Baccalaureate English National Exam Humanities June 2013: practise the full Moroccan national English exam for the Humanities stream, session June 2013, 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 June 2013: Interactive Practice
English National Exam — Humanities June 2013
Interactive practice: Reading (15 pts) · Language (15 pts) · Writing (10 pts)
THE WOMAN BEHIND HARRY POTTER
[1] Joanne K. Rowling is one of the most popular modern writers. She is famous for writing the Harry Potter series, which have gained international attention and have won many prizes. Besides, she has recently published a book for adults named ‘The Casual Vacancy’.
[2] Rowling was born in England in 1965. During her childhood she was always interested in writing stories, and she used to narrate stories to her younger sister, Diane. Rowling studied French at university and got a degree in 1986. After graduation she worked as a secretary for a while, but she quitted as she wasn’t happy with her job. Later, she moved to Portugal to teach English. While there, she got married with a Portuguese TV journalist in 1992. Shortly after the birth of her daughter, Jessica, the marriage ended in divorce.
[3] Rowling then joined her sister in Edinburgh, Scotland, where she started writing her first book. At that time, she was going through difficult times. She was unemployed and lived on state benefits. she also had to take care of her baby while pursuing writing. In fact, she completed her first novel in different cafés, accompanied by her baby.
[4] For Rowling, success didn’t come easily. Her first work was turned down by many publishers. However, she managed to find one to publish “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” and a success story began! Copies of the book were sold in millions. Actually, she didn’t expect such a success. She said,” I thought I’d written something that a handful of people might quite like. So this has been something of a shock”.
[5] The Harry Potter seven books have won multiple awards, including ‘The British Book Awards, Children’s Book of the Year’ and the ‘Smarties Prize’. In addition, they have sold more than 400 million copies and have been translated into over 60 languages. They have also been made into films. Furthermore, her last four books are the fastest-selling books in history.
[6] Thanks to the books, films and products bearing Harry Potter images, Rowling has become one of the richest people in the world. Indeed, she is considered the first person to become a multi-millionaire from writing books. She is also known as a strong financial supporter of many associations, NGOs and charities. But above all, she is credited with getting an entire generation of children interested in reading again. In 2010, she was named the “Most Influential Woman in Britain”.
A. Fill in the chart with information from the text. (3 pts)
| Dates | Events |
|---|---|
| J.K. Rowling was born | |
| Rowling got married |
B. Are these sentences true or false? Justify. (4 pts)
1. Rowling has never written any books for adults.
2. Rowling enjoyed working as a secretary.
3. Rowling’s marriage wasn’t successful.
4. Rowling is a generous woman.
C. Answer these questions. (3 pts)
1. What problem did Rowling have with her first book?
2. What awards has she won for her books? (Give two examples)
3. How has Rowling become a multi-millionaire?
D. Find in the text words or phrases that mean the same as: (2 pts)
1. look after (paragraph 3):
2. a small number (paragraph 4):
E. What do the underlined words in the text refer to? (3 pts)
1. there (paragraph 2):
2. the book (paragraph 4):
3. they (paragraph 5):
A. Fill in each gap with an appropriate word or expression from the list. (2 pts)
might have · would have · will have
1. Rachid can’t find his mobile phone. He left it in his father’s car.
whose · who · whom
2. Doctors say that people eat a lot of fruit and vegetables remain healthy.
B. Rewrite the sentences beginning with the words given. (3 pts)
“I’ll buy you a laptop after the exams,” my father said.
My father promised that
They have published a new report on divorce rate in The Times magazine.
A new report on divorce rate
Bouchra and her husband don’t have enough money. They can’t move to a new apartment.
If
C. Put the verbs between brackets in the correct tense. (2 pts)
Chorouk (start) singing three years ago. Since then, she has participated in many competitions. By the end of next year she (release) her first video clip.
D. Fill in each gap with the correct phrasal verb from the list. (2 pts)
make up · bring about · go through · turn down · keep on
1. Connecting schools to the internet will certainly important changes in education.
2. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. Just working,” the teacher said.
E. Give the correct form of the words between brackets. (2 pts)
Samir: How can I get (a member) to join the club?
Secretary: Just fill in this form with (person) information and pay the fees.
F. Join the following pairs of sentences with the words given. (2 pts)
The students planted many trees. They cleaned all the classrooms, too. (not only … but also)
1.
Our local association is very active. Our neighborhood is clean and safe. (because)
2.
G. Write appropriate responses to the following situations. (2 pts)
1. You didn’t bring your textbook to class today. Apologise to your teacher and give a reason.
You: …
2. You need a mobile to call your parents. Make a request to your friend.
You: …
Writing: Reply to an email about your high school experience. (10 pts)
This is a part of an email you received from your English friend: “In general, my school experience in high school was very beneficial. I’ve made many friends. I enjoyed all my classes, especially English. Our basketball team won two tournaments. I went to three excursions. Our citizenship club was very active. What about your experience? Was it all good?”
Write a reply in which you tell about your experience in high school.
Answer key: Reading, Language and Writing
Reading
A. Fill in the chart with information from the text. (3 pts)
1965 → J.K. Rowling was born.
1992 → Rowling got married (to a Portuguese TV journalist).
B. Are these sentences true or false? Justify. (4 pts)
- False. “She has recently published a book for adults named ‘The Casual Vacancy’.” (paragraph 1)
- False. “She quitted as she wasn’t happy with her job.” (paragraph 2)
- True. “Shortly after the birth of her daughter, Jessica, the marriage ended in divorce.” (paragraph 2)
- True. “She is also known as a strong financial supporter of many associations, NGOs and charities.” (paragraph 6)
C. Answer these questions. (3 pts)
- It was turned down by many publishers.
- The British Book Awards, Children’s Book of the Year, and the Smarties Prize.
- Thanks to the books, films and products bearing Harry Potter images.
D. Find in the text words or phrases that mean the same as: (2 pts)
- take care of
- a handful (of)
E. What do the underlined words in the text refer to? (3 pts)
- Portugal
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
- The Harry Potter (seven) books
Language
A. Fill in each gap with an appropriate word or expression from the list. (2 pts)
- might have
- who
B. Rewrite the sentences beginning with the words given. (3 pts)
- My father promised that he would buy me a laptop after the exams.
- A new report on divorce rate has been published in The Times magazine.
- If Bouchra and her husband had enough money, they could move to a new apartment.
C. Put the verbs between brackets in the correct tense. (2 pts)
started · will have released
D. Fill in each gap with the correct phrasal verb from the list. (2 pts)
- bring about
- keep on
E. Give the correct form of the words between brackets. (2 pts)
membership · personal
F. Join the following pairs of sentences with the words given. (2 pts)
- The students not only planted many trees but also cleaned all the classrooms.
- Our neighborhood is clean and safe because our local association is very active.
G. Write appropriate responses to the following situations. (2 pts)
- I’m very sorry, sir. I forgot it at home because I was in a hurry this morning.
- Could you lend me your mobile, please? I need to call my parents.
Writing
Writing: Reply to an email about your high school experience. (10 pts)
Dear Emma,
Thank you for your email. I was glad to hear about your school experience. Mine was good too, but not perfect.
First, I made good friends and I enjoyed my classes, especially English and history. Second, I took part in the school drama club and we performed a play at the end of the year. I also went on two excursions that I will never forget.
However, there were some difficulties. I found the exams stressful, and I sometimes had too much homework. Despite that, I think high school taught me to be patient and to work hard.
Write soon and tell me about your plans after high school.
Best wishes,
Yassine
Download the full exam (Reading, Language and Writing) with the answers as a PDF.
Source: Moroccan Baccalaureate English National Exam, Humanities, June 2013 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 June 2013 Humanities exam is about J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter books. 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
- series: سلسلة
- publish: ينشر
- turn down: يرفض
- handful: قلة قليلة
- unemployed: عاطل
- award: جائزة
- translate: يترجم
- generous: كريم
- influential: مؤثر
- benefit: إعانة / منفعة
Grammar points in this exam
- Modals of deduction (might have) and relative pronoun who
- Reported speech, passive voice and second conditional
- Past simple and future perfect
- Phrasal verbs (bring about, keep on)
- Word formation (membership, personal), linking words and language functions
Revise these structures: the Language section of this exam is built on them.
Writing tips
The writing task asks you to reply to a friend’s email about your experience in high school. Thank your friend, talk about the good and the difficult parts, and answer the question “Was it all good?”
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.
