Arts et débats de société

Exercice 1 — Compréhension de l'écrit
Corrigé :
1. The Party systematically destroys, falsifies and rewrites all historical records, paintings, statues, buildings and dates, erasing any version of history that does not serve its ideology. As a result, the past is entirely controlled by the Party. (2 pts : 1 pt pour l'idée de falsification / réécriture + 1 pt pour la notion de contrôle total)
2. The repetition of 'every' emphasises the total, absolute scope of the Party's control — nothing escapes it. The passive form 'has been destroyed / falsified / rewritten' suggests that this process is systematic and impersonal, as if it happens naturally, making resistance seem impossible. (2 pts : 1 pt pour l'identification de la répétition + 1 pt pour l'interprétation)
3. Acceptable quotations include: «every record has been destroyed or falsified» or «History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which the Party is always right.» (1 pt)

Exercice 2 — Maîtrise de la langue — Vocabulaire et structures
Corrigé :
1. counterculture
2. subversive
3. to raise awareness (structure attendue : to raise awareness about)
4. propaganda
Bonus : «This work denounces / exposes social injustices.» (1 pt bonus)
Barème : 1 pt par bonne réponse (4 pts au total).

Exercice 3 — Expression écrite — Paragraphe argumenté
Corrigé indicatif :
Un bon paragraphe doit :
• Introduire une thèse claire : «I would argue that art can indeed be more effective than political speech in changing society, because it reaches people emotionally rather than rationally.»
• Développer avec 2 exemples : par ex. (1) La Harlem Renaissance — Langston Hughes a célébré l'identité afro-américaine à travers la poésie, touchant un public bien plus large que les discours politiques de l'époque. (2) Nina Simone — «Mississippi Goddam» a atteint des milliers de personnes et est devenu un symbole du mouvement des droits civiques, là où les discours risquaient d'être ignorés.
• Nuancer si possible : «However, art rarely acts alone — it amplifies social movements rather than replacing political action.»
• Conclure : «In conclusion, art's emotional power makes it a uniquely effective catalyst for social change.»
Barème : 2 pts argumentation + 2 pts vocabulaire + 2 pts correction grammaticale.

Exercice 4 — Analyse d'image — Street art et société
Corrigé indicatif :
1. Describe (1 pt) : «In this stencil artwork by Banksy, a small girl dressed in pink is shown releasing a red heart-shaped balloon into the air. The words 'There is always hope' are written below. The work is painted on a grey brick wall in London.»
2. Interpret (1 pt) : «The image suggests that hope and innocence persist even in bleak, urban environments. The heart-shaped balloon symbolises love, optimism and freedom. The contrast between the grey wall and the vivid pink and red colours reinforces the idea that beauty can emerge from harsh surroundings. Banksy seems to argue that hope is accessible to everyone, regardless of social circumstances.»
3. Evaluate (1 pt) : Réponse personnelle valorisant l'argumentation et le vocabulaire. Ex: «I find this work particularly thought-provoking and moving. Its simplicity makes it universally accessible, which is precisely what gives street art its power — it reaches people who would never enter a museum. The phrase 'There is always hope' offers a humanistic message in an often cynical world.»

Exercice 5 — Synthèse culturelle — Question de réflexion
Corrigé indicatif :
Le candidat choisit l'un des mouvements étudiés (Harlem Renaissance, Beat Generation, Street Art, Punk…) et doit démontrer :
• La contextualisation historique (1 pt) : situer le mouvement dans son époque et ses tensions socio-politiques. Ex : la Harlem Renaissance émerge dans un contexte de ségrégation raciale légale (lois Jim Crow) et de Grande Migration.
• Le lien art / pouvoir (1 pt) : expliquer comment le mouvement contestait ou reflétait un rapport de pouvoir. Ex : la littérature et la musique de la Harlem Renaissance affirmaient la dignité et l'identité afro-américaines face à un système qui les niait.
Phrases clés attendues : «In this context / The movement emerged as a response to / Artists sought to challenge / reclaim / affirm…»