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 – ECRIT

Compréhension écrite
Connaissances lexicales et grammaticales
Rédaction d’un courrier

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Aucun dictionnaire n’est autorisé

Type d’épreuve : QCM et courrier

Durée : 60 minutes

Session : Janvier 2007

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Janvier 2007

UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Ecrit – Sujet
 WRITTEN COMPREHENSION N°1

CONTENDING WITH CHINA

Technology and globalization are flattening the global economic playing field today, enabling many
more developing nations to compete for white-collar and blue-collar jobs once reserved for the
developed world. This is one reason why growth in wages for the average U.S. worker has not been
keeping pace with our growth in productivity and G.D.P.

Many Americans lately have started to understand that, and it is one reason that with this new
Democrat-led Congress we are likely to see a surge in protectionist legislation, more Wal-Mart
bashing, a slowdown in free-trade expansion and increased calls for punitive actions if China
doesn’t reduce its trade surplus –which surged to a record in October.

China, in other words, is inevitably going to move back to the center of U.S. politics, because it
crystallizes the economic challenges faced by U.S. workers in the 21st century. The big question for
me is, how will President Bush and the Democratic Congress use China: as a scapegoat or a
Sputnik?

By Thomas L. Friedman, The New York Times, November 2006

1. Contending with China

a) fighting for
b) racing through
c) struggling with
d) wrestling

2. The average U.S. worker has not been keeping pace with our growth in productivity and
G.D.P.
a) global domestic potential
b) great democratic party
c) gross domestic product
d) general domestic policy

3. We are likely to see a surge in protectionist legislation

a) an increase
b) a freeze
c) a brake
d) a stop

4. How will President Bush and the Democratic Congress use China: as a scapegoat or a
Sputnik?
a) China would be used as a scarecrow
b) China would be used as a beetle
c) China would be a scaremonger
d) China would be blamed for the wrongdoings or mistakes of others

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Janvier 2007 2/7
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Ecrit – Sujet
 WRITTEN COMPREHENSION N°2

THE WATERS WHERE THE TUNA ROAM

The situation is far from hopeless. Many American fish stocks are thriving. A quiet revolution has
occurred in certain American waters, like the halibut fishery in Alaska, and in countries like
Canada, Iceland, New Zealand and Australia. Fishermen have discovered the same tool used by
settlers on the Great Plains: property rights.

These fishermen haven’t figured out how to brand their animals or fence the ocean. But they’ve
essentially divvied up the animals just as cattlemen once did. They no longer let anyone with a boat
catch as many fish as he can. Each fisherman has to buy what’s called a transferable quota, giving
him the right to a certain percentage of the animal catch. The quotas are bought and sold on the
open market like shares of stock.

Once they’ve made these investments, the fishermen start thinking long term. Instead of competing
to overfish, instead of fighting with regulators and scientists, they make sure that sensible limits are
set on the overall catch so that there are plenty of fish left to breed.

One way or another, fishermen will be smart enough to avert the predicted catastrophe of 2048.

By John Tierney, The New York Times, November 2006

5. Many American fish stocks are thriving:

a) prosperous
b) penniless
c) thrifty
d) failing

6. But they’ve essentially divvied up the animals

a) plunged into
b) diversified
c) shared
d) selected

7. …sensible limits are set on the overall catch so that there are plenty of fish left to breed
a) a lot of fish mate and produce offsprings
b) a few fish are able to survive
c) some fish won’t become adults
d) fish production is growing

8. …fishermen will be smart enough to avert the predicted catastrophe of 2048

a) to warn
b) to prevent
c) to inform of
d) to keep quiet

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Janvier 2007 3/7
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Ecrit – Sujet
II- CONNAISSANCES LEXICALES ET GRAMMATICALES

9. I felt that we had finally ……..some headway on these tax issues.

a) made
b) taken
c) gone
d) had

10. Although profit is one indicator of success, it need not be the ………one.
a) alone
b) single
c) lonely
d) only

11. With the holidays coming, department stores are gearing up for their busy …………
a) era
b) epoch
c) course
d) season

12. We cannot print …….. the financial report until the computer is working.
a) with
b) on
c) forth
d) out

13. Ms Yen’s contribution to the company has been …………….

a) industrial
b) indigenous
c) invaluable
d) inclement

14. I would like to ………the conference call until both analysts have sent us their reports.
a) postpone
b) move
c) hinder
d) detain

15. They said my qualifications were …………..varied than those of any other applicant.
a) most
b) best
c) more
d) very

16. She wanted to wander …………. Dublin by herself.

a) among
b) around
c) out
d) about

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Janvier 2007 4/7
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Ecrit – Sujet
17. Municipal bonds are issued by state and local governments to pay for keeping roads and
bridges in good ……………
a) state
b) repair
c) quality
d) manner

18. These tires are highly ………….because of their durability.

a) recollected
b) reconciled
c) recommended
d) recorded

19. ……………… the managers launched the training program for new employees,
absenteeism has been declining.
a) before
b) when
c) since
d) during

20. In ……………. rising health care costs, many companies are streamlining their benefits
program.
a) light of
b) accordance of
c) keeping of
d) lights on

21. Calendar years and fiscal years don’t …………..coincide.

a) almost
b) already
c) always
d) also

22. Inflation is eating ……… at our hard-earned savings.

a) down
b) on
c) through
d) away

23. If the project is a success, the office ……………..more help.

a) would hire
b) hired
c) can hire
d) could have hired

24. The office manager wants the computers ……………….by tomorrow.

a) will be installed
b) installing
c) install
d) installed

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Janvier 2007 5/7
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Ecrit – Sujet
25. A new collection of programs ……………………….in the conference room.
a) are presenting
b) are presented
c) present
d) is being presented

26. The supplier said the department …………………….. a larger quantity in the future.
a) has been ordered
b) order
c) should order
d) ordered

27. Some managers wouldn’t let the secretaries ………………….early yesterday.

a) leave
b) leaves
c) leaving
d) left

28. …………you transfer your account, sign on the dotted line.

a) while
b) because
c) during
d) before

29. Our company ………………Super Speed Service since 1982.

a) use
b) used
c) had used
d) has been using

30. The solution cannot be determined …………..………..the problem is identified.

a) if
b) when
c) until
d) which

31. I would ask for a special meeting if I ………………….her.

a) was
b) were
c) am
d) would be

32. Sales performance has been poor; ……………….., the store will close soon.
a) nevertheless
b) therefore
c) on the whole
d) but

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Janvier 2007 6/7
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Ecrit – Sujet
III- REDACTION DE COURRIER

Write a letter of application for the following post:

Young man or woman, University graduate, required as assistant to staff

manager of a large Department Store. Initiative and Personality more important
than previous experience. Excellent opportunity for really suitable person.
Evans & Cleaver Ltd., Oxford Street, London, W.I.

Your name is Frederick Harrison, you live in Brighton and you are looking for a job.

Your letter will be written in correct English in about 150 words.

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Janvier 2007 7/7
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Ecrit – Sujet