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

Les réponses doivent être reportées sur la fiche optique

Aucun dictionnaire n’est autorisé

Type d’épreuve : QCM et courrier

Durée : 60 minutes

Session : Octobre 2007

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

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

The quest for prosperity

As it happens, the recent economic figures in Europe have been better than anyone dared hope. The
German economy, in the doldrums for six long years, is at last gathering speed. In 2006 GDP in the
EU as a whole grew by 2.9%, and in the euro area by 2.7%. In the fourth quarter of last year the
euro area’s GDP growth outstripped America’s for the first time in five years. Average
unemployment has fallen to 7.5%, the euro area has generated 12m new jobs over the past eight
years and even productivity growth has started to pick up. Across Europe the mood has become
noticeably more optimistic.

Yet this greater optimism comes after an extended period of profound gloom. Over the past decade
GDP growth has been generally lacklustre; productivity has stagnated, in some countries even fallen
;and unemployment has stayed stubbornly high. The contrast with 50 years ago, when the Treaty of
Rome was signed, could hardly be greater. West Germany was in the midst of its
Wirtschaftswunder, a miracle country of rapid growth, low employment and fast-rising living
standards. France was enjoying les trentes glorieuses, 30 splendid post-war years when everything
went right. And Italy was quickly gaining ground on its richer European neighbours.

(208 words)

From The Economist March 17th 2007

1. The German economy, in the doldrums for six long years…

a. The German economy was in serious difficulty
b. The German economy was prosperous
c. The German economy was developing
d. The German economy was booming

2. …the euro area’s GDP growth outstripped America’s for the first time.
a. …the euro area’s GDP growth overtook America’s for the first time.
b. …the euro area’s GDP growth was lower than America’s for the first time.
c. …the euro area’s GDP growth was the same as America’s for the first time.
d. …the euro area’s GDP growth was not as high as America’s for the first time.

3. In 2006 GDP in the EU as a whole grew…

a. global domestic production
b. gross domestic product
c. general domestic production
d. great domestic party

4. Over the past decade GDP growth has been generally lacklustre…
a. Over the past decade GDP growth has been generally good…
b. Over the past decade GDP growth has been generally surging…
c. Over the past decade GDP growth has been generally low…
d. Over the past decade GDP growth has been generally satisfying…

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2007 2/8
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Ecrit – Sujet
 WRITTEN COMPREHENSION N°2

Into the club

An even better reason for joining the euro is what Malta had to do to qualify. It is a textbook case of
the beneficial effects of meeting the entry criteria. Three years ago, Malta’s public debt was almost
75% of GDP and its budget deficit nearly 5%. To qualify for membership, the centre-right
government imposed austerity measures that would have been unthinkable without the lure of the
euro entry.

British colonial rule, which ended in 1964, left the islanders with a large public sector, a generous
welfare state and a pervasive jobs-for-life, state-will-provide outlook. Yet in recent years the
workforce at the Valletta docks, once the hub of Malta’s economy, has been cut by 3,000. The
island’s loss-making national shipping line has been closed, and its telecoms firm and airport
privatised. The government has frozen public employment and wrung from the unions a six-year
deal on public-sector wages.

As the opposition Malta Labour Party stresses, the government has also had to raise taxes. Alfred
Sant, the MLP leader, has been iffy about joining the euro, as he was about the EU, and complains
that « they promised the moon and stars. But it has been a hard slog. »

(197 words)

From the Economist July 14th 2007

5. …that would have been unthinkable without the lure of the euro entry.
a. problem
b. issue
c. appeal
d. situation

6. … has been cut by 3,000.

a. increased
b. decreased
c. engraved
d. overstaffed

7. …once the hub of Malta’s economy…

a. problem
b. hurdle
c. advantage
d. center

8. …wrung from the unions a six-year deal on public-sector wages.

a. given to
b. discussed with
c. mentioned to
d. obtained from

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2007 3/8
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Ecrit – Sujet
 GRAMMAR TEST

9. The new accountant will be doing…………work that Mr. Drake has been doing.
a. same as
b. the same
c. same
d. the same as

10. The account executives were unable to ……….. on a strategic plan.

a. agreement
b. agreed
c. agree
d. agrees

11. Investors watched the market………… to see how it would react to the unemployment
situation.
a. close
b. closed
c. closeness
d. closely

12. The board members ………….. to elect a new chairman at the May meeting.
a. schedule
b. scheduled
c. are scheduled
d. are scheduling

13. A reminder was sent…………… all personnel regarding the revised schedule.
a. to
b. from
c. at
d. on

14. Employees are encouraged to …………. local seminars and workshops.

a. attending
b. attended
c. attend
d. be attended

15. ……….. the group has made large contributions, it feels excluded from the community.
a. So
b. Even though
c. However
d. In spite of

16. The community is attempting to restore the island to its …………state.

a. natures
b. nature
c. naturally
d. natural

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2007 4/8
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Ecrit – Sujet
17. All new orders are on hold …………… the defect can be fixed.
a. until
b. after
c. as
d. only

18. More wine was exported in the third quarter ………….. in any previous quarter.
a. that
b. than
c. as
d. then

19. The company was saved …………….bankruptcy by a multi-million dollar contract with a
Middle Eastern firm.
a. for
b. with
c. from
d. by

20. Airline ticket …………….fell when the major airlines implemented their new pricing
plans.
a. sales
b. sell
c. sails
d. sold

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2007 5/8
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Ecrit – Sujet
 VOCABULARY TEST

21. Mail service will be suspended during the postal workers’ strike.
a. inspected
b. delayed
c. uninterrupted
d. broken off

22. In his speech, the Prime Minister warned against making hasty decisions.
a. expensive
b. unhealthy
c. firm
d. quick

23. Since research studies have shown a relationship between cancer and cigarette smoking,
many people have cut down.
a. ceased smoking
b. become frightened
c. decreased the number of cigarettes
d. gotten sick

24. It is not a good business policy to buy sleazy materials.

a. few
b. shabby
c. used
d. old

25. During the debate, both politicians spent most of their time quarreling.
a. bickering
b. gossiping
c. teasing
d. chuckling

26. Pipes may be painted to keep them from getting oxidized.

a. misplaced
b. soaked
c. rusty
d. frozen

27. Interfering with someone’s mail is a serious crime in the U.S.

a. Assisting
b. Tampering
c. Gambling
d. Intimidating

28. Finances can consist of a combination of stocks, bonds, and properties.

a. Exceptions
b. Assets
c. Donations
d. Bequests

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2007 6/8
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Ecrit – Sujet
29. When a hurricane is about to occur, the National Weather Bureau issues a warning.
a. adjacent
b. perilous
c. gigantic
d. imminent

30. Unless the population growth stabilizes environmentalists predict a worldwide starvation
by 2070.
a. famine
b. flood
c. rebellion
d. disease

31. Owners should be sure that their insurance will replace all of their merchandise.
a. Proprietors
b. Tutors
c. Benefactors
d. Debtors

32. When one is unfamiliar with the customs, it is easy to make a blunder.
a. commitment
b. mistake
c. enemy
d. injury

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2007 7/8
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Ecrit – Sujet
 REDACTION D’UN COURRIER (/24 POINTS)

BATES and Co.

Old Church Road
Sheffield S4 6SL

MAC GREGOR FURNITURE Ltd

3 Evans Place
Beds.

Dear Sirs,

As our accountants were checking our books for the annual audit, they noticed that the outstanding October account for
£ 1,710, a copy of which is enclosed, was not paid when it was due.

Since you usually clear your accounts promptly, we think that an oversight from your accounts department is
undoubtedly the reason for this delay in payment.

As we would like to settle all accounts before the end of the trading year, could you please clear the outstanding balance
by a prompt payment.

If, however, you have already sent a remittance then please disregard this letter.

Yours faithfully,

J.P.Robinson
Head of Accounts Department

Enc.

Answer this letter

This letter will be written in correct English in 100 to 150 words.

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2007 8/8
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Ecrit – Sujet