Page1/4 turn the page High School through a Century The third term English Examination (1 subject) Level :3ASLLE School Year: 2009/2010

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Level :3ASLLE School Year: 2009/2010 The third term English Examination (1^st subject)

High School through a Century

Before the 20^th century, a confusing variety of schools existed for the small number of teenagers who had ability or the desire to pursue education beyond the elementary level in the United States. Those schools offered students opportunities to prepare for college, or to learn a complex skill instead of competing for one of the rapidly decreasing number of on- the-job apprenticeships. However, only a relatively small number of teenagers had the ability or desire to pursue secondary education. In 1990 only 10 percent of American adolescents aged 14 to 17 were enrolled in high schools. Most of these students were from affluent families.

The rise in American high school attendance was one of the most spectacular developments in united States education during the 20^th century. From 1900 to 2000 the percentage of teenagers who graduated from high school increased from about 6 percent to about 88 percent. High school attendance grew because more and more students regarded additional schooling as the key to succeeding in an increasingly urban and industrialized society.

In addition, after the introduction of strict child labor laws in the early 20^th century, fewer teenagers entered the workforce than they had previously, which gave them the time to attend school. School provided teenagers with acceptable alternatives that gave meaning to their lives before they entered the workforce, established a family, or began college.

Years later, education became compulsory to the age of 16. Most students found it more enjoyable and more profitable to stay in school beyond the legal limits than to leave, or drop out, before graduating.

Today, high schools provide a place for youth to experience adolescence with friends. They also offer them education to meet the practical demands of everyday life, to get a job, or to go on to more education, thus allowing theses teenagers countless opportunities to break out from whatever social or economic circumstances that may constrain their development.

Adapted from MS Encarta.

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Time : 03H30

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Part one: Reading and interpreting 1- Choose the suitable title to the text:

a- High School through a Century.

b- Successful Students.

c- Old Schools.

2- Are these statements are true or false?

a- Before 1900, Americans had a large choice of schools.

b- At that time, high schools taught professional skills.

c- Education improved greatly in the U.S.A during the 20^th century.

d- Student’s education is not concerned with everyday life.

3- In which paragraph is it mentioned that:

a- Education is important for success in modern life.

b- High schools prepare youth to face life challenges.

4- Answer the following questions according to the text:

a- Did many American teenagers want to enter high schools before 1900?

b- Why did the number of teenagers attending high schools rise?

c- Has compulsory education benefited the American nation?

d- What advantage high school is for adolescents?

5- Match words to their definitions:

Words Definitions

1- Opportunities a- Illegal employment of the young

2- Child labor b- Many available possibilities

3- Alternatives c- Favorable circumstances

6- Find in the text opposites to:

a- Poor §1…………

b- Rural §2………..

c- Boring §3……….

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7- Complete the following table:

Adjective/ adverb Comparative Superlative Badly

……….. Richer ………..

Complex ………. ………..

………. Easier ………..

8- Complete sentence 2 so that it means the same as sentence 1:

a-

1. Parents should encourage teenagers to continue studies.

2. Teenagers……….

b-

1. Despite illegality, some children are forced to work.

2. Although………

c-

1. Some schools teach teenagers complex skills.

2. Teenagers ……….

9- Fill in the gaps so that the text makes sense:

Education is a long process that not ………..provides us with basic skills such as literacy and numeracy, but is …… essential in shaping our future lives. As we progress through elementary and …….education, we are laying the foundations of the life ahead of us. We must discipline ourselves to ….hard so that we can pass …..and gain the qualifications we will need to secure a job and fit in and work……..those around us.

10- Underline the stressed syllable in each word.

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Education students philosophy Succeed practical modern

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Part Two:

Choose one of the topics.

TOPIC ONE:

Do you like school you go to?

Write an essay of about 120 words, in which you describe your school, then say whether you like it or not justifying your preference.

TOPIC TWO:

In a twinning programme with a school from an English speaking country, a key pal asked you for some information about the Algerian school system as he/ she is preparing a term project. To be precise about what he/ she needed he/ she requested answers to the following questions:

What age do children start school at?

What’s the school-leaving age?

Are there state schools only?

What are the school stages in the system?

How many hours-a-day do children have in average?

So students get a grant for further studies at university?

Write an e-mail to reply your key pal’s request.

End Page4/4 Good Luck

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Correction 3ASLLE Part one :

1- The best title is : (a) 2- True or false:

a- True b- False c- True d- False

3- Ideas and paragraphs:

a- 2§

b- 4§

4- Answer the questions:

a- No, they didn’t.

b- This number rose a strict child labour laws were introduced c- Yes, it has.

d- High schools provide a place for youth to experience adolescence with friends.

5- Words and definitions:

1- C 2- A.

3- C

6- Words and opposites:

a- Poor.

b- . c- .

7- Complete the table:

Adj Comparative Superlative

Badly Worse The worst

Rich Richer The richest

Complex More complex The most comptex

Easy Easier The easiest

8- Rewrite sentences:

a- Teenagers should be encouraged to continue education b- Although it’s illegal, children are forced to work.

c- Teenagers are taught complex skills.

9- Fill in the gaps:

a- Only b- Also c- Secondary d- Work e- Pass f- With 10-The stress:

Education - students, philosophy Succeed - practical, modern.