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TREMPLIN FLE
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A "springboard" towards exam success and fluency!
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CHALLENGE 2 - Texts in English
TEXTE 1
My name is Alexandra David-Néel. I was born next to Paris, in Saint-Mandé, on October 24th, 1868. My father, Louis David, is a primary school teacher and a journalist. My mother is Belgian. Very religious, she wanted a boy so that he becomes a priest. When I was born, she was very disappointed and never showed me a lot of affection.
My travels
Since I was a little girl, I have been fascinated by travelling which is synonymous to freedom. Very quickly, I leave France, at
first for London. Then, thanks to my job as a singer, I travel around the world. In 1900, I am in Tunis. Over there, I meet Philippe Néel, who becomes my husband. But marriage does not suit me. I have the impression of being trapped. In 1911, I therefore decide to leave for Asia. I visit Nepal, China, Japan. I stay there for 14 years, until 1924. After my return to France, I decide to go to China in 1937. Because of the war which breaks out in 1939, I remain stuck over there for 9 years. All in all, I spent 23 years in Asia. I discovered
the cultures of the countries of this magnificent and mysterious continent.
My passion for Asia
Very young, I discover Buddhism and the oriental philosophies. These religions fascinate me. Indeed, I very quickly convert to Buddhism. During my journeys, I am even going to meet the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the Tibetan Buddhists. Visiting Asia is extraordinary. I see myself as an "Orientalist reporter". I am persuaded that my mission is to pass on to the world the beauties of Tibet and its teachings.
My exploit
During my first stay in Asia, I did an extraordinary thing. I entered Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. At that time, it is an exploit because this city is forbidden to foreigners. I was 56 years old. From that moment, I become world-famous and I am acknowledged as an expert in Orientalism.
My papers
When I return to France, I spend my time writing. I work 16 hours a day! In my books, I tell the story of my journeys and my adventures.
TEXTE 1
My name is Alexandra David-Néel. I was born next to Paris, in Saint-Mandé, on October 24th, 1868. My father, Louis David, is a primary school teacher and a journalist. My mother is Belgian. Very religious, she wanted a boy so that he becomes a priest. When I was born, she was very disappointed and never showed me a lot of affection.
My travels
Since I was a little girl, I have been fascinated by travelling which is synonymous to freedom. Very quickly, I leave France, at
first for London. Then, thanks to my job as a singer, I travel around the world. In 1900, I am in Tunis. Over there, I meet Philippe Néel, who becomes my husband. But marriage does not suit me. I have the impression of being trapped. In 1911, I therefore decide to leave for Asia. I visit Nepal, China, Japan. I stay there for 14 years, until 1924. After my return to France, I decide to go to China in 1937. Because of the war which breaks out in 1939, I remain stuck over there for 9 years. All in all, I spent 23 years in Asia. I discovered
the cultures of the countries of this magnificent and mysterious continent.
My passion for Asia
Very young, I discover Buddhism and the oriental philosophies. These religions fascinate me. Indeed, I very quickly convert to Buddhism. During my journeys, I am even going to meet the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the Tibetan Buddhists. Visiting Asia is extraordinary. I see myself as an "Orientalist reporter". I am persuaded that my mission is to pass on to the world the beauties of Tibet and its teachings.
My exploit
During my first stay in Asia, I did an extraordinary thing. I entered Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. At that time, it is an exploit because this city is forbidden to foreigners. I was 56 years old. From that moment, I become world-famous and I am acknowledged as an expert in Orientalism.
My papers
When I return to France, I spend my time writing. I work 16 hours a day! In my books, I tell the story of my journeys and my adventures.
TEXTE 2
My name is Albert Camus and I was born on November 7th, 1913. My father, Lucien Camus was an agricultural worker. He died during World War I, when I was 1 year old. My mother, Catherine Sintes, was a maid. She was of Spanish origin. I grew up in Algiers, in Algeria. At that time, Algeria was a French colony. I passed my Baccalauréat in 1932, and then I studied philosophy.
My job
I began my career as a journalist. At first in Algeria, where I wrote for the newspaper "Alger Républicain", then in Paris for "Paris Soir". Upon my arrival in Paris, in 1940, I began to write books. In 1942, " The Stranger" met an immense success. I also wrote plays.
My passion
I am a big amateur of football. My favourite post was goalkeeper. For me, this sport is a school of life: it teaches us many things. This sport taught me how to lose and win. I learned about helping others, a little like in theatre, my second passion …
What I did
I am also known for my political fights. I adhere at first to the ideas of the communist party, then during the Second World War, with a group of Resistance fighters, I am a member of the network for the Defence of the illegal press, which will become a
newspaper. I also fought with Spanish Resistants against Fascism. Later, I oppose the French colonization in Algeria.