Anglais

Baccalauréat de l'enseignement général

Madagascar

Session 2010

 

 

TEXT :                                              MARRIAGE AND FAMILY

           

            The family is the cornerstone of traditional African society. Marriage is much more than a union between two people. It builds and strengthens ties between families.

            The visiting and celebrating during Wambui and Jomo’s wedding will continue for eight days. On the eighth day, Wambui officially becomes a member of her husband’s family. Jomo’s family celebrates the addition of Wambui to their family group and the linking of the two families.

            In some African societies a marriage like the one between Wambui and Jomo would be an arranged marriage. In this type of marriage, parents decide whom their children will marry. Even in places where most marriages are arranged, some people will make their own choice of marriage partners.

            In traditional African societies, marriages may include the giving of money, goods, cattle or services by the husband to his new wife’s family. This gift, called bridewealth, is usually given before the marriage to show that the groom is serious about marrying the bride and that he has the resources to support her. The payment also acknowledges that the bride’s family is losing a valuable worker that the husband’s family is gaining.

Africa, Asia and Pacific Realm, North Carolina

State University, 1998, pp.60-61

 

QUESTIONS

 

A - Reading comprehension:                           (7 points)

I -   Find in the text                                                                                                                   (1pt)   

1- a word meaning “newly married woman”                                                                         

2- the opposite of “weakens’

 

II – TRUE, FALSE or ING (Information Not Given)

Justify if true or false.                                                                                                       (1pt)

1) Wambui’s introduction to Jomo’s family is also celebrated during their wedding.

            2)  It is Wambui who decided to marry Jomo.

 

III –  Choose the one best answer                                                                                          (1pt)

Bridewealth is given by the husband:

a)     to honour the new wife’s family.

b)     to show that he is rich.

c)as a sign of seriousness of the marriage.

d)     as a value of the new life.

 

IV- Complete each blank with one word from the text:                                                        (1pt)

1)      There isn’t much difference ……………… a state university and a private one.

2)      Fashion often makes young people spend a lot of ……………………. .

 

V- Re-order the following ideas according to the order they appear in the text                                     (1pt)

1)      Wambui is officially introduced to Jomo’s family after a traditional ceremony.

2)      A gift called bridewealth is given by the husband to the new wife’s family before the marriage.

3)      Marriage creates links between families.

4)      Arranged marriage is typical in some African societies.

 

VI – Answer the following questions:                                                                                               (2pts)

1)      What is an arranged marriage?

2)      Do you agree on it? Why or why not?

 

B - GRAMMAR IN USE:                                (2 points)

       Fill in each blank with a grammatical item:                                                                         

            I am 13 and I don’t seem to be able to quit smoking.  ………(1)……….. parents don’t know, ……(2)….. I can’t really talk ……(3)…..   them about it. I ………(4)……….. tried to give ………(5)………, …………(6)……..I ‘m still smoking about five ……(7)……. day. I don’t know ……(8)…….. to stop. Can you help?

 

C -  INDIRECT TEST OF SPEAKING:           (4 points)

I. -  Match the utterances in column A with the functions in B                                     (1 pt )

 

COLUMN A			COLUMN B
1 – The way I see it, scientists disappoint us.   2 – I’ve got two tickets for the concert. Would you like to come? 3-  Please, forgive me. I didn’t mean to do it.   4- I’ve got a terrible headache and I feel shivery.			a- Apologizing. b – Describing illness. c – Giving opinion. d -  Complaining.  e- Inviting someone. f- Requesting.

 

 II. Complete the following dialogue                                                                                (3 pts)

            Shop assistant : Good afternoon, Madam …………………………………………..?

            Customer : I’d like a pair of walking shoes for my daughter here.

            Assistant: Yes, Madam. ………………………………………….? 

            Customer: Dark-blue ones, size 37.

      (A short time later)

Assistant: …………………. You can try them on.

Customer: Thank you. ………………………………………………..?

Assistant: Fifty thousand Ar.

Customer: Haven’t you got any cheaper ones?

Assistant: ……………. but they are the last ones we’ve got in stock. …………………… a pair of trainers? They’re also suitable for walking.

 

D – Writing:                                                   ( 7 points)

“Education is the basis of development.” Discuss. (In about 120 words).