2
consequences. In the days of old, before school leavers were out of school, jobs were
there waiting for them. Then, they could pick and choose which jobs they wanted.
2- Times have changed. Now, it is easier for a camel to go through the needle’s eye than for
a graduate to secure a job. What is responsible for this state of affairs? Where have the
jobs gone? In all these countries, very many institutions of learning have been established
over the years; universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and technical colleges.
One can imagine a country with forty universities excluding the private ones. Every year,
these institutions turn out thousands and thousands of graduates who go into the over-
saturated labour market to search for non-existent jobs. The problem is that as the
educational opportunities are being expanded at a rapid rate; little or no thought is given
to the provision of employment. So, most of the graduates roam the streets.
3- The depressed economy of these countries is also a problem. Government firms, private
establishments, factories and industries are fast cutting down their workforce. Word such
as rationalization, disengagement, retrenchment have crept into the vocabulary of these
countries. And so, suddenly, thousands of the hitherto employed are fired. What are the
consequences of unemployment? The high level of poverty prevalent in these countries
is a direct result of unemployed citizens have no means of keeping body and soul together.
4- Secondly, the saying, ‘’an idle mind is the devil’s workshop’’, is quite applicable here. It
has been discovered that most of the criminal activities such as burglary, armed robbery
and hired assassination are perpetrated by the unemployed people. They have also
become ready-made tools being used as thugs by the heartless politicians as instruments
of oppression, terror and vandalism.
Extracted from: Ashade, D. (2008) ‘A’ – one English a complete
SSCE/GCE Text.pp.251-252
A- Which of the following statements are ‘’true’’ or ‘’false’’ according to the text?
Write down the number and answer only.
1- Unemployment appears to be a serious in only one African country.
2- The big monster is staring these countries’ unemployment in the face.
3- It is not easy for a graduate to get a job nowadays.
4- Private establishment are the only institution that fired their employees.
5- Idleness is potential source of criminality.
B- Answer the following questions based on the text
1- Why do most of the graduates roam the streets?
2- Explain the following statement in your own words: ‘’It is easier for a camel to go through
the needle’s eye than for a graduate to secure a job’’.
3- Name two consequences of unemployment mentioned in the text?
C- Match the words or expressions from column A with those in column B to have a
meaningful sentence. Write down the number and the letter only.
1- In the past, before you completed your studies
2- On the basis of rationalization, disengagement or
retrenchment,
3- The expression ‘’an idle mind is the devil’s
workshop’’ means
4- Politicians can heartlessly use unemployed young
people
a) unemployed people are likely to perpetrate
crimes.
b) as instrument of oppression, terror and
vandalism.
c) jobs were there waiting for you.
d) thousands of hitherto employees are fired.
D- Translate this passage into French
From: “The problem of unemployment……………………..”
Down to :”…………………………………were there waiting for them.’’ (In paragraph 1)
III- COMPOSITION
In a coherent paragraph, say what can be done to reduce the rate of unemployment in
Benin.
(Not more than 20 lines)