Le Texte

[c-mwa]

BACCALAUREAT

ANGLAIS LV1 - SERIE S - SESSION 2008

Oral du second groupe

TEXT 1

"Why America?"

Jagan is a sixty-year-old shopkeeper in a small town in southern India. He would like to

know more about the future plans of his son Mali, an arts student 1 aged twenty. He has

asked his cousin, a teacher in Mali's college, to investigate.

The cousin came back four days later and said, "New things are coming your way; your son

wants to go to America. Didn't I hint to you long ago that it was coming?"

The first shock of the impact blanked out Jagan's mind for a time, and he caught his breath as he

had a momentary panic at the thought of his son removing himself geographically so far. He

inanely2 repeated, "America ! Why America ? What has happened to his book? Has he written it?

Hasn't he written it?"

"He thinks he will have to learn the art in America."

Jagan was furious at this notion; it was outrageous and hurt his national pride.

"Going there to learn story-telling ! He should rather go to a village granny," he said, all his

patriotic sentiments surging.

"Exactly what I told him," echoed the cousin.

"Did Valmiki go to America or Germany in order to learn to write his Ramayana3?" asked Jagan

with pugnacity. "Strange notions these boys get nowadays!" he said, avoiding gently any specific

reference to his son. [...]

"What has happened to his book?" he asked desperately.

"He will write it in America," said the cousin.

Jagan felt completely crushed; adverse forces seemed to hem him on all sides. "What has

America to do with writing his book?"

"He has read in one of the magazines at the library about a college where they teach novelwriting."

[...]

"Why America?" asked Jagan. [...]

"Because, perhaps, it's the only country where they teach such things."

"They eat only beef and pork in that country. I used to know a man from America and he told

me..."

"They also drink a lot of intoxicating drinks, never water or milk," said the cousin, contributing his

own bit of information. "And the women are free," he added. "I have seen some of their magazines

about films; their women mix freely with men and snap off marriages without ado4, and bask in

the sun without clothes."

"Where did you see all this?" asked Jagan, and did not note the answer from the cousin, who

flourished5 his arms vaguely. Jagan went on, "It may not all be true," not wishing to think a

country to which Mali was going was one to corrupt his body with wine, women and meat, and his

soul with other things. He said with a sudden determination, "But it's unthinkable. Mali shall stay

here."

R. K. NARAYAN, The Vendor of Sweets (1967)

1. arts student: étudiant en lettres

2. inanely: bêtement

3. Ramayana: an epic poem, composed about 300 B.C.

4. without ado : sans cérémonie

5. flourish: agiter

le sUet le voici

When Mali comes back home tht night,Jagan starts questioning him about his plans.Imagine and write the dialogue

consigne

1Variez les verbes introducteurs:add,explain

2Etoffez vos phrases à l'aide d'adverbes:quietly,impatiently,ironically...

3 Utilisez une langue orale réponses coutes/tags questions

gap fillers:well..you see

4vous aurez besoin d'outils de communication:interdiction,désaccord desirs,souhaits,intention,détermination,refuser,conseiller......

Utilisez les mots suivant :future prospects,opportunity,blinkers,stifling,independant,traditional,narrow minded,dissolute,offensive,be tired of ,yearn,be eager,dream of,broaden oe's horizons,escape,reject sb's values,be heavy-hearted,fear,dread,worry,betray,reproac,look upon look down stick,cling to,be prejudiced,biaised

AIDEZ MOI SVP

[Jean B]

Bonsoir,

Ce sujet ayant été travaillé un nombre de fois incalculable, tu ne devrais avoir guère de difficulté à le retrouver.

Petite mise au point toutefois : aider ne signifiant pas faire, personne ici ne fera le travail demandé à ta place.

Au contraire, entraîne toi le plus souvent possible à ce type d'exercice puisque le jour du bac tu seras seule devant ta copie.

L'aide proprement dite et les aides à la correction ne viendront qu'après que tu auras fourni ton travail personnel.