Kingdom of Morocco - Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports
National Baccalaureate English Exam 2024
Subject: English Language | Stream: Experimental Sciences / Math / Tech
T Reading Comprehension Text
[1] Water scarcity is a serious problem affecting millions of people around the world. According to UN, about 3 billion people live in countries where there is less water. More than 80% of people affected by water scarcity live in Africa. Climate change is making things worse for people who already have difficulty getting clean water. Natural disasters such as droughts and floods damage water sources and spread diseases.
[2] Like most people in Malawi, Belita depends on Lake Chilwa. It is the second biggest lake in Malawi. Belita and her community depend on this lake for their drinking water, transport, fishing and doing business. However, the lake is affected by changing weather. Sometimes it suffers from extreme floods. Other times, it gets completely dry. "Due to the drought last year, I was not able to produce enough food for my family. However, to save my life and that of my children, I decided to grow vegetables in a small garden," Belita said.
[3] Teodora, an old woman from Tanzania, is also affected by extreme weather changes. "I was a farmer but now I don't have any job because of the floods. There has never been much rain like these days," she said. The floods have destroyed water sources, leaving the community with no clean water. In other countries like Niger and Somalia, water scarcity is catastrophic. Severe droughts have destroyed crops and animals. Families are obliged to travel long distances to get drinking water. Their journey is not always safe.
[4] In Morocco, water scarcity has become a serious problem because of long periods of drought. In the last 30 years, drought occurs in Morocco every 3 years. Consequently, there is less water in barrages and less groundwater. The growing population and agricultural activities are making water resources lower and lower. Agriculture alone uses 88% of water in the country. Morocco's agriculture ministry has put strict laws on the production of crops which need a lot of water such as avocado, watermelon, and oranges.
Adapted from: wateraid.org
I COMPREHENSION (15 POINTS)
Options:
a. Water Scarcity in Africa b. Floods and Droughts c. Water Pollution in Morocco
Answer: a. Water Scarcity in Africa
1 pt
1. The majority of people affected by water scarcity live in Africa.
TRUE
Justification: "More than 80% of people affected by water scarcity live in Africa."
2. In Tanzania, the floods have improved the water sources.
FALSE
Justification: "The floods have destroyed water sources, leaving the community with no clean water."
3. In Niger and Somalia, families' journey to get water is not always safe.
TRUE
Justification: "Their journey is not always safe."
3 pts (0.5 choice + 0.5 justification each)
1. What do people in Belita's community depend on Lake Chilwa for?
They depend on it for drinking water, transport, fishing and doing business.
2. Why couldn't Belita produce enough food for her family?
Because of the drought last year / there wasn't enough rain.
3. How often does drought occur in Morocco?
It occurs every 3 years.
4. How does drought affect water resources in Morocco?
It causes less water in barrages and less groundwater.
4 pts (1 pt each)
1. Belita grows vegetables because she wants to save her life and that of her children / support her family.
2. 88% of water in Morocco is consumed by agriculture.
3. To protect water supplies, Morocco's agriculture ministry has put strict laws on the production of crops which need a lot of water (such as avocado, watermelon and oranges).
3 pts (1 pt each)
1. destroy (paragraph 1): damage
2. disastrous (paragraph 3): catastrophic
2 pts (1 pt each)
1. it (paragraph 2): Lake Chilwa
2. the country (paragraph 4): Morocco
2 pts (1 pt each)
II LANGUAGE (15 POINTS)
1. Some farmers avoid ............ chemicals in agriculture. (to use - using - use)
Answer: using (Gerund after "avoid")
2. Adil ............ karate at a young age and now he's an expert. (set up - made up - took up)
Answer: took up (Phrasal verb meaning "started practicing")
3. The police needed information ............ could help identify the criminal. (who - that - when)
Answer: that (Relative pronoun for "information")
3 pts (1 pt each)
Word bank: advice - accessible - measures - effect - talent
1. Lina showed considerable artistic ............ at an early age and joined a big art school.
Answer: talent
2. The government has implemented some ............ to ensure the preservation of forests in the country.
Answer: measures
2 pts (1 pt each)
1. The vaccination program has contributed to the (improve) ............ of health conditions.
Answer: improvement (Noun form after "the")
2. Rita spends a lot of money on buying (fashion) ............ clothes and accessories.
Answer: fashionable (Adjective form modifying "clothes")
1 pt (0.5 pt each)
1. Last summer, I (travel) ............ to Spain and met my old friends there.
Answer: travelled / traveled (Past Simple for completed action in the past)
2. Leila has just joined the university. In three years' time, she (graduate) ............ .
Answer: will have graduated (Future Perfect for action completed before a future time)
2 pts (1 pt each)
1. The computer company launched a new website.
A new website ............
Answer: A new website was launched (by the computer company). (Passive Voice)
2. "We should reduce plastic usage to save our oceans," Najib said.
Najib suggested ............
Answer: Najib suggested reducing plastic usage to save our oceans. OR Najib suggested that we should reduce plastic usage to save our oceans. (Reported Speech / Suggestion)
3. Najat's cholesterol level increased. She didn't follow the doctor's advice.
Because Najat ............
Answer: Because Najat didn't follow the doctor's advice, her cholesterol level increased. (Cause & Effect / Subordinator)
3 pts (1 pt each)
1. Driss: Do you mind if I open the window to let in fresh air?
Sara: ............
a. Of course not! b. I totally agree. c. You're right.
Answer: a. Of course not! (Polite permission response)
2. Hakim: Artificial intelligence is harmful.
You: ............
a. Glad to hear that! b. Please do. c. I don't think so.
Answer: c. I don't think so. (Polite disagreement)
2 pts (1 pt each)
Scenario: Complain about the quality of service in a restaurant.
You: "Excuse me, but the service here is very slow and our food is cold."
Waiter: "I'm terribly sorry about that, sir/madam. I'll speak to the kitchen right away and bring you fresh dishes immediately."
Accept any correct/appropriate response.
2 pts (1 pt each)
III WRITING (10 POINTS)
Prompt:
"I think it's important to know people from different cultures. First,"
Sample Answer:
"I think it's important to know people from different cultures. First, it helps us broaden our horizons and see the world from different perspectives. Secondly, interacting with people from various backgrounds fosters tolerance and mutual respect. Furthermore, we can learn new languages, traditions, and customs which enriches our personal knowledge. In conclusion, cultural exchange is the best way to promote peace and understanding among nations."
Scoring Criteria:
| Criterion | Points |
|---|---|
| Relevance of content to the task | 2 pts |
| Appropriateness and variety of vocabulary | 1 pt |
| Grammar and mechanics | 1 pt |
💡 Writing Tip: Always use transition words like "Secondly", "Moreover" and "In addition" to organize your ideas clearly.
4 pts
Topic:
Write a reply to Anis's email about joining a sports club.
(DO NOT WRITE YOUR NAME OR SIGN THE EMAIL)
Suggested Email:
"Hi Anis,
It was great to hear from you! Regarding your question, I think joining a sports club this summer is a fantastic idea. If I were you, I would choose swimming. One reason is that it is the perfect activity to stay cool and energetic during the hot summer days. Also, swimming is a full-body workout that helps you stay fit and healthy. Moreover, you will definitely meet new friends at the club. I suggest you go and register as soon as possible. Good luck with your choice!
Best regards,"
Scoring Criteria:
| Criterion | Points |
|---|---|
| Relevance of content to the task | 3 pts |
| Appropriateness and variety of vocabulary | 2 pts |
| Grammar and mechanics | 1 pt |
Structure Guidelines:
- Greeting: Hi / Hello [Name].
- Giving Advice: Use "I recommend...", "You should...", "Why don't you...".
- Relevance: Mention specific benefits (health, social, fun).
- Security Rule: Ensure you do not add any personal name at the end.
6 pts
Tips for Success:
📅 Manage Your Time
Allocate time wisely across Comprehension, Language, and Writing. Leave at least 30 minutes for the writing section.
📝 Practice Past Papers
Familiarize yourself with the gap-fills, rewriting tasks, and comprehension questions to improve speed and accuracy.
🔍 Check Your Work
Review tenses, subject-verb agreement, and spelling. In writing, ensure clear paragraphs and logical connectors.