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 : Janvier 2008

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Janvier 2008

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

Twenty years ago when the personal computer hit the business world, experts predicted the advent
of the paperless office. But time has proved them wrong. Offices have more paper than ever. People
can easily print out a personal copy of a document for anyone who needs to see it. Programs such as
spelling and grammar checkers, as well as improved computer graphics, have led people to expect
perfection in their documents, and to keep printing copies until they get it. The simple truth is that
most people simply prefer paper. Scientific studies have shown that paper copies are easier for
people to read and to edit than is text on a screen. And many people are still nervous about
documents being accidentally deleted from a computer – if not through their own fault, through a
computer system failure or a power outage. In short, although office paper may be significantly
reduced, the paperless office is unlikely to become a reality.

The Guardian – 21st November, 2007

1. What does this article discuss?

a) the advantages of computers
b) the failure of the typewriter
c) the paperless office
d) the efficiency of printers

2. When was the paperless office first predicted?

a) when the computers became common
b) when people realized the need to recycle
c) when paper became too expensive
d) when printers failed to work as advertised

3. How have computer programs generated more paper?

a) they use lots of paper
b) they print multiple copies
c) they make documents easy to prepare
d) they connect easily to printers

4. Why will offices probably always use paper?

a) paper can be signed
b) paper is traditional
c) paper is easier to mail
d) many people prefer paper

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Janvier 2008 2/7
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Ecrit – Sujet
 WRITTEN COMPREHENSION N°2

Economists have pointed to the reduction in small airline commuter flights as a sign that the airline
industry is in financial trouble once again. A careful review of the relevant facts, however reveals
that nothing could be further from the truth, as the following analysis indicates. The first point often
cited to support the idea of failure is the recent reduction in the number of commuter flights.

Certainly it is obvious to anyone who looks at the figures that the number of commuter flights has
fallen by 20% over the past five years. This drop, however, is due to reasons that actually reflect
growth, rather than decline, in the airline industry. Many former commuter flights have been
absorbed into the schedule of regular commercial flights due to increased passenger demand on
those routes. Thus, though commuter flights have decreased, non-commuter flights have increased,
reflecting an overall increase in passengers. Second, some former commuter routes were designated
as such only because the smaller airports at the destination could not accommodate larger planes.

But many growing cities have improved and expanded their airport facilities in recent years to
encourage business and tourism in their regions. These physical improvements to the airports have
eliminated the need for all flights in these areas to be made in small commuter planes. Finally,
increased numbers of passengers for short flights have made flying larger planes more economical
for the airlines, which means that due to plane size alone these flights are no longer officially
considered commuters. Thus, the commuter flight is alive and well, and bigger than it has ever been
before.

The New York Times – 02nd December, 2007

5. Why do some economists think the airline industry may be in trouble?

a) commuter flights have decreased
b) the number of passengers is down
c) the rate of complaints is higher
d) many pilots have resigned

6. Why has the number of commuter flights fallen recently?

a) fewer people want to fly on them
b) they have been merged with regular flights
c) commuter planes are not safe
d) there are not enough planes

7. How have improvements at airports influenced commuter flights?

a) they have made passengers more comfortable
b) they can handle many more flights
c) they are now more airports
d) they can accommodate larger planes

8. Why are airlines flying larger planes on these routes?

a) it is more economical
b) it is easier
c) it is safer
d) it is faster

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Janvier 2008 3/7
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Ecrit – Sujet
 CONNAISSANCES LEXICALES ET GRAMMATICALES

9. Unless the factory can increase _______, headquarters will consider closing it.
a) produce
b) producing
c) production
d) productive

10. Although it seems unlikely, ______ sometimes influences business decisions.

a) politicians
b) politics
c) political
d) politicize

11. This long letter will require three ______.

a) paper
b) papers
c) sheets of paper
d) sheet of paper

12. Many companies hire consultants to give ______ on special projects.

a) advise
b) advertise
c) advice
d) adventure

13. Mrs Brown can probably _____ a way for the computer to run the program.
a) devote
b) desire
c) device
d) devise

14. The food at the banquet was good, and the _____ was even better.
a) entertain
b) entertained
c) entertaining
d) entertainment

15. I prefer to pay by _____.

a) bill
b) payment
c) check
d) balance

16. Each item reflects our effort to _____ the highest quality in our products.
a) preserve
b) reserve
c) deserve
d) persevere

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Janvier 2008 4/7
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Ecrit – Sujet
17. Mr Weber hired a new _____.
a) assist
b) assistance
c) assisted
d) assistant

18. Her _____ employer gave her a good recommendation.

a) prevalent
b) prevent
c) preview
d) previous

19. We are in _____ with our supplier.

a) agree
b) agreeing
c) agreement
d) agreed

20. Mrs Smith is a _____ supervisor.

a) confident
b) confidence
c) confidentially
d) confidently

21. Our program is _____ selling software on the market.

a) the fast
b) fastest
c) faster
d) the fastest

22. The chemist needed the doctor _____ the prescription before she filled it.
a) verifying
b) verified
c) verifies
d) to verify

23. _____ her innovative advertising ideas, she was not promoted.
a) Because of
b) Even though
c) Although
d) Despite

24. The _____ argument caused everyone to vote in favour of the proposal.
a) convinced
b) convince
c) convincing
d) to convince

25. The new desk, _____ was delivered yesterday, looks wonderful in the reception area.
a) that
b) which
c) it
d) whose

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Janvier 2008 5/7
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Ecrit – Sujet
26. The manager made his employees _____ the computer training classes.
a) attending
b) attend
c) to attend
d) attendance

27. Mrs Johnson was getting ready to leave the hotel when she _____ a phone call.
a) receives
b) had received
c) is receiving
d) received

28. The trade fair will start _____ Monday of next week.
a) in
b) on
c) over
d) the

29. You can buy stamps at the post office _____ from a vending machine.
a) nor
b) but
c) or
d) neither

30. I suggest _____ an attorney before proceeding with a lawsuit.

a) consult
b) consulting
c) to consult
d) will consult

31. The head of the division will be going to the convention _____ an emergency arises.
a) when
b) unless
c) because
d) since

32. Flight 201 will be arriving at Gate 7B ____ time.

a) by
b) on
c) at
d) within

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Janvier 2008 6/7
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Ecrit – Sujet
 BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE (/24 POINTS)

You work as a Sales representative in C3PO, a company specialised in music production. Mr

Bernard LEMARQUE, the Sales Manager, asks you to make out on his behalf a letter in
English dated today which should enclose the elements mentioned below. The letter is to be
sent to Mr Jerry BARRY, Home Hits Production, 7184 Wiltshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA
90041.

• Acknowledge receipt of his latest letter

• Keep him posted about Mr LEMARQUE’s trip

• herewith, the itinerary already agreed upon by our Chairman and Managing Director, Mr
LELOUP

- days in New York, with meetings with several producers

- 3 days in Chicago for a trade fair

- 6 days in Los Angeles, visits to recording sessions and meetings with some
suppliers

- 4 days in Miami, negotiations with new business partners

…including a party in the event of the signature of a business contract

• Adapted conclusion and complimentary close

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Janvier 2008 7/7
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Ecrit – Sujet