Reading.
Inglés, exámenes de 2021.
El Reading vale 4 puntos: preguntas de opción múltiple, afirmaciones de verdadero o falso que hay que justificar con palabras del texto y búsqueda de sinónimos o definiciones. Cada respuesta va justificada con la cita y la línea del texto.
Convocatoria ordinaria
Junio 2021
Convocatoria ordinaria
Junio 2021
BLOQUE A (Comprensión lectora)
Puntuación máxima: 4 puntos
Debe responderse a las 8 preguntas de uno de los 2 textos propuestos.
I * COMPREHENSION (4 points). CHOOSE TEXT 1 OR TEXT 2 AND ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS FROM THAT TEXT ONLY.
TEXT 1: IBERIAN LYNX COMES TO TOWN
- The Iberian Lynx remains an endangered species, rarely seen by the general public and remaining only in a very few areas of the
- Spanish countryside, as efforts continue to protect it and increase the number of breeding pairs in the wild. The lynx generally hides
- away from humans and with very good reason, since eradication of its habitat, farming, roads and hunters are the main causes why
- this magnificent animal is endangered in the first place.
- So, residents of Rociana del Condado in Huelva (near Doñana Park) were both surprised and excited when a young adult male was
- spotted running through the streets of the town on a Friday morning. News of its sighting spread rapidly and villagers gathered to try
- and capture a photograph of the lynx once it settled down by the church at the centre of the town.
- Local police called technicians from El Acebuche Breeding Centre and agents from Seprona (Nature Protection Service), who managed
- to capture the animal two hours after it was first sighted. The young male appeared to be one year old and was not microchipped, which
- means that its birth had not been recorded as part of the programme to protect the species in the nearby Doñana Park.
- After an initial check-up, the lynx was transferred to the Endangered Species Recovery Centre and will remain there until the final
- results of the tests, after which it can be tagged and released into the wild.
- The organisations involved in saving the feline from extinction say that numbers are still very low, their aspiration being to achieve a
- move to the classification of “vulnerable” species rather than “endangered” within the next five years.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
1. According to the text, the lynx…
Solución
(a) faces extinction due to a combination of threats.
El lince está en peligro por varias causas a la vez (líneas 3-4): “eradication of its habitat, farming, roads and hunters are the main causes why this magnificent animal is endangered in the first place.”
Los vecinos no lo cazaron, sino que intentaron hacerle fotos (b); no tenía microchip, así que nunca había estado registrado en el programa de protección y no se había escapado de ningún centro (c); y no se le puso el chip de inmediato: se le podrá marcar cuando estén los resultados de las pruebas (d).
2. According to the text, local police…
Solución
(b) were aided by Seprona agents.
La policía local llamó a técnicos del centro de cría y a agentes del Seprona, que lograron capturar al animal (líneas 8-9): “Local police called technicians from El Acebuche Breeding Centre and agents from Seprona (Nature Protection Service), who managed to capture the animal”.
Fueron los vecinos quienes lo vieron primero (a); el lince no tenía chip y nadie se lo puso (c); y lo llevaron al Centro de Recuperación de Especies Amenazadas, no al Parque de Doñana (d).
ARE THESE STATEMENTS TRUE OR FALSE? JUSTIFY YOUR ANSWERS WITH THE PRECISE WORDS OR PHRASES FROM THE TEXT, OR USE YOUR OWN WORDS. (0.5 points each)
3. Lynxes are usually afraid of people.
Solución
TRUE. “The lynx generally hides away from humans (and with very good reason).” (líneas 2-3).
El lince suele esconderse de las personas, porque son la principal amenaza para su supervivencia.
4. Local neighbours were astonished when they saw the specimen.
Solución
TRUE. “So, residents of Rociana del Condado in Huelva (near Doñana Park) were both surprised and excited (when a young adult male was spotted running through the streets of the town on a Friday morning).” (línea 5).
Los vecinos se quedaron sorprendidos y emocionados al ver al lince.
5. Just a few residents were aware of the incident.
Solución
FALSE. “News of its sighting spread rapidly (and villagers gathered to try and capture a photograph of the lynx once it settled down by the church at the centre of the town).” (línea 6).
La noticia corrió enseguida y muchos vecinos se juntaron para fotografiarlo.
6. Conservationists wish lynxes were less threatened in the future.
Solución
TRUE. “(The organisations involved in saving the feline from extinction say that numbers are still very low,) their aspiration being to achieve a move to the classification of ‘vulnerable’ species rather than ‘endangered’ within the next five years.” (líneas 13-14).
Su objetivo es que en cinco años el lince pase de especie “en peligro” a “vulnerable”, es decir, menos amenazada.
7. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
7.1. ONE OPPOSITE FOR “lower” (verb).
Solución
increase (línea 2): “increase the number of breeding pairs in the wild”.
7.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR “impressive” (adjective).
Solución
magnificent (línea 4): “this magnificent animal”.
8. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
8.1. ONE WORD MEANING “to come together in a group”.
Solución
gathered (línea 6): “villagers gathered to try and capture a photograph”. Como la definición es un infinitivo (“to come together…”), también vale gather.
8.2. ONE WORD MEANING “let go; set free from confinement”.
Solución
released (línea 12): “it can be tagged and released into the wild”. También vale el infinitivo, release.
TEXT 2: LITERATURE TO THE PEOPLE
- The public plazas in Grenoble, France, might appear to be a prototypical European panorama of outdoor cafes, people walking, and
- picturesque historic architecture. But the city has recently installed a handful of vending machines that, rather than snacks, dispense
- short stories in an effort to change the way people kill time. Instead of checking Twitter or playing videogames, the city’s residents may
- discover a new story from the publisher Short Édition.
- The vending machines can be used for free and operate 24 hours a day. Simply decide how long of a story you’d like (one, three, or
- five minutes), press the corresponding button, grab the printout and start reading. Currently, there are 600 short stories in the
- dispensers, which represent the best written works on Short Édition according to its community of 141,000 subscribers and 1,100
- authors.
- Quentin Plepé, co-founder of Short Édition, and his team came up with the idea a couple of years ago as they were standing around
- a snack machine in their office. What if the same concept could be applied to literature, they wondered. After two years of development,
- they finally launched their design. “The city council got involved from the beginning. What they really liked was the fact that the
- dispensers distribute culture through the city in an original way,” Plepé says. “Stories are an important part of our life. More and more
- people don’t take the time anymore to sit and read a book. This is a way to have a little ‘bite’ of a story, just for a couple of minutes,”
- concludes Plepé.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
9. Short story dispensers have been installed in Grenoble to…
Solución
(b) provide people with a free read.
Las máquinas dan relatos cortos y son gratuitas (línea 5): “The vending machines can be used for free and operate 24 hours a day.”
No venden libros (a) ni aperitivos, sino que dan relatos en lugar de aperitivos (“rather than snacks, dispense short stories”) (c); y buscan que la gente lea en vez de mirar Twitter (“Instead of checking Twitter…”) (d).
10. These short story dispensers…
Solución
(c) try to change people’s habits in this city.
Se instalaron para cambiar la forma en que la gente pasa el rato (líneas 2-3): “the city has recently installed a handful of vending machines that… dispense short stories in an effort to change the way people kill time.”
Se instalaron hace poco (“recently installed”) (a); las diseñó el equipo de Short Édition, aunque el ayuntamiento participó desde el principio (b); y están en las plazas públicas, al aire libre (d).
ARE THESE STATEMENTS TRUE OR FALSE? JUSTIFY YOUR ANSWERS WITH THE PRECISE WORDS OR PHRASES FROM THE TEXT, OR USE YOUR OWN WORDS. (0.5 points each)
11. In order to use short story dispensers, you need to pay a subscription to Short Édition.
Solución
FALSE. “The vending machines can be used for free (and operate 24 hours a day).” (línea 5).
Las máquinas son gratuitas; no hace falta pagar ninguna suscripción.
12. Readers can choose the length of their stories.
Solución
TRUE. “Simply decide how long of a story you’d like (one, three, or five minutes, press the corresponding button, grab the printout and start reading).” (línea 5).
El lector elige si quiere un relato de uno, tres o cinco minutos.
13. Quentin Plepé’s team developed a project proposed by the council of Grenoble.
Solución
FALSE. “Quentin Plepé, co-founder of Short Édition, and his team came up with the idea (a couple of years ago as they were standing around a snack machine in their office).” (línea 9) // “The city council got involved from the beginning.” (línea 11).
La idea fue del equipo de Plepé; el ayuntamiento se sumó al proyecto, pero no lo propuso. Basta con una de las dos citas.
14. The city council regarded the initiative as innovative.
Solución
TRUE. “What they really liked was the fact that the dispensers distribute culture through the city in an original way.” (líneas 11-12).
Al ayuntamiento le gustó que fuera una forma original de llevar la cultura por la ciudad.
15. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
15.1. ONE SYNONYM FOR “push” (verb).
Solución
press (línea 6): “press the corresponding button”.
15.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR “attempt” (noun).
Solución
effort (línea 3): “in an effort to change the way people kill time”.
16. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
16.1. ONE WORD MEANING “an act of cutting or breaking something using your teeth”.
Solución
bite (línea 13): “a little ‘bite’ of a story”.
16.2. ONE WORD MEANING “pretty and interesting in an old-fashioned way”.
Solución
picturesque (línea 2): “picturesque historic architecture”.
Convocatoria extraordinaria
Julio 2021
Convocatoria extraordinaria
Julio 2021
BLOQUE A (Comprensión lectora)
Puntuación máxima: 4 puntos
Debe responderse a las 8 preguntas de uno de los 2 textos propuestos.
I * COMPREHENSION (4 points). CHOOSE TEXT 1 OR TEXT 2 AND ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS FROM THAT TEXT ONLY.
TEXT 1: CYCLING, THE BEST MODE OF TRANSPORT
- Urban population in developing nations is projected to continue to grow, adding 2.5 billion people to the world’s cities by 2050. By
- then, more than half of the world’s population will live in cities.
- A key step to managing rapid urbanization, reducing poverty and addressing equality amongst urban residents is to meet their needs
- for access to services and opportunities. Walking and cycling improve urban quality and facilitate social cohesion. They are cheap,
- flexible, personal modes without which most people in low- and middle-income countries would be unable to participate in the economy
- and community, or access education, healthcare and other urban services. Today, more than 600 cities worldwide have their own bike-
- share systems, and more programmes are starting every year.
- In richer countries, cycling has become popular for a variety of reasons. For instance, it helps to reduce the risk of diabetes, some
- forms of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, depression, and it prevents obesity. The health benefits of cycling daily rather than taking a
- car for short trips outweigh the risks of inhalation of air pollutants. Besides, regular cycling boosts physical fitness.
- Riding a bike evokes pleasant feelings and is an easy exercise. People who walk or cycle to work tend to be more satisfied, less
- stressed, more relaxed, and they experience greater freedom compared to people who drive their car to work. Bicycle use, therefore,
- not only improves physical health, but also has a positive impact on mental health and subjective well-being.
- In short, compared to travelling by car or bus, cycling saves money, it is a cheap means of transport, and scores well in terms of
- social impact of urban mobility.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
1. According to the text, the world’s population will…
Solución
(d) increase mainly in cities.
La población urbana seguirá creciendo y para 2050 más de la mitad de la población mundial vivirá en ciudades (líneas 1-2): “Urban population in developing nations is projected to continue to grow, adding 2.5 billion people to the world’s cities by 2050. By then, more than half of the world’s population will live in cities.”
El crecimiento se producirá de aquí a 2050, no solo después (a); 2.500 millones son las personas que se sumarán a las ciudades, no la población total (b); y la población se concentrará en las ciudades, no en el campo (c).
2. According to the text, cycling…
Solución
(a) improves the quality of life in cities.
Caminar e ir en bicicleta mejoran la calidad de vida urbana (línea 4): “Walking and cycling improve urban quality and facilitate social cohesion.”
Es justo lo contrario: mejora la vida en las ciudades (b) y favorece la cohesión social (c); y el texto habla de caminar y de la bicicleta a la vez, sin compararlos (d).
ARE THESE STATEMENTS TRUE OR FALSE? JUSTIFY YOUR ANSWERS WITH THE PRECISE WORDS OR PHRASES FROM THE TEXT, OR USE YOUR OWN WORDS. (0.5 points each)
3. In less developed countries, cycling can facilitate schooling.
Solución
TRUE. “(They are cheap, flexible, personal modes without which) most people in low- and middle-income countries would be unable to participate in the economy and community, or access education (, healthcare and other urban services.)” (líneas 5-6).
Sin la bicicleta, la mayoría de la gente de los países con ingresos bajos y medios no podría acceder a la educación.
4. Cycling may prevent serious illnesses.
Solución
TRUE. “For instance, it helps to reduce the risk of diabetes, some forms of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, depression, and it prevents obesity.” (líneas 8-9).
Montar en bicicleta reduce el riesgo de enfermedades graves como la diabetes, algunos tipos de cáncer o las enfermedades cardiovasculares.
5. People who commute by car feel more freedom.
Solución
FALSE. “People who walk or cycle to work tend to be more satisfied, less stressed, more relaxed, and they experience greater freedom compared to people who drive their car to work.” (líneas 11-12).
Quienes sienten más libertad son los que van al trabajo andando o en bicicleta, no en coche.
6. Moving by bicycle is as affordable as travelling by bus.
Solución
FALSE. “In short, compared to travelling by car or bus, cycling saves money, it is a cheap means of transport, (and scores well in terms of social impact of urban mobility.)” (línea 14).
Comparada con el coche o el autobús, la bicicleta ahorra dinero, así que es más barata que el autobús, no igual.
7. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
7.1. ONE SYNONYM FOR “globally” (adverb).
Solución
worldwide (línea 6): “more than 600 cities worldwide”.
7.2. ONE OPPOSITE FOR “disadvantage” (noun).
Solución
benefits (línea 9): “The health benefits of cycling daily”. Como “disadvantage” está en singular, también vale benefit.
8. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
8.1. ONE WORD MEANING “the fact of being extremely fat”.
Solución
obesity (línea 9): “it prevents obesity”.
8.2. ONE WORD MEANING “a harmful substance that contaminates”.
Solución
pollutants (línea 10): “the risks of inhalation of air pollutants”. Como la definición está en singular, también vale pollutant.
TEXT 2: MO, THE CAT
- A cat has surprisingly been reunited with his family eight years after he went missing. Mo —the cat— was staying in a cattery on the
- outskirts of Swansea eight years ago, while his humans went on holiday. On their return, one of the family’s cats, Tibby, was waiting
- for them, but they were devastated to find Mo had gone missing. “We were utterly heartbroken when we found out that the cattery had
- lost Mo,” says Izzy Harris, who was a teenager when Mo, then three, went missing.
- Izzy and her parents searched for their pet for months, printing flyers and putting adverts in the newspaper. However, they also knew
- there was a small chance they’d see him again. “There was something so horrible about imagining him alone,” continues Izzy, “the
- cattery was near some busy main roads as well, so we couldn’t stop picturing the worst, that he’d been hit by a car.”
- After months of searching, the family accepted he was gone, and only hoped that he’d found someone else to live with —and they
- were right! As a matter of fact, Mo had moved in with an elderly lady.
- Last October, the Harris family received an unexpected call from a veterinary centre. “They said they’d found a cat matching Mo’s
- microchip and that he’d been living near where he got lost with an old lady who had passed away.”
- Izzy and Mo met finally again thanks to the power of microchipping. The black cat has a lot of catching up to do, as the family
- currently has three other cats. The girl says they feel incredibly relieved, but also hopeful. If this can happen, anything can.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
9. The Harris family was greatly upset because…
Solución
(c) they didn’t know where Mo was.
La familia se quedó destrozada al descubrir que Mo había desaparecido (línea 3): “they were devastated to find Mo had gone missing.”
Mo se perdió en la residencia felina, no se escapó de casa (a); el disgusto no fue por acabar las vacaciones (b); y la otra gata, Tibby, sí los estaba esperando (d).
10. Mo, the cat, …
Solución
(b) was taken good care of all this time.
La familia esperaba que hubiera encontrado a alguien con quien vivir, y así fue (líneas 8-9): “only hoped that he’d found someone else to live with —and they were right! As a matter of fact, Mo had moved in with an elderly lady.”
Temían que lo hubiera atropellado un coche, pero no ocurrió (a); la familia tenía también a Tibby y ahora tiene otros tres gatos (c); y se perdió en la residencia felina, no de camino a casa de la señora (d).
ARE THESE STATEMENTS TRUE OR FALSE? JUSTIFY YOUR ANSWERS WITH THE PRECISE WORDS OR PHRASES FROM THE TEXT, OR USE YOUR OWN WORDS. (0.5 points each)
11. Mo was in the city centre when he escaped.
Solución
FALSE. “Mo —the cat— was staying in a cattery on the outskirts of Swansea (eight years ago, while his humans went on holiday).” (líneas 1-2).
Estaba en una residencia felina en las afueras (“outskirts”) de Swansea, no en el centro.
12. The family thought it would be very hard to get Mo back.
Solución
TRUE. “However, they also knew there was a small chance they’d see him again.” (líneas 5-6).
Sabían que había pocas posibilidades de volver a verlo.
13. The old lady called the Harris and asked them to pick up the cat.
Solución
FALSE. “Last October, the Harris family received an unexpected call from a veterinary centre.” (línea 10) // “They said they’d found a cat matching Mo’s microchip and that he’d been living near where he got lost with an old lady who had passed away.” (líneas 10-11).
Los llamaron de una clínica veterinaria; la señora no pudo llamar porque había fallecido. Basta con una de las dos citas.
14. The cat has to get used to new company.
Solución
TRUE. “The black cat has a lot of catching up to do, as the family currently has three other cats.” (líneas 12-13).
Mo tiene que acostumbrarse a los otros tres gatos que ahora tiene la familia.
15. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
15.1. ONE OPPOSITE FOR “refuse” (verb).
Solución
accepted (línea 8): “the family accepted he was gone”. Como se pide un verbo, también vale el infinitivo, accept.
15.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR “comeback” (noun).
Solución
return (línea 2): “On their return”.
16. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
16.1. ONE WORD MEANING “a possibility or probability of anything happening”.
Solución
chance (línea 6): “there was a small chance they’d see him again”.
16.2. ONE WORD MEANING “freed from anxiety, fear or pain”.
Solución
relieved (línea 13): “they feel incredibly relieved”.
Examen de reserva
Reserva 1 2021
Examen de reserva
Reserva 1 2021
BLOQUE A (Comprensión lectora)
Puntuación máxima: 4 puntos
Debe responderse a las 8 preguntas de uno de los 2 textos propuestos.
I * COMPREHENSION (4 points). CHOOSE TEXT 1 OR TEXT 2 AND ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS FROM THAT TEXT ONLY.
TEXT 1: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO REDUCE DRIVING STRESS
- I am testing a new car, trying to forget my troubles and concentrate on the driving, so that I do not become a danger to pedestrians.
- “Hello, Corinne, what’s stressing you right now?,” a calm voice speaks from my car’s audio system. The conversation that follows
- shows all the ways in which artificial intelligence could transform our experience behind the wheel: not by driving the car for us but by
- taking better care of us as we drive.
- Three-quarters of U.S. workers drive to work alone. This may be a problem if we take into account that long trips to work are
- associated with serious health risks, such as high blood pressure or obesity. Technology, however, has long promised that the solution
- is right around the corner: self-driving cars. But it will likely be decades before such cars are a reality.
- In the meantime, a small group of scientists are working on how cars can make us happier while we drive them. Their main project
- is this car: it is equipped with the latest technologies to decrease a driver’s stress. In fact, this car offers the option of practicing a
- guided breathing exercise while the driver’s seat vibrates at intervals, and then, there is a voice instructing the driver to breathe along
- with its rhythm.
- The goal is a car that can detect a rise in a driver’s stress level, via seat and steering wheel sensors or neck-tension cameras. It
- would then automatically start the breathing exercise, talk about a problem or tell a joke to ease tension. So, after this experience, and
- while we wait for self-driving cars, I can’t wait for this vehicle to be on the market!
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
1. The writer might be a problem to pedestrians if…
Solución
(b) she weren’t paying attention.
Intenta concentrarse en la conducción para no ser un peligro para los peatones (línea 1): “trying to forget my troubles and concentrate on the driving, so that I do not become a danger to pedestrians.”
El peligro sería distraerse, no que no supiera conducir (a); la voz del coche está para ayudarla (c); y el coche no se conduce solo (d).
2. The new car can…
Solución
(d) provide stress-relief strategies.
El coche lleva tecnología para reducir el estrés del conductor, como ejercicios de respiración guiada (líneas 9-10): “it is equipped with the latest technologies to decrease a driver’s stress.”
La tensión alta aparece como riesgo de los trayectos largos, no como algo que mida el coche (a); no se conduce solo (b); y el texto no habla de buscar rutas (c).
ARE THESE STATEMENTS TRUE OR FALSE? JUSTIFY YOUR ANSWERS WITH THE PRECISE WORDS OR PHRASES FROM THE TEXT, OR USE YOUR OWN WORDS. (0.5 points each)
3. Solo journeys to work may cause long-term health effects.
Solución
TRUE. Three-quarters of U.S. workers drive to work alone. This may be a problem if we take into account that long trips to work are associated with serious health risks, (such as high blood pressure or obesity.) (líneas 5-6).
Los trayectos largos al trabajo se asocian a problemas de salud graves.
4. Cars that drive themselves will surely be a fact in ten years.
Solución
FALSE. But it will likely be decades before such cars are a reality. (línea 7).
Probablemente tardarán décadas, no diez años.
5. Stress-level in the driver can be sensed in this new car by different devices.
Solución
TRUE. The goal is a car that can detect a rise in a driver’s stress level, via seat and steering wheel sensors or neck-tension cameras. (línea 12).
Detecta el estrés con sensores en el asiento y el volante o con cámaras.
6. The writer would never buy this new car if produced.
Solución
FALSE. (So, after this experience, and while we wait for self-driving cars,) I can’t wait for this vehicle to be on the market! (línea 14).
La autora está deseando que el coche salga a la venta.
7. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
7.1. ONE SYNONYM FOR “elevation” (noun).
Solución
rise (línea 12): “a rise in a driver’s stress level”.
7.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR “choice” (noun).
Solución
option (línea 9): “the option of practicing a guided breathing exercise”.
8. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
8.1. ONE WORD MEANING “someone who travels on foot”.
Solución
pedestrians (línea 1): “a danger to pedestrians”. En singular, también vale pedestrian.
8.2. ONE WORD MEANING “something that you say or do to make people laugh”.
Solución
joke (línea 13): “tell a joke to ease tension”.
TEXT 2: INTERGENERATIONAL CARE
- Intergenerational care is defined as “planned ongoing activities that bring together different generations in shared settings to
- participate in experiences that are mutually beneficial.” The concept is thought to have originated during the 1970s in Tokyo when a
- nursery school and a care home merged together. The idea of joint settings quickly spread through the USA, Canada and the
- Netherlands. More recently, there has been a Channel 4 programme, “Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds”, which has increased the
- awareness of the approach.
- Supporters enthusiastically report that children benefit greatly as they get to see people of all ages and backgrounds. Some of the
- residents use wheelchairs, some have specialised equipment, so children get to understand that this is part of life and part of being
- older. Connecting with the elderly can also provide children with one-to-one reading opportunities which can boost their reading and
- vocabulary skills. Babies and young children can live miles away from their grandparents or older relatives, so visiting local residents
- provides them with the opportunity to mix with a generation that they may have never known.
- But it is not only the children who benefit from the visits. The non-profit organisation “United for All Ages” reveals that the regular
- interactions help the elderly too. There are recognised improvements to their poor health, anxiety and loneliness. A nursery worker
- explains that “one lady hugs dolls as if they were her own children and our children interact with her with no judgement or opinions; it
- is all lovely to see.”
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
9. Intergenerational care benefits…
Solución
(b) are enjoyed both by young and old people.
No solo se benefician los niños, también los mayores (líneas 11-12): “But it is not only the children who benefit from the visits… the regular interactions help the elderly too.”
La idea se ha extendido por varios países (a); los beneficios no son solo para los niños (c); y el concepto nació en los años 70, no hace siglos (d).
10. Children in intergenerational care programmes…
Solución
(a) expand their life experiences.
Los niños conocen a personas de todas las edades y orígenes (línea 6): “children benefit greatly as they get to see people of all ages and backgrounds.”
Las visitas reducen la soledad de los mayores (b); los niños los tratan sin juzgarlos (“with no judgement or opinions”) (c); y sí se relacionan con ellos (d).
ARE THESE STATEMENTS TRUE OR FALSE? JUSTIFY YOUR ANSWERS WITH THE PRECISE WORDS OR PHRASES FROM THE TEXT, OR USE YOUR OWN WORDS. (0.5 points each)
11. An intergenerational care documentary has been broadcast.
Solución
TRUE. More recently, there has been a Channel 4 programme, “Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds”, (which has increased the awareness of the approach.) (línea 4).
Channel 4 emitió un programa sobre este tipo de cuidado.
12. Thanks to these innovative measures, kids may learn that ageing is part of a natural process.
Solución
TRUE. (Some of the residents use wheelchairs, some have specialised equipment, so) children get to understand that this is part of life and part of being older. (líneas 7-8).
Los niños comprenden que envejecer forma parte de la vida.
13. Younger generations do not improve their lexical competence in intergenerational programmes.
Solución
FALSE. Connecting with the elderly can also provide children with one-to-one reading opportunities which can boost their reading and vocabulary skills. (líneas 8-9).
Leer con los mayores mejora su vocabulario.
14. Some families have to travel long distances to participate in an intergenerational care programme.
Solución
FALSE. (Babies and young children can live miles away from their grandparents or older relatives, so) visiting local residents provides them with the opportunity to mix with a generation that they may have never known. (líneas 9-10).
Los niños visitan a mayores de su localidad, no tienen que desplazarse lejos.
15. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
15.1. ONE OPPOSITE FOR “unconsciousness” (noun).
Solución
awareness (línea 5): “has increased the awareness of the approach”.
15.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR “solitude” (noun).
Solución
loneliness (línea 12): “poor health, anxiety and loneliness”.
16. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
16.1. ONE WORD MEANING “a person’s education, experience, and social circumstances”.
Solución
backgrounds (línea 6): “people of all ages and backgrounds”. En singular, también vale background.
16.2. ONE WORD MEANING “a toy that looks like a small person or baby”.
Solución
dolls (línea 13): “one lady hugs dolls”. En singular, también vale doll.
Examen de reserva
Reserva 2 2021
Examen de reserva
Reserva 2 2021
BLOQUE A (Comprensión lectora)
Puntuación máxima: 4 puntos
Debe responderse a las 8 preguntas de uno de los 2 textos propuestos.
I * COMPREHENSION (4 points). CHOOSE TEXT 1 OR TEXT 2 AND ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS FROM THAT TEXT ONLY.
TEXT 1: BOY GENIUS
- In a lot of respects, 12-year-old Caleb Anderson is a normal Afro-American kid. But, when he’s not watching Netflix or playing with
- his action figures, he’s busy living life as a first-year university student. Caleb is currently studying at Chattahoochee Technical College
- in Georgia, USA, where he’ll graduate with a Degree in Aerospace Engineering in two years. “When I was like one year old, I wanted
- to go to space,” Caleb said, “I figured that aerospace engineering would be the best path. I’m not really intelligent, I just grasp
- information quickly. So, if I learn quicker, then I get ahead faster.”
- His mother, Claire, first realized her son was gifted when he began imitating her speech at just four weeks old. When he was nine
- months old, Caleb could use more than 250 words in Sign Language. He was just 3 years old when he qualified for MENSA —a non-
- profit organization for people who score 98 out of 100 or higher in a standardized intelligence test. It’s essentially a club for exceptionally
- smart people.
- The boy went on to complete high school by the age of 11 and now his parents supervise him on campus. But when it comes to helping
- with his homework, they cannot do much. “We are not rocket scientists,” his mother explained. Instead, “We have learnt that there are
- other things that we can teach him, mainly about principles such as compassion, kindness and looking for good in others.”
- The family hopes that Caleb’s experience will help others without the same opportunities or resources in education, especially those
- belonging to racial minorities, like Caleb.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
1. Caleb’s parents…
Solución
(d) provide him with an education in values.
Sus padres le enseñan valores (líneas 11-12): “We have learnt that there are other things that we can teach him, mainly about principles such as compassion, kindness and looking for good in others.”
Fue Caleb quien quiso estudiar ingeniería aeroespacial (a); sus padres lo supervisan en el campus, pero no se dice que vivan allí (b); y no pueden ayudarle mucho con los deberes (c).
2. MENSA is a non-profit organization only for…
Solución
(a) gifted people.
MENSA es un club para personas excepcionalmente inteligentes (líneas 8-9): “It’s essentially a club for exceptionally smart people.”
No se limita a estudiantes negros (b), a padres (c) ni a estudiantes de ingeniería (d), sino a quien saque una puntuación muy alta en el test.
ARE THESE STATEMENTS TRUE OR FALSE? JUSTIFY YOUR ANSWERS WITH THE PRECISE WORDS OR PHRASES FROM THE TEXT, OR USE YOUR OWN WORDS. (0.5 points each)
3. Caleb doesn’t consider himself to be exceptionally smart.
Solución
TRUE. I’m not really intelligent, I just grasp information quickly. (So, if I learn quicker, then I get ahead faster.) (líneas 4-5).
Caleb dice que no es especialmente inteligente, solo que capta la información rápido.
4. He could speak a foreign language when he was nine months old.
Solución
FALSE. When he was nine months old, Caleb could use more than 250 words in Sign Language. (líneas 6-7).
Lo que usaba era lengua de signos, no un idioma extranjero.
5. Caleb’s parents are also aerospace engineers.
Solución
FALSE. “We are not rocket scientists,” his mother explained. (línea 11).
Sus padres no se dedican a la ingeniería aeroespacial.
6. His parents would like Caleb’s example to be useful to others.
Solución
TRUE. The family hopes that Caleb’s experience will help others without the same opportunities or resources in education, (especially those belonging to racial minorities, like Caleb). (línea 13).
Esperan que su experiencia ayude a otros niños.
7. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
7.1. ONE SYNONYM FOR “benevolence” (noun).
Solución
kindness (línea 12): “compassion, kindness and looking for good in others”.
7.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR “copy” (verb).
Solución
imitating (línea 6): “he began imitating her speech”. También vale el infinitivo, imitate.
8. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
8.1. ONE WORD MEANING “a vehicle that travels into space”.
Solución
rocket (línea 11): “We are not rocket scientists”.
8.2. ONE WORD MEANING “a qualification given to students after they finish their university studies”.
Solución
degree (línea 3): “a Degree in Aerospace Engineering”.
TEXT 2: OMEGA-3
- The difference between oily fish and white fish is like that between long distance runners and lazy people, and you may be surprised
- to learn that the fatty fish are the athletes here. Also known as “pelagic”, from the Greek word for ocean, because they are always on
- the move, sardines, tuna and their kind spend their entire lives swimming in the direction of the next meal. Such an exhausting existence
- requires a ready source of fuel, and the energy these fish need is saturated throughout their body tissues in the form of oil, ready to
- burn.
- Studies on the benefits of this oil to human health started in the 70s. Then, Danish researchers studying Inuit populations in the
- Arctic regions noticed that, despite eating a diet high in saturated fat, there was low incidence of heart disease. They claimed this might
- be thanks to a fatty acid, omega-3, which is found almost exclusively in oily fish. It wasn’t long before a multibillion-dollar industry
- producing supplement pills was born.
- Fish oil, we now know, is rich in the omega-3 fatty acids. They are a vital part of our cells and also play an important role in the
- production of hormones that control the thickness of the blood and the movement of artery walls. Fatty acids also regulate inflammation
- throughout the body. Yet, unlike other kinds of fat, our bodies cannot produce them and must take them from food. Some of these
- omega-3 acids are found in several vegetable sources such as nuts, seeds and leafy vegetables, while others are present in some
- animal fats, mainly in fish.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
9. According to the text, pelagic fish…
Solución
(b) are always in search of food.
Se pasan la vida nadando en busca de su próxima comida (línea 3): “spend their entire lives swimming in the direction of the next meal.”
Pelagic viene de la palabra griega para “océano”, pero no viven solo en mares griegos (a); son peces azules, no blancos (c); y su cuerpo está lleno de grasa (d).
10. Omega-3 acids…
Solución
(c) cannot be generated by the human organism.
Nuestro cuerpo no puede producirlos y debe tomarlos de los alimentos (línea 12): “our bodies cannot produce them and must take them from food.”
Los inuit los consumían en su dieta, no los producían (a); también están en algunos vegetales (b); y se asocian a menos enfermedades del corazón (d).
ARE THESE STATEMENTS TRUE OR FALSE? JUSTIFY YOUR ANSWERS WITH THE PRECISE WORDS OR PHRASES FROM THE TEXT, OR USE YOUR OWN WORDS. (0.5 points each)
11. White fish are regularly more active than oily fish.
Solución
FALSE. The difference between oily fish and white fish is like that between long distance runners and lazy people, and you may be surprised to learn that the fatty fish are the athletes here. (líneas 1-2).
Los peces azules son los más activos.
12. Oily fish use their fat as a source of energy.
Solución
TRUE. (Such an exhausting existence requires a ready source of fuel, and) the energy these fish need is saturated throughout their body tissues in the form of oil, ready to burn. (líneas 4-5).
La energía que necesitan está almacenada en forma de aceite.
13. Inuits were the first to point out the benefits of omega-3 in our diet.
Solución
FALSE. Then, Danish researchers studying Inuit populations in the Arctic regions noticed that, despite eating a diet high in saturated fat, there was low incidence of heart disease. (líneas 6-7).
Fueron unos investigadores daneses quienes lo observaron estudiando a los inuit.
14. All vegetables provide omega-3 acids.
Solución
FALSE. Some of these omega-3 acids are found in several vegetable sources such as nuts, seeds and leafy vegetables. (líneas 12-13).
Solo algunos vegetales los contienen.
15. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
15.1. ONE OPPOSITE FOR “energetic” (adjective).
Solución
lazy (línea 1): “long distance runners and lazy people”.
15.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR “whole” (adjective).
Solución
entire (línea 3): “spend their entire lives”.
16. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
16.1. ONE WORD MEANING “something added to something else to improve it or complete it; something extra”.
Solución
supplement (línea 9): “producing supplement pills”.
16.2. ONE WORD MEANING “an occasion when food is served or eaten”.
Solución
meal (línea 3): “in the direction of the next meal”.
Examen de reserva
Reserva 3 2021
Examen de reserva
Reserva 3 2021
BLOQUE A (Comprensión lectora)
Puntuación máxima: 4 puntos
Debe responderse a las 8 preguntas de uno de los 2 textos propuestos.
I * COMPREHENSION (4 points). CHOOSE TEXT 1 OR TEXT 2 AND ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS FROM THAT TEXT ONLY.
TEXT 1: NEW COMICS
- Seeing your best friend in pain is never easy. Trinity Jagdeo knows that well, after her closest mate, Alexia, was diagnosed with a
- serious degenerative disease. Alexia had to spend months in hospital to finally understand that her life would never be the same again.
- Trinity did what she could to help her, but they could only watch films together. Eventually, she realized that Alexia needed somebody
- to look up to in order to help her through the pain she was suffering. It was at this point that Trinity started creating comics featuring
- superheroes with disabilities. It gave Trinity something to focus on, and it inspired her friend Alexia never to give up hope.
- Disney ignored her suggestion to create characters with disabilities or special needs, so Trinity established her own non-profit
- organization —“From We Can’t to We Can”. Through that, she has written and illustrated comic books which prove that people can
- still be superheroes, even if they aren’t like everybody else. She has made three incredible comics. The characters in Trinity’s books
- are based on real people, and this only makes her work much more powerful. Alexia and other kids in her position are incredibly
- grateful for what Trinity has done. It’s no wonder that she gets asked to speak at schools and universities, because she’s just as
- inspiring as the characters in her stories.
- This girl can definitely change the world, with or without superpowers. Hopefully, Trinity’s comics will convince mainstream networks
- and content creators to start giving a greater voice to those who still do not have one.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
1. Alexia knows that…
Solución
(a) her life has changed for ever.
Alexia comprendió que su vida nunca volvería a ser igual (línea 2): “to finally understand that her life would never be the same again.”
Es justo lo contrario: no volverá a su vida anterior (b); pasó meses en el hospital, no toda la vida (c); y el texto no dice que vaya a ser famosa (d).
2. Trinity and Alexia…
Solución
(d) discovered the power of comics.
Los cómics de Trinity dieron esperanza a Alexia (línea 5): “It gave Trinity something to focus on, and it inspired her friend Alexia never to give up hope.”
Antes solo podían ver películas juntas (a); quien da charlas es Trinity, no las dos (b); y Disney ignoró su propuesta (c).
ARE THESE STATEMENTS TRUE OR FALSE? JUSTIFY YOUR ANSWERS WITH THE PRECISE WORDS OR PHRASES FROM THE TEXT, OR USE YOUR OWN WORDS. (0.5 points each)
3. Trinity’s comics encouraged Alexia to be optimistic.
Solución
TRUE. (It gave Trinity something to focus on, and) it inspired her friend Alexia never to give up hope. (línea 5).
Los cómics animaron a Alexia a no perder la esperanza.
4. The comics industry welcomed Trinity’s initiative.
Solución
FALSE. Disney ignored her suggestion to create characters with disabilities or special needs, (so Trinity established her own non-profit organization…) (línea 6).
Disney ignoró su propuesta.
5. The characters in her comics show no connection with everyday life.
Solución
FALSE. The characters in Trinity’s books are based on real people, (and this only makes her work much more powerful.) (líneas 8-9).
Sus personajes se basan en personas reales.
6. Trinity’s comics may bring more visibility to disadvantaged people.
Solución
TRUE. (Hopefully,) Trinity’s comics will convince mainstream networks and content creators to start giving a greater voice to those who still do not have one. (líneas 12-13).
Espera que sus cómics den voz a quienes todavía no la tienen.
7. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
7.1. ONE SYNONYM FOR “admire” (verb).
Solución
look up to (línea 4): “Alexia needed somebody to look up to”.
7.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR “thankful” (adjective).
Solución
grateful (línea 10): “incredibly grateful for what Trinity has done”.
8. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
8.1. ONE WORD MEANING “to experience physical or mental pain”.
Solución
suffering (línea 4): “the pain she was suffering”. Como la definición es un infinitivo, también vale suffer.
8.2. ONE WORD MEANING “generally accepted by most people”.
Solución
mainstream (línea 12): “mainstream networks”.
TEXT 2: WHY EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE MUSIC IN THEIR LIVES
- Most of us come across music almost every day: streaming on our mobile device, on the radio, television or in the streets. But why
- is it so important? According to Andy Smith, composer, musical director, educator and presenter on BBC, there are four main reasons
- why everyone should have music in their lives.
- Firstly, music brings people together. It speaks to all when words can fail and, wherever you go in the world, it is understood. Music
- is a universal gift and its power to connect people is without question, as it is an art form with human interaction at its centre. Most
- importantly, music has the ability to join people through the instruments they play or through a shared interest in a particular style.
- Secondly, music improves your health and well-being. It stimulates the brain, which in turn helps with pain relief, reducing stress. A
- study from Harvard University has shown that relaxing music may lower blood pressure and heart rate after physical exercise. It can
- also improve mood and reduce anxiety and, by connecting people, it can be an antidote to loneliness and social isolation.
- Music can also improve resilience. There are many skills required in order to learn how to play a musical instrument: technique,
- reading music, expression, listening and, as you continue to perfect these skills, you gain self-assurance.
- Finally, for Andy Smith, music is a creative means of expression for people from all social and cultural backgrounds to express
- themselves. Whether it is to transmit a political message, a particular emotion or just for pleasure, musicians have used sound and
- music since the dawn of humanity.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
9. According to the text, music…
Solución
(a) has been used since early times.
Los músicos han usado el sonido y la música desde el principio de la humanidad (líneas 13-14): “musicians have used sound and music since the dawn of humanity.”
También ha servido para transmitir mensajes políticos (b) y emociones, no solo por placer (c y d).
10. According to the text, music has the power to…
Solución
(a) cheer you up.
La música puede mejorar el estado de ánimo (líneas 8-9): “It can also improve mood and reduce anxiety”.
Une a las personas en lugar de separarlas (b y c); y habla a todos cuando las palabras fallan, no hace que fallen (d).
ARE THESE STATEMENTS TRUE OR FALSE? JUSTIFY YOUR ANSWERS WITH THE PRECISE WORDS OR PHRASES FROM THE TEXT, OR USE YOUR OWN WORDS. (0.5 points each)
11. Music has no effect on your brain.
Solución
FALSE. It stimulates the brain, (which in turn helps with pain relief, reducing stress.) (línea 7).
La música estimula el cerebro.
12. The fact that music gathers people is a remedy for those who have feelings of solitude.
Solución
TRUE. (It can also improve mood and reduce anxiety and,) by connecting people, it can be an antidote to loneliness and social isolation. (línea 9).
Al unir a las personas, combate la soledad.
13. The more you practise an instrument, the more confident you feel.
Solución
TRUE. (There are many skills required in order to learn how to play a musical instrument… and,) as you continue to perfect these skills, you gain self-assurance. (línea 11).
Perfeccionar esas habilidades da seguridad en uno mismo.
14. Being a musician involves belonging to an educated social class.
Solución
FALSE. (Finally, for Andy Smith,) music is a creative means of expression for people from all social and cultural backgrounds to express themselves. (líneas 12-13).
La música es para personas de cualquier origen social y cultural.
15. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
15.1. ONE OPPOSITE FOR “succeed” (verb).
Solución
fail (línea 4): “when words can fail”.
15.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR “cure” (noun).
Solución
antidote (línea 9): “an antidote to loneliness”.
16. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
16.1. ONE WORD MEANING “the state of being happy, healthy or prosperous”.
Solución
well-being (línea 7): “your health and well-being”.
16.2. ONE WORD MEANING “a feeling of relaxation after anxiety or pain ends”.
Solución
relief (línea 7): “helps with pain relief”.
Examen de reserva
Reserva 4 2021
Examen de reserva
Reserva 4 2021
BLOQUE A (Comprensión lectora)
Puntuación máxima: 4 puntos
Debe responderse a las 8 preguntas de uno de los 2 textos propuestos.
I * COMPREHENSION (4 points). CHOOSE TEXT 1 OR TEXT 2 AND ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS FROM THAT TEXT ONLY.
TEXT 1: SHOULD DOGS BE ALLOWED IN CAFÉS?
- Almost half of all UK adults own a pet, and 24% have a dog, with the pet dog population now estimated to be around 9.4 million.
- Mostly, those pet dogs are not welcome inside shops, restaurants and other places with their owners. Naturally, there are exceptions for
- assistance dogs, but the rest find themselves left at home or outside, on the pavement, while the owner pops into a café for a cup of tea.
- People think dogs are not allowed into shops and cafés for hygiene reasons, but there is nothing in law to prevent a dog from being
- in a café —only from food-preparation areas. If adequate steps are taken to keep food safe, it is up to a café owner whether or not to
- admit pets.
- The “Be Dog Friendly” campaign was designed to encourage businesses and public places around the UK to allow dogs. Not all
- dogs would be desirable, however. Badly behaved ones could ruin a pleasant outing —a café in Singapore got into trouble when two
- canines fought each other in front of customers. For this reason, the campaign promotes “petiquette” guidelines to make sure your dog
- will be welcome wherever it goes. Ensuring the dog is clean, well-behaved and under the owner’s control at all times serves everyone’s
- welfare.
- For some people, though, the presence of a dog is extremely unwelcome, perhaps because of pet allergies or fear of dogs.
- Dog-friendly cafés may be increasing in “pup-ularity”, but they should be well signposted so that anyone who prefers to dine dog-
- free can continue to do so with ease.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
1. “Be Dog Friendly” is a campaign designed to…
Solución
(c) permit dogs in more places.
La campaña anima a negocios y lugares públicos a admitir perros (línea 7): “designed to encourage businesses and public places around the UK to allow dogs.”
Se dirige a los negocios, no a los dueños (a); da pautas de comportamiento, pero no adiestra perros (b); y busca lo contrario de impedir su entrada (d).
2. Some people do not like being near dogs because…
Solución
(b) they are afraid of dogs.
A algunas personas les molestan los perros por alergia o por miedo (línea 12): “perhaps because of pet allergies or fear of dogs.”
El texto no menciona ninguno de los otros motivos (a, c y d).
ARE THESE STATEMENTS TRUE OR FALSE? JUSTIFY YOUR ANSWERS WITH THE PRECISE WORDS OR PHRASES FROM THE TEXT, OR USE YOUR OWN WORDS. (0.5 points each)
3. Service dogs are allowed to enter public buildings.
Solución
TRUE. Naturally, there are exceptions for assistance dogs (, but the rest find themselves left at home…) (líneas 2-3).
Los perros de asistencia sí pueden entrar.
4. The law forbids dogs to be in areas where food is cooked.
Solución
TRUE. (People think dogs are not allowed into shops and cafés for hygiene reasons, but) there is nothing in law to prevent a dog from being in a café —only from food-preparation areas. (líneas 4-5).
La ley solo les prohíbe entrar en las zonas donde se prepara la comida.
5. According to the campaigners, dogs needn’t be supervised.
Solución
FALSE. Ensuring the dog is (clean, well-behaved and) under the owner’s control at all times serves everyone’s welfare. (líneas 10-11).
El perro debe estar siempre bajo el control de su dueño.
6. Cafés ought to notify their customers that they are pet-friendly publicly.
Solución
TRUE. they should be well signposted so that anyone who prefers to dine dog-free can continue to do so with ease. (líneas 13-14).
Deben estar bien señalizados.
7. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
7.1. ONE OPPOSITE FOR “difficulty” (noun).
Solución
ease (línea 14): “continue to do so with ease”.
7.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR “proprietor” (noun).
Solución
owner (líneas 2, 3, 5 y 10): “it is up to a café owner”. También vale el plural, owners.
8. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
8.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “to spoil or destroy something completely”.
Solución
ruin (línea 8): “could ruin a pleasant outing”.
8.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “indications of some steps to follow”.
Solución
guidelines (línea 9): ““petiquette” guidelines”. En singular, también vale guideline.
TEXT 2: THE AGED WOMAN
- Long ago, a poor farmer lived with his aged mother in the land of a tyrannical leader who disliked weak and sick people. One day,
- the ruler decided that old people had to die. Though the farmer loved his mother deeply, he couldn’t disobey an order from the governor
- and so, with a heavy heart, he led his mother to the desolate mountain summit known as Obatsuyama (meaning “abandoning of the
- aged”).
- Along the journey, the farmer had trouble navigating the difficult paths of the mountain and his mother grew anxious at the thought
- of her son getting lost and dying on his return. Going unnoticed by her son, she decided to make a way for him to follow by breaking
- twigs off the trees and throwing them along the path. At last, she revealed what she had done and the farmer, moved by her actions,
- proclaimed that he would not leave her there and both would go back to die together.
- The farmer hid his mother at home and for a time it seemed that all was peaceful. However, again the governor ordered something
- unreasonable: the people had to make a rope of ashes. When the woman heard the news, and with the wisdom cultivated throughout
- her years, she asked her son to make a rope of straw and burn it on a large flat stone.
- The governor heard what the farmer had done and wanted to know where he had acquired such wisdom. It was then that the poor
- man revealed the whole story. The governor listened and finally recognized that the land needed more than the strength and vitality of
- young people and abolished his cruel laws.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
9. The governor of the land…
Solución
(d) was at first cruel to old people.
Al principio ordenó que los ancianos murieran, aunque al final abolió sus leyes crueles (línea 2): “the ruler decided that old people had to die.”
Despreciaba a los débiles y a los enfermos (a); no presenció el viaje a la montaña (b); y no condenó al granjero (c).
10. The story suggests that…
Solución
(b) old people are also needed in society.
El gobernador reconoce que el país necesita algo más que la fuerza de los jóvenes (líneas 13-14): “the land needed more than the strength and vitality of young people”.
La historia demuestra lo contrario (a); el texto no habla de odio (c); y la sabiduría era de la madre, no del granjero (d).
ARE THESE STATEMENTS TRUE OR FALSE? JUSTIFY YOUR ANSWERS WITH THE PRECISE WORDS OR PHRASES FROM THE TEXT, OR USE YOUR OWN WORDS. (0.5 points each)
11. The farmer knew the way to the summit of Obatsuyama well.
Solución
FALSE. Along the journey, the farmer had trouble navigating the difficult paths of the mountain (and his mother grew anxious…) (línea 5).
Le costaba orientarse por los caminos de la montaña.
12. The farmer saw his mother break twigs from the trees.
Solución
FALSE. Going unnoticed by her son, (she decided to make a way for him to follow by breaking twigs off the trees and throwing them along the path.) (línea 6).
Lo hizo sin que su hijo se diera cuenta.
13. After the journey to the summit, the farmer kept his mother out of sight.
Solución
TRUE. The farmer hid his mother at home (and for a time it seemed that all was peaceful). (línea 9).
La escondió en casa.
14. The aged woman burnt straw on a stone.
Solución
FALSE. She asked her son to make a rope of straw and burn it on a large flat stone. (línea 11).
Fue su hijo quien quemó la cuerda de paja, siguiendo su consejo.
15. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
15.1. ONE SYNONYM FOR “uninhabited” (adjective).
Solución
desolate (línea 3): “the desolate mountain summit”.
15.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR “illogical” (adjective).
Solución
unreasonable (línea 10): “ordered something unreasonable”.
16. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
16.1. ONE WORD MEANING “not involving war or violence”.
Solución
peaceful (línea 9): “it seemed that all was peaceful”.
16.2. ONE WORD MEANING “the quality of having experience, knowledge and good judgment”.
Solución
wisdom (líneas 10 y 12): “with the wisdom cultivated throughout her years”.