Anglais - COMPRÉHENSION

COMPREHENSION

1. Read the whole text

1. Sum up what you learn about the two main characters. (30 words)

Liam and Conor are two Irish brothers in the late 19^th century. Liam is about to leave Ireland to reach New Zealand and Conor may receive the father’s farm in heritage.

(31 words)

1. Read from the beginning to “of my own.”(l.25)

1. Quote two elements showing that Liam is ill at ease with Conor

“Liam said with a nervous speed” (l. 2)

“Liam hung his head and nibbled at his lip” (l. 5)

1. Are the following statements true or false? Justify

   1. Liam has arranged the whole plan himself.

It is False. Kevin O’Garvey helped him “I got the word from Kevin O’Garvey to come in and see him.” (L. 2-3), “He’s been looking into the matter for me” (l. 7).

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   1. Liam will go away in a few weeks.

It is False. Liam will go away in a few days “I’ll be leaving in a matter of days” (l. 7-8)

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   1. Conor does not like the fact that Liam’s plan was secret.

It is True. “Why have you kept this a secret?” Conor snapped.”

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   1. Liam has always been determined to leave.

It is False. Liam has always been irresolute to leave. “One minute I wanted it and one minute I didn’t.” (L. 10-11)

1. Explain in your own words: The weight of it was like an anvil on his back. (l. 13) (30 words)

The fact that Liam go away is a weight for Conor. He cannot stand the sight of his brother’s leaving.

1. What are Conor two main objections to Liam’s plan? (25 words)

First, Conor tell Liam that New Zealand is too far and secondly, that the family can’t send him there because they don’t have enough money. (25 words)

1. What does Conor ask Liam to do about his plan? (one sentence)

Conor ask Liam to call off and forget his plan a moment to discuss.

1. Explain in your own words: “I’ve signed onto a scheme to work my passage.” (l.21) (20 words)

Liam will have his passage free in exchange of his workforce. Therefore, he has signed a contract to assure his employer that he will definitely work for him if he pays his trip.

(33 words)

1. What does Liam intend to do after paying for his passage? (15 words)

Liam intends to buy lands in New Zealand of his own after paying his passage.

(15 words)

1. Read from “See there…” (l.26) to the end.

1. What does Conor think about the whole plan? (20 words)

About the plan, Conor thinks Liam will pay off his debt over his entire life. He thinks that it is an immigrant-trap.

(22 words)

1. Why does Liam think his plan will succeed? (20 words)

Liam seems to have confidence in Kevin O’Garvey. He told him this plan was a legitimate one initiated by Irish people who are enormously successful now.

(26 words)

1. What does Conor decide to do? (20 words)

Conor decide to give his heritage to Liam because he suspects his brother lust after the farm as well as him. He knows that it will compete with his leaving idea. (31 words)

1. Quote two sentences showing what Liam thinks of his brother’s suggestion.

“Now its you talking daft” (l. 39), “Oh, holy Mother” (l.44-45)

1. Quote two sentences showing Liam’s feelings about:

   1. Staying on the farm.

“as if in a sweet dream” (l.44), “Oh holy Mother” (l.44-45)

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   1. Going to New Zealand.

“I chill all over with fright when I think of going so far away.” (l. 46)

1. Explain Conor’s and Liam’s attitude as regards their father. (30 words)

Conor and Liam’s father seems to be intransigent “what the hell are we talking about? Daddy will never agree.” (l.47). Their father gives the impression to be very imposing because the brothers have to buckle down to talk to him “Conor grabbed his brother’s arms fiercely.” (l.48). That father looks hard and seems to have a narrow-minded vision of how his sons’ future should go by.

EXPRESSION

Hanged if I know = je n’en sais fichtre rien.

Conor’s argues

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         1. Liam is a hard worker

         2. Liam will leave Ireland

         3. Liam love that farm

         4. You could be prosperous if you leave the farm to Liam

Father’s argues

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         1. You are the best for the job, Conor

         2. It is the tradition to leave the farm to the eldest son

         3. He rejects his roots by leaving Ireland

         4. If he wants to leave his country, he must succeed in life by himself without his family helping.

TRANSLATION

« Oh non, tu es stupide, mec » dit Conor. « Nous n’avons pas les moyens de t’y envoyer, ce n’est pas bon, pas bon du tout. » Il faisait les cent pas et frappait sa main dans sa paume « Annule. Ensuite nous en parlerons. »

Liam, perplexe, hocha la tête en signe de refus. « Je ne peux pas. J’ai signé un contrat de travail pour payer mon entrée. Ils ont de grandes fermes dans la moitié sud du pays et ils ont besoin de bergers, fermiers et conducteurs de bestiaux. Ca me prendra deux ans pour payer mais après je serai libre. J’ai entendu dire qu’il y a des terres à prendre, donc deux ou trois années après avoir remboursé mon entrée, je serai sûrement en mesure d’en acheter quelques-unes tout seul. »