EXAMEN II

Année Scolaire 2020-2021

Classe(s) : CL2 & EL2 PAVILLON 1

Durée : 90 minutes English SERVICE DES EXAMENS
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The impact of technology on today’s youth

Technology is shaping tomorrow’s society by conquering today’s teenagers. Nowadays, teens seem incapable of
having a quality face-to-face conversation that lasts more than 2 minutes. Experts attribute this to the lack of meaningful
interaction and social habits, which are a direct consequence of modern technology. Basically, people have the need to be
connected to each other 24 hours a day, 7 days a week but never in person. This means that technology can be viewed as a
social obstacle. I myself have been caught up in the technological web. When I feel the urge to see someone, I just video chat
them on skype. It is easier to see them that way than going to all the effort to be with them in person. In a sense, we are
using it to take a few short cuts and simplify life for ourselves. Think about it : when you don’t understand the homework , do
you actually phone someone and have a long conversation about that or do you just text them hoping for a quick and concise
reply ?
But every cloud has a silver lining and this is true of technology too. Technology can give you access to a whole new world of
people and information. There are millions of credible sources and databases on the Internet just waiting for you. Without
the Internet, I wouldn’t be able to find facts about things as varied as computers, cars and cameras quite as quickly and
easily. Sites such as youTube allow you to watch anything from a funny video to a videocast about quantum physics given by
the very best professors at Harvard.
Just imagine life without technology like the Internet or computers. Would you still be able to survive ? The Internet has
become an intricate part of our modern lifestyles. It allows you to express yourself as an individual and connect with others
on a global scale. If you are into photography, you can upload your photos on the webpage and share them with the world. If
you have a story or a song to share, just create a link to it and in a few instants the world is tweeting you with a feedback.
Thus, technology is a rather controversial subject. Some regard it as an obstacle. Other believes that it is a helper. Regardless
of this, it is changing the way teens communicate with each other and the world. Today’s teens are trying out tomorrow’s
technology. There really is just one question left to ask : how do you feel about technology ? Obstacle ? Asset (resource) ?
Hot topic ? or all of the above ?
A. Answer the following questions.
1. How is technology shaping tomorrow’s society ? Explain. (1 pt.)
2. Why does the writer feel that he is caught up in the technological web ? (1 pt.)
3. Does the writer have any positive attitude towards technology ? If yes, provide two examples. (2 pts.)
4. In your opinion can technology be considered a social obstacle ? why ? why not ? (1 pt.)

B. Find in the text the synonyms (same meaning) of the words below. (4 pts.)
1. To be able to use or enter something
2. dominating
3. someone having lots of knowledge or skills
4. argumentative
C. Complete the conditional sentences (Type 2) by putting the verbs in the correct form. (2 pts.)
1. If we (have) …………………………. a yacht, we (sail) …………………………. the seven seas.
2. She (spend) ………………………………. a year in the USA if it (be) …………………. easier to get a green card.
3. We (help) …………………………….. you if we (know) ………………………… how.
4. If I (feel) ……………………………… better, I (go) …………………………. to the cinema with you.

D. Match the words (1-8) to their definitions(a-h). (4 pts.)

1. lifestyle a) a system where employees choose the time they start

and finish work each day.
2. workaholic b) a time or date by which you have to do something
3. workload c) how personally satisfied you are with the way you live
and work
4. deadline d) someone who cannot stop working and has no time for
anything else
5. flextime e) the ability to give a good amount of time to your work
and to outside interests, e.g. family
6. work-life balance f) the amount of work a person is expected to do
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 7. quality of life g) the people, things and atmosphere around you at work
8. working environment h) the way people choose to organize their lives

E. Complete each sentence with an appropriate word or phrase from Exercise D. (4 pts.)

1. I worked until 11 o’clock at night to meet the ………………… for presenting the report.
2. I work six days a week and never have a holiday. My girlfriend says I’m a ………………………
3. Karl has a heavy ………………………… at the moment because several colleagues are off sick.
4. She gave up a highly paid job to join a meditation group in India. She’s completely changed her ……………………
5. A ……………………… system can help to reduce stress levels of employees by giving them more control over their
working hours.
6. If you have chilldren, working from home may help improve your ……………………………
7. Many people argue that technology has greatly improved our …………………………. and the way we feel about
work. Others disagree, arguing it actually increases stress.
8. A clean, quiet, comfortable and friendly ……………………. Can actively reduce levels of stress.

F. Match the words partnerships (1-6) to their definitions (a-f). (3 pts.)

1. to take advantage of an opportunity a) to offer a larger variety of goods

2. to raise somebody's status b) to do or provide something that is necessary

3. to enter a market c) to do something when you get the chance to do

4. to extend a product range d) to make an important discovery or change

5. to meet a need e) to start selling goods or service in a new area

6. to make a break throug f) to make somebody look or feel more important

G. Read this extract from a talk by the head of a research and development department.Then complete the gaps with
the correct form of a word partnership from exercise F. (3 pts.)
Great ideas are generated in different ways. Sometimes an idea may simply be when a company ………………………… to
……………, to offer more choice to existing customers. Or a great idea could allow a company to ……………. which was closed to
it before.
Companies which are prepared to spend a lot on R&D may ………..………. by having an original idea for a product which others
later copy, for example Sony and the Walkman.
On the other hand, some products are developed in response to customer research. They come from customer ideas. These
products are made to …………, to satisfy consumer demand. Or the product does something similar to another product, but
faster, so it saves time. Some people will buy new products because the product ………..-gives them a new, more upmarket
image.

H. Writing. (5 pts.)

Write a well –organized paragraph about the new technology in banks to serve customers.

Good luck & stay safe

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