3rd Year literature and philosophy

Grade level :3rd Year literature and philosophy Duration : 1:00h
Part 1:Reading
A) Comprehesion
Read the text carefully then do the activities.
I believe that there are five major factors that affect societies and civilizations to collapse. The first is the damage that the inhabitants of an environment inflict on it. The second factor is climate change which is a feature of human society, not something invented by global capitalism. According to archeologists, it is the climate change that might well have been the main cause behind the collapse of the Maya civilization.
Thirdly, comes the loss of support from friendly neighbors when either direct support or equally beneficial trade is blocked. The fourth factor is an unhelpful response from the society to its own problems. A number of societies have faced similar problems. Some have reacted unsuccessfully and have either vanished from earth or are in crisis.
B) Text Exploration:
1. The text is:
a film story. b) a newspaper report. c) an economic report.
2. Are the following statements 'true' or 'false'?
a- The climate, wars and wrong response to problems may lead a civilization to fall into ruins.
b- It is believed that the Maya civilization disappeared because of war.
c- Norse settlers used to live in the countryside.
d- Neighbouring civilizations are always helpful and good friends.
3. In the text, there are five (04) factors that may cause a civilization to vanish and disappear. Find them and write them in the table below. (02.5 pts)
The four factors for the collapse of civilisations
- Factor number one. - ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
- Factor number two. - ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
- Factor number three. - ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
- Factor number four. - ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Find in the text words , phrases or expressions opposite in meaning to; (01.5 pt)
a) – To originate. (§1) b) – Very friendly. (§3) c) – Successfully. (§5)
Rewrite the second sentence so that it means the same as the first one given. (03 pts)
a) Archeologists said, "Climate changes have caused the collapse of the Maya civilization."
a/1) Archeologists said that ………………………………………………………
b) Many societies are suffering similar problems nowadays.
b/1) Nowadays, ………………………………………………………………..
c) " Was the Sumerian civilization very strong?" A pupil asked his teacher.
c/1) A pupil wanted to know ………………………………………………………………………………………………………
1. Complete the sentences below using: (01.5 pt)
had to - was/were not able to - used to.
a) - Norse settlers ……………….. live in Greenland for a long time. Therefore they died.
b) - All past civilisations …….… farm the land to provide food for people and animals.
c) - People ……………….. know time by sun positions in the sky in olden days .
2. Underline the silent letter in the following words. (01.5 pt)
a. Fights. b. Knowledge. c. autumn d. cold.