Baccalaureate English National Exam Humanities July 2011: practise the full Moroccan national English exam for the Humanities stream, session July 2011, with interactive questions, instant checking, an answer key and a free PDF with answers. For official information about national exams, visit the Moroccan Ministry of National Education.
Table of Contents
- Practice the exam online
- Answer key (Reading, Language and Writing)
- Exam tips and key vocabulary
- More Baccalaureate English national exams
Baccalaureate English National Exam Humanities July 2011: Interactive Practice
English National Exam — Humanities July 2011
Interactive practice: Reading (15 pts) · Language (15 pts) · Writing (10 pts)
[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 marginalised 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 marginalisation. 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 organises 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.
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?
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:
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)
may · have · must
1. We be at the bus stop at 08:00 if we don’t want to miss the bus.
leave · be leaving · have left
2. I can’t find my car keys. I must them at home.
to give · giving · give
3. Don’t forget me a call when you get home.
which · whose · who
4. The man phoned yesterday didn’t give his name.
D. Rewrite the sentences beginning with the words given. (3 pts)
They will build a new hospital in the city.
A new hospital
I had a bad mark at the test because I didn’t prepare well.
If I
“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 a terrible pain in my leg. (Ask for advice) …?
Your friend: Well, (give advice) …
You: Yes, you’re right.
Writing: Reply to Robert’s email. (10 pts)
You have received an 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. Robert”
Write an email to Robert and give him the information he asks for. (Approximately 250 words)
Answer key: Reading, Language and Writing
Reading
A. Are these sentences true or false? Justify. (3 pts)
- False. “By 2030, old people will have made up 15% of the Moroccan population, rising from 2.5 million to 8 million.” (paragraph 1)
- True. “We’re seeing problems which never existed in the past. Indeed, it was rare for elderly people to be rejected.” (paragraph 3)
- False. “It is becoming more difficult for young people to continue to support their elders.” (paragraph 5)
B. Answer the following questions. (4 pts)
- More aging citizens will end up on the streets.
- Because health problems prevented him from supporting himself.
- They used to take good care of them.
- For 32 years (since her husband died).
C. Pick out from the text expressions or phrases which show that: (2 pts)
- “He no longer receives any news from his two children, who emigrated to France 25 years ago.” (paragraph 2)
- “Her eight children, who live in different towns and cities.” (paragraph 4)
D. Find in the text words that mean almost the same as: (3 pts)
- elderly
- impact
- collaborate
E. What do the underlined words in the text refer to? (3 pts)
- Elderly people
- Hnia
- Young people
Language
A. Fill in each gap with the appropriate phrasal verb from the list. (2 pts)
take up · find out · stand for · show up
B. Give the correct form of the words between brackets. (2 pts)
criticize · assistance
C. Fill in each gap with an appropriate word or phrase from the list. (4 pts)
- must
- have left
- to give
- who
D. Rewrite the sentences beginning with the words given. (3 pts)
- A new hospital will be built in the city.
- If I had prepared well, I wouldn’t have had a bad mark.
- The woman wanted to know where she could find a gas station.
E. Fill in each gap with the appropriate word or phrase from the list. (2 pts)
- also
- because of
F. Complete the following conversation appropriately. (2 pts)
You: What do you think I should do? / What would you advise me to do?
Your friend: You should see a doctor. / You’d better take a rest and see a doctor.
Writing
Writing: Reply to Robert’s email. (10 pts)
Dear Robert,
Thank you for your email. I am delighted that you will visit Morocco this summer. Here is some information that will help you.
First, there are many interesting places to visit. In Marrakech you can see Jemaa el-Fna Square and the Majorelle Garden. Fez has the oldest medina in the country, and Chefchaouen is a beautiful blue city in the mountains. If you like the sea, you can go to Essaouira or Agadir.
As for food, you must try couscous on Friday, tagine with vegetables and meat, and pastilla. Do not forget to drink Moroccan mint tea.
Finally, wear light clothes because it is hot in summer, and bring a hat and sunglasses. I am sure you will enjoy your stay.
Best wishes,
Amine
Download the full exam (Reading, Language and Writing) with the answers as a PDF.
Source: Moroccan Baccalaureate English National Exam, Humanities, July 2011 session. The score counts only the questions that can be checked automatically; open answers (chart, sentences, dialogues, writing) are for self-checking against the model answers. More than one correct answer is often possible.
Exam Tips and Key Vocabulary
What this exam tests
The reading text of the July 2011 Humanities exam is about elderly people in Morocco and the problems they face. The paper tests Reading, Language and Writing, so read the text twice before answering and base every answer on the text.
Key vocabulary from the text
- elderly: مسنّ
- solitude: عزلة
- marginalisation: تهميش
- wander: يتجول بلا هدف
- beg: يتسول
- impact: تأثير
- solidarity: تضامن
- collaborate: يتعاون
- support network: شبكة دعم
- spoiled: مدلّل
Grammar points in this exam
- Phrasal verbs (take up, find out, stand for, show up)
- Word formation (criticize, assistance)
- Modals of deduction and obligation, infinitive and relative pronouns
- Passive voice, third conditional and reported questions
- Linking words and asking for / giving advice
Revise these structures: the Language section of this exam is built on them.
Writing tips
The writing task asks you to reply to Robert’s email. Thank him, then give information about places to visit, food to try and practical advice for his stay.
FAQ
Where can I download this exam with answers?
Use the download button under the exam: the PDF contains the original exam pages and a one-page answer key.
Are the answers on this page official?
No. They are model answers written for practice; any appropriate answer is accepted.
