University Entrance Exams

Practice Paper 6: Immigrants in Greece

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A November 19 bill tabled by Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos includes a provision for long-
term residence permits to be given to children of immigrants born in Greece when they turn 18.
However, Helen Faluyi, a child of Nigerian migrants, is convinced this is not enough. She and a
friend were exiting a train station when inspectors stopped them. Because they had tossed their
tickets after leaving the train, they were retained at the police station for three hours in a smoky
room with 15 men. Faluyi notes that the police didn't believe they were minors and - to add insult to
injury - they didn't believe they were actually the people on their passports, even when family
members came to the police station. It took embassy involvement to verify their identity.

The teenager is convinced that things would be different if she had Greek papers. "If I were a Greek
citizen, they'd say, 'Oh, you don't have a ticket. Next time, have your ticket.'"

Greece-born Faluyi, together with 19 other young people, primarily of African origin, are trying to
change things. In May they formed an offshoot of the group Greek Youth Against Racism in Europe
(YRE). Their "We Have One Dream" campaign has included rallies and signature gathering for a
petition asking that all children born here be granted Greek citizenship at age 18 and that those who
come to Greece at a young age be granted long-term residence permits.

Their YRE petition states: "The worst part is that as soon as we turn 18, we have to obtain a
residence permit with exactly the same requirements as all migrants. Suddenly we are considered
'foreigners' in the country where we were born and raised." ( Athens News 28/11/08)
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.1. a. Give a title to the text.

b. Are the immigrants satisfied by the provision suggested by the interior Minister?
Justify your answer (no more than 30 words).
c. Explain what the writer means by to add insult to injury (not more than 30 words).

B.2.
a. Do you think that it is a good idea for young people to get organized in groups to fight for
their rights or should they only be concerned with their studies? (no more than 50 words).
b. Explain what the writer means by we are considered 'foreigners' in the country where we
were born and raised (no more than 50 words).
c. In what way would the treatment be different if a Greek person were caught without a
metro ticket. Use your own words (no more than 50 words)

. 180-200 :

The ancient Greek philosopher claimed that being Greek is a matter of culture and not a
matter of origins. Whats your opinion? Should immigrant children who are raised in Greece
be considered Greek citizens? Write your views.