO THE UNDERLINED WORDS IN THE TEXT REFER TO? ( WORDS IN BOLD TYPE AND ITALICS )

1. Measure: (paragraph 3)……………………………….

2. One: (paragraph 5)……………………………………

3. One: (paragraph 5)……………………………………

4. It: (paragraph 6) ………………………………………

LANGUAGE:

A/ MATCH THE WORDS THAT GO TOGETHER TO MAKE APPROPRIATE COLLOCATIONS:

COLUMN A

1. Population

2. Tourist

3. Family

4. Water

COLUMN B

a. target

b. code

c. growth

d. trade

e. pollution

1. ____ 2. ____ 3.____ 4. ____ .

B/ FILL IN THE BLANKS WITH THE APPROPRIATE WORDS FROM THE LIST:

budget / hazardous / recreation / enormous / outlaw / currency / accommodation / overcome

The Moroccan government is making ___________ efforts to provide decent ___________ for poor people by building low-priced apartment buildings. However, many people still complain that their family ___________ does not allow them to invest in such projects. I think that we have to work hard to ___________ this social problem.

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

1. The dispute between the two neighbours was settled by an (agree) ___________ that satisfied both parties.

2. Many African countries have been suffering from severe (dry) ___________ for many years.

D/ PUT THE VERBS IN BRACKETS IN THE CORRECT TENSE:

I (have) …………………… this mobile phone for about a year. In fact, my father gave it to me as a present on my last birthday. It is a pity my mother (not attend) ………………….. the birthday party. I am sure if she (be) ………….. at home with us,(buy)……………. me a very watch.



E/ JOIN THE FOLLOWING PAIRS OF SENTENCES USING THE APPROPRIATE RELATIVE PRONOUNS.

who / whose / where / when

1. The police have already started penalizing drivers. The drivers’ seat belts are not fastened.

………………………………………………………………………………

2. The Safety Road Committee hasn’t agreed on the date. The new regulations should be implemented.

WRITING:

Some people think that leisure activities are a waste of time. Write an essay (of approximately 250 words) about the role of recreational activities in our life. Give examples to support your point of view.