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Anglais · Bac PC · Coefficient 2

International Organisations — English Bac PC

This theme feeds the Reading and Writing sections of the Bac PC English paper (coefficient 2), where a precise word field makes an answer stronger. A natural disaster mobilises the UN, a local NGO and the WHO within hours: understanding the role and vocabulary of international organisations helps you follow world affairs — and the Bac reading texts.

Relu par Équipe Orka · 30 août 2026

Dans le programme du Bac PC

English is a nationally examined subject in the Bac Sciences Physiques (PC) stream, with a coefficient of 2 — the lowest weighting in the stream, level with Philosophy and well behind Mathematics and Physics-Chemistry (coefficient 7). The paper still tests reading comprehension, language and guided writing, and because differences between candidates are narrow, a few extra marks in English move the overall average as much as a mark in a science subject.

À l'épreuve

The national English paper has three parts: Reading Comprehension (a text plus questions), Language (grammar and vocabulary in context), and Writing (a guided paragraph or short essay of about 180 words). PC candidates should protect a fixed slot for the Language section, where accuracy earns quick, reliable marks even when revision time goes mostly to the sciences.

Objectifs d'apprentissage

  • Reuse this vocabulary field in the Bac PC Reading answers and in the argumentative essay (coefficient 2)
  • Name the main international organisations and their fields: UN (peace), UNESCO (education, culture), WHO (health), UNICEF (children)
  • Distinguish governmental organisations (IGOs) from non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
  • Use the vocabulary of international action: aid, relief, cooperation, sanctions, peacekeeping, humanitarian
  • Summarise the mission of an organisation in one sentence in a reading answer

Notions clés

The main international organisations

the UN (United Nations — peace and security), UNESCO (education, science and culture), the WHO (World Health Organization — global health), UNICEF (children's rights and welfare). Each has a defined mission and member states.

Governmental vs non-governmental

an IGO (intergovernmental organisation) is made up of member states (the UN, the WHO); an NGO (non-governmental organisation) is independent of governments and often funded by donations (the Red Cross, Amnesty International, Doctors Without Borders).

The vocabulary of international action

humanitarian aid, disaster relief, international cooperation, economic sanctions, a peacekeeping mission, a refugee, human rights. E.g. “The UN sent a peacekeeping force to the region.”

Erreurs fréquentes

1

Confusing an IGO (states as members) with an NGO (independent of governments): the WHO is an IGO, the Red Cross is an NGO.

2

Using aid as a countable noun: say humanitarian aid (uncountable), not “an aid” or “aids”.

3

Mixing up the missions: UNESCO deals with education and culture, the WHO with health — a reading answer must name the right one.

Exemple corrigé

Énoncé

In one sentence, state which organisation would coordinate the health response to an epidemic, and why.

Correction

Match the field to the organisation. An epidemic is a health issue, so the World Health Organization (WHO) is the relevant body.
State the reason. Its mission is to direct and coordinate international health work.
Result. “The World Health Organization would coordinate the response, because its mission is to direct and coordinate global health action, including during epidemics.”

Le cours, puis l'entraînement.

Orka génère des exercices illimités et des examens blancs corrigés sur tout le programme de Anglais du Bac PC, avec un suivi de ta progression chapitre par chapitre.

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3 exercices pour t'entraîner

Exercice 1

Easy
Which organisation deals with education, science and culture? (WHO / UNESCO / UNICEF)
Voir la correction
UNESCO — the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Exercice 2

Medium
Is Doctors Without Borders an IGO or an NGO? Justify in a few words.
Voir la correction
An NGO — it is independent of governments and funded mainly by private donations, unlike an intergovernmental organisation made up of member states.

Exercice 3

Hard
Explain in one sentence why both an IGO and an NGO might be involved after the same earthquake, with different roles.
Voir la correction
An IGO such as the UN can coordinate the overall international response and mobilise member-state resources, while an NGO such as the Red Cross provides direct, on-the-ground relief to victims — the two roles are complementary rather than overlapping.

Va plus loin sur ce chapitre

Questions fréquentes

Do I need to memorise every UN agency for the Bac?

No — four or five (UN, UNESCO, WHO, UNICEF, and the idea of an NGO like the Red Cross) cover almost every reading text and essay on the theme.

What is the difference between aid and relief?

Aid is the broad term for help given (money, food, expertise); relief usually refers to emergency help right after a disaster (disaster relief, relief workers).

How is this theme tested?

Mostly in reading comprehension (a text about an organisation's mission or a humanitarian crisis) and sometimes in an essay about international cooperation or the limits of international action.

How should a PC candidate revise English at coefficient 2?

Efficiently, not heavily. Keep one clear rule and two example sentences per grammar point, one word list per theme, and a reusable essay skeleton (introduction, two body paragraphs, balanced conclusion). Thirty focused minutes a week is enough to lift the English mark, and that mark counts in the average exactly like a mark in a science subject.

How do I use this theme in the Bac PC essay without sounding generic?

Anchor each key term in one concrete, personal example — a place, a person, a situation you know. A specific illustration in accurate English scores better than a long list of terms with no support, on any of the society prompts in the programme.