English

Class: BAC

Exam 2

Teacher’s name: Khouloud Bensmida

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English
I. READING COMPREHENSION (12 marks)

(1) Smoking is the most important and preventable cause of morbidity and premature mortality
in the developed and developing world. The overall smoking rate in the United States has
slowly diminished over the past four decades, transforming the habit from a cultural cen-
terpiece to a target of social exclusion. Several states have taken bold action to protect res-
idents from the well-known and extensively documented adverse effects of using tobacco
products. Since smoking regulations are a local affair, significant variability exists from
state to state, with smoking prevalence rates ranging from a high of nearly 30 percent in
Kentucky and West Virginia to lows of below 13 percent in California and 10 percent in
Utah.

(2) However, despite extensive efforts to curb smoking in the United States and parts of the
European Union, the cigarette industry is still flourishing in other regions of the globe.
Worldwide, between 80,000 and 100,000 kids start smoking every day. Approximately one
quarter of children alive in the Asian Pacific Region will die from smoking. These sobering
numbers are not just the problem of our international neighbors; rather, they directly impact
the U.S. health care system, given the rising numbers of immigrants entering the United
States each year.

(3) Fifty percent of smokers die of a smoking-related disease, and their life expectancy is re-
duced by as much as 15-20 years. Before the advent of widespread tobacco use in World
War II, lung cancer was rare. Now, it is estimated that over 85 percent of all lung cancer is
tobacco related. While most people recognize that smoking is highly destructive for their
lungs, many have yet to come to terms with how smoking affects the rest of the body. Dam-
age to one’s skin, mouth, hands, feet, respiratory system, heart, bones, and reproductive
system becomes readily evident in long-time smokers.

STATE OF THE ART AND SCIENCE

JAN 2011

Edward D. Gometz

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English
Comprehension questions (12 marks)

1. Tick the appropriate option (1 mark)

The text is mainly about:

a. The worldwide influence of smoking on illness and death rates.

b. Measures taken to decrease smoking in the United States.

c. The effects of smoking

2. For each statement below, pick out one detail from the text showing that it is
false: (3 marks)
- Smoking regulations are implemented uniformly across all states in the United States
(P1)
_____________________________________________________________________
- The cigarette industry continues to decline in other regions of the globe. (P2)
_____________________________________________________________________
- The prevalence of lung cancer has always been significantly high. (P3)
_____________________________________________________________________
3. Complete the following paragraph with three words from paragraphs 1 and 3.
One word per blank. (3 marks)
Smoking-related diseases cause significant ___________, with half of smokers dying from
related illnesses and reduced life _________ by up to 15-20 years. Long-term smoking only
increases the risk of _______ cancer.

4. What do the underlined words in the text refer to? (2 marks)

They (P2): __________

Their (P3): __________

5. Find words in the text having nearly the same meaning as: (2 marks)
Harmful (P1): __________
Affect (P2) : __________

6. Give a personal and justified answer to the following question:

Many smokers do not quit despite knowing what the effects are. If your friend or family mem-
ber were a smoker, would you advise them to quit? Why? Why not?
_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

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English
I. Writing (12 marks)
1. Use the information in the table below to write a four-line biography about
Marie Curie.
Date of Birth November 7, 1867
Country Warsaw, Poland
Achievements -First woman/professor/ University of Paris
-The first woman /win / Nobel Prize.
-Two Nobel Prizes in different scientific fields (Physics in 1903, and Chemistry in
1911.)
Date of Death July 4, 1934

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Marie Curie, born on November 7, 1867, in Warsaw, Poland, made history as the first

woman to become a professor at the University of Paris and the first woman to win a

Nobel Prize. Remarkably, she earned two Nobel Prizes in distinct scientific fields, receiv-

ing the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 and the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1911. Marie

Curie passed away on July 4, 1934, leaving an indelible mark on the scientific community.

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English
2. An increasing number of talented young individuals opt to relocate abroad in search of en-
hanced prospects, while others opt to pursue careers within their own nations. Which of these
choices do you favor?

Write a 12-line article expressing your opinion and supporting it with sound arguments.

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

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English
Embracing Brain Gain

In an era of increasing globalization, the decision between relocating abroad for enhanced
prospects and staying to pursue careers within one's nation sparks significant debate.
While the allure of international opportunities may be tempting, I firmly advocate for the
choice to stay rooted in one's homeland for it offers unique advantages that can often be
overlooked.

Firstly, staying in one's homeland allows individuals to directly contribute to the prosper-
ity of their local communities. By investing their skills and expertise locally, individuals
can play a pivotal role in driving economic development, creating job opportunities, and
addressing pressing societal challenges.

Moreover, by remaining engaged in local initiatives, individuals can actively participate

in preserving traditions, languages, and customs that are integral to their identity. This
cultural continuity enriches society, fostering a diverse and vibrant tapestry of experi-
ences and perspectives.

Furthermore, familiarity with local systems, regulations, and social norms can ease the
transition into professional life, allowing individuals to focus on maximizing their poten-
tial and making a tangible impact in their chosen field.

Ultimately, by embracing local opportunities, individuals can play an active role in shap-
ing the future of their communities, preserving cultural heritage, and fostering meaning-
ful connections that enrich both their lives and the lives of those around them.

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English
II. Language (6 marks)

1. Fill in the blanks with six words from the box. There are two extra words.
(3 marks)

In/ flexibility/ innovative/for/ unprecedented/ remotely/ learning/ innovation

Online education, also known as distance _________, has emerged as a transformative force in
modern education. This __________ approach to learning utilizes digital platforms and tech-
nology to deliver educational content __________, breaking down traditional barriers of time
and space. Through online education, students have the __________ to access coursework and
engage __________ learning activities from anywhere with an internet connection, offering
__________ convenience and accessibility.

2. Put the words in brackets in the right form or tense. (3 marks)

Developed over several decades, the internet ___________ (evolve) from a research project
into a global network that has ___________ (fundamental) changed the way people interact
and access information. Scientists and ______________ (research) have been working on the
concept of a networked communication system since the 1960s. By the late 20th century, sig-
nificant ______________ (advance) had already been made, leading to the creation of the
World Wide Web. Since then, the internet __________________(expand) and become an in-
dispensable tool for communication. Today, the internet has already become an integral part of
___________ (day) life for billions of people worldwide.