1

Text:
Beethoven, one of the greatest composers and whose music is played all over the world, was deaf. It’s difficult to believe that he couldn’t hear for most of his life as a composer.
Beethoven was only 26 when he started to become deaf. When he was 30, he had noises in his ears. He had to play his piano very loudly to hear the music. Over the next few years, he quickly became deafer and deafer. At first, he could use an ear trumpet to help him hear, but soon he made no difference. Finally, he had to use “conversation books” to communicate with people by writing. He was able to write a personal diary of how being deaf made him sad and lonely.
But Beethoven was also a very cheerful person who was able to conduct the first performance of his “ninth symphony” in 1824. He couldn’t hear when the orchestra stopped playing at the end and he couldn’t hear the audience’s applause.
Part One:
Section one: Reading comprehension: (07pts)
A- Choose the most suitable title. (01pt)
1- A musical genius 2- Music in the world 3 - The ninth symphony.
B- How many paragraphs are there in the text? (O1pt)
-In which paragraph is it mentioned that Beethoven was not happy? (01pt)
C- Answer the following questions: (02pts)
1-When did Beethoven conduct the performance of the “ninth symphony”?
2- Could he hear it? Justify.
D-Find in the text words or phrases that are closest in meaning to the following: (O1pt)
-The most famous=............................., - At the end=.............................
-Find in the text words or phrases that are opposite in meaning to the following: (01pt)
-Easy≠........................, -quietly≠...........................
Section Two: Mastery of language. (07Pts)
A/ Write the right punctuation and capital letters where necessary. (O2pts)
A: would you like to come to a concert
B: sorry i’d love to but we have an exam
Level :4AM December 2014
First Term English Exam
Time: 01h30
Page 1/2
حي قعلول –برج البحري- الجزائر
Web site : www.ets-salim.com / الفاكس : 021.87.16.89 - Tel-Fax : 021.87.10.51 :
B/ Match items in A with functions in B. (01.5pt)
A
B
-Beethoven couldn’t hear his music.
-Could you lend me Beethoven’s DVD, please?
-Can I use your piano?
-Request
-Permission
- Past inability
C/ Choose the correct form. (O1.5pt)
Last week, I (see -seen -saw) a fantastic concert. The music ( be -is -was) wonderful. We (has -had -have) a good time.
D/ Classify the following words according to the pronunciation of their vowels. (02pts)
- Deaf -music -sad -stopped
/æ/ (cat)
/D/ (pot)
/i/ (little)
/e/ (egg)
-.....................
-............................
-..........................
-..........................
Part Two: (06Pts)
You know a person who had difficult conditions or physical problems, but he/she did efforts to study and work. He/she was able to be the best. Write a paragraph (6to 8 lines) telling your friends about him/ her. The following questions will help you:
-Who was the person?
-What kind of problem was it?
-How did he/she succeed?