A historic resolution to protect cultural heritage

The number of armed conflicts has been escalating since the 1980s − first in
Central Asia (Afghanistan), then in parts of the Middle East (Iraq and Syria) and West
Africa (Mali). These have led to an increase in the destruction of historic sites by
terrorist groups and an explosion in the trafficking of cultural artifacts. The
international community has responded actively to the destruction wreaked by ISIS
(Islamic State in Iraq and Sirya), with a much wider range of instruments at its
disposal − making it possible to enhance its protection of the cultural memory of
humanity.
In 2017, the international community was determined to protect cultural heritage.
Resolution 2347 of the UN Security Council formally recognizes that the defence of
cultural heritage is imperative for security. The process began at the end of the
nineteenth century, when fifteen European states met in Brussels (Belgium), on 27
July 1874, to examine the draft international agreement concerning the Laws and
Customs of War. A month later, Article 8 of the Brussels Declaration stipulated that,
in times of war, “All seizure or destruction of, or willful damage to […] historic
monuments, works of art and science should be made the subject of legal
proceedings by the competent authorities.”
Twenty-five years later, in 1899, on the initiative of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, an
international peace conference was held in the Netherlands, with the aim of revising
the Declaration and adopting a Convention with Respect to the Laws and Customs of
War on Land.
Also known as the Hague Convention of 1899, it considerably advanced international
law and established the principle of the immunity of cultural property. According to
Article 27 of the Convention, “In sieges and bombardments all necessary steps must
be taken to spare, as far as possible, buildings dedicated to religion, art, science, or
charitable purposes, historic monuments, hospitals […], provided they are not being
used at the time for military purposes. It is the duty of the besieged to indicate the
presence of such buildings or places by distinctive and visible signs, which shall be
notified to the enemy beforehand.” Three decades later, in 1935, the preamble of the
Treaty on the Protection of Artistic and Scientific Institutions − a pan-American
initiative also known as the Roerich Pact − formulated the idea that cultural property,
which “form the cultural treasure of peoples” must “be respected and protected in
time of war and in peace”.
Tebourba End of Term Test N°1 Mr Younsi B
Secondary
Third Year Secondary Education 2019/2020
School
Name:……………………………

Reading comprehension: 12
1/ Choose the right alternative. The text is about: 1
+ Protecting cultural memory of humanity.
+ The terrorist attacks
+ Charity
2/ Say whether the following statements are true or false. Write True or False:
+ Terrorist groups have destroyed many historic sites. ………….
+ The Brassels Declaration aimed at protecting historic monuments, works of art and
science. ………….
+ Cultural heritage and monuments must be protected only in time of peace.
………..
3/ Find in the text words / expressions that have nearly the same meaning as :
willing ( paragraph 2) = .................................
necessary ( paragraph 2) = ............................
4/ Circle the right alternative with regard to the text:
Wars have led to the ( destruction / protection) of historic monuments. The
international community ( punishes / awards) those who destroy cultural artifacts
and historical sites.
5/ What do the underlined words in the text refer to ?
These ( parag 1)..............................
When ( parag 2)..............................
Language:
1/ Complete with words from the list: 3

[affective/ encouragement/ handling/ best/ understanding/ back/ their]

As children develop from infants to teens to adults they go through a series of stages. The
proper role of the parents is to provide ......................................, support and reassurance.
This is what experts call ...........................roles of parents. On the other hand, parents have
instrumental roles that mainly include ............................family finances. The majority of
people believe that parents are the child‘s first teachers and should remain
their ................teachers throughout life. Children need their parents to …………….them up.
That’s why parents have to be understanding and listen to………………..children.
2/ Put the bracketed words in the right form or tense: 3
Researchers claim that children are unsuccessful when their parents make them [ to do ]......

a lot of stuff they hate doing. In 2017 a researcher [ to claim]........................that parents

who put too much [ to press]............... on their children make them [ unkindness]…………….

anxious and socially awkward. Those parents are not [ ability]………………to understand their
children’s problems. They should instead let their children [ to speak]………………..freely.
3/ Circle the right alternative: 2
Since the 2018 research revealed its findings, lots of parents [have changed / changed /
change] their ways of raising their children. Statistics now confirm that most children who
have pushy parents have [ low / lower / lowest] grades than their peers. “ It is beneficial for
kids to be [ strong / stronger / strongly ] connected with their social networks. Focusing too
much on school grades and pushing the children over the edge can make the children be
really [ overwhelm / overwhelming / overwhelmed ].
Writing: 12
1/ Use the following information to write a biography: 5
Name: Rosa Parks
Date of birth: 04/02/1913
Country: US
Occupation: Civil Rights activist
From 1965 to 1988: secretary and receptionist to John Conyers
1979: Spingarn Medal
Died: October 24, 2005 (aged 92)

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2/ Your friend is fed up with the exhausting household chores. Send him/ her a letter in
which you tell him/ her how you share responsibilities with your family members and give
him/ her some advice. [ 8 Marks]

Content …../3 Grammar …../3 Spelling …../2

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