Reading.
Inglés, exámenes de 2022.
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 2022
Convocatoria ordinaria
Junio 2022
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: IT’S NOT EASY TO BE GREEN
- “I’ll try to eat less meat,” you think, as you pick up a plant-based alternative to your usual beef burger. Then you discover it’s
- almost double the price of the meaty version on the next shop shelf. “Sorry, meat wins.”
- Supermarkets have expanded the range of meat-alternative products in the last five years, with a variety of items that would
- tempt any carnivore. There’s one problem, though: the price.
- Plant-based options often cost more than regular meat products. Take Bird’s Eye nuggets as an example. A standard packet
- costs £1.55 at Tesco; the brand’s vegan choice is £2.50. So, why are they so pricey? Plant-based alternatives are a relatively new
- and developing part of the market, which means more money is spent on research and innovation to ensure they meet the demand
- for taste and quality. The good news is that the market is moving in the right direction. In December 2020, Plant & Bean opened
- Europe’s largest plant-based meat production facility in the UK to help drive down prices.
- Supermarkets are also making changes. In April, Co-Op invested more than £1.7 million to reduce the cost of vegan food. As
- part of the move, its own-brand vegan sausages fell from £3 to £1.45. No ingredients were changed.
- Until prices go down, the Vegan Society says it’s still possible to embrace a vegan lifestyle by choosing other products. Actually,
- it’s a misconception that vegan food is necessarily more expensive than animal products since some of the cheapest key
- components of a vegan diet are rice, pasta, vegetables and beans.
- The Vegan Society hopes to increase access to affordable plant-based food and support vegans who find themselves in
- financial difficulty.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
1. According to the text, vegan products are…
Solución
(c) appealing to non-vegan people too.
Los supermercados ofrecen alternativas a la carne que tentarían incluso a quien come carne (líneas 3-4): “a variety of items that would tempt any carnivore.”
Es lo contrario: resultan atractivos incluso para los carnívoros (a); suelen ser más caros, no más baratos (“Plant-based options often cost more than regular meat products”) (b); y los supermercados han ampliado su oferta, así que no son difíciles de encontrar (d).
2. According to the text, customers…
Solución
(b) can still be green in spite of the high prices.
Mientras los precios no bajen, se puede llevar una dieta vegana eligiendo otros productos más baratos (línea 12): “Until prices go down, the Vegan Society says it’s still possible to embrace a vegan lifestyle by choosing other products.” Por ejemplo, arroz, pasta, verduras y legumbres.
Sí encuentran estos productos, porque la oferta ha crecido (a); el precio es precisamente el problema (“There’s one problem, though: the price”) (c); y el texto no dice que elijan la versión vegana de los nuggets; de hecho, el ejemplo inicial muestra que el precio lleva a elegir la carne (“Sorry, meat wins”) (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. The industry is trying to improve the flavour of vegan products.
Solución
TRUE. “(Plant-based alternatives are a relatively new and developing part of the market,) which means more money is spent on research and innovation to ensure they meet the demand for taste and quality.” (líneas 7-8).
La industria invierte en investigación e innovación para que el sabor (“taste”) y la calidad respondan a lo que piden los consumidores.
4. Plant & Bean opened a meat-producing plant to compete with other vegan production factories.
Solución
FALSE. “In December 2020, Plant & Bean opened Europe’s largest plant-based meat production facility in the UK to help drive down prices.” (líneas 8-9).
La fábrica produce “carne” vegetal (“plant-based meat”), no carne, y su objetivo es bajar los precios, no competir con otras fábricas veganas.
5. Co-Op replaced some components of its plant-based alternatives in order to lower prices.
Solución
FALSE. “No ingredients were changed.” (línea 11).
Bajó los precios sin cambiar ningún ingrediente.
6. Some organisations are aiming to help vegans who struggle with money.
Solución
TRUE. “The Vegan Society hopes to increase access to affordable plant-based food and support vegans who find themselves in financial difficulty.” (líneas 15-16).
La Vegan Society quiere ayudar a los veganos con dificultades económicas.
7. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
7.1. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “guarantee” (verb).
Solución
ensure (línea 7): “to ensure they meet the demand for taste and quality”.
7.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “error” (noun).
Solución
misconception (línea 13): “it’s a misconception that vegan food is necessarily more expensive”.
8. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
8.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “to spend money in order to earn a financial return.”
Solución
invested (línea 10): “Co-Op invested more than £1.7 million”. Como la definición es un infinitivo (“to spend…”), también vale invest.
8.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “to persuade someone to do something by making it seem attractive.”
Solución
tempt (línea 4): “items that would tempt any carnivore”.
TEXT 2: MEN EARN MORE MONEY THAN WOMEN IN EVERY COUNTRY
- A new international study examining the difference in earnings within couples has revealed that men continue to be paid more
- than women in every country.
- In the first survey of its kind, scholars examined public data from 2.85 million households across 45 countries to reach their
- conclusions. The report, published in the Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, analysed the income of couples between
- the ages of 18 and 65 over a four-decade period. The team wanted to assess the global picture, particularly in Scandinavian
- countries, which are often presented as more progressive for females. However, the experts concluded that gender pay inequality
- persists across countries, over time and across both rich and poor households. They found that the family unit is often a place of
- great inequality, even in the most affluent nations.
- One positive finding was that women’s participation in the labour market had increased over the 40-year period. In many parts
- of the world, more women-friendly policies have narrowed the gap. Nevertheless, the researchers felt that governments were not
- doing enough.
- In May 2020, on the fiftieth anniversary of the Equal Pay Act, the Trade Unions Congress (TUC) stated that women continue
- to be underpaid and undervalued. General secretary of the TUC, Frances O’Grady, said: “Fifty years after brave women won the
- legal right to equal pay, unequal earnings are still common today. Working women are stuck in low-paid and insecure jobs. No
- doubt we need to reconsider how we value and reward their work. Without appropriate measures, it will take decades to close the
- gender pay gap.”
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
9. According to the text and in order to conduct the study, the researchers…
Solución
(d) analysed accessible information.
Los investigadores trabajaron con datos públicos (línea 3): “scholars examined public data from 2.85 million households across 45 countries”.
No visitaron hogares (a) ni entrevistaron a las familias (c), sino que analizaron datos ya disponibles; y estudiaron parejas (“the income of couples”), no familias monoparentales (b).
10. According to the text, the labour world has seen how women…
Solución
(a) have intensified their presence in recent decades.
La participación de las mujeres en el mercado laboral aumentó durante los 40 años estudiados (línea 9): “women’s participation in the labour market had increased over the 40-year period.”
Los 40 años se refieren al periodo del estudio, no a la edad de las mujeres (b); y el texto no dice nada de que hayan reducido los empleos (c) ni de que no estén preparadas para algunas tareas (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. A similar study had been conducted some years before.
Solución
FALSE. “In the first survey of its kind (, scholars examined public data from 2.85 million households across 45 countries to reach their conclusions).” (línea 3).
Es el primer estudio de este tipo, así que no se había hecho otro parecido antes.
12. Regarding women’s policies, Nordic countries are supposed to be more advanced.
Solución
TRUE. “(The team wanted to assess the global picture,) particularly in Scandinavian countries, which are often presented as more progressive for females.” (líneas 5-6).
Los países escandinavos (nórdicos) suelen presentarse como más avanzados en igualdad para las mujeres.
13. Wives and husbands have the same income in wealthy countries.
Solución
FALSE. “They found that the family unit is often a place of great inequality, even in the most affluent nations.” (líneas 7-8).
Incluso en los países más ricos (“the most affluent nations”) hay una gran desigualdad dentro de la pareja.
14. After the Equal Pay Act, women achieved stability at work.
Solución
FALSE. “Working women are stuck in low-paid and insecure jobs.” (línea 14).
Cincuenta años después de la ley, las mujeres siguen atrapadas en trabajos mal pagados e inestables.
15. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
15.1. ONE OPPOSITE FOR: “broaden” (verb).
Solución
narrowed (línea 10): “more women-friendly policies have narrowed the gap”. Como se pide un verbo, también vale el infinitivo, narrow.
15.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “courageous” (adjective).
Solución
brave (línea 13): “Fifty years after brave women won the legal right to equal pay”.
16. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
16.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “fixed, unable to move, change or improve.”
Solución
stuck (línea 14): “Working women are stuck in low-paid and insecure jobs”.
16.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “to give something in recognition of services, efforts, achievements or behaviour.”
Solución
reward (línea 15): “how we value and reward their work”.
Convocatoria extraordinaria
Julio 2022
Convocatoria extraordinaria
Julio 2022
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: JOSÉ ADOLFO QUISOCALA IS CHANGING THE WORLD
- When he was seven, José Adolfo Quisocala created a bank for school friends in his hometown of Arequipa, Peru, to save
- money to buy books, stationery and uniforms. Now, nine years later, the Bartselana Student Bank has 6,700 customers, all aged
- under 18. All these children can add more money to their savings by taking plastic and paper to recycle to school bus stops —the
- money is automatically credited to their bank accounts. Every month, the bank recycles between 15 and 16 tons of paper and
- plastic.
- The idea came to Quisocala when he saw children begging at traffic lights and wondered how he could help them and their
- families earn and save, and at the same time recycle household rubbish that would otherwise become litter. He left school to
- pursue his idea, but it was worth it, he says. “In my town, I considerably reduced the level of child poverty, the school drop-out rate
- and environmental pollution.”
- Quisocala also helped create the Bartselana Foundation, which turns donations of recyclable waste from local companies into
- funds to combat child hunger and improve education. The foundation has been making free online educational videos lately, which
- they put out via social media, explaining how to distinguish different types of plastic and paper for recycling, for example. “This is
- relevant information which is not taught at school so we make it public and free to watch,” says Quisocala.
- Now 16, he plans to pass the bank to another young executive in order to go to university. He intends to continue his social
- activism, working with the “least-favoured or forgotten groups in Latin America” and helping them benefit from carrying out
- environmental services.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
1. José Adolfo started the bank…
Solución
(d) to help his friends pay for their education.
Creó el banco para que sus compañeros ahorraran y pudieran comprar libros, material escolar y uniformes (líneas 1-2): “created a bank for school friends… to save money to buy books, stationery and uniforms.”
Lo creó con siete años, no en la adolescencia (a); era para sus compañeros de colegio, no para todos los estudiantes de Arequipa (b); y su objetivo era ayudar, no sacar beneficio (c).
2. The Bartselana Student Bank has been operating…
Solución
(b) only for minors.
Todos sus clientes son menores de 18 años (líneas 2-3): “the Bartselana Student Bank has 6,700 customers, all aged under 18.”
Funciona desde hace nueve años, no más de diez (“Now, nine years later”) (a); solo pueden usarlo menores, no cualquier persona de Arequipa (c); y con 6.700 clientes y paradas de autobús escolar como puntos de reciclaje, no se limita a su colegio (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. Customers can get loans from the Bartselana Student Bank by recycling.
Solución
FALSE. “All these children can add more money to their savings by taking plastic and paper to recycle to school bus stops (—the money is automatically credited to their bank accounts).” (línea 3).
Al reciclar no reciben préstamos (loans), sino que aumentan sus ahorros (savings).
4. José Adolfo wanted to help kids in need while reducing waste in his city.
Solución
TRUE. “The idea came to Quisocala when he saw children begging at traffic lights and wondered how he could help them (and their families) earn and save, and at the same time recycle household rubbish (that would otherwise become litter).” (líneas 6-7).
Quería ayudar a los niños que pedían en la calle y, a la vez, reciclar la basura doméstica.
5. The initiative developed by José Adolfo also involves businesses in Arequipa.
Solución
TRUE. “Quisocala also helped create the Bartselana Foundation, which turns donations of recyclable waste from local companies into funds to combat child hunger and improve education.” (líneas 10-11).
La fundación recibe residuos reciclables donados por empresas locales.
6. José Adolfo is currently planning to improve living conditions in other countries.
Solución
TRUE. “He intends to continue his social activism, working with the ‘least-favoured or forgotten groups in Latin America’ and helping them benefit from carrying out environmental services.” (líneas 14-16).
Quiere trabajar con los grupos más desfavorecidos de toda Latinoamérica, no solo de Perú.
7. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
7.1. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “client” (noun).
Solución
customers (línea 2): “the Bartselana Student Bank has 6,700 customers”. Como “client” está en singular, también vale customer.
7.2. ONE OPPOSITE FOR: “increase” (verb).
Solución
reduced (línea 8): “I considerably reduced the level of child poverty”. Como se pide un verbo, también vale el infinitivo, reduce.
8. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
8.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “to ask for money or food when being in need.”
Solución
begging (línea 6): “he saw children begging at traffic lights”. Como la definición es un infinitivo (“to ask…”), también vale beg.
8.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “writing materials and office supplies.”
Solución
stationery (línea 2): “to buy books, stationery and uniforms”.
TEXT 2: GARUM IN THE 21st CENTURY
- In modern laboratories, scientists are working to recreate garum, a sauce made from putrefying fish that was beloved by the
- ancient Greeks and Romans but hardly sounds appealing to 21st-century food lovers.
- The Latin term garum could refer to both a sauce used in the cooking process —sometimes also called liquamen— and to a
- condiment, made with the blood and viscera of fish, that writers such as Petronius, Ausonius and Seneca knew as garum sociorum
- (“garum of the allies”).
- Archaeologists had been unsuccessful in extracting well-preserved garum at excavations in Tunisia and other Mediterranean
- locations until Italian researchers in 2009 discovered six sealed dolia —large clay amphoras— in a building that they named the
- Garum Shop at Pompeii. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 had buried the building under ash, thus perfectly preserving a
- small liquamen factory.
- Food technicians from the universities of Cadiz and Seville analysed the contents of the dolia at Pompeii and, using that
- information and a liquamen recipe thought to have been written in the third century AD, produced what they claim is the first
- scientific recreation of the 2,000-year-old fish sauce. This recreation is called Flor de Garum and is being sold in amphora-shaped
- glass bottles throughout Spain. Chefs state that it supercharges dishes with a potent flavour.
- It has been said that it is impossible to recreate definitive modern versions of these Roman ancient fish sauces, but at least
- this is the first time in modern history that a scientific reconstruction of garum has been successfully achieved.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
9. According to the text, …
Solución
(c) it is now possible to buy a version of garum.
La recreación, llamada Flor de Garum, está a la venta en toda España (líneas 12-13): “This recreation is called Flor de Garum and is being sold in amphora-shaped glass bottles throughout Spain.”
El garum era una salsa de pescado, no un dulce (a); la ceniza del Vesubio sepultó el edificio, no se usaba para cocinar la salsa (b); y se hacía con pescado en descomposición (“putrefying fish”), no fresco (d).
10. According to the text, Flor de Garum is made using…
Solución
(c) data obtained from Pompeian dolia.
Los técnicos analizaron el contenido de las ánforas de Pompeya y usaron esa información para recrear la salsa (líneas 10-12): “Food technicians… analysed the contents of the dolia at Pompeii and, using that information and a liquamen recipe…, produced what they claim is the first scientific recreation”.
La receta que usaron es del siglo III d. C., no de Séneca, que solo aparece como autor que conocía el condimento (a); lo que tiene 2.000 años es la salsa original, no el pescado que se usa ahora (b); y en Túnez no se consiguió extraer garum bien conservado (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. Today, people would love the original garum.
Solución
FALSE. “(In modern laboratories, scientists are working to recreate garum, a sauce made from putrefying fish that was beloved by the ancient Greeks and Romans) but hardly sounds appealing to 21st-century food lovers.” (línea 2).
Una salsa de pescado en descomposición apenas resulta atractiva para los aficionados a la comida de hoy.
12. Garum could be used in two different ways in Roman cooking.
Solución
TRUE. “The Latin term garum could refer to both a sauce used in the cooking process —sometimes also called liquamen— and to a condiment, made with the blood and viscera of fish, (that writers such as Petronius, Ausonius and Seneca knew as garum sociorum (‘garum of the allies’)).” (líneas 3-4).
Se usaba como salsa para cocinar y también como condimento.
13. Some garum amphoras were not destroyed due to volcanic activity.
Solución
TRUE. “The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 had buried the building under ash, thus perfectly preserving a small liquamen factory.” (líneas 8-9).
La ceniza de la erupción conservó perfectamente la fábrica y las ánforas que había dentro.
14. The new garum also helps to soften the taste of dishes.
Solución
FALSE. “Chefs state that it supercharges dishes with a potent flavour.” (línea 13).
No suaviza el sabor de los platos, sino que lo intensifica.
15. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
15.1. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “esteemed” (adjective).
Solución
beloved (línea 1): “that was beloved by the ancient Greeks and Romans”.
15.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “rotten” (adjective).
Solución
putrefying (línea 1): “a sauce made from putrefying fish”.
16. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
16.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “a building in which goods are manufactured.”
Solución
factory (línea 9): “a small liquamen factory”.
16.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “to close tightly so that nothing can enter or leak.”
Solución
sealed (línea 7): “six sealed dolia”. Como la definición es un infinitivo (“to close…”), también vale seal.
Examen de reserva
Reserva 1 2022
Examen de reserva
Reserva 1 2022
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: A PIZZA FOR THE QUEEN
- Pizza Margherita, whose toppings resemble the colours of the Italian flag, red (tomato), white (mozzarella) and green (basil),
- has an appealing story behind its name. It was created by Raffaele Esposito, a well-known pizza maker from Naples who owned
- a tavern called Pizzeria di Pietro e Basta Cosí. Tomato-based pizza was then considered the food of the poor people of Naples
- and mainly sold by the street vendors. In his book Le Coricollo, French author Alexandre Dumas noted the popularity of the tomato-
- and-fish-based pizzas sold in the streets of Naples. People would eat watermelons in summer and pizza throughout the year.
- According to the legend, Esposito was invited to the royal palace to prepare a pizza for Queen Margherita of Savoy, who had
- travelled to Naples with King Umberto I. Esposito prepared three different pizzas, one of which used a combination of tomatoes,
- mozzarella cheese and basil to emulate the red, white and green of the Italian flag. The Queen found this pizza absolutely delicious
- and she is said to have sent a note of appreciation to the pizza maker, who then named the pizza after the Queen.
- Although the authenticity of the story has been questioned by some people, it helped Neapolitan Pizza gain enduring popularity
- and the presentation and fine taste of Esposito’s Pizza Margherita made it one of the most recognizable symbols of Italian food
- culture in the world. Some of the old traditional pizzerias still exist in Naples, and a trip to this capital city of the Campania region
- must certainly include a visit to its historic pizzerias for both pizza and history lovers.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
1. According to the text, Alexandre Dumas wrote about…
Solución
(a) the street-sold pizzas in one of his books.
En uno de sus libros habló de las pizzas que se vendían por la calle (líneas 4-5): “In his book Le Coricollo, French author Alexandre Dumas noted the popularity of the tomato-and-fish-based pizzas sold in the streets of Naples.”
El texto no dice que escribiera sobre Esposito (b) ni sobre la reina (c); y habló de lo populares que eran esas pizzas, no de cómo se preparaban (d).
2. After Esposito made pizza for the Queen, …
Solución
(d) one of his recipes became well-known all over the world.
Su pizza Margherita se convirtió en un símbolo de la cocina italiana en todo el mundo (líneas 11-12): “made it one of the most recognizable symbols of Italian food culture in the world.”
El texto no dice que se hiciera cocinero real (a); ya tenía una taberna antes (b); y no habla de que abriera más pizzerías (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. Only the wealthy could afford to eat pizza.
Solución
FALSE. Tomato-based pizza was then considered the food of the poor people of Naples and mainly sold by the street vendors. (líneas 3-4).
La pizza era comida de los pobres de Nápoles.
4. People in Naples used to eat pizza only in summer.
Solución
FALSE. People would eat watermelons in summer and pizza throughout the year. (línea 5).
Comían pizza durante todo el año.
5. The Queen loved the pizza because it was named after her.
Solución
FALSE. (The Queen found this pizza absolutely delicious and she is said to have sent a note of appreciation to the pizza maker,) who then named the pizza after the Queen. (línea 9).
Le puso su nombre después de que a la reina le encantara, no antes.
6. The origins of the famous pizza Margherita are uncertain.
Solución
TRUE. Although the authenticity of the story has been questioned by some people (, it helped Neapolitan Pizza gain enduring popularity…) (línea 10).
Hay quien duda de que la historia sea cierta.
7. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
7.1. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “fame” (noun).
Solución
popularity (líneas 4 y 10): “noted the popularity of the tomato-and-fish-based pizzas”.
7.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “imitate” (verb).
Solución
emulate (línea 8): “to emulate the red, white and green of the Italian flag”.
8. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
8.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “a piece of fabric that is used as a symbol of a nation.”
Solución
flag (líneas 1 y 8): “the colours of the Italian flag”.
8.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “expression of gratitude or thankful recognition.”
Solución
appreciation (línea 9): “a note of appreciation”.
TEXT 2: WILL THE MACHINES TAKE CONTROL?
- The first time I interviewed Eric Schmidt —twelve years ago when he was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Google— I had
- a simple question about the technology that is spying and monetizing all our movements, opinions, relationships and tastes. “Friend
- or enemy?” I asked. “We’re friends,” Schmidt replied coolly.
- Now that the former Google executive has a book out titled The Age of Artificial Intelligence, I made him the same question
- about Artificial Intelligence (AI), “Friend or enemy?”. “AI is imprecise, and it can be unreliable as a partner,” he replied. “It’s dynamic
- since it’s changing all the time. It’s emergent and does things you don’t expect. And, most importantly, it’s capable of learning.”
- “It will be everywhere,” continues Schmidt. “How may a child feel about having an AI programmed robot? What does AI war
- look like? Does AI perceive aspects of reality that we don’t? Is it possible that AI will see things that humans cannot comprehend?”
- Some scientists believe that when we build AI without a kill bottom for it, we are creating a demon —with luck, humans could
- end up as the family pets. On this point, Schmidt disagrees with those people who consider that by developing AI, eventually, you’ll
- finish up with a master robot that’s 1,000 times smarter than the humans. “My answer is different. I think that these AI systems are
- going to think, not like humans, but they’re going to be very smart, and that we’re going to have to coexist.”
- I asked, “You don’t think Siri and Alexa are going to kill us one night?”. “No,” he replied. “But they might become your child’s
- best friend.”
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
9. Twelve years ago, Eric Schmidt…
Solución
(d) believed that technology and humanity got on well.
Cuando le preguntaron si la tecnología era amiga o enemiga, respondió que amiga (líneas 2-3): “‘Friend or enemy?’ I asked. ‘We’re friends,’ Schmidt replied coolly.”
Entonces ya era el director ejecutivo de Google, no lo nombraron en ese momento (a) ni había dejado la empresa (b); y el libro sobre la IA es reciente (c).
10. According to the text, technology…
Solución
(c) makes money by tracking people.
La tecnología espía y saca dinero de todo lo que hacemos (línea 2): “the technology that is spying and monetizing all our movements, opinions, relationships and tastes.”
Si nos espía, no protege nuestra privacidad (a); Schmidt la considera amiga, no enemiga (b); y está presente en todo lo que hacemos (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. Schmidt is interviewed for a second time because a book of his has been released.
Solución
TRUE. Now that the former Google executive has a book out titled The Age of Artificial Intelligence (, I made him the same question…) (línea 4).
La segunda entrevista se debe a la publicación de su libro.
12. During the second interview, Schmidt claims we can trust AI.
Solución
FALSE. “AI is imprecise, and it can be unreliable as a partner,” he replied. // “It’s dynamic since it’s changing all the time.” // “It’s emergent and does things you don’t expect.” (líneas 5-6).
Dice que la IA puede no ser fiable (“unreliable”). Basta con una de las tres citas.
13. Schmidt considers AI will be applied only to certain spheres of human life.
Solución
FALSE. “It will be everywhere” (, continues Schmidt). (línea 7).
Cree que la IA estará en todas partes.
14. Schmidt suggests we should learn to live side by side with AI.
Solución
TRUE. (“I think that these AI systems are going to think, not like humans, but they’re going to be very smart,)” and that we’re going to have to coexist. (línea 12).
Según él, tendremos que convivir con la IA.
15. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
15.1. ONE OPPOSITE FOR: “current” (adjective).
Solución
former (línea 4): “the former Google executive”.
15.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “finally” (adverb).
Solución
eventually (línea 10): “eventually, you’ll finish up with a master robot”.
16. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
16.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “a personal preference or liking.”
Solución
tastes (línea 2): “relationships and tastes”. En singular, también vale taste.
16.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “a source or agent of evil, harm, distress or ruin.”
Solución
demon (línea 9): “we are creating a demon”.
Examen de reserva
Reserva 2 2022
Examen de reserva
Reserva 2 2022
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: BUSKING: STREET MUSICIANS IN DUBLIN
- People who come to Dublin for the first time may be surprised by the huge number of street performers or buskers, especially
- on the tourist-packed Grafton Street. They have become part of Dublin’s cultural life.
- Musicians from all over the world compete to be heard on Grafton Street, playing everything from authentic Irish folk to modern
- punk. Playing on Grafton Street isn’t like any other busking experience. It’s one of the busiest streets in Europe, with over 9,000
- pedestrians passing through every hour —each one could be receptive or rude, generous or quite the opposite.
- The increased popularity of busking in Dublin has also brought with it legislation; performers pay for the privilege to play on
- Grafton Street (a permit costs €30 a year) and follow strict regulations. Each busker can only play for one hour before moving on
- and can’t return within 100 metres of any of their previous locations until the following day.
- The musicians queue, sometimes for hours, for one of the best-designated spots. They’re also in direct competition with other
- buskers along the street playing at the same time, which ensures that everyone who performs here puts their full heart and soul
- into it.
- A unique interrelation between buskers and fans occurs only in the streets, with no security staff, no VIP seats, or entrance
- fee. Christmas Eve, for instance, is a really good time to visit Grafton Street, as megastars like Bono and Glen Hansard have been
- known to turn up and play for charity. If you like what you’re hearing, leave a tip —€2 or €3 is typical, but more is obviously
- welcomed, especially if you stay for a while.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
1. According to the text, Grafton Street is the place where…
Solución
(a) buskers can be heard by many people.
Es una de las calles más concurridas de Europa (líneas 4-5): “one of the busiest streets in Europe, with over 9,000 pedestrians passing through every hour”.
Hablan de peatones, no de coches (b); para tocar hay que pagar un permiso de 30 € al año (c); y tocan músicos de todo el mundo, no solo famosos (d).
2. In order to play on Grafton Street, buskers must…
Solución
(b) change spots every hour.
Cada músico solo puede tocar una hora en el mismo sitio (línea 7): “Each busker can only play for one hour before moving on”.
El texto no habla de dar un porcentaje al ayuntamiento (a); se toca de todo, del folk irlandés al punk (c); y el permiso se paga una vez al año, no cada día (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. Street performers always get a positive response from the audience.
Solución
FALSE. (It’s one of the busiest streets in Europe, with over 9,000 pedestrians passing through every hour —) each one could be receptive or rude, generous or quite the opposite. (línea 5).
Cada peatón puede reaccionar bien o mal.
4. The best locations on Grafton Street are booked in advance.
Solución
FALSE. The musicians queue, sometimes for hours, for one of the best-designated spots. (línea 9).
Los mejores sitios no se reservan: los músicos hacen cola, a veces durante horas.
5. Sometimes celebrities show up unannounced to tip the buskers.
Solución
FALSE. (Christmas Eve, for instance, is a really good time to visit Grafton Street,) as megastars like Bono and Glen Hansard have been known to turn up and play for charity. (líneas 13-14).
Las estrellas aparecen para tocar con fines benéficos, no para dar propinas.
6. The longer you admire a performance, the bigger your tip should be.
Solución
TRUE. (If you like what you’re hearing, leave a tip —€2 or €3 is typical,) but more is obviously welcomed, especially if you stay for a while. (líneas 14-15).
Si te quedas un rato, se agradece una propina mayor.
7. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
7.1. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “exceptional” (adjective).
Solución
unique (línea 12): “A unique interrelation between buskers and fans”.
7.2. ONE OPPOSITE FOR: “polite” (adjective).
Solución
rude (línea 5): “receptive or rude”.
8. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
8.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “to wait in a line in order to do something or get somewhere.”
Solución
queue (línea 9): “The musicians queue, sometimes for hours”.
8.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “a sum charged for a service.”
Solución
fee (línea 13): “entrance fee”.
TEXT 2: A THOUSAND HUTS
- Sustainability is a hot topic in the world of travel right now, but what does it actually mean? Everyone seems to have a different
- idea about what we should focus on. From electric cars and bicycles to slow food and zero-plastic hotels, there are countless
- factors that make a trip more sustainable. That’s where Scotland’s 1,000 Hut programme comes in. This initiative started in 2011,
- after a brainstorming session among Scottish environmental activists. Since then, they have been working with Reforesting
- Scotland to make cabins an alternative holiday destination, particularly for eco-conscious travellers who are fond of a minimalist
- holiday.
- It could be a positive change in the way we holiday from now on, the initiative believes. Rather than trying to organise one
- large holiday a year in Spain or Greece, a family could find it easier to come to a smaller, closer rural Scottish hut whenever they
- need a break from the frenetic pace of urban life.
- What the programme hopes is that “people will learn about and engage with nature, taking responsibility for the environment.”
- The experience includes travelling to the cabins in low-carbon, sustainable ways that could make visitors more appreciative of the
- world around them. Besides, it’s also a way of promoting local travel.
- Increasing the number of simple, low-waste huts in the British countryside will also serve the larger number of people travelling
- within the UK. In this way, Scotland could position itself as a favourite closer destination. More people in rural communities means
- more money flowing into those communities, and the more people are enjoying the countryside, the more financially equipped we’ll
- be to preserve it.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
9. According to the text, sustainability…
Solución
(c) is fashionable nowadays.
La sostenibilidad es un tema de actualidad en el mundo de los viajes (línea 1): “Sustainability is a hot topic in the world of travel right now”.
Cada uno la entiende de una forma distinta (“Everyone seems to have a different idea”) (a); y el transporte o la comida son solo algunos de sus muchos factores (“countless factors”) (b y d).
10. According to the text, the 1,000 Hut initiative…
Solución
(c) was set up by nature campaigners.
La iniciativa nació de una reunión de activistas medioambientales (línea 4): “after a brainstorming session among Scottish environmental activists.”
Las cabañas están en el campo, no en la ciudad (a); el texto no habla de polémica (b); y la crearon activistas, no el Gobierno escocés (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 huts are specially designed for travellers who prefer a greener holiday.
Solución
TRUE. (Since then, they have been working with Reforesting Scotland to make cabins an alternative holiday destination,) particularly for eco-conscious travellers who are fond of a minimalist holiday. (líneas 5-6).
Están pensadas para viajeros con conciencia ecológica.
12. Staying at a Scottish hut can help people disconnect from daily life stress.
Solución
TRUE. (Rather than trying to organise one large holiday a year in Spain or Greece,) a family could find it easier to come to a smaller, closer rural Scottish hut whenever they need a break from the frenetic pace of urban life. (líneas 8-9).
Sirven para descansar del ritmo frenético de la ciudad.
13. The journey to the hut itself may enrich the holiday.
Solución
TRUE. The experience includes travelling to the cabins in low-carbon, sustainable ways that could make visitors more appreciative of the world around them. (líneas 11-12).
El propio viaje sostenible hace que los visitantes valoren más el entorno.
14. The Hut initiative may damage rural economy.
Solución
FALSE. More people in rural communities means more money flowing into those communities, // and the more people are enjoying the countryside, the more financially equipped we’ll be to preserve it. (líneas 14-16).
Atraer visitantes lleva más dinero a las zonas rurales. Basta con una de las dos partes.
15. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
15.1. ONE OPPOSITE FOR: “limited” (adjective).
Solución
countless (línea 2): “there are countless factors”.
15.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “grateful” (adjective).
Solución
appreciative (línea 11): “more appreciative of the world around them”.
16. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
16.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “being or offering no more than what is required or essential.”
Solución
minimalist (línea 5): “a minimalist holiday”.
16.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “to move or run smoothly, to circulate.”
Solución
flowing (línea 15): “more money flowing into those communities”. Como la definición es un infinitivo, también vale flow.
Examen de reserva
Reserva 3 2022
Examen de reserva
Reserva 3 2022
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: IT’S A GOOD DAY TO BE A DOG!
- If you’re in the market for gourmet dog food these days, there are a lot of options for your puppy. I mean, if you’ve got bills to
- pay, you could buy a 10-kilo bag of chicken flavor for $10. But the brand Open Farm Pet offers a similar size bag of “Norwegian
- Salmon & Ancient Grains Dog Food” for $72. It does contain not only wild salmon, but also quinoa, chia seeds and superfoods like
- coconut oil and pumpkin.
- Lately, every element of pet culture has changed: from food to medicine, training, travel… Dogs have come a long way since
- the days when they were put to work on farms and given food scraps. From spending their nights in the doghouse to sleeping
- inside on comfortable beds, they’ve made big progress. They get first-rate healthcare and visits to psychiatrists who prescribe
- them antidepressants. They get massages and spa days, and wear sweaters.
- Dogs are also much less likely to be killed these days. During the 1990s, more than 10 million dogs were euthanized in America
- every year. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), euthanasia has fallen dramatically
- to about 670,000 dogs per year. The overwhelming majority of shelter dogs are now adopted rather than put down.
- The comedian Jerry Seinfeld once suggested that if aliens were watching us with telescopes and saw our interactions with
- dogs, they might think dogs were the leaders: “If you see two life forms —one of them is making a poop, and the other is carrying
- it for them, who would you assume is in charge?”
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
1. According to the text, it is increasingly common for dogs to…
Solución
(b) use clothes.
Hoy los perros reciben masajes y hasta llevan jerséis (línea 8): “They get massages and spa days, and wear sweaters.”
Ahora duermen dentro de casa (“sleeping inside on comfortable beds”) (a); trabajar en el campo era cosa del pasado (c); y su comida lleva también quinoa, semillas o calabaza (d).
2. Jerry Seinfeld…
Solución
(d) joked about pets being considered superior to humans.
El humorista bromeó con que unos extraterrestres pensarían que los perros mandan (líneas 12-13): “they might think dogs were the leaders”.
Era una broma, no una propuesta (a); los extraterrestres solo serían observadores (b); y son las personas quienes recogen las cacas (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. We have no choice but to buy premium dog food nowadays.
Solución
FALSE. (I mean, if you’ve got bills to pay,) you could buy a 10-kilo bag of chicken flavor for $10. (líneas 1-2).
Sigue habiendo comida barata para perros.
4. Dog owners provide their pets with high-quality medical assistance.
Solución
TRUE. They get first-rate healthcare and visits to psychiatrists who prescribe them antidepressants. (líneas 7-8).
Reciben una atención médica de primera.
5. Unlike humans, pets do not use wellness facilities.
Solución
FALSE. They get massages and spa days (, and wear sweaters). (línea 8).
Los perros también van al spa y reciben masajes.
6. Pet adoption rates at animal shelters are getting much lower in the USA.
Solución
FALSE. The overwhelming majority of shelter dogs are now adopted rather than put down. (línea 11).
Hoy la gran mayoría de los perros de los refugios se adoptan.
7. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
7.1. ONE OPPOSITE FOR: “kindness” (noun).
Solución
cruelty (línea 10): “the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals”.
7.2. ONE OPPOSITE FOR: “domestic” (adjective).
Solución
wild (línea 3): “wild salmon”.
8. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
8.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “to authorise the use of a medicine.”
Solución
prescribe (línea 7): “psychiatrists who prescribe them antidepressants”.
8.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “the usually small hard part of a plant that grows into a new plant.”
Solución
seeds (línea 3): “chia seeds”. En singular, también vale seed.
TEXT 2: WOMEN’S RIGHT TO VOTE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
- It is a fact that, throughout history, there have been severe restrictions regarding human rights based on age, race, education,
- social status and gender. During the early 20th century, men in the United Kingdom had the right to vote but women did not. Many
- people —including many women— believed that females should not be allowed to vote. However, a group of women started to
- campaign for women’s rights, especially the right to vote. This became known as the Suffragist Movement, with two groups: the
- Suffragists and the Suffragettes.
- The Suffragists campaigned for votes for upper and middle-class women and believed in peaceful protest. The Suffragettes,
- in contrast, were frustrated with the Suffragists’ lack of results and created a more inclusive group in which women from all social
- classes and races were welcomed. They began using more confrontational tactics to get people to listen. Many protesting
- Suffragettes were arrested for law breaking and most of them went to prison.
- In 1913, Suffragette Emily Davison stepped out in front of the King’s racehorse during a race event and died tragically after
- being trampled on. Emily’s death and the cruel police treatment led to public anger, and the female cause gathered support. After
- women’s active help during World War I, no one dared to neglect their right to vote, which was approved in Parliament in 1918.
- There is some divided opinion over the tactics the Suffragettes used to spread their message, but they paved the way for future
- generations of women, and helped us all not only advance as a modern society but also make us aware of the importance of
- history in our lives.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
9. During the early 20th century, …
Solución
(c) many citizens believed only men should vote.
Mucha gente, incluidas muchas mujeres, pensaba que ellas no debían votar (líneas 2-3): “Many people —including many women— believed that females should not be allowed to vote.”
No todos pensaban así, porque un grupo de mujeres luchó por el voto (a); también muchas mujeres se oponían (b); y entonces solo votaban los hombres (d).
10. Suffragette Emily Davison…
Solución
(b) died when she was run over by the King’s horse.
Murió arrollada por el caballo del rey (líneas 10-11): “stepped out in front of the King’s racehorse during a race event and died tragically after being trampled on.”
La policía no la mató, aunque trataba con dureza a las sufragistas (a); no competía en la carrera (c) ni montaba el caballo, sino que se puso delante de él (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 Suffragists were a non-violent group who did not fight for poor women.
Solución
TRUE. The Suffragists campaigned for votes for upper and middle-class women and believed in peaceful protest. (línea 6).
Defendían el voto solo para las mujeres de clase media y alta, con protestas pacíficas.
12. Plenty of Suffragettes were punished for their actions.
Solución
TRUE. Many protesting Suffragettes were arrested for law breaking and most of them went to prison. (líneas 8-9).
Muchas fueron detenidas y encarceladas.
13. Women’s involvement in the war proved essential for achieving their voting rights.
Solución
TRUE. After women’s active help during World War I, no one dared to neglect their right to vote, which was approved in Parliament in 1918. (líneas 11-12).
Tras su papel en la Primera Guerra Mundial, nadie se atrevió a negarles el voto.
14. The Suffragettes’ fight is irrelevant in the development of current society.
Solución
FALSE. (There is some divided opinion over the tactics the Suffragettes used to spread their message,) but they paved the way for future generations of women, and helped us all not only advance as a modern society… (líneas 13-15).
Abrieron el camino a las siguientes generaciones y ayudaron a construir la sociedad moderna.
15. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
15.1. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “strategy” (noun).
Solución
tactics (líneas 8 y 13): “more confrontational tactics”. En singular, también vale tactic.
15.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “expand” (verb).
Solución
spread (línea 13): “to spread their message”.
16. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
16.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “having feelings of dissatisfaction or lack of fulfillment.”
Solución
frustrated (línea 7): “were frustrated with the Suffragists’ lack of results”.
16.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “the act of expressing public disagreement.”
Solución
protest (línea 6): “peaceful protest”.
Examen de reserva
Reserva 4 2022
Examen de reserva
Reserva 4 2022
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: IT BEGAN 50 YEARS AGO
- The ABBA story began in Sweden more than five decades ago. In 1966, Björn met Benny for the first time. Björn was a member
- of a well-known folk music group, while Benny played keyboards in Sweden’s biggest pop band of the 1960s. They wrote their first
- song just some weeks later, and by the end of the decade they had established a regular partnership as composers. In 1969, Björn
- and Benny met the two women who were to become not only their fiancées but also the other half of ABBA, Agnetha and Anni-Frid. In 1974,
- ‘Waterloo’ took them straight to the Eurovision finals in England. By this time, they had changed their name to ABBA, an acronym of their
- first names. ABBA was also the brand of a Swedish canned fish company which agreed to lend their name to this pop group.
- By 1976, ABBA had already established themselves as one of the most prevalent groups in the world. This was followed by a
- smashing concert tour of Europe and Australia between January and March 1977. At the end of 1982, after many worldwide hits and
- their respective divorces, ABBA decided to take a break. If they wanted to, they reasoned, they could always get back together after a few
- years. This “temporary break” resulted in more than thirty years of silence.
- In 2010, the former couples authorized a touring exhibition and interactive experience called ABBAWorld, held in London,
- where they gave interviews and donated some personal items. In January 2016, a show-concept, Mamma Mia, opened in
- Stockholm. This was the first opportunity in three decades to capture the four members together exclusively in one and the same
- photograph.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
1. ABBA became famous…
Solución
(b) in the seventies.
En 1974 llegaron a Eurovisión y en 1976 ya eran uno de los grupos más importantes del mundo (línea 7): “By 1976, ABBA had already established themselves as one of the most prevalent groups in the world.”
La gira por Europa fue en 1977, cuando ya eran famosos (a); en 1969 solo se conocieron las dos parejas (c); y a las pocas semanas de conocerse solo escribieron su primera canción (d).
2. The four members attended the show in 2016 and they…
Solución
(c) agreed to pose for the media.
Fue la primera vez en treinta años que se pudo fotografiar a los cuatro juntos (líneas 13-14): “This was the first opportunity in three decades to capture the four members together exclusively in one and the same photograph.”
El texto no habla de un disco nuevo (a) ni de que anunciaran su vuelta (b); y donaron objetos personales en 2010, en la exposición de Londres (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. Benny and Björn got along because they shared the same music style.
Solución
FALSE. Björn was a member of a well-known folk music group, while Benny played keyboards in Sweden’s biggest pop band of the 1960s. (líneas 1-2).
Uno venía del folk y el otro del pop.
4. Agnetha and Anni-Frid joined the group before marrying Björn and Benny.
Solución
TRUE. In 1969, Björn and Benny met the two women who were to become not only their fiancées but also the other half of ABBA, Agnetha and Anni-Frid. (líneas 3-4).
Entraron en el grupo cuando aún eran sus prometidas.
5. A Swedish company borrowed its name from the band.
Solución
FALSE. ABBA was also the brand of a Swedish canned fish company which agreed to lend their name to this pop group. (línea 6).
Fue al revés: la empresa prestó su nombre al grupo.
6. The group ABBA gave no consent to the British exhibition.
Solución
FALSE. (In 2010,) the former couples authorized a touring exhibition and interactive experience (called ABBAWorld, held in London…) (línea 11).
Los cuatro autorizaron la exposición.
7. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
7.1. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “chance” (noun).
Solución
opportunity (línea 13): “the first opportunity in three decades”.
7.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “tinned” (adjective).
Solución
canned (línea 6): “a Swedish canned fish company”.
8. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
8.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “extraordinarily impressive or effective.”
Solución
smashing (línea 8): “a smashing concert tour”.
8.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “a relationship between two people, organizations, or countries.”
Solución
partnership (línea 3): “a regular partnership as composers”.
TEXT 2: COLOUR PSYCHOLOGY
- The psychology of colour is based on the mental and emotional effects colours have on sighted people in all facets of life.
- These reactions are rooted in cultural and personal experiences and are conditioned by the situational context. If you have ever
- felt uneasy in a yellow room, or relaxed and calm while looking at the sky, this will sound familiar.
- Contrary to what one may think, little theoretical or empirical work has been conducted to date on colour’s influence on
- psychological functioning. Despite that, it has become a hot topic in marketing, art, design and other areas since researchers and
- experts have made a few important discoveries and observations about the effect colour has on moods, feelings and behaviours.
- Additionally, colours are powerful tools of communication. For instance, colour preferences, from the clothes we wear to the
- car we drive, can sometimes make a statement about how we want other people to perceive us. Other factors such as age and
- gender can also influence the colour choices we make.
- Besides, there is some proof that certain colours can even affect our performance. For example, one study has shown that
- exposing students to red colour before being examined impacts the test score negatively. More specifically, 71 college students
- were given a participant number before they took a five-minute test. The numbers were coloured either black, green or red, and
- the results proved that students who got red-coloured numbers scored approximately 20% lower than other participants.
- However, this evidence is mostly anecdotal and colours can be subjective. Therefore, additional research is needed for us to
- have deeper comprehension of the different psychological effects of colour.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
9. Colour psychology…
Solución
(c) is a very important issue in selling strategies.
Se ha convertido en un tema clave en el marketing (línea 5): “it has become a hot topic in marketing, art, design and other areas”.
Influye en la ropa que llevamos (a) y la edad también afecta a nuestras preferencias (b); y actúa en todos los aspectos de la vida (“in all facets of life”) (d).
10. According to the text, …
Solución
(a) colours can influence the way people see us.
Los colores que elegimos transmiten cómo queremos que nos vean (línea 8): “can sometimes make a statement about how we want other people to perceive us.”
Los colores pueden ser subjetivos (b); el rojo empeoró las notas (c); y hace falta investigar más para entenderlos (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. Colour psychology is strongly influenced by culture.
Solución
TRUE. These reactions are rooted in cultural and personal experiences (and are conditioned by the situational context). (línea 2).
Nuestras reacciones a los colores dependen de la cultura y la experiencia.
12. Blue colour makes people feel anxious.
Solución
FALSE. If you have ever felt uneasy in a yellow room, or relaxed and calm while looking at the sky (, this will sound familiar). (línea 3).
El azul del cielo relaja; el color que intranquiliza es el amarillo.
13. Every participant in the study received three different coloured figures.
Solución
FALSE. More specifically, 71 college students were given a participant number before they took a five-minute test. (líneas 11-12).
Cada estudiante recibió un único número, de un solo color.
14. There should be further investigation into the effects of colour.
Solución
TRUE. Therefore, additional research is needed for us to have deeper comprehension of the different psychological effects of colour. (líneas 14-15).
Hace falta más investigación.
15. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
15.1. ONE OPPOSITE FOR: “favourably” (adverb).
Solución
negatively (línea 11): “impacts the test score negatively”.
15.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “instrument” (noun).
Solución
tools (línea 7): “powerful tools of communication”. En singular, también vale tool.
16. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
16.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “well known or easily recognised.”
Solución
familiar (línea 3): “this will sound familiar”.
16.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “having the ability to see; not blind.”
Solución
sighted (línea 1): “sighted people”.