Niveau : 3ASS.3ASM.

3ASGE Mai2013
Third Term English Exam Matière : English Durée : 02h30
Subject one
Part one: Reading
Read the text carefully then do the activities:
The Astronomer Talks
We had regarded the astronomer a man of no practical use to this world. We admitted
he has a giant intellect. We could not help admiring him, and looking with owe on his gigantic
telescope; but we could not connect him and his observatory with the rest of the world.
The other day we had the opportunity of talking with a professional star-gazer. How
suddenly our opinions changed! The astronomer came down from the lofty place we created for
him and we saw him as he is a man like men, working for the good of humanity. The
astronomer now we consider indispensable .We realize that we regulate every action of our
lives according to his calculations.
Astronomy, declares the astronomer, is closely connected with the affairs of everyday
life, but we overlook its importance. Every business, every action from the smallest personal
affair to the greatest world affair is regulated to the calculations of time. Who makes these
calculations? The astronomer. He is the systematizer of the world. We eat, sleep, work, play,
go, come, each movement of our time is done according to his calculations. Imagine the results
if for one month we should lose every method of telling the time. Each person would lose
connection with the rest of the world. If this were the only use of astronomy, its pursuit would
be justified, but the enthusiastic star-gazer says he has only begun to discuss the benefits of his
profession.
The world has been mapped through astronomy. Boundaries of nations are determined
by the astronomer’s accuracy. The foundation of surveying is a knowledge of the geometric
properties of the celestial sphere. Man would be a sad creature if he did not know the size and
shape of the continent on which he lives, and of the world which is his home.
Astronomy has brought mankind from the depth of ignorance and superstition to
comparatively high state of civilization. Men’s minds are broadened with the advance of
knowledge concerning the universe. Stars changed from tiny lights to vast worlds and suns.
Superstition vanished.The world became a fitter place for life.

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 Though the world is better than it was yesterday, it has by no means reached
perfection.”It is astronomy’’said Sir Edward Arnold ‘’which will eventually be the chief
educator and emancipator of the human race’’.
(By Rufus O. Suter.Jr/adapted)
A- Comprehension and Interpretation(08pts)
1/Circle the letter that corresponds to the right answer:
The text is about:
a. The astronomer’s hard profession.
b. The astronomer’s indispensable profession.
c. The astronomer’s lofty place.
2/ Are the following statements true or false? Write “T” or “F” next to the
sentence letter
a. The astronomer’s role had been underestimated.
b. Without astronomer’s calculations life is unthinkable.
c. Time calculation is the only use of astronomy.
d. Astronomy freed men from ignorance and superstition.
3/Answer the following questions according to the text:
a. Has the writer’s opinion about the astronomer changed?
b. How is the astronomer the systematizer of the world?
c. Will astronomy have a leading role in the progress of humanity?
4/-What or who do the following words refer to in the text?
a… Connect him…( § 1)
b. …its pursuit ..(§3)
c. ….his home…(§4)
d. ….it has….(§6)
5/- Reorder the ideas as they appear in the text:
a. Astronomy will head the world towards perfection.
b. The astronomer: a man like others.
c. Everyday life and astronomy are interrelated.
d. The benefits of astronomy.
B- TEXT EXPLORATION:(07pts)
1- Match words with their synonyms:
Words Synonyms
1.Indispensable a. Disappeared
2. Vanished b. linked
3.Ignorant c. Essential
4.Connected d. unknowledgeable

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2- Complete the table as shown in the example:
Verb Noun Adjective
Eg: To locate Location Located
To analyze …………………………. …………………………
……………………….. Discovery ………………………..
………………………… ………………………… Specific
………………………… ………………………… Survived
To Connect ………………………… …………………………
3- Rewrite sentence (b )so that it means the same as sentence( a) :
a- Jupiter is very big. All planets in our Solar System could fit inside it.
b- Jupiter is so……………………………………………………………………………………
a- The density of Saturn is so low that if we tried to immerse it in water, it would float.
b- Because of………………………………………………………………………………………
a- Do you know who invented the telescope?” he asked me.
b- He asked me………………………………………………………………………….
4/ Underline the stressed syllable in the following words:
Terrestrial – humanity – technological- climatic
PART TWO: Written Expression(05pts)
Choose only one topic
Topic one:
You certainly remember a science fiction film that deeply impressed you and stuck in
your memory. Tell us about it in no more than 80 words…( title/events/actors….etc.)
Topic two: Using the notes below, write a paragraph about Yuri Gagarin.
 Name: Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin
 Birth: March 9, 1934 at Klushino(Russia)
 Young/interested in flying.
 1955, joined the Orenburg Pilot School for military flight training
 1957/married Valentina Goryacheva
 After graduation/accepted as a lieutenant of the Soviet Air Force
 1959/became senior lieutenant
 By early 1960’s/selected out of 20 pilots/ one of the best
 On April 12, 1961/after extensive training,/flew to space
 Death: air accident/March27,1968.
 ‘’I can see the clouds. I can see everything. It’s beautiful,’’ he told mission
control/back home.
Good Luck
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