Boulevard of Young Musicians Festival in Casablanca

Most people believe there is one activity they excel at. It could be playing a sport, speaking a language, singing,
cooking, designing websites, or even driving. They, therefore, seize any opportunity to express their special
talents and skills. Such is the case of a handful of Moroccan gifted youths from whom Le Boulevard des Jeunes
Musiciens is the most favourable time to bring their musical genius into light.
The festival started in 2000 as a one-day event with merely a few amateur artists playing on a dark small stage.
Today, it has become a massive four-day long celebration drawing over one hundred thousand of fans each year.
An incredible success of an event run by a few voluntary youngsters.
Le Boulevard des Jeunes Musiciens, which takes place every June in Casablanca, features musical acts
ranging from Hip-hop, to Rock-metal, and fusion. It was a dream of ambitious youngsters to build an alternative
music scene in Morocco. The festival has become the most important platform for local distinguished youth bands.
I went there on the third day, accompanied by two colleagues of mine. We have all quickly figured out the
secret of this festivals success: Moroccan youths have never seen anything like it. The Boulevard is our place on
the Sun, one guy was shouting in French. The expression made me smile, seeing all those people escaping the
sun for shade next to tree and fences.
Live concerts are rare in Casablanca and when there is one, most people cannot afford the pricey ticket. So, the
free admission fee means that people came from the farthest corners of town. They are all in search of a moment
of ecstasy and joy, away from the so many frustrations of daily life. The Boulevards real driving force lies in the
fact that it gives the opportunity for young talented musicians to play in front of thousands of people. For many of
these creative musicians, it is their sole occasion to express their gifts and perform in public during the whole year.
Moroccan music has always been described as rich, with a mixture of influence: Amazigh, African, Latino and
Arab. In the festival, we have a highly skillful combination of Rap, Rock, Reggae and Fusion: a celebration of
diversity, creativity and universality.
In the closing ceremony, we had the pleasure to listen to some bands who managed through the years to get to
fame like Hoba Hoba spirit, Dayzin, H-Kayne, Fnaire and Darga. The intimate atmosphere and the excited
audience make of the festival a world of dreams. Apart from that, lyrics in clear Moroccan dialect express the
hopes of a whole generation for a better life and a more perfect world, not to mention their love of their country as
well.
At the same time, as a place for cultural exchange and joyful friendship, I was impressed by the open spirit of
this generation of young Moroccans. I came to terms with the realization that there is a deep love of life and
determination to change things for the better. As someone put it clearly to me: The Boulevard is a place of
freedom and diversity. Its our greatest chance to share our talents with others.

I. COMPREHENSION

(15 POINTS)

[ N.B. BASE ALL YOUR ANSWERS ON THE TEXT ]

A. ARE THESE SENTENCES TRUE OR FALSE? JUSTIFY. ) 3 pts).
1. The festival was created thanks to some professional musicians.
.....
2. Foreign bands also participated in the festival.
...
3. A lot of people cannot pay tickets to attend the festival.
...............................
B. ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS.

(3 pts)

1. What things contribute to the success of The Boulevard? Give two examples
...................
2. Why did people from remote areas in Casablanca come to the festival?
...............................
3. Did the writer appreciate the festival? Explain.
...............

C. COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES. ( 3 pts)

1. For gifted Moroccan young people, the festival is ..
..
2. People from very far corners in Casablanca look for ..
..............................
3. The festival is a world of dreams thanks to.
................
D. FIND IN THE TEXT WORDS OR EXPRESSIONS THAT MEAN THE SAME AS: (3 pts)
1. talented (parag. 1):
2. happens (parag. 3): ..
3. great happiness (parag.4): .
E. WHAT DO THE UNDERLINED WORDS IN THE TEXT REFER TO? (3pts)
1. their:
2. me:
3. it: ..

II. LANGUAGE (15 POINTS)

A. REWRITE THE SENTENCES BEGINNING WITH THE WORDS GIVEN. (4 pts)
1. Jack worked hard, but he didnt pass the exam.
Despite .....
2. Carla had to cancel her trip last weekend because the weather was terrible.
Carla wishes the weather .
3. They postponed the match.
The match ..
4. Have you ever watched that movie about patriotism? Jamal asked.
Jamal asked his classmate .....
B. PUT THE VERBS BETWEEN BRACKETS IN THE CORRECT TENSE OR FORM. (3 pts)
1. The coach (give) ............................................. directions to his team before the match started.
2. If you had worked hard last year, you (pass) ............................................. the exam.
3. Do you mind (open) ............................................ the window please?
C. GIVE THE CORRECT FORM OF THE WORDS BETWEEN BRACKETS. (2 pts)
1. Moroccan textile industry is facing severe (compete) ........................................ from the Chinese.
2. The (strong) ........................................ of our society resides in its unity.
D. MATCH THE WORDS THAT GO TOGETHER TO MAKE APPROPRIATE COLLOCATIONS.
(2 pts)

1. host
2. generation

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

care
gap
youth
countries
development

E. MATCH EACH EXPRESSION WITH ITS APPROPRIATE FUNCTION. (2 pts)

1. I am sorry to say this, but youre playing music too loud!
2. Why dont we go to the cinema and have some fun?
3. I totally agree that laughter is the best medicine to reduce stress.
4. "My electricity bill is usually expensive. What should I do?

a. Making a suggestion
b. Agreeing
c. Making a complaint
d. Asking for advice

F. JOIN THE PAIRS OF SENTENCES WITH THE LINKING WORDS GIVEN. (2 pts)
1. Howard Hughes died a very rich man. He did not have happy life. (although)

2. I saved some money. I wanted to buy a computer.

(so as to)

III. WRITING (10 POINTS)

These days, a lot of students drop out of school. Write a short article to your school magazine about the
causes and consequences of this phenomenon and suggest some solutions.
(Approximately 300 words)
The following ideas may help you:
- family problems/ poverty/ psychological problems.
- some teachers and administrators treat students violently
- more violence, delinquency in societies
- mass media, parents, government.
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