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Annales gratuites Bac S : A coffee morning - expression

Le sujet  2009 - Bac S - Anglais LV1 - Expression Imprimer le sujet
Avis du professeur :

Trois sujets de type argumentatif où vous êtes amenés à discuter des questions relatives au thème abordé, en donnant votre opinion personnel. Des sujets plutôt intéressants qui vous forcent à réfléchir sur l'aspect matérialiste de nos existences.
-Ce que vous avez vous rend-t-il populaire auprès des autres?
La popularité liée à ce que l'on possède est éphémère alors que celle liée à nos qualités intrinsèques perdure.
-Quelle idée vous faites-vous d'un métier prestigieux?
Vous devez là encore argumenter sur les apparences, le prestige, le salaire, mais aussi la dimension humaniste qui va de pair avec un poste prestigieux.
Le dernier sujet était plus difficile et nécessitait une pensée structurée et réfléchie. De facture plus philosophique, il était davantage destiné aux plus avertis d'entre vous.
LE SUJET


Choose subject 1 (a+b) or subject 2.

Subject 1 (a+b):
a. ll. 4-6 'Connor was becoming popular with his classmates on account of the hundreds of electronic toys and state-of-the-art computer games that filled his enormous bedroom.' Does popularity depend on what you have? (150 words)
b.
l. 16 'Algy had a prestigious job valuing paintings for London's smartest auctioneers.' What is your idea of a prestigious job? (150 words)

Subject 2:
l.65 'She has to take responsibility for her own learning.'
To what extent is an individual responsible for his/her learning or professional training? (300 words)


.            Nancy had arrived in England six months ago, and had invited Victoria to a coffee
     morning with Philly Bingham, a fellow mother at the school where Nancy had recently
     enrolled her son, Connor. All three women had sons in the same class. Alex and Philly's
     son, Rufus, were old friends, but Connor was becoming popular with his classmates on
 5  account of the hundreds of electronic toys and state-of-the-art computer games that filled
     his enormous bedroom. Also, he had a home cinema in the basement with all the latest
     films. And Nancy Masters served fabulous teas with real chips and American burgers
     followed by tubs of expensive ice-cream.
             Philly Bingham was attempting to stare discreetly around the room, taking in the
10  sound system, the television and the acres of mahogany furniture. Philly, thought
     Victoria, would probably describe herself as an old-fashioned Englishwoman from an old-
     established English family. Philly's own drawing room consisted of good but shabby
     furniture, a few faded rugs and a Labrador. On no account would Philly allow into her
     house a television the size of the one Nancy possessed. But, then, Philly couldn't afford
15  one. She and her husband had inherited their house from Algy's father, and although
     Algy had a prestigious job valuing paintings for London's smartest auctioneers his salary
     barely kept them in pasta.
             There followed a stilted attempt at conversation.
             'So, Nancy, how are you settling into London?' asked Victoria politely.
20          '
Weeell, I'm finding my feet. I've located the American library, signed on with an
     American doctor. Of course, the US school was full so we had to put Connor into the
     local one.'
             Nancy was really getting into the English way of life, then.
             'And Hayden?'
25          '
Weeell, he's kinda busy at work. They've been doing a big takeover(1). The cab comes
     for him at six.'
             Philly sounded bright. 'Oh, that's not too bad. I know these banks can demand the
     most ghastly
(2) hours. So he has the evening with you?'
             Nancy looked nonplussed. 'I mean the cab comes at six in the
morning. To go to
30  Canary Wharf
(3). He's up at five. He gets home most nights at around eight.'
             'Gosh
(4).' Philly was aghast. 'How does he keep going?'
             'Oh, he's pretty health conscious. I watch his diet and I don't let him drink alcohol in
     the week. And we go jogging at the weekend, that kinda thing.'
             Wow, thought Victoria, life was a bundle of fun for Hayden Masters.
35          'But I still have some things to sort out,' continued Nancy.
             Philly seized deftly on the opportunity to make some suggestions. 'Maybe we can give
     you some pointers. Algy and I have been here for ten years so we know virtually
     everyone.'
             Nancy seemed doubtful. 'I'm kinda hoping to find a decent hairdresser. I find the
40  salons here a little... dull.' Her eyes took in Philly's chubby face and her lank brown hair,
     pushed back for the occasion with a velvet Alice band. 'You see, I need
volume in my
     hair, but I cannot find anyone here who can really backcomb.'
             Victoria thought that Nancy's hair was immaculate already, platinum blonde with the
     ends curled neatly outwards. But she knew just the man to take her on. 'Jean-Pierre.
45  He's excellent. I'll write down his number for you.'
             'Is he American?'
             'French.'
             Nancy looked disappointed, but evidently decided to change the subject. 'Let me pass
     you some biscuits.' [...]
50          'And how is Ute doing?' enquired Victoria.
             Nancy sighed. 'I suppose I can't complain. We had such a wonderful Mexican lady in
     Dallas. All legal, of course. We paid for her to be naturalised. Hayden can't take any
     chances with employing
aliens.'
             Philly choked on her biscuit.
55          Victoria translated: 'Aliens are illegal immigrants. It's the American term.'
             Nancy pushed on regardless: 'But it's so hard to get domestics here. Ute is my third
     au pair already.'
             Philly and Victoria exchanged a glance. Consuela had been with Victoria for nearly
     five years.
60          Nancy brushed a non-existent crumb from her spotless white polo shirt. 'She's fine
     with cleaning and shopping, but she struggles a little with Connor's homework. And I
     really cannot trust her with the ironing. I'm having to have all that sent out'
             'Perhaps she has difficulties with the language,' said Philly, trying to be helpful.
             'I can't help that! She has to take responsibility for her own learning.'

Wives and Lovers, Jane Elizabeth VARLEY, 2003

(1) takeover: (here) taking control of a company
(2) ghastly: frightening, bad and unpleasant
(3) Canary Wharf: large business and shopping development, in the London Docklands
(4) Gosh: 'Oh my God'



LE CORRIGÉ


SUBJECT 1 (A+B):

a. l. 4-6 'Connor was becoming popular with his classmates on account of the hundreds of electronic toys and state-of-the-art computer games that filled his enormous bedroom.' Does popularity depend on what you have? (150 words)

It is a well-known fact that...
● It is universally acknowledged that being well-off is a way to be (valued/recognized/praised by the others).
● What we are mainly concerned with here, is appearances and what people think about us.
Just consider, by way of illustration how teenagers show their latest mobile phones to the people around in order to be self-important.
However, it is questionable whether popularity depends on what we have.
● To round off this section, we might say
that...
From all this, it follows that...


b. l. 16 'Algy had a prestigious job valuing paintings for London's smartest auctioneers.' What is your idea of a prestigious job? (150 words)

It is generally accepted that...
● Wealth, fame and fortune help us to be accepted in our modern
society.
● It cannot be denied that a prestigious job is always linked with money.
● We may wonder to what extent showing off is the reflection of happiness.
● This issue leads us to the famous saying : money can't buy happiness.
● The lesson to be learned is that...
● All things considered, we may claim that...


SUBJECT 2:

l.65 'She has to take responsibility for her own learning.'
To what extent is an individual responsible for his/her learning or professional training? (300 words)

The main issue under discussion is learning and education as a whole.
● This raises the whole question oh whether success is a consequence of our personal choices.
● What should be established at the very outset is that learning has been imposed on us at a very early age.
● Nevertheless, it should be borne in mind that the people we meet can shape our learning and influence our choices.
Thus, the idea of being responsible for one's learning could be somewhat misleading.

Pour exprimer une idée personnelle :
To my mind/ In my view/ It seems to me that
I am convinced that/ I (would) maintain/claim that.

Pour marquer l'accord :
I agree wholeheartedly with the opinion that...
I approve of...

Le désaccord :
I disapprove of / I strongly disagree with.

Pour résumer les arguments:
This shows how.../ To put it in a nutshell
I have demonstrated that....

Pour conclure :
All in all,.../ At the end of the day,.../ Ultimately then,...


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