THE MOROCCAN BACCALAUREATE ENGLISH EXAM

THE MOROCCAN BACCALAUREATE ENGLISH EXAM

Do you want to be healthier and live longer, spend time with your friends! That is the prescription given by several medical studies. These surveys show that people with strong social ties to friends, family, loved ones and even pets, live longer and enjoy better health than lonely people.

One study in California, for example, followed 7.000 people over a period of nine years.The subjects were asked to describe their social ties. Some said that they were isolated from others. These subjects had death rates two or three times higher than people with families and friends.

The stronger the social ties to others, the study found the lower the death rates. This pattern held true for men and women, young and old, rich and poor .the race of the subject did not change the result. It also applied to people with different lifestyles. Cigarette smokers who had friends lived longer than friendless smokers. Joggers involved with other people lived longer than joggers who lived isolated lives. Married men and women tend to live longer than single, divorced or widowed people of the same age.

Why is it healthier to have friends and loved one? We do not know exactly. However, it is probably a combination of several explanations. In part, people with strong social ties may simply have more to life for, they have loved once or family who share their lives. They have friends who call them and ask how they are doing .They have get- togethers to look forward to.

Social contacts also provide us with a protection against the shocks of life. At some point, each of us moves, changes a job, or loses a loved one. Such abrupt changes tend to cause increases in the rate of many diseases. These include heart disease, cancer, strokes and mental illnesses. Accidents are more likely to happen to people whose lives have suddenly changed. Friends loved ones. Even a loyal dog can help us to get through changes that we must deal with in life.

Finally, friends and loved ones can affect our health in still another way. If we are smokers, they may help us to quit. If we overeat, they may urge us to cut back. They can remind us to go for medical check – ups. And if we have fears or sadness bottled up inside us, friends can help us face and overcome them. By caring for us, in other words, friends and family help us are for ourselves. Close human ties make life not only fuller, but also longer. Caring for others and being cared for by them, is literally a healthier way to live.

COMPREHENSION

BASE YOUR ANSWERS ON THE TEXT

A- CHOOSE THE APPROPRIATE ANSWER FROM THE LIST GIVEN:

1- THIS TEXT IS MOST PROBABLY TAKEN FROM:

a) An encyclopaedia

b) A women’s magazine

c) A novel

d) A business paper

2- THE PURPOSE OF THE WRITER IS TO:

a) Advise people on how to make friends.

b) Describe different lifestyles in the western world

c) Show the importance of family and friends.

d) Criticize the results of the research.

B- MATCH THESE MAIN IDEAS WITH THE CORRESPONDING PARAGRAPHS:

1- There are more deaths in the category of people who live alone = Paragraph ____

2- Friends and family help us overcome the difficult phases of life. = Paragraph ____

C- FILL IN WITH THE APPROPRIATE INFORMATION:

Causes = People get married. Effects = 1…………………………………….

Causes = 2……………………… Effects = They help us care for ourselves

D – ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

1- How long did the research last?

……………………………………………………………………….

2- What category is most exposed to health accidents according to the writer?

……………………………………………………………………….

3- How can friends influence our bad eating habits?

……………………………………………………………………….


E- FIND IN THE TEXT WORDS OR EXPRESSIONS WHICH MEAN THE SAME AS:( WORDS IN BOLD TYPE AND ITALICS )

1- It (paragraph 3)………………………………………..

2- Them ( paragraph 6)……………………………………..

LANGUAGE:

A- A- REWRITE THE FOLLOWING SENETENCES BEGINNING WITH THE WORDS

GIVEN

1- The new secretary was laid off because she didn’t do her job well.

If………………………………………………………..

2- You will be fit if you exercise a lot.

The ……………………………….the………………………………..

B- PUT THE VERBS BETWEEN BRACKETS IN THE CORRECT TENSE:

1- By the end of next July, I (complete)……………….my secondary school education.

2- I’m really tired now. If only I (not have)…………………………….… to work today.

C- FILL IN THE BLANK WITH AN APPROPRIATE WORD FROM THE LIST:

Prejudiced - Multiracial – minority – ethnic

France is now………………….society. Many …………………….groups have come to settle there. The Moroccan immigrants in France form a …………………. compared to the rest. However a few people are ……………………… against them.

D. GIVE THE CORRECT FORM OF THE WORDS BETWEEN BRACKETS:

1. According to (legal)………………the use of the seat belt is compulsory both inside and outside cities.

2. The (deny)…………………………of human rights is one of the causes of underdevelopment.

Writing:

A large number of Moroccan people have emigrated to Europe or America.

Write and article to your school magazine stating the reasons why people emigrated and listing the problems they may face in the host country.