BACCALAUREATE EXAM TRICKS

Key to the exercise

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KEY

1. Although the marks are high, the students'level is low.

2. Despite the fact that it was dark, he managed to find the keys.

3. He got up early. However, he arrived late to school.

4. Tim is in good shape. Nevertheless, he doesn't get much exercise.

5. Samira kept smiling and having fun in spite of her sadness.

6. She loves him even though he treats her badly.

7. Despite the fact that he didn't work hard, he passed the baccalaureat exam.

8. Some people are, whereas others are thin.

9. While Errachidia is hot, Ifrane is cold.

10. Brahim is a good student. His brother, on the other hand, is lazy.

11. Fatima is economical, but her sister is extravagant.

LINKING WORDS

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AN IDEA ABOUT WRITING

Writing is one of the most feared skills for both student and teacher. Students are reluctant to write for fear of making errors, whereas errors are very crucial in the learning process. “To err is human”, as we say. However, Teachers find writing an intricate task to deal with, as it takes a lot of effort on their part to implement a good writing activity. Let’s make writing simple: Keep it simple and stupid! When you write, don’t try to be Shakespeare, be just yourself and try to write as simply as possible.
To understand writing, we should know the different types of writing that students get in the baccalaureate exam. There are four fundamental types of essays that students are supposed to know:

Cause and Effect Essay
Comparison and Contrast Essay
Argumentative Essay
Descriptive Essay

Each Essay comprises five or four paragraphs. And it is very important to use the linking words because they add a flavour to the essay like spices to a dish.

CONTRAST

Direct Opposition

Complete the following. Use: although, even though, though, nevertheless, however, in spite of, or despite.

The marks are high. The students level is low.
Although………………………………………………………………………………...
It was dark. He managed to find the keys.
Despite…………………………………………………………………………………..
He got up early. He arrived late to school.
………………………………. . However, …………………………………………….
Tim is in good shape. He doesn’t get much exercise.
……………………………………… . Nevertheless,………………………………….
Samira was sad. She kept smiling and having fun.
…………………………………….in spite of………………………………………….
She loves him. He treats her badly.
………………………………………….even though………………………………….
He didn't work hard. He passed the baccalaureat exam .
Despite the fact that………………………………………, …………………………....
Some people are fat. Others are thin.
……………………………, whereas…………………………………………………
Errachidia is hot . Ifrane is cold .
While……………………………….., …………………………………………………
Brahim is a good student. His brother is lazy.
……………………………. . …………., on the other hand,…………………………
Fatima is economical. Her sister in extravagant.
……………………………………, but………………………………………………

Listening

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Listening

Listening is an effective way to improve a language. You can use your MP3s, or your Ipods to learn English. You should listen at least an hour a day to the same text for one week or two; while you're going to school or coming back from it; while you're doing a task, or just sitting at home; before you sleep, or take a nap; when you get up in the moring. Keep your earphones plugged in to your ears, and you'll see the results in just two,or three months.

This is the first listening activity taken from Gateway. I'll record other listening actitvities from the other baccalaureate textbooks: Ticket2 and Insights.

I have chosen the reading texts because they are rich in vocabulary and expressions.Therefore, by mastering these reading texts, you will broaden your lexical reservoir and master the grammar as well without making any effort, just by listening. For those students who can't afford having an MP3, or an Ipod, I advise you to read each text at least ten times a day for a week or two.

Irregular verbs (translation)

The development of human learning(Unit 1)

The development of human learning (text)

THe development of human learning (Translation)

Culture and Globalisation (Unit 2)

Culture and Globalisation (translation)

Youth and Politics (Unit 3)

Women and Power (Unit 4)

GLOBAL TEST

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GLOBAL TEST

The situation of women in Morocco is somewhere between that of women in the West and those in conservative Islamic countries like Saudi Arabia.* Here in Casablanca, everything seems fine on the surface. Clothing varies: women wear the entire range from the traditional conservative jelaba and foulard to Western suits, to skin-tight shirts and mini-skirts. The choice of dress tends to depend on both age and occupation: in general, teenagers wear casual Western clothes; professional women wear Western-style business clothing; and older, blue-collar, and unemployed women wear jelabas.

Both men and women working together almost everywhere I go: in banks, bakeries, schools, stores, and even government offices (although there are noticeably more men than women in the latter). ). I have never seen women running a stall at the souq (market) or driving a taxi; these domains seem to be reserved for men. From the conversations I've had, it sounds as though women are usually paid about the same as their male colleagues, which is more than can be said for some of their Western counterparts. My husband teaches at a private school of English for professionals, and at least half of his students are women. Thus, there doesn't seem to be any prejudice against women working and going to school, Upon further study, though, there are a number of serious problems.

In the whole of Morocco, there is an extremely high illiteracy rate, especially in the countryside, and especially among women. According to the UNDP, more than 80% of women in rural Morocco are illiterate. I don't know what this means, exactly, except that based on what I said above about women at work and school, Casablanca is not a representative sample of Morocco.

A married woman must get her husband's permission before seeking a job. Most working women, about 60%, are in textiles and light industry. Another 10% or so are femmes de ménage (housekeepers or maids). Typically, these women are uneducated, illiterate, and unmarried, and earn room, board, and extremely low wages. They usually speak Arabic and possibly a few words of French. Their duties may include cooking, cleaning, and taking care of their employer's children, and those who don't live in usually go home to do the same thing for their families (which may include illegitimate children, sickly siblings, and/or elderly parents).

FILL IN THE BLANKS WITH APPROPTRIATE PHRASAL VERB. (1 pt)
It took the firemen two hours to …………………. fire.
Writing:

What are the causes and effects of divorce?

GLOBAL TEST

2009-11-02T05:50:00.000-08:00

GLOBAL TEST

Access to labour markets and to decent and productive employment is crucial in the process of creating greater equality between men and women, says the report. The study observed that the most successful region in terms of economic growth over the last decade, East Asia, is also the region with the highest employment-to-population ratio for women (65.2 per cent), low unemployment rates for both women and men and relatively small gender gaps in sectoral as well as status distribution.

Overall, the report found that policies to enhance women’s chances to participate equally in labour markets are starting to pay off, but the slow pace of change means that disparities are still significant. Most regions have still a long way to go in full economic integration of women and realizing their unused potential for economic development.

Broadening access for women to employment in an enlarged scope of industries and occupations will be important to enhancing opportunities for them in the labour market, says the report. Society’s ability to accept new economic roles for women and the economy’s ability to create decent jobs to accommodate them are the key prerequisites to improving labour market outcomes for women, as well as for economic development on the whole.

“Access to labour markets and to decent employment is crucial to achieving gender equality”, says Evy Messell, Director of the ILO’s Bureau for Gender Equality, which will host a discussion by women who have made a mark in the world of finance and eminent trade unionists on International Women’s Day, focusing on the value of investment in women’s development. “Yet women have to overcome many discriminatory obstacles when seeking jobs. Societies cannot afford to ignore the potential of female labour in reducing poverty, and need to search for innovative ways of lowering economic, social and political barriers. Providing women an equal footing in the workplace is not just right, but smart.”

FUNCTIONS

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FUNCTIONS

Making and responding to requests
Express lack of understanding and asking for clarification
Make and respond to complaints
Make and respond to aplogies
Express and respond to opinion
Express agreement and disagreement
Express regret
Express giving and asking for advice
Express certainty and uncertainty
Repond to good and bad news

CULTURE

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CULTURE

People:

Citizen, indigenous, aborigine, inhabitant, occupant, resident, dweller-immigrant- expatriarte

Action:

to stick to customs and traditions ,to get adapted to a new culture, to get integrated in the new culture, be prejudiced, to discriminate, to have stereotypes, affect, influence, offend

Definition:

Sub-culture-multicultural-cosmopolitan- myths-customs – traditions – religious beliefs –cultural values-cultural issues –cultural background – cultural shock -discrimination – integration –homogenization – lifestyle – misconception – offence – permissiveness – rejection – ritual- rooted – stereotypes – uniqueness – tolerance- diversity –- identity- consumerism- alienation-

Imitation-

VOCABULARY RELATED TO THE TOPICS

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EDUCATION

Formal, informal, non-formal

Who:

Educated # illiterate, teacher, educator, student, learner, a graduate, a dropt-out, university drop-outs

Action:

learn, get educated, get a degree/ a diploma/ a certificate/ a qualification, graduate from, complete your studies with flying colors, quit school, take an exam, and fail exam #to pass an exam, to fight illiteracy, marginalize, integrate, be deprive from, get dismissed from school

Where:

Public school, private school, institution, university, co-educational schools, single-sex schools

How:

Programme, subjects, courses, lessons, evening classes, literacy classes, newspapers, television, theatre

Objective:

Betterment of people’s lives, enhancement of self esteem, ability to learn new things which will help them expand their knowledge, ability to cope with the majority of the society. Literacy provides people with the option of becoming members of a self-confident and informed populace that can understand issues, represent themselves, take responsibility for self-improvement and family health, and better participate in civic affairs. These are among the more priceless payoffs of literacy.

EXERCISES:

I. Crossword puzzle:

Match the following words to form collocations:

Take a. education
Fail b. university
Get c. values
School d. classes
Fight e. school
Single-sex f. illiteracy
Literacy g. drop-out
Graduate from h. a qualification
vocational i. an exam
universal j. a test

GRAMMAR LESSONS AND EXERCISES

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GRAMMAR LESSONS AND EXERCISES

Here is a summary of all the grammar the lessons contained in the Baccalaureate English Programme:
Tenses
Verbs followed by the infintive and verbs followed by the gerund
Compound adjectives
Past perfect simple and continuous
Future perfect
Passive voice
Conditional type III and Wishes
Modals
Relative clauses

FUNCTIONS

Making and responding to requests
Express lack of understanding and asking for clarification
Make and respond to complaints
Make and respond to aplogies
Express and respond to opinion
Express agreement and disagreement
Express regret
Express giving and asking for advice
Express certainty and uncertainty
Repond to good and bad news

COMPARISON AND CONTRAST

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Linking words: also, in the same manner, likewise, similarly, for example, for instance, in fact, specifically, that is, to illustrate

Paragraph I: Introduction

Paragraph II: Similarities

Paragraph III: Differences

Paragraph IV: Conclusion: Summarise the points discussed and give your opinion (all in all, in conclusion, in other words, in short, in summary, on the whole, that is, therefore, to sum up)

Example: Compare the role of women in the past and now.

No one can deny that the role of the woman is of capital paramount in the family as well as in the society. If the role of women in the past was limited only to bearing and rearing children and staying at home to do domestically work; nowadays women have joined men in their outside work. We see them as soldiers, policewomen, pilots, even as political leaders negotiating over tough topics. In brief, the role of women has improved enormously.

Women used to bring up the children and do the housework like cooking, cleaning, and laundry manually. Similarly, today the housework is a task of the woman but with the assistance of domestic gadgets, such as washing machines, vacuum cleaners, dish washers, electric beaters, etc. If women were totally forbidden from going out except to go to the public bath or visit their families. In the same manner, women today can go out just to do the shopping, call in their families, or go to the steam bath.

On the other hand women, especially in developed countries are empowered and play a significant role in the development of the society. Whereas, in the past women were considered as enemies of men and if given more power, they would threaten men’s authority and leadership. A woman should not rise her voice, or protest. She had to obey the man’s orders. Today, women found associations to defend their rights nationally and internationally.

To sum up, if the role of women was very limited in the past, nowadays women are given more and more importance thanks to their struggling and unification. Besides, people have started to understand that we cannot achieve any development without a real participation of women.

WRITE ABOUT THESE TOPICS:

Would you rather study in a public school or in a private school? State the differences and similarities between the two.
Several people leave the country to live in the city. Compare life in the country and in the city.
Would you prefer to be taught by a male or female teacher?
Where would you like to spend your holidays, in a seaside or in a mountainous town?

DESCRIPTIVE ESSAY

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The purpose of a descriptive essay is to describe a person, place, or thing in such vivid detail that the reader can easily form a precise mental picture of what is being written about.

INTRODUCTION :

From general to specific

PARAGRAPH 1 :

We describe what we see: sight

PARAGRAPH 2:

We describe what we hear: Sound

PARAGRAPH 3:

We describe what we smell: Smelling

PARAGRAPH 4:

We describe what we taste: Taste

PARAGRAPH 5:

We describe what we touch: Feeling

Example:

Describe a school experience which has really marked you.

Introduction:

Among of the best souvenirs in life are school experiences which remain engraved in our memory for the rest of our lives. They symbolize innocence, spontaneity, and adventure. This is one of the unforgettable experiences I had when I was in my final year in primary school.

DESCRIPTION OF WHAT WE SEE: SIGHT

When I got to school, I could see crowds of students scattered in front the school entrance which looked clean, and some students were accompanied by their parents. There was a big board inside the school yard where the lists of the examinees were written. The teachers were grouped in front of the headmaster office, and were dressed formally.

DESCRIPTION OF WHAT WE HEAR: SOUND

I could hear the sounds of the teachers and the headmaster slamming his office door several times. The students were mostly silent not as usual probably because of the fear of the exam. I could hear a father advising his son what to do and what not to do, but his son did not seem to hear him. He was certainly absorbed in the exam, and was just nodding or shaking his head to answer his father.

DESCRITION OF WHAT WE SMELL: SMELL

When we came into the classrooms, I could smell different perfume the teachers and students were wearing. When our teacher handed the exam papers out, I could not believe my eyes when one of the students folded his exam paper and put it in his school bag. As soon the bell rang, he rushed out looking very happy as though he had done well in the exam. I was really astonished and bewildered.

DESCRITION OF WHAT WE TASTE: TASTE

It was the break and students were eating the food they had brought with them. I wasn’t hungry, so I just tasted the sandwich my mother had prepared for me. I didn’t enjoy eating the food because I was thinking about the second examination.

DESCRITION OF WHAT WE TOUCH: FEELING

When we finished exam and I left, my parents were waiting for me at the school entrance. They asked me how I took my exam, and to my surprise the classmate who put the exam paper in his pocket came running happily towards me. He took out his exam papers which were blank with no answers on them. He was caressing them with his fingers as if he had been feeling a cat’s fur, and told me that he had been looking forward to such an opportunity to own a typed paper even if it cost him to fail an exam.

Write about one of these topics:

You went for a picnic with your friends. Write a description of what you did.

Write about a school experience which has marked you.

Describe a wedding party which you attended.

Write about an embarrasing experience you had.

ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

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Linking words:

although, though, even though, however, in spite of, despite, nevertheless, nonetheless, whereas, while, but, on the other hand, in contrast, on the contrary, again, and, also, besides, equally important, first (second, etc.), further, furthermore, in addition, in the first place, moreover, next, too

- Introduction:

From general to specific

- Paragraph I: Arguments for (advantages)

- ParagraphII: Arguments against (drawbacks)

- Conclusion: Summarise the points discussed and give your point of view either for or against.

Example:

The mobile is one of the most important means of communication. However, its over use can cause harm to people.

INTRODUCTION: We should relate the mobile to its general context which is communication. Then, write about its specific use.

Only through communication people can know one another and not confront. In the past people used simple tools for communication, such as fire, drums, or pigeons. Later, thanks to the development of writing, they started to exchange letters. Following that, they used the telegraph. However, today they can send written messages, or videos thanks to the mobile which has certainly expanded worldwide. However, this small gadget may cause harm if it is overused.

General Specific

PARAGRAPH 1 : ARGUMENTS FOR

The mobile is used for multiple purposes. It can be used either to contact a family member, or a friend via sound or messages. Furthermore, many youngsters use it to store their music, or play games. For businessmen its their mobile office where they can get in touch day and night with their employees and partners. More than that, the cell phone can help people in emergencies. For instance, if they ever have a car breakdown, or an injury, the mobile resolves the problem on the spot. Students can contact their parents or classmates. The mobile helps people in different situations.

PARAGRAPH 2 : ARGUMENTS AGAINST

On the other hand, if used excessively, the mobile can cause harm to people. Mobiles may cause harm to people’s brains if we overuse them according to some researches. Moreover, they can be the cause of several road accidents if used in driving. They are sometimes a source of disturbance when we are relaxing, having a rest, or attending a course. The ringing of the cell phone interrupts your sleep, your rest, or distracts you concentration.

CONCLUSION: We sum up the points discussed in paragraph 1 and 2, and we give our opinion.

All in all, the mobile is useful to people; however, if it is not used efficaciously, it may have negative impacts on them. Therefore, we should not utilize the mobile unless it is very necessary.

Summary of the points discussed Point of view.

Write about these topics:

The use of the mobile has become of paramount importance in our life. However,

some people complain about its dangers.

The internet has certainly revolutionized our way of living positively and negatively.

Should drivers of automobiles be prohibited from using cellular phones?

Technology makes communication easier in today's world. Many people choose to work at home in front of a computer screen. What danger does the society face depending on computer screens rather than face-to-face contact as the main means of communication? Are we the prisoners of the progress?

Should the animals be used for scientific research? Is it humanly?

Should restrictions be placed on the use of mobile phones in public areas like restaurants and theaters?

CAUSE AND EFFECT ESSAYS

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LINKING WORDS:

Because, because of, due to, as, since, therefore, consequently, thus, for this reason, that’s why, as a result, so

INTRODUCTION: From general to specific

PARAGRAPH 1: CAUSE 1 and its effects

PARAGRAPH 2: CAUSE 2 and its effects

PARAGRAPH 3: CAUSE 3 and its effects

CONCLUSION: We sum up the points discussed in paragraph 1, 2, and 3 and we give our point of view.

Example:

Why do children drop out of school?

INTRODUCTION: School is generally related to EDUCATION. Therefore, we are going to talk about education in general and end it up with our topic which is why children drop out of school.
PARAGRAPH 1: CAUSE 1: the distance which separates school from home.

EFFECTS:

Children have to cover a long distance
Roads get muddy when it is rainy
They get cut off from during inundations
PARAGRAPH 2: CAUSE 2: Poverty

EFFECTS:

Parents can’t afford buying educational stationery
Parent can’t afford buying clothes for their children

PARAGRAPH 3: CAUSE 3: Family problems.

EFFECTS:

Domestic violence
Parents’ drug addiction
Divorce

CONCLUSION: We sum up the points discussed in paragraph 1,2, and 3 and we give our point of view.

Why do children drop out of school?

Education ameliorates people’s lives, enhances their self esteem, their ability to learn new things which will help them expand their knowledge, and the ability to cope with the majority of the society. It makes them self-confident and informed populace that can understand issues, represent themselves, and take responsibility. However, a lot of children are deprived from this fundamental right by dropping out of school due to several reasons.

The distance which separate school from home can be a cause for refraining from school. Children have to cover more than 10 kilometers four times a dayget to school and can’t afford buying a bike which can facilitate the remoteness. Besides, in bad weather conditions, the roads get muddy and the temperature gets below zero, but they lack the necessary winter tools. Furthermore, when rivers flood, they get cut off from school for several days.

Poverty can push students for giving up studying since school fees are pricey. As parents don’t have enough money to buy school things which have become costly nowadays, they make their children leave school. Especially when they have a lot of children and they not only have to buy school books but clothes as well. The beginning of the school year costs parents an arm and leg and because of scarcity they prefer to keep their children at home.

Family problems can also be an obstacle for children to drop out of school. Parents’ misunderstandings can affect children’s schooling.For instance, when children see their mothers being beaten or scolded by their or parents, alcoholism, or drug-addiction. Finally, divorce often is of the major causes for ending up children’s literacy.

Remoteness from school, poverty, and family problems are among the reasons why students drop out opf school. Consequently,we should collaborate together so as to help these children benefit from their basic rights and become productive citizens.

PRACTICE:

Write about some of these topics:

What effects does the internet have on your studies?
Why people use the mobile and what are its effects on society?
What are the causes and effects of brain drain?
The majority of women in our country are illiterate. How does the phenomenon affect our society?
Why do students grow weary of school and what effects can this have on their futures?
A big proportion of the young don't participate in the poltical life. How can this affect their lives?
What role does mass media play in culture?
Do immigrants get integrated easily in their host country?
How do mass media affect people’s lives?
Should we imitate other cultures or stick to our culture?

writing

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The main types of writings that students are supposed to write in the baccalaureate exam are:

Cause and effect essays
Argumentative essays
Comparison and contrast essays
Descriptive essays

It’s very important to know the use of linking words so as to make your essay cohesive and coherent. Besides, try to write as simply as possible. Don’t try to be Shakespeare, be just yourself. “Keep it simple and stupid” As Americans say. Write simple sentences because long sentences are difficult to control. Then, connect them with linking words which are like spices in cooking. They will make your composition like a delicious dish.

Let’s look at the different types of sentences:

Simple sentences:

A simple sentence is a sentence which has a subject and a verb.

Examples:

I live in Morocco.

They speak English very well.

I often give my friends present on their birthdays.

They travelled to Agadir last summer.

We are listening to Rai music.

A compound sentence contains independent clauses joined by: and, or, but, so.

I watched a movie, and my brother played computer games.

She was tall, but her sister was short.

They can play in basketball, or go swimming.

It was very cold, so I stayed at home.

A complex sentence is a sentence which has a principal clause and one or more subordinate clauses. A complex sentence has always a subordinator, such as: because, because of, due to, as , since

Because it was cold, I put on my coat.

I put on my coat because of the cold.

Due to the cold, I put on my coat.

I put on my coat due to the cold.

TENSES

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TENSES

AN IDEA ABOUT TENSES

CHART OF TENSES

THE PRESENT TENSE

Simple present and present continuous

THE FUTURE TENSE:

THE PAST TENSE:

THE PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSES

The present perfect continuous and the present perfect simple
The past perfect continuous and the past perfect
The future perfect continuous and the Future Perfect

BACCALAUREATE EXAM TRICKS

Key to the exercise

KEY

LINKING WORDS

CONTRAST

Direct Opposition

Listening

Listening

GLOBAL TEST

GLOBAL TEST

FUNCTIONS

FUNCTIONS

CULTURE

CULTURE

People:

Action:

Definition:

VOCABULARY RELATED TO THE TOPICS

GRAMMAR LESSONS AND EXERCISES

GRAMMAR LESSONS AND EXERCISES

FUNCTIONS

COMPARISON AND CONTRAST

DESCRIPTIVE ESSAY

ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

CAUSE AND EFFECT ESSAYS

writing

TENSES

TENSES

SHORT PLAY: GRAMMAR