Future High School Grade Nine

English Exam Jan 9, 12

Name: -------------------------- Duration: 2hrs

Part One: Reading (Score: 12/20)

Read the following text, in which the writer talks about a prominent, self-assured Lebanese craftsman who
has raised Lebanon’s name abroad. Then, answer the questions that follow.

1- Lebanese art ambassadors proudly represent their country and reveal its image of beauty, creativity,
and taste in a profound spirit of self-assuredness. Among them is Sam Aloof, the prominent 92-year-
old furniture maker.
2- Born in 1916, Aloof, the son of Lebanese immigrants in the USA, has developed his own unique
furniture style. Entirely self-taught, he sells his most popular labeled creation-rocking chair- to
customers around the world. Three U.S. presidents have owned his rocking chair: President Carter,
Reagan, and Clinton. It is famous for its elegance and comfort.
3- Maloof follows his artistic feeling every time he approaches a piece of wood. “If a client comes in
with a drawing and says this is what I want you to make, I say sorry, you can tell me how big you want
something and the sort of wood you want, but I need to have a free hand,” Maloof says.
4- Maloof still puts everything together himself although he has taken on three apprentices who will
carry on the business when he retires or passes away. From the time he was 10 (when he first made a
breadboard so that his mother could take her homemade bread from the oven without burning
herself) until today, Maloof has never made anything he did not design himself. Once, he refused an
offer of $22 million for the right to mass-produce* his designs.
5- His workshop is located in the basement of his home in California. The handmade wooden home was
declared a historic site by the state of California. Filled with Malodor’s unique furniture, unusual door
latches* and a widely photographed spiral staircase of his own design, it was built room by room over
40 years.
6- He considers himself a craftsman rather than an artist, but when he talks about his crafts, Maloof
sounds like an artist. He believes his work is still getting better. “If your aim is to reach a combination of
beauty and comfort, it’s impossible to reach perfection no matter how hard you work or what
technique you follow. You need to put your soul in everything you make, “He said to me once during a
day I spent in his workshop to write a news article to the magazine I work for.
7- In 1985, Maloof became the first craftsman to be awarded a “genius grant.” His work started to
compete for international recognition two years later. The traveling exhibition Craft in America
includes some of his work, which is also displayed in numerous public and private collections. Today,
Maloof stands a pillar* representing Lebanese model of self-confidence and artistic heritage.

*Mass-produce: produced in large numbers using machinery

*Latch: a small metal or plastic object used to keep a door, gate, or window closed.
*Pillar : someone who is an important and respected member of a group

Questions:
A-What does each of the underlined pronouns refer to? (0.5pt)
1-Them (par.1) 2-It (par.5)
B-Use your own words to answer each one of the following questions in complete sentences.
1-What was Maloof’s first achievement? (0.5)
2-What’s the writer’s job? (0.5)
 3-How old was Maloof when his designs reached international markets? (1)
4- What distinguishes Maloof’s work from that of others? (1.5)

C-Each of the following sentences can be added at the end of one paragraph. Refer to the text to provide the
paragraph number for each. Copy the chart in your answer booklet. (1.5)
Sentence Paragraph Number
It will become a museum on his death.
No wonder why it is considered very expensive.
He always lets the wood inspire and guide him.

D-Preview the selection to find one piece of evidence (one sentence) which shows that: (2)
1-A large number of people are interested in seeing Maloof’s residence.
2-Maloof’s designs are owned by celebrities (famous persons).
3-Maloof cares for artistic creation more than money.
4-Maloof insists on his own free, artistic style.

E-Refer to the indicated paragraphs to find a word that has the same meaning as the underlined word or
phrase. (2)
1-The craftsman’s creations truly took on a quality of some intense and deep finesse that I had
always struggled to obtain. (par.1 or 2)
2-Maloof has already trained people who want to learn his art, and now welcomes any potential
carving students. (par.3 or 4)
3-To excel as a potter, there are certain special ways you have to master first. (par.5 or 6)
4-Different apprentices will contest to win the National Craft Championship. (par.6 or 7)

F-Each of the following sentences contains one grammatical error. Rewrite it correctly. (1.5)
1-There will, at an early date, be an elimination race for the purpose of selecting a team of craftsmen
to challenging for the International Trophy.
2-The shows put the emphasis on innovative features and exciting workshops ever since their launch in 1998.
3-By the time the referee signals the end of the contest, the craftsmen will be working on their materials
all day.
4-Having shown exceptional talent and artistic skills, the award was won by the Lebanese craftsman.
5-It will take at least a three-years period to finish decorating this house.
6-The man was confusing by the strange sight of aliens coming from another planet.

G-Rewrite each of the following sentences, starting as indicated, without changing the meaning. (1)
1-He is eager to run all the desert races on the planet.
He is looking forward -----------------------------------------------
2-This artisan has never produced unique pieces of art.
Never ----------------------------------------------------------

Part Two: Writing (Score:8/20)

During one of your school outings, you had the chance to visit a Lebanese exhibition of traditional handicrafts.
Develop a well-organized composition of 150-200 words to tell about that experience. Describe the items in
display and show how the younger generation can contribute to the survival of our valuable rich traditions.
Supply you developed composition with an outline and a suitable title.
(Score: Outline+ title:2, Ideas:3, Language: 3)
Note: You must use at least 10 vocabulary words from the words you’ve memorized in Beyond reading lessons.
Good Work to All!