English Language

Paper : One
Time : 2:30 Hours

Humanities & Scientific Streams

Total Marks (75)

Date : 4/ 6 /2015

Comprehension: ( 40 points)
Read the following passage then answer the questions that follow:
Arafats speech to the United Nations in 1974 also affected Palestinians deeply. Many realised that it
was necessary to build bridges between Palestine and the West. This was the way to create international
understanding and, one day, a free and independent Palestine. Palestinians have been building these
bridges in many areas of life. Very importantly, strong links have been created in American
universities.
One great force there was Edward Saeed (19352003), who fought with all
the strength
of his great mind for freedom, equality and justice in general, and for the future of Palestine
in particular. Originally from Jerusalem, he became professor at Columbia University, New York,
and, during his life, also lectured at over 200 other universities. In addition, he wrote 17 books
that have been translated into 26 languages. In some, such as Culture and Imperialism (1992), he
argued strongly against negative western views of Oriental cultures.
In others, like The Question of Palestine (1980), he argued powerfully for the Palestinian cause.
On his death, the poet Mahmoud Darwish wrote: I cannot say goodbye to Edward Saeed, so
present is he among and within us , and so alive around the world.
Another great Palestinian intellectual was Hisham Sharabi (19272005), originally from
Jaffa, and later an important professor at Georgetown University near Washington. Like Saeed
and other Palestinians, he worked all his life to improve western understanding of Arab and
Palestinian issues. He was editor of the Journal of Palestine Studies, and he wrote many books,
including his famous Introduction to the Study of Arab Society (1975). He also became well known for
his television appearances and his many opinion pieces in American newspapers.
In addition, he founded several important institutions. In 1975, he and others set up the
Center for Contemporary Arab Studies at Georgetown. This is the only American university
institution that focuses just on the modern Arab World. Then, in 1979, he created the
Arab American Cultural Foundation, which builds American understanding of Arab and Islamic
culture. He also set up the Jerusalem Fund, a foundation that provides scholarships for students from
Palestine.
Question Number One:
( 20 points)
A: Answer the following questions:
( 8 points)
1. What did Arafat's speech make a lot of Palestinians decide to do?
.
.
2. Where ,in particular, were important connections made between Palestinians and the world?
.
3. How did Sharabi communicate his ideas?.....................................................................................................

4. According to the text, what things did Saeed and Sharabi have in common in life?
a..
b.
B: Decide whether each of the following statements is True or False:
1. Sharabi worked as a professor at Hebron University in Palestine .
(
2. Edward Saeed struggled strongly for freedom, equality and justice.
(
3. Jerusalem Fund is a foundation that provides scholarships for Palestinian students. (
4. Sixteen books written by Edward Saeed were translated into 26 languages.
(

( 8 points )
)
)
)
)

Cont./2