Mr Taoufik

Test 1

full name:.
Class: 1re sciences math/ex

Being blind doesnt stop me teaching

1.
Growing up, Sab Sahota-Lyons dreamt of becoming a teacher. But when she was eight, her
eyesight began to fail. Doctors diagnosed skills disease, which attacks the eye muscles.
My sight would disappear for periods and then return, says Sab, now 29. It was really scary.
By the age of 19, her eyesight was so bad that during her A-level English exam she had to dictate her
answers. Yet, she was still determined to teach and managed to get a place studying English at West
Sussex Institute.
At first, I used a specially-adapted computer which scanned and enlarged book pages, she says. It
only showed three words at a time, so it would take an hour to read seven pages. Then I used a
computer that read back what Id typed and I taught myself Braille.
2. But in 1995, when Sab started teacher training college, her eyesight was so bad that she was
virtually blind. I abandoned the thick glasses because they didnt make a difference. My best friend
dictated books onto a cassette tape so I could listen rather than read. When I graduated I was so
proud.
But being blind, Sab had to fight for a teaching job. I applied to 14 secondary schools but just 3 gave
me an interview, despite my qualifications.
Eventually, three years ago, I persuaded a school in Lewes that my passion for teaching overcame
my blindness.
Now Sab teaches a class of fully-sighted teenagers. Every day, she takes morning register with a voice
recognition computer. Another teacher acts as her marker, correcting grammar, and most of her
pupils their essays on floppy disks which her computer reads back to her.
Ive also developed a sixth sense, she says. I can hear the fizz of a drink and I can tell by the tone
of a pupils voice whether they are chewing gum. But generally the kids are great the fact that Im
blind doesnt make a difference, Im just a teacher to them. Im proof that you can overcome
anything if you want to.
Adapted from Woman
I Reading Comprehension (14pts.)
1/ Complete the table with information from the text. (3mks)
Name
Sab Sahota

Age

Job

Problem:handicap

2/ For each of the following statements find a detail in the text showing that it is false. (5mks)
a- Sab Sahota was born blind.


b- She used the computer to write the exam answers.
.
c- She learnt Braille at West Sussex Institute.
.
d- She got the job as soon as she applied for it.

e- She is teaching in a school for the blind.

3/ Answer the following questions.(2)

How can Sab correct her pupils essays?

Sab developed a sixth sense. How did this sense help her in her life?

4/ Find synonyms or equivalents to the following words (2mks)

- Afraid: (Part 1)
- Give up: (Part 2)
5/ What do the underlined words refer to? (2mks)
- They refers to .
- Their refers to .
II Language

: (6mks)

1/ Rewrite these sentences as suggested : (2 marks)

a- Despite Sabs qualifications , only 3 schools from 14 gave her an interview.
- Although Sab .
b- Sab is blind , but she teaches a class of fully-sighted teenagers.
- . . However,
2/ Fill in the blank with the appropriate phrasal verb from the list : (4 marks)
( move in / fell for / broke up / fallen out )
a- He .. Her the moment their eyes met.
b- Shed with her boyfriend over his ex-girlfriend.
c- They had been going out for a couple of years before they . .
d- Shes going to . with her friend in her new house .