LYCEE DE BAYAKH Year 2009-

2010
Mr NDOYE
Tles L2

ENGLISH TEST Nº 1

Popular stereotypes portray teenagers as drug-crazed rebels, empty-headed, self-

centred and lazy, who have little on their minds but clothing, TV and sex. For the
majority, this negative view of youth appears to be far removed from reality. A
survey reported in Psychology Today found that “nearly three quarters of those
surveyed appeared to be well- adjusted. They were generally happy, self-controlled
caring towards others, concerned with the repercussions of their actions”. Far from
being alienated from their parents, most youths were found to “hold positive
attitudes towards their families”.
Other surveys reveal that many of the hopes, aspirations, and fears of today’s
youths likewise reflect sane, sober thinking. In 1985 the Unesco courier asked youth
in 41 lands: “what is the problem of most concern to all young people today?” they
received thoughtful answers as “problems of war and peace” (50%)
“Unemployment and work” (30%) and “the future” (10%).
By and large, then, youths the world over want the very same things their elders
seek: happiness, security, close families. They are concerned about the world they
live in and sincerely want to improve it. Nevertheless, there is a dark side to this
portrait.
Another case of great concern is the worldwide increase in teenage use of drugs,
such as marijuana, heroin, cocaine, and crack, a form of cocaine. One 14 year-old
girl in the United States said about marijuana smoking “It’s not even the ‘in’ thing
anymore. It’s just a part of everybody’s life almost”.
Neither has in developing lands escaped this problem. The sight of youths smoking
coca paste and similar substances is common in many such lands. UN secretary-
general Javier Perez de Cuellar said that “the problem of illicit trafficking and abuse
of drugs” presents as a destructive a threat to present and coming generations as
the plagues which swept many parts or the world in early ages”.
The use of legal drugs such as alcohol and tobacco, among youths has also worried
many experts – and parents. Reports the UN chronicle: “ Over the past 30 to 40
years, according to WHO, increasing percentages of children and adolescents have
begun to drink alcohol, the quantity of frequency and consumption have increased;
the age at which drinking begins has declined.
AWAKE! September 8th, 1990
I – COMPREHENSION
A – Give a title to the text
(1pt):........................................................................
B – True or False (3pts)
 Say whether these following statements are true of false and justify from
the text
1. People everywhere in the world think that teenagers are selfish and lazy
2. Most young people have the same aspirations as their elders
3. Unfortunately some young people’s lives are totally damaged by drugs
C – Synonyms :(2pts)
Find in the text the synonyms for the following words
a. Selfish:................................. b. Correct:................................... c.
View:.......................................... d.
Future:.....................................

D – Reference (1pt)
What do the following words in bold type refer to?
1. They (were generally)............................................ 2. It (it’s not
even)...........................................

E – Key-sentence understanding (1pt)

Explain the sentence below with your own words. Don’t copy the text
“It’s not even the ‘in’ thing
anymore”............................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
......................
II – LINGUISTIC COMPETENCE
F – Reformulation (4pts)

Rewrite the following sentences by using the words below

Would rather – it’s no use – never...before – it’s great time
1. Another case of great concern is the worldwide increase in teenage use of
drugs
2. The use of legal drugs such as alcohol and tobacco among young people
must be banned
3. They found it unnecessary to inform their parents about their smoking at an
early age
4. Togo team chose to go back home instead of playing in the African Cup of
Nations
G – Asking questions(2pts)
Ask the questions corresponding to the underlined words
For the majority, this negative view of youth appears to be far removed from reality
1. ...........................................................................................................................
..............................?
2. ...........................................................................................................................
............?
3. ...........................................................................................................................
.............?
 4. ...........................................................................................................................
...............?
III – WRITING (6pts)
Choose one topic only
Topic One:
Write an article for your school newsletter to denounce the use of drugs (cigarettes
and alcohol) among young students.
Topic Two:
A friend of yours is addicted to smoking; you want to warn him against the danger.
Make a conversation with him or her.
Lycee Lepold Sedar Senghor Year
2009-2010
ENGLISH TEST Nº 1
Title: .....................................................................................
Siriana secondary school was a well-known centre of learning. Being one of the
earliest schools to be started in the colony, it had expanded much due to the efforts
of its missionary founders. To Njoroge, coming here was the achievement of his
dreams. He would for the first time be taught by white men. And this was what
confused him. Though he had never come into real contact with white men, yet if
one had met him and had abused of him or tried to put him in his place, Njoroge
would have understood. He would have even known how to react. But not when he
met some who would smile and laugh, not when he met some who made friends
with him and tried to help him in his Christian progress.
Here again, he met boys from different tribes. Again if these had met him and had
tried to practice dangerous witchcraft on him, he would understand. But instead, he
met boys who were like him every way. He made friends and worked with Nandi,
Luke, Wakambas and Giriama. They were boys who had hopes and fears, loves and
hatreds. If he quarrelled with any or if he hated any, he did so as he would have
done with any boy from his village.
The school itself was an abode of peace in a turbulent country. There, it was
possible to meet with God, not only in the cool shelter of the chapel, where he spent
many hours, but also in the quietness of the library. For the first time he felt he
would escape the watchful eyes of misery and hardship that had for a long time
stared at him in the house. He would organise his thoughts and make a definite plan
for the future. He was sure that with patience and hard work, his desire to have
learning would be fulfilled. Maybe the sun would soon rise to announce a new day.
Ngugi wa Thiongo, Weep Not Child

I – COMPREHENSION
A – Give a title to the text:(1pt)
...............................................................................
B – Say whether these statements are true or false and justify from the
text(3pts)
1. The white teachers at Siriana ill-treated the students
2. Njoroge hated the students because they were from different tribres
3. There was no place for Njoroge to worship God in his village
C – Synonym : (2pts)
Find in the text words that are very similar in meaning with the following
ones
a. Insulted:.................... b. Sorcery:.............................. c. Peaceful
place:.................................... d:
achieved:..................................

D – Reference: What do the following words refer to: (1pt)

1. Some:...................................................... 2.
These:.............................................................
D – Key –sentence understanding (1pt)
Explain the sentence below in your own words, don’t copy the text
Maybe the sun would soon rise to announce a new day
II – LINGUISTIC COMPETENCE
E – Reformulation (4pts)
Rewrite the following sentences using the words below
( would rather, needless, it’s high time, never...before)
1. The school itself was an abode of peace in a turbulent country
2. He would for the first time be taught by white men
3. They find it unnecessary to build such a massive and expensive statue
4. He wanted to stay in Siriana to avoid the watchful eyes of misery in the
village
5. E – Rewrite the following sentences using the words in brackets as
prompts
F – Complete the chart
Noun Adjective Verb Adverb
quietness
 dangerous
confuse
hardship

III – WRITING (6pts)

Choose one topic only
Topic One:
Can your school be an abode of peace? If not what can you do to make it so?
Topic Two
Write a letter to your parents in the village to tell them about the difficulties you
face here in Joal.