FEDERATION EUROPEENNE DES ECOLES

EUROPEAN FEDERATION OF SCHOOLS

EUROPÄISCHER SCHULVERBAND
FEDERAZIONE EUROPEA DELLE SCUOLE
FEDERACION EUROPEA DE CENTROS DOCENTES

Organisation Non Gouvernementale dotée du statut participatif auprès du Conseil de l’Europe

NGO enjoying participatory status with the Council of Europe

LANGUE VIVANTE EUROPEENNE

ANGLAIS – ORAL

NIVEAU + 3

Aucun dictionnaire autorisé

Préparation : 25 minutes

Oral : 20 minutes

Session : Octobre 2009

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2009

UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral
 MISE EN SITUATION N°1

Britons say broadband 'essential'

By Rory Cellan-Jones, Technology correspondent, BBC News

UK consumers now believe broadband is becoming as essential a utility as electricity or water,

according to a panel of government advisers.

The Communications Consumer Panel's research involved 16 focus groups and a face-to-face survey
with 2,000 people across the UK. (Question 1)

It is expected that the report will include a government commitment to provide universal broadband
at a speed of 2Mbps (megabits per second) by 2012. The chair of the Communications Consumer
Panel Anna Bradley said: "It is being compared by consumers to gas and electricity - things which
they think we all ought to have access to, almost as a right." (Question 2 and Question 3)

Those questioned in the survey said people who did not have broadband would be at a disadvantage,
missing out on services such as shopping, banking and public services as they were increasingly
being delivered online. (Question 4)

The report showed that people currently value broadband for accessing information and for
communicating, but a growing proportion of the population is now using it for entertainment
services, such as streaming TV content. (Question 5)

The Consumer Panel said that almost 3 million people lived in computer ‘notspots’ where it would
be difficult to access broadband services unless government subsidies were available to encourage
private sector investment in the network upgrades needed. (Question 6)

1. How many people were interviewed during the research period?

2000

2. What speed is being recommended by the panel?

2 megabits per second

3. Who is Anna Bradley?

The Chair of the panel

4. Why will people without broadband be at a disadvantage?

They will have restricted access to banking, shopping and public services

5. Which area of broadband is growing?

Entertainment, particularly T.V.

6. What are computer 'notspots'?

Places where broadband is not easily available

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2009 2

UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral
MISE EN SITUATION N°2

Age is no barrier in Euro Elections

BBC World Service News May 2009

At just 18, Ellen Soderberg from Sweden is hoping to become Europe's youngest MEP. Also
campaigning is Astrid Lulling - once holder of the same title - who may now become the
parliament's oldest member. (Question 1)

Ms Lulling first entered the European Parliament in 1965. At that time there were just six member
states: Italy, France, West Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium and her own country, Luxembourg.
"In 1965, we were busy with how the then six member states could agree. So, I really, at that time,
didn't think of the unification of the whole continent," she says (Question 2)

Today, there are 27 member countries. But the other thing that has changed in the intervening 25
years is, that if re-elected on Sunday, Ms Lulling will become the oldest MEP - she turns 80 four
days after Election Day. When she first joined the parliament, it was a non-elected body and she was
one of only two women among 142 members. (Question3 and Question 4)

Despite the lack of precedent for women in parliament, she insists her male colleagues made her feel
welcome, nicknaming her "Miss European Parliament". (Question 5)

Now, she says, her age has become a handicap not a selling-point in the eyes of some voters.
(Question 6)

1. According to the article, Ellen Soderberg represents Sweden in the European Parliament :
true or false?
False, she is a candidate

2. Where does Astrid Lulling come from?

Luxembourg

3. Approximately how old is Ms Lulling?

80

4. What has changed in the way the parliament is selected since 1965?
They were non-elected in 1965

5. Male MEPs were rather unhelpful to female members when Astrid first entered the
parliament: true or false?
False

6. Does Ms Lulling think her age gives her an advantage in the poll?
No, it's not a selling point

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2009 3

UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral
MISE EN SITUATION N°3

Graduate Employment Trends

An annual survey tracking students six months after graduation found that 5.6% are out of work,
compared with 6.1% the previous year. The highest rates of unemployment were among computer
science and creative arts graduates. (Question 1 and Question 2)

Students with the lowest degree grades were also found to have the worst employment rates.This
annual survey from the Higher Education Statistics Agency shows that there is still a demand for
students leaving university - with another fall in the unemployment rate among recent graduates.
(Question 3 and Question 4)

In 2002 the comparable graduate unemployment rate was 6.7% - compared to this latest figure of
5.6%.This reflects a long-term trend towards a growing proportion of jobs requiring skilled staff.
(Question 5)

There are also considerable variations within the figures. Courses which lead directly to specific
careers, such as medicine, dentistry and teaching, have very low unemployment rates. For instance,
in medicine it is only 0.2%. (Question 6)

1. How often does the survey take place?

Every year

2. Which subjects have the poorest record for finding employment?

Computer studies and creative arts

3. What effect do low grades have?

They reduce the employment chances of students

4. Is graduate unemployment rising, falling or staying the same?

Falling

5. What is the long term trend in the employment market?

Skilled staffs are needed

6. Which courses give the best employment prospects?

Medicine, dentistry and teaching

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2009 4

UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral
MISE EN SITUATION N°4

Hope for Opel

From The Economist print edition - Jun 4th 2009

A Canadian-led consortium agrees to buy GM’s European subsidiary

THE drama of GM was not confined to America. In Berlin the German government and the
management of GM Europe strove to save Opel and Vauxhall from being sucked into the bankruptcy
of the parent company. (Question 1)

Unless Fiat or Magna was prepared to come up with the money within 24 hours, Opel and Vauxhall
would join their parent in insolvency. Fiat’s chief executive, Sergio Marchionne, declined. Magna,
however, agreed to the demand, leaving it as the sole bidder when negotiations resumed on May
29th. (Question 2 and Question 3)

The deal pleased the Social Democrats in Germany’s coalition, their union friends and the premiers
of the four states where Opel has factories. (Question 4) They believe that Magna’s plans are likelier
than Fiat’s to guarantee the 25,000 Opel jobs in Germany. Others, including Mrs Merkel, a Christian
Democrat, are doing their best to hide their scepticism. (Question 5 and Question 6)

1. Which two parties were involved in the talks to save G.M. from bankruptcy?
The German government and General Motors

2. What was Sergio Marchionne's reaction to the proposed deal?

He declined the deal

3. Magna will now be:

a. the only potential buyer (Correct answer)
b. in a position to sell its business
c. the biggest company in Canada

4. The German unions are angry/pleased/suspicious about the deal.

The unions are pleased

5. How many jobs are there in Opel Germany?

25,000

6. Angela Merkel thinks the deal is:

a. excellent
b. too secretive
c. unlikely to work (Correct answer)

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2009 5

UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral
 MISE EN SITUATION N°5

U.K. May opt out of the E.U. maternity scheme

(From BBC News- 29 March 2009)

The EU wants to increase the minimum period of maternity leave from 14 to 18 weeks and
recommends it is on full pay.The UK is backing a proposed opt-out to allow states to set a pay
ceiling , saying full pay would put "substantial costs" on businesses. (Question 1 and Question 2).

In 2007, the UK moved to extend paid maternity leave from 26 to 39 weeks. New mothers currently
receive 90% of their average salary for the first six weeks and then a maximum of ￡117.18 a week
for the rest of the period. (Question 3)

Brussels is concerned that women who have children are still losing out in terms of future job
prospects and pay. It wants women across the EU to have the right to return to the same job, or an
equivalent position, after taking leave and to be able to request flexible working upon their return.
(Question 4 and Question 5)

Its proposals are currently being discussed by MEPs and by employment ministers and could be
agreed this year. Member states would then have two years to implement them. (Question 6)

1. What is currently the minimum period of maternity leave in Europe?

14 weeks

2. Why does the U.K. Government want to retain the upper limit on maternity pay?
Because of the costs imposed to businesses.

3. How long is the minimum period of maternity leave in the U.K.?

39 weeks

4. What problem has been identified in the career progress of U.K. Mothers?
Job prospects and pay

5. What two basic rights does the E.U. want mothers to have?
To return to the same job or its equivalent and to be able to request flexible working hours

6. When is the new proposal likely to be agreed?

This year, i.e. before the end of 2009

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2009 6

UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral
 MISE EN SITUATION N°6

Social Networking – Government Database

From BBC News - 25 March 2009

Social networking sites like Facebook could be monitored by the UK government under
proposals to make them keep details of users' contacts.

The Home Office said it was needed to tackle crime gangs and terrorists who might use the sites, but
said it would not keep the content of conversations.
It is part of a plan to store details of all phone calls, e-mails and websites visited on a central
database. (Question 1)

Tens of millions of people use sites like Facebook, Bebo and MySpace to chat with friends, but
ministers say they have no interest in the content of discussions - just who people have been talking
to. Liberal Democrat MP Tom Brake said the websites contained sensitive personal details and he
was concerned information could leak from any government-controlled database. (Question 2 and
Question 3)

Phone companies are already required to store details of all calls, such as the time and date, location
and who made them, for 12 months for possible use in criminal investigations or court cases.
(Question 4 and Question 5)

The government is also considering proposals to store all communications data on a single database,
which may be run by a private company. It has delayed legislation on the move amid concerns about
civil liberties and is due to launch a consultation on the plan "shortly", which will set out privacy
safeguards. (Question 6)

1. Why does the Home Office want to keep details of social network contacts?
To fight crime and terrorism

2. What is Tom Brake's job?

He is an M.P

3. Why is Tom Brake concerned about the database?

He thinks the database will not store the information securely

4. What details are phone companies already obliged to keep?

Time, date, location and who made the call

5. Why is the information on phone calls required?

For Criminal investigation and court cases

6. Why has the government delayed setting up its single database?

Because of civil liberties protests

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2009 7

UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral
© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2009 8
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral
© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2009 9
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral
© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2009 10
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral
 The Economist – March 2009

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2009 11

UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral
© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2009 12
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral
© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2009 13
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral
© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2009 14
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral
© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2009 15
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral
© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2009 16
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral
© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2009 17
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral
© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2009 18
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral
© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2009 19
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral