Anglais · 2ème année Bac — Lettres

Unit 5 - Science and technology

Unit 9 — Advances in Science and Technology

Science and technology shape every corner of modern life — from the way we communicate and receive medical care to how industries operate and how societies grow. For Moroccan 2nd-year Baccalaureate students, this unit is a cornerstone of the English curriculum. It builds the vocabulary, language functions, grammatical structures, and writing skills you need to succeed in national examinations while also helping you think critically about the world around you.

1. Introduction to the Theme

Two related but distinct concepts anchor this unit. Science refers to the systematic observation, identification, and explanation of natural phenomena through experimentation and evidence. Its branches include physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, astronomy, geology, botany, zoology, meteorology, and oceanography. Technology, on the other hand, is the practical application of scientific principles — especially for industrial or commercial purposes. Its fields encompass robotics, biotechnology, information technology, communication technology, and engineering.
Together, these two domains have transformed how human beings communicate, heal the sick, produce food, generate energy, and organise work. Understanding their benefits and their risks is precisely what this unit asks you to do — and what the Baccalaureate national examination will assess.

2. Key Vocabulary

Devices and Digital Concepts

  • Smartphone / laptop / satellite / microscope / telescope — physical tools used in science and daily digital life
  • Algorithm — a step-by-step set of instructions that a computer follows to solve a problem
  • Cloud computing — storing and accessing data over the internet rather than on a local hard drive
  • Encryption — converting data into a coded form to prevent unauthorised access
  • Firewall — a security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic
  • Malware — malicious software designed to damage or gain unauthorised access to computer systems
  • Autonomous vehicles — self-driving cars or machines that operate without direct human control

Abstract and Thematic Concepts

  • Innovation — the introduction of something new; bringing a fresh idea or method into use
  • Discovery vs. Invention — a discovery reveals something already existing in nature; an invention creates something entirely new
  • Dependence / Addiction — a state of relying on or being unable to function without something, such as the internet or a device
  • Cybercrime — illegal activity carried out using computers or the internet, including identity theft and data breaches
  • Brain drain — the emigration of skilled professionals from one country to another in search of better salaries, research facilities, and quality of life
  • Renewable energy — energy from sources that are naturally replenished, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power
  • Biotechnology — the use of living organisms or biological processes to develop products, especially in medicine and agriculture
  • Artificial intelligence (AI) — computer systems designed to perform tasks that normally require human cognitive processes

3. Useful Expressions and Language Functions

The Baccalaureate exam tests your ability to use language purposefully. Four key functions are central to this unit.

Expressing Certainty (high confidence)

  • I am convinced that technology has improved healthcare worldwide.
  • There is no doubt that artificial intelligence will reshape the job market.
  • It is evident that renewable energy must replace fossil fuels.
  • Use the modal "must" for strong deductions: "Excessive screen time must affect sleep patterns."

Expressing Uncertainty (lower confidence)

  • It is possible that automation will create as many jobs as it eliminates.
  • I am in two minds about whether social media does more harm than good.
  • Use "may" or "might" for weak possibility: "Robots might replace factory workers within a decade."

Expressing Opinion

  • In my opinion, cybersecurity education should be part of every school curriculum.
  • Personally, I feel that dependence on the internet reduces face-to-face communication skills.
  • As far as I am concerned, scientific research funding in developing countries remains insufficient.
Important correction: write "In my opinion" — not "On my opinion". This is a very common mistake in exam scripts.

Agreeing and Disagreeing

  • Agreement: "I could not agree more." / "That is exactly what I think." / "That makes sense."
  • Polite disagreement: "I see what you mean, but..." / "I partly agree, however..." / "I am afraid I cannot entirely agree."
Important correction: say "I agree with you" — not "I am agree". The verb "agree" does not take the auxiliary "be".

4. Grammar Structures for This Unit

Conditional Sentences

Conditionals allow you to discuss scientific facts, predict consequences, imagine alternatives, and reflect on the past — all essential for science and technology essays.
  1. Type 0 (general truth): If + present simple, present simple. — "If you heat water to 100°C, it boils."
  1. Type 1 (likely future): If + present simple, will + base form. — "If governments invest in renewable energy, they will reduce carbon emissions."
  1. Type 2 (unlikely or hypothetical present): If + past simple, would + base form. — "If robots replaced all factory workers, unemployment would rise dramatically."
  1. Type 3 (hypothetical past): If + past perfect, would have + past participle. — "If scientists had developed this vaccine earlier, thousands of lives would have been saved."

Wish Structures

  • Present regret: I wish + past simple. — "I wish our school had better laboratory equipment."
  • Past regret: I wish + past perfect. — "I wish I had studied computer science at university."

Future Perfect Tense

By 2030, artificial intelligence will have transformed medical diagnosis in ways we can barely imagine today.
Use time markers such as by the time, by next year, by then, in the future to signal that an action will be completed before a specific future point.

5. Discussion and Reading-Comprehension Angles Likely at the Bac

Exam reading passages on this theme typically cover several recurring topics. Knowing these angles in advance helps you read faster and answer more precisely.

Communication and Relationships

Texts often trace the evolution from handwritten letters to instant messaging and video conferencing. Discussion questions invite you to weigh the convenience of digital communication against the loss of personal connection and traditional communication skills.

Medicine and Healthcare

Passages highlight how modern medical equipment, vaccines, and AI-powered diagnostic tools have extended life expectancy and improved disease prevention. Comprehension tasks may ask you to identify the specific role technology plays in making healthcare more accessible.

Cybercrime and Digital Security

Texts address unauthorised system access, identity theft, data breaches, and social engineering attacks — all of which disproportionately affect young people. Discussion prompts ask you to propose solutions and evaluate the responsibility of individuals, companies, and governments.

Work, Automation, and Brain Drain

A central tension in this unit is between the efficiency gains of robotics and automation on one hand, and job displacement and unemployment on the other. Linked to this is the brain drain phenomenon: skilled professionals emigrate in search of higher salaries, advanced research facilities, and better quality of life — a challenge especially relevant to developing countries.

Social Media and Wellbeing

Exam texts examine how algorithm-driven platform design encourages addictive behaviour, the spread of misinformation, cyberbullying, early exposure to harmful content, and the development of unhealthy lifestyle patterns. Research among Moroccan high school students has found an internet addiction rate of approximately 15.80%, making this a locally grounded topic.

Sustainable Development and Renewable Energy

Passages explore how solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, together with biodegradable processes and agricultural technology, offer pathways to reduce environmental damage. Discussion asks you to assess both the promise and the limitations of green technology.

Common Comprehension Task Types

  • True / False statements — always provide a textual justification from the passage
  • WH-questions (Why? How? When?) — answer in complete sentences using information from the text
  • Vocabulary in context — explain what a word means as it is used in the passage, not its general dictionary definition
  • Reference word identification — identify the noun or phrase that a pronoun (he, she, it, they, this, which) refers back to
  • Inference questions — derive a meaning that is implied but not stated directly in the text

6. Writing and Production Tips

Paragraph Structure: The Three-Part Model

Every well-constructed paragraph contains three elements:
  1. Topic sentence — states the single main idea of the paragraph clearly and specifically.
  1. Supporting sentences — develop the idea with specific details, examples, facts, or evidence (minimum two or three sentences).
  1. Concluding sentence — restates or summarises the idea and signals the transition to the next paragraph.
Topic sentence example: "Smartphones have fundamentally transformed global communication in ways that were unimaginable two decades ago."

Essay Organisation

  • Introduction — establish context, introduce the topic, and present a clear thesis statement.
  • Body — develop two or three main points, each in its own paragraph, each beginning with a topic sentence.
  • Conclusion — reinforce your main points, restate the thesis in different words, and offer a broader implication or balanced perspective.

Advantages and Disadvantages Essays

This essay type (typically 100–120 words) asks for a balanced view. Use a clear topic sentence to open each body paragraph — one for advantages, one for disadvantages — and support each point with an example or explanation. Conclude by summarising both sides or offering a nuanced final judgement.

Cohesion and Transition Words

Link your ideas using transition words: First, Moreover, However, Additionally, In contrast, Therefore, As a result, Consequently, Furthermore, In conclusion. These signal logical relationships — addition, contrast, cause and effect — and make your writing flow.

Register and Common Errors

  • Use formal register: write "do not" not "don't"; "cannot" not "can't"; "will not" not "won't".
  • Prefer third-person perspective: "one can observe" rather than "you can see".
  • Replace vague words ("good", "bad", "thing") with precise vocabulary ("beneficial", "detrimental", "phenomenon").
  • Avoid repetition — use synonyms and varied expressions throughout your essay.
  • Proofread for spelling (especially technical terms), subject-verb agreement, and sentence fragments before submitting.

7. Examination Overview

The Moroccan national Baccalaureate English paper is marked out of a total of 45 points, divided equally into three sections of 15 points each:
  • Reading comprehension (15 pts) — an authentic English text of roughly 300–450 words, followed by tasks including True/False with justification, vocabulary matching, WH-questions, pronoun reference, and inference.
  • Language (15 pts) — verb tenses, word formation, relative pronouns, sentence transformation (conditionals, reported speech), situational dialogue, and error correction.
  • Writing (15 pts) — a paragraph (80–120 words) or short essay (100–150 words) on a theme drawn from the curriculum, such as artificial intelligence, internet addiction, environmental technology, medical advances, automation and employment, or social media consequences.

8. Key-Point Summary

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Key point: To excel in this unit, master the vocabulary clusters (devices, digital concepts, abstract/social terms), practise the four language functions (certainty, uncertainty, opinion, agreement/disagreement), and handle all four conditional types and wish structures with confidence. In writing, always follow the three-part paragraph model — topic sentence, supporting sentences, concluding sentence — maintain a formal register, and use transition words to create coherent, well-organised essays. The most frequently examined topics are artificial intelligence, internet addiction, brain drain, renewable energy, cybercrime, and the impact of automation on employment. Systematic practice with past papers and model answers is the most reliable path to a high Baccalaureate score.