CHECK YOUR

SKILLS !
The article deals with a topical issue which became (EXP) a
matter of great concern among the French students who
took the general English Exam last June.
Thousands of students signed an online petition in which
they claimed that the questions about Ian McEwans
Atonement in their Baccalaureate English paper were too
tricky and (EXP) voiced concern over 2 words cope and
concerns they couldnt understand .
Consequently, they called on their education Minister to cancel
Question M in their final year English exam as they had been
baffled by the puzzling word coping . Indeed, this word
appeared to have been the crux of the problem . While some
students were complaining about the fact that they could not
handle the situation and thus were concerned that they might
not pass the exam, others who were bothered by the petition
chose to dismiss the complaint.
They (EXP) raised concerns about French students being
unable to cope with /deal with difficult situations and about
the French habit to complain about everything and question
authority.
Some defenders argued that the word was difficult to translate
for unexperienced learners and blamed the French
educational system for failing to give students the opportunity to
gain fluency. However the Education Minister was annoyed
and therefore rejected the plea .

She mocked the French students for their lack of

understanding and for not being able to cope with the words
they should have come across in High School .