2008 SC Rat Exam
2008 SC Rat Exam
2008 SC Rat Exam
Thomas Edison lit up the world with his invention of the electric light. Without him, the
world might still be a dark place. However, the electric light was not his only invention. He
also invented the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and over 1,200 other things. About
every two weeks he wreated something new.
The Edisons moved to Michigan when Thomas was seven. Surprisingly, he attended
school for only two months. His mother, a former teacher, taught him a few things, but
Thomas was mostly self- educated. His natural curiosity led him to start experimenting at a
young age with electrical and mechanical things at home.
When he was 12 years old, he got his first job. He became a newsboy on a train that ran
between Port Huron and Detroit. He set up a laboratory in a baggage car of the train to
continue his experiments in his spare time. Unfortunately, his first work experience did not
end well. Thomas lost his job when he accidentally set fire to the floor of the baggage car.
Thomas, then, worked for five years as a telegraph operator, but he continued to spend
much of his time conducting experiments. He got his first patent in 1868 for a vote recorder
run by electricity .In 1870, he sold another invention, a stock-ticker, for $ 40,000. A stock –
ticker is a machine that automatically prints stock prices on a tape. He was then able to build
his first shop in New Jersy.
Edison was handicapped; he was totally deaf in one ear and hard of hearing in the other,
but he thought of his deafness as a blessing in many ways. It kept conversations short, so that
he could have more time for work. He called himself a “ two-shift man” because he worked
16 out of every 24 hours. Edison died at the age of 84 on October 18 th, 1931, New Jersy. He
left numerous inventions that improved the quality of life all over the world.
E. PICK OUT FROM THE TEXT EXPRESSIONS OR PHRASES WHICH SHOW THAT:
(3 pts)
1. Edison didn’t spend a long time at school.(parag.2)
2. His first job experience was not a success. (parag.3)
3. Edison considered his deafness in a positive way. (parag.5)
2. “ I’m not satisfied with your work”, the boss told Janet.
The boss told Janet……………………………………..
1. When students find very difficult words in a text, they can ……………….them
…………..in a dictionary.
Answers : (1)…………(2)…………..(3)………………….
III-WRITING (10 pts)
One of your relatives or neighbours was illiterate; but he/ she benefited a lot from literacy
classes organized by a local NGO. Tell the story of that person describing his/ her feelings
and what he/ she gained as a person and as a member of the community . ( Approximately 150
words)
Who the person is (name, age , etc.) Why were these classes important for him/
What the NGO has contributed to the success her
of these classes; What he/ she gained from these classes
How has he known about and joined the (socially, personally..)
literacy classes; Your personal views about how to encourage
Where and when these classes were given literacy classes.
KEY AND MARKING SCALE
I- COMPREHENSION
A. THE BEST TITLE
1. The story of a genius
D. SENTENCE COMPLETION
ANSWER IN YOUR OWN WORDS
E. EXPRESSIONS OR PHRASES
1. attended school for only two months
2. his first work experience did not end well
3.he thought of his deafness as a blessing in many ways
F. WORDS REFERENCE
1. Thomas Edison 2. inventions
II- LANGUAGE
A. REWRITING SENTENCES
1. The school champions were received by the headmaster.
2. The boss told Janet that he wasn’t satisfied with her work.
3. If he had got a visa, Dr Falahi could would hae attended the conference in France.
B. TENSES
Had already left ……………………………had told………………..to wake…………
C. PHRASAL VERBS
1. look them up 2.apply for 3. bring about 4. stand for
D. GAPS FILLING
Gifted…………..interest………….amazing……………..looking forward to………
III- WRINTING
Assessment and scoring criteria:
1. Content and originality of ideas
2. Coherence and organisation
3. Grammar and vocabulary
4. Mechanics: spelling , punctuation, capitalization, etc,
NB: please accept any appropriate answer not mentioned in the key.