Lycée S. B. Yahia El Milia Date: dec.

04th, 2019
Classes: 3LFL Duration: 02 hours
First Term Exam of English
Part One: READING. Read the passage carefully then do the activities.
A/ Comprehension / Interpretation (07pts)
Ancient Romans have had a tremendous impact on art and architecture. We can find traces of
Roman influence in forms and structures throughout the development of Western culture.
Although the Romans were heavily influenced by ancient Greece, they were able to make
improvements to certain borrowed Greek designs and inventions. For example, they continued the
use of columns, but the form became more decorative and less structural in Roman buildings.
Ancient Romans created curved roofs and large-scale arches, which were able to support more
weight than the post-and-beam construction the Greeks used. These arches served as the foundation
for the massive bridges and aqueducts the Romans created. The game-loving ancients also built
large amphitheaters, including the Colosseum. The sports stadiums we see today, with their oval
shapes and tiered seating, derive from the basic idea the Romans developed.
The arches of the Colosseum are made out of cement, a remarkably strong building material the
Romans made with what they had at hand: volcanic ash and volcanic rock. Modern scientists
believe that the use of this ash is the reason that structures like the Colosseum still stand today.
Roman underwater structures proved to be even sturdier. Seawater reacting with the volcanic ash
created crystals that filled in the cracks in the concrete. To make a concrete this durable, modern
builders must reinforce it with steel. So today, scientists study Roman concrete, hoping to match the
success of the ancient master builders.
Sculptural art of the period has proved to be fairly durable, too. Romans made their statues out
of marble, fashioning monuments to great human achievements and achievers. You can still see
thousands of Roman artifacts today in museums all over the world.
www.nationalgeographic.org

1/ The above text is: On your answer sheet copy the correct answer. (1pt)
a- a historical web article b- a scientific report c- an extract from a book
2/ Are the following statements True or false? Write T or F next to the letter corresponding to the
statement then correct the false ones: (2pts)
a- Ancient Romans have exerted little influence on modern art.
b- Ancient Greeks largely influenced the Roman civilization.
c- The Romans used steel to strengthen their architectural structures.
d- No Roman art works are still found in our modern world.
3/ Answer the following questions according to the text: (1.50pts)
a- How did the Romans improve the use of Greek columns?
b- What is the Colosseum?
c- What did Ancient Roman architects use to make their structures stronger?
4/ Reorder the following ideas according to the order they appear in the text: (01pt)
a- The Romans didn’t only borrow techniques from the Greeks, they also made them better.
b- The Roman’s great influence on our modern civilization.
c- The materials used by the Romans to make their art works.
d- The reason why underwater structures are stronger.
5/ What or who do the underlined words in the text refer to? (1.50pts)
a- they = ………. b- it) …………… c - the period= ……………

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B/ Text Exploration: (07pts)
1/ Find in the text words that are synonyms to the following: (01pt)
a- very big (§01) = ………… stronger (§03) = ………………
2/ Divide the following words into roots and affixes: (01pt)
- Heavily - decorative - underwater – unsuccessful

prefix root suffix

3/ Combine the following pairs of sentences using the connectors between brackets. Make any
necessary changes: (01.50pts)
a- The Romans were influenced by ancient Greece. They were able to make improvements to certain Greek
designs and inventions. (despite)
b- Carthage surrendered. The Romans became the most powerful Mediterranean state. (after)
c- You will have a good mark in your project. You will make a serious research about the most
important civilizations. (as long as)
4/ Classify the following words according to the pronunciation of their “ch”: (01.50pts)
- architecture – arches - church – anarchy – archaic - brochure
/k/ /t∫/

5/ Reorder the following sentences to make a coherent paragraph: (02pts)

a- to develop aqueducts and better ways to aid water flow.
b- The Romans were extremely adept engineers.
c- They controlled water as energy for powering mines and mills.
d- They understood the laws of physics well enough

Part Two: Written Expression: Choose ONE of the following topics: (06pts)

Topic One: In what ways can the study of ancient civilizations help human beings in
their present life?
The following notes can be used to help you: learning - strengths of nations- causes of collapse
of any civilization - avoid mistakes of past nations - build a strong nation and keep it strong.

Topic Two: Write a paragraph of about 100 to 120 words explaining in what ways is modern
civilization different from civilizations of the past.

Good luck
Your Teacher
“Remember to keep this exam paper for the correction session.”

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