Reading.
Inglés, exámenes de 2023.
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 2023
Convocatoria ordinaria
Junio 2023
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: WAR LETTERS
- Sharon Taylor has no firsthand memories of her father. The World War II fighter pilot was shot down over Germany in April
- 1945, when Taylor was three weeks old. The war ended less than a month later, and the letters that the 22-year-old pilot had
- exchanged with his wife Mary since they were high school sweethearts stopped coming. Taylor’s father was eventually listed as
- killed in action, although his body was never recovered.
- One day, when Taylor was seven years old, she was sipping a hot chocolate while her paternal grandmother shared stories
- about their fallen hero, crying as she remembered her son. “Nana, I’m going to find him and bring him home.” It was a promise
- Taylor, now a 77-year-old author and retired professor, would keep. In 2006 she concluded a multi-decade mission to recover her
- father’s remains and bring them home. She did it guided by clues that she had put together from her parents’ wartime letters —
- along with help from historians, eyewitnesses, and an excavation team.
- Now, through a sound and light show at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, she’s bringing to new generations
- her parents’ experience and a larger story of war casualties and their families. Taylor shares her story widely, raising awareness
- of soldiers who never returned from war and emphasizing the importance of recovery efforts. An estimated 81,000 American
- soldiers’ bodies remain missing, and she wants people to know there are ongoing efforts to locate them.
- Taylor will never know exactly what her father’s final moments were like. But as she previews the Expressions of America
- exhibition in New Orleans, she somehow feels that he has come home at last.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
1. Taylor’s parents…
Solución
(b) were in love when they were teenagers.
Eran novios desde el instituto (líneas 2-3): “the letters that the 22-year-old pilot had exchanged with his wife Mary since they were high school sweethearts”.
Se escribían desde el instituto, no desde la guerra (a); las cartas dejaron de llegar cuando él murió, no porque dejaran de escribirse (c); y se conocían desde adolescentes, no desde los veinte años (d).
2. Taylor’s search for her father…
Solución
(d) is something she believes is worth being made public.
Taylor difunde su historia para concienciar sobre los soldados desaparecidos (líneas 11-12): “Taylor shares her story widely, raising awareness of soldiers who never returned from war”, y la cuenta en un espectáculo de un museo.
Se lo prometió a su abuela, así que no se lo ocultó (a); las cartas ya existían y le sirvieron de pistas, no las descubrió con la búsqueda (b); y la ayudaron historiadores, testigos y un equipo de excavación, no otros pilotos (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. Taylor cannot remember her father well.
Solución
TRUE. “Sharon Taylor has no firsthand memories of her father.” // “(The World War II fighter pilot was shot down over Germany in April 1945,) when Taylor was three weeks old.” (líneas 1-2).
Su padre murió cuando ella tenía tres semanas, así que no tiene recuerdos propios de él. Basta con una de las dos citas.
4. Her mission was accomplished without any assistance.
Solución
FALSE. “She did it guided by clues that she had put together from her parents’ wartime letters —along with help from historians, eyewitnesses, and an excavation team.” (líneas 8-9).
Contó con la ayuda de historiadores, testigos y un equipo de excavación.
5. Taylor is campaigning to start a search for thousands of missing soldiers.
Solución
FALSE. “An estimated 81,000 American soldiers’ bodies remain missing, and she wants people to know there are ongoing efforts to locate them.” (líneas 12-13).
La búsqueda ya está en marcha (“ongoing efforts”); Taylor no quiere iniciarla, sino darla a conocer.
6. The retired professor eventually discovered the precise details of her father’s death.
Solución
FALSE. “Taylor will never know exactly what her father’s final moments were like.” (línea 14).
Nunca sabrá con exactitud cómo fueron los últimos momentos de su padre.
7. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
7.1. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “lover” (noun)
Solución
sweethearts (línea 3): “since they were high school sweethearts”. Como “lover” está en singular, también vale sweetheart.
7.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “consciousness” (noun)
Solución
awareness (línea 11): “raising awareness of soldiers who never returned from war”.
8. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
8.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “a piece of evidence that leads one toward the solution of a problem”
Solución
clues (línea 8): “guided by clues that she had put together”. Como la definición está en singular, también vale clue.
8.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “a person who has seen something happen”
Solución
eyewitnesses (línea 9): “help from historians, eyewitnesses, and an excavation team”. Como la definición está en singular (“a person”), también vale eyewitness.
TEXT 2: IS WORLD HERITAGE IN DANGER?
- In 2016 the city government of Vienna announced that a public-private partnership would build a new ice-skating rink just
- outside the city’s century-old concert hall.
- Anyone visiting the place where Beethoven and Mozart met will notice two things immediately. First, the core of Vienna is an
- architectural fantasy of baroque palaces, immaculate courtyards, and a neo-Gothic city hall. Second, Austrians love winter sports,
- and ice-skating is as typically Viennese as symphonies and sausages. Therefore, the idea of a permanent ice rink would not have
- been expected to cause controversy. However, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee decreed that the rink would undermine
- the “outstanding universal value” of central Vienna.
- Since 2001, Vienna’s city center has been a World Heritage site, that is, one of the organization’s 1,154 unique landmarks
- around the globe. Since announcing its objection to the rink, the World Heritage Committee has kept Vienna on its “in danger” list,
- joining fifty other sites, from the ancient villages of Syria to Everglades National Park in Florida. If the city fails to address the
- committee’s concerns satisfactorily, it risks being permanently “de-listed” as a UNESCO landmark.
- UNESCO has recently had to confront a newer enemy: climate change. Here the organisation’s resources to tackle the problem
- are limited too. Last year, UNESCO was forced to threaten Australia with placing its legendary Great Barrier Reef on the “in danger”
- list if its government did not work hard enough to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
- Even though the World Heritage program may be imperfect and at times powerless, it remains relevant because of its main
- philosophy: the world’s diverse treasures require protection, since they cannot protect themselves.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
9. According to the text, the Viennese…
Solución
(b) are very fond of ice-skating.
A los austriacos les encantan los deportes de invierno y el patinaje es una tradición de Viena (líneas 4-5): “Austrians love winter sports, and ice-skating is as typically Viennese as symphonies and sausages.”
No se esperaba que el proyecto causara polémica, así que los vieneses no estaban en contra (a); el texto no dice cómo reaccionaron ante el aviso de la UNESCO (c); y el cambio climático aparece en relación con Australia, no con los vieneses (d).
10. According to the text, …
Solución
(c) Vienna’s status as a World Heritage site is at risk.
Viena está en la lista de patrimonio “en peligro” y puede perder la distinción (líneas 10-11): “If the city fails to address the committee’s concerns satisfactorily, it risks being permanently ‘de-listed’ as a UNESCO landmark.”
La amenaza para Viena es la pista de hielo, no un problema medioambiental (a); el texto no dice que se haya abandonado el proyecto (b); y los otros cincuenta lugares están en la lista “en peligro”, pero no han perdido aún su estatus (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. It was believed that the Viennese would support the ice-skating rink project.
Solución
TRUE. “(Therefore,) the idea of a permanent ice rink would not have been expected to cause controversy.” (líneas 5-6).
Como a los vieneses les encanta patinar, nadie esperaba que el proyecto fuera polémico.
12. Vienna needn’t abandon the rink project to keep its World Heritage status.
Solución
FALSE. “If the city fails to address the committee’s concerns satisfactorily, it risks being permanently ‘de-listed’ as a UNESCO landmark.” (líneas 10-11).
Si Viena no atiende las objeciones de la UNESCO a la pista de hielo, puede perder su estatus.
13. UNESCO has lately begun to address the impact of environmental issues.
Solución
TRUE. “UNESCO has recently had to confront a newer enemy: climate change.” (línea 12).
Recently y a newer enemy indican que es un problema que ha empezado a afrontar hace poco.
14. The UNESCO program cannot always achieve its goals.
Solución
TRUE. “Even though the World Heritage program may be imperfect and at times powerless (, it remains relevant because of its main philosophy.)” (línea 15).
Que a veces no tenga poder (“at times powerless”) significa que no siempre consigue sus objetivos.
15. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
15.1. ONE OPPOSITE FOR: “approval” (noun)
Solución
objection (línea 9): “Since announcing its objection to the rink”.
15.2. ONE OPPOSITE FOR: “succeed” (verb)
Solución
fails (línea 10): “If the city fails to address the committee’s concerns”. Como se pide un verbo, también vale el infinitivo, fail.
16. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
16.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “to state one’s intention to take hostile action against someone”
Solución
threaten (línea 13): “UNESCO was forced to threaten Australia”.
16.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “something considered especially valuable, like a precious possession”
Solución
treasures (línea 16): “the world’s diverse treasures require protection”. Como la definición está en singular, también vale treasure.
Convocatoria extraordinaria
Julio 2023
Convocatoria extraordinaria
Julio 2023
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: STAYING ACTIVE IN LATER LIFE
- A healthy lifestyle matters at all ages but probably more as we get older. However, many old people feel that they have reached
- an age when exercise is too tiring, and that it is too late to worry about dietary problems. Nevertheless, those who are active into
- older age see a reduced risk of developing heart disease, obesity or diabetes. Doctors recommend that old people should quit
- smoking, eat a healthy diet and practise some light activity, such as daily walking, to improve their quality of life.
- Paul, an 82-year-old Englishman who has lived in southern Spain for 40 years, believes it is imperative to fight obesity with a
- healthy diet and regular exercise: “The only time I go to a fast-food restaurant is when I am in England visiting my grandchildren.”
- Additionally, he has never smoked and rarely eats meat, adhering to a diet of fish, lentils and salad instead.
- Paul has two young grandchildren who do not fully understand the importance of healthy habits. Concerned about their
- wellbeing, he says, “it’s complicated to tell my grandchildren not to eat junk food or explain to them the importance of exercise, but
- fortunately my daughter exercises a lot, so maybe they will follow our example.”
- Himself a very active man, Paul is no stranger to physical exercise: “I began boxing in my youth, and then I was the proud
- owner of a rather successful fitness centre in Birkenhead for over 30 years,” he states. “Now I keep myself fit working out at home,
- in my little basement gym. I also walk twelve kilometres along the beach every other day, and use the exercise apparatus installed
- close to the beach.”
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
1. According to the text, many older people…
Solución
(c) find physical activity exhausting.
Muchas personas mayores sienten que el ejercicio les resulta demasiado cansado (líneas 1-2): “many old people feel that they have reached an age when exercise is too tiring”.
Creen que ya es tarde para preocuparse por la dieta (“too late to worry about dietary problems”), así que no están deseando hacerla (a); el texto dice que el ejercicio reduce el riesgo de esas enfermedades, no que impidan hacerlo (b); y es justo lo contrario: quienes se mantienen activos tienen menos riesgo de enfermar (d).
2. According to the text, Paul…
Solución
(b) hopes his grandkids may eventually lead a healthy life.
Paul confía en que sus nietos acaben siguiendo el ejemplo de su madre y el suyo (línea 10): “fortunately my daughter exercises a lot, so maybe they will follow our example.”
Lleva 40 años en España y tiene 82, así que no ha vivido allí la mayor parte de su vida (a); sus nietos todavía no entienden la importancia de los hábitos saludables (c); y hace deporte desde joven por iniciativa propia, no por orden médica (“I began boxing in my youth”) (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. Elderly people are encouraged to follow a gentle exercise plan.
Solución
TRUE. “Doctors recommend that old people should (quit smoking, eat a healthy diet and) practise some light activity, such as daily walking (, to improve their quality of life.)” (líneas 3-4).
Los médicos recomiendan una actividad suave (“light activity”), como caminar a diario.
4. Paul has switched to a vegetarian diet.
Solución
FALSE. “(Additionally,) he (has never smoked and) rarely eats meat, // adhering to a diet of fish, lentils and salad instead.” (línea 7).
Come carne de vez en cuando (“rarely”, no “never”) y además come pescado, así que su dieta no es vegetariana. Basta con una de las dos partes de la cita.
5. Paul started working out in his old age.
Solución
FALSE. “(Himself a very active man,) Paul is no stranger to physical exercise: ‘I began boxing in my youth (, and then I was the proud owner of a rather successful fitness centre in Birkenhead for over 30 years.)’” (línea 11).
Hace ejercicio desde joven: empezó con el boxeo y luego tuvo un gimnasio durante más de 30 años.
6. Paul always exercises outdoors.
Solución
FALSE. “‘Now I keep myself fit working out at home, in my little basement gym.’” (líneas 12-13).
También hace ejercicio en casa, en el pequeño gimnasio de su sótano.
7. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
7.1. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “trash” (noun)
Solución
junk (línea 9): “not to eat junk food”.
7.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “infrequently” (adverb)
Solución
rarely (línea 7): “he… rarely eats meat”.
8. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
8.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “feeling satisfaction for something done or achieved”
Solución
proud (línea 11): “I was the proud owner of a rather successful fitness centre”.
8.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “to stop doing something”
Solución
quit (línea 3): “old people should quit smoking”.
TEXT 2: THE HISTORY OF JEANS
- The word jeans started out in the 1800s, in reference to a cotton cloth used for trousers. Blue jeans, now also called denim,
- were originally made from this fabric and manufactured in the French town of Nîmes. By the 20th century, jeans was the term for
- denim informal trousers.
- The most recognizable, classic jeans were patented in 1873 by Jacob Davis, a tailor, and Levi Strauss, owner of a fabric house
- in San Francisco. Strauss and Davis initially made jeans in two types of fabric, brown cotton and blue denim, but the creation of
- the denim 501 style in 1890 helped the latter fabric take off.
- Hollywood helped romanticize blue jeans in the 1920s and 1930s by putting the trousers on handsome cowboy types played
- by actors John Wayne and Gary Cooper. This glamorous new image appealed to consumers who sought casual leisurewear for
- the weekends and holidays. Publicity photos of famous actresses like Ginger Rogers and Carole Lombard wearing jeans helped
- convince women that the style was for them too. In the 1930s, Vogue gave their approval, calling jeans “Western chic”.
- Yet, it wasn’t until the 1950s that jeans came to be associated with rebellious youth. Hippies wore jeans in the 1960s and early
- 1970s as a way to show support for the working class, while feminists and women’s rights activists chose blue jeans as a way to
- demonstrate gender equality.
- “I have often said that I wish I had invented blue jeans,” Yves Saint Laurent told New York Magazine in November 1983. “They
- have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity… all that I hope for in my clothes.”
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
9. According to the text, the word jeans originally referred to…
Solución
(c) a kind of fabric.
Al principio la palabra designaba un tejido de algodón (línea 1): “The word jeans started out in the 1800s, in reference to a cotton cloth used for trousers.”
Solo en el siglo XX pasó a designar los pantalones (“By the 20th century, jeans was the term for denim informal trousers”) (a); la asociación con los vaqueros del cine llegó en los años 20 y 30 (b); y Nîmes es el lugar donde se fabricaba el tejido, no el significado de la palabra (d).
10. Blue jeans began to be desirable in the first half of the 20th century because…
Solución
(b) cinema icons made them look stylish.
En los años 20 y 30, Hollywood los puso de moda con actores como John Wayne y Gary Cooper (líneas 7-8): “Hollywood helped romanticize blue jeans in the 1920s and 1930s by putting the trousers on handsome cowboy types played by actors John Wayne and Gary Cooper.” Las fotos de actrices como Ginger Rogers hicieron lo mismo entre las mujeres.
El texto no habla de publicidad de Levi Strauss (a); los hippies los llevaron en los años 60 y 70, en la segunda mitad del siglo (c); y la entrevista de New York Magazine es de 1983 (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. According to the text, jeans have always been the same color.
Solución
FALSE. “(Strauss and Davis initially made jeans in two types of fabric,) brown cotton and blue denim (, but the creation of the denim 501 style in 1890 helped the latter fabric take off.)” (línea 5).
Al principio se fabricaban en dos colores: marrón y azul.
12. Female film stars contributed to making jeans trendy among women.
Solución
TRUE. “Publicity photos of famous actresses like Ginger Rogers and Carole Lombard wearing jeans helped convince women that the style was for them too.” (líneas 9-10).
Las fotos de actrices famosas con vaqueros convencieron a las mujeres de que esa moda también era para ellas.
13. Jeans became a symbol of young people’s non-conformism.
Solución
TRUE. “Yet, it wasn’t until the 1950s that jeans came to be associated with rebellious youth.” (línea 11).
A partir de los años 50 los vaqueros se asociaron con la juventud rebelde.
14. Yves Saint Laurent claimed to be the first blue jeans designer.
Solución
FALSE. “‘(I have often said that) I wish I had invented blue jeans,’ (Yves Saint Laurent told New York Magazine in November 1983.)” (línea 14).
I wish I had invented expresa un deseo sobre el pasado que no se cumplió: le habría gustado inventarlos, pero no lo hizo.
15. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
15.1. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “look for” (verb)
Solución
sought (línea 8): “consumers who sought casual leisurewear”. También vale el infinitivo, seek.
15.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “persuade” (verb)
Solución
convince (línea 10): “helped convince women that the style was for them too”.
16. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
16.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “informal clothing which you wear when you are not working”
Solución
leisurewear (línea 8): “casual leisurewear for the weekends and holidays”.
16.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “the belief that someone or something is good or acceptable”
Solución
approval (línea 10): “Vogue gave their approval”.
Examen de reserva
Reserva 1 2023
Examen de reserva
Reserva 1 2023
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: ANIME: A GLOBAL POP CULTURE PHENOMENON
- The origin of anime can be traced back to the beginning of the 20th century. However, it wasn’t until 1958 that Hiroshi Okawa,
- president of the Toei Doga production company, decided to turn it into the “Disney of the East.” His efforts were worth it, and anime
- gradually became a global cultural phenomenon. In order to understand how significant this phenomenon is we can travel back to
- 2004, when Japan sent trucks to Iraq to help reconstruction. The Japanese feared that the local population would not recognize
- their flag stamped on the trucks’ sides. To avoid this, they decorated the trucks with posters of Captain Tsubasa, a popular anime
- character.
- One reason why anime gained such popularity internationally in the 90s was its distinctive style, easily recognizable by its
- simplified animation and its characters’ disproportionately big eyes. The animation style was basic because reducing the number
- of frames helped to save money. The second trait, the huge eyes, responds to multiple factors. Big eyes make it easier for
- animators to express emotions powerfully by concentrating on just one body part. At the same time, audiences are positively drawn
- to big round eyes, which make characters look innocent and young. Japanese culture also plays a part in anime’s expressive eyes,
- since the polite thing in Japan is not to show emotions openly through body language but through subtle eye expressions.
- Anime has stayed hugely successful worldwide because it appeals to a wide range of people of all ages and nationalities who
- keep loyal to their cartoons for years. The emotional soundtracks and eye-catching colours keep hooking fans today.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
1. According to the text, Hiroshi Okawa…
Solución
(d) made anime internationally known.
Quiso convertir el anime en “la Disney de Oriente” y lo consiguió: se convirtió en un fenómeno mundial (líneas 1-3), “His efforts were worth it, and anime gradually became a global cultural phenomenon.”
Era el presidente de la productora, no su fundador (a); el anime existía desde principios del siglo XX (b); y el texto no dice que trabajara para Disney (c).
2. According to the text, the Japanese used Captain Tsubasa in order to…
Solución
(c) help Iraqis to identify Japanese aid.
Temían que los iraquíes no reconocieran su bandera, así que decoraron los camiones con el personaje (líneas 4-5): “The Japanese feared that the local population would not recognize their flag… To avoid this, they decorated the trucks with posters of Captain Tsubasa”.
Los camiones iban a ayudar en la reconstrucción, no a asustar a nadie (a); la bandera no cambió, se añadieron carteles (b); y el objetivo era que se reconociera la ayuda, no promocionar el anime (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 the past, anime production tried to imitate Western animation studios.
Solución
TRUE. (However, it wasn’t until 1958 that) Hiroshi Okawa (, president of the Toei Doga production company,) decided to turn it into the ‘Disney of the East.’ (líneas 1-2).
Okawa quiso convertir su productora en la versión oriental de Disney, un estudio occidental.
4. The simplicity of anime contributed to cutting down production costs.
Solución
TRUE. The animation style was basic because reducing the number of frames helped to save money. (líneas 8-9).
Usar menos fotogramas abarataba la producción.
5. Anime’s peculiar eyes make characters less likeable to the public.
Solución
FALSE. At the same time, audiences are positively drawn to big round eyes (, which make characters look innocent and young). (líneas 10-11).
Los ojos grandes y redondos atraen al público.
6. Anime remains so massively popular because its fans are great followers.
Solución
TRUE. Anime has stayed hugely successful worldwide because it appeals to a wide range of people (of all ages and nationalities) who keep loyal to their cartoons for years. (líneas 13-14).
Sus seguidores le son fieles durante años.
7. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
7.1. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “firm” (noun)
Solución
company (línea 2): “the Toei Doga production company”.
7.2. ONE OPPOSITE FOR: “lose” (verb)
Solución
gained (línea 7): “anime gained such popularity internationally”. Como se pide un verbo, también vale el infinitivo, gain.
8. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
8.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “a piece of cloth with distinctive colors used as an emblem”
Solución
flag (línea 5): “their flag stamped on the trucks’ sides”.
8.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “the music that is recorded for a film”
Solución
soundtracks (línea 14): “The emotional soundtracks”. En singular, también vale soundtrack.
TEXT 2: THIS JOB IS A PIECE OF CAKE!
- It turns out you might be able to eat candy for a living and make thousands in the process. Canada’s Candy Funhouse is hiring
- a chief candy officer, according to a recent job posting.
- “Do you love candy and chocolate? Are you passionate about sweet treats and exploring unreleased and existing products? If
- so, this is the perfect position for you!” the description reads. The Ontario-based company says the position pays 100,000 Canadian
- dollars annually. The job can be remote or based in its Canada or New Jersey offices.
- The chief candy officer will serve as head taste tester and try over 3,500 products monthly. Besides eating about 113 pieces
- of candy a day, the chief candy officer will lead the company’s candy strategy, run candy board meetings and have a say in which
- products Candy Funhouse will release into the market. Applicants can be as young as 5 years old and must reside in North
- America.
- “All you need is a passion for candy and pop culture, and obviously a sweet tooth!” According to the job description, the chief
- candy officer will also undergo “extensive palate training,” which will be provided by the company. No previous experience is
- necessary. So far, nearly 6,500 people have applied for the job. Inquiries on the job are so numerous that the company has
- admitted that its usual response time is delayed.
- The position no doubt involves excessive consumption of sugar, which the World Health Organization recommends limiting to
- 10% of the daily calorie intake. Too much sugar can increase the risk of Type-2 diabetes and heart disease. At least, the job
- posting specifies that the position comes with an “extensive dental plan.”
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
9. According to the text, candidates…
Solución
(c) should be open to trying new products.
Se busca a alguien con ganas de probar productos nuevos (línea 3): “Are you passionate about sweet treats and exploring unreleased and existing products?”
Se puede presentar desde los 5 años (a); el seguro dental lo ofrece la empresa (b); y no hace falta experiencia previa (“No previous experience is necessary”) (d).
10. According to the text, the new candy officer…
Solución
(c) will receive specialized instruction.
La empresa le dará una formación específica del paladar (línea 11): “will also undergo ‘extensive palate training,’ which will be provided by the company.”
Hace falta pasión por los dulces (“a passion for candy”) (a); el puesto incluye un amplio seguro dental (b); y el texto no exige un buen estado de salud (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 this position, you will have the chance to work from home.
Solución
TRUE. The job can be remote or based in its Canada or New Jersey offices. (línea 5).
El trabajo se puede hacer a distancia (“remote”).
12. The appointed person will not take part in decision making.
Solución
FALSE. (Besides eating about 113 pieces of candy a day,) the chief candy officer will lead the company’s candy strategy, // run candy board meetings // and have a say in which products Candy Funhouse will release into the market. (líneas 7-8).
Dirigirá la estrategia y opinará sobre qué productos se lanzan. Basta con una de las tres partes.
13. The company is receiving more requests for information than they can handle in time.
Solución
TRUE. Inquiries on the job are so numerous that the company has admitted that its usual response time is delayed. (líneas 12-13).
Hay tantas consultas que la empresa tarda más de lo normal en responder.
14. The job requirements are unhealthy according to medical standards.
Solución
TRUE. The position no doubt involves excessive consumption of sugar, which the World Health Organization recommends limiting to 10% of the daily calorie intake. (líneas 14-15).
El puesto supone tomar mucho más azúcar de lo que recomienda la OMS.
15. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
15.1. ONE OPPOSITE FOR: “fire” (verb)
Solución
hiring (línea 1): “Canada’s Candy Funhouse is hiring”. También vale el infinitivo, hire.
15.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “launch” (verb)
Solución
release (línea 8): “will release into the market”.
16. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
16.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “a plan of action intended to accomplish a specific goal”
Solución
strategy (línea 7): “the company’s candy strategy”.
16.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “a situation involving exposure to danger”
Solución
risk (línea 15): “increase the risk of Type-2 diabetes”.
Examen de reserva
Reserva 2 2023
Examen de reserva
Reserva 2 2023
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: THE HISTORY OF TATTOOS
- In 1991 two Germans hiking in the Alps found by chance what they initially believed to be a modern corpse frozen in the ice.
- Later, authorities discovered that it was anything but modern. The mummy, nicknamed Ötzi after the valley where it lay, had
- survived in the ice for 5,300 years. Mystery surrounds the exact circumstances of Ötzi’s death although data suggest a violent end.
- However, this isn’t the only secret Ötzi hides. He has over fifty lines and crosses tattooed onto his body —the earliest known
- evidence of tattooing in the world. The locations of the markings are consistent with traditional Chinese acupuncture points. So,
- Ötzi’s tattoos probably played a therapeutic role.
- Before Ötzi, the first conclusive evidence of tattoos came from a handful of Egyptian mummies dating back to the construction
- of the great pyramids, over 4,000 years ago. Historical texts reveal that tattooing has been practiced by almost every human
- culture. For instance, the ancient Greeks used tattoos to communicate among spies. Later, the Romans marked criminals and
- slaves with tattoos. During the crusades, Europeans tattooed a cross on their hands or arms to show that they had participated in
- the war and indicate their desire for a Christian burial.
- The popularity of tattoos has risen and fallen over time. Currently, the practice is booming. The reasons for getting tattoos vary:
- religion, status or artistic expression. Now, a new one can be added: a webpage designer recently sold his forehead as advertising
- space on eBay. He got $37,000 in return for having a pharmaceutical brand logo tattooed for one month. If Ötzi weren’t in deep
- freeze at a museum, I’m sure he’d be rolling in his grave.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
1. According to the text, tattooing…
Solución
(a) is done for different purposes.
La gente se tatúa por muchos motivos (líneas 12-13): “The reasons for getting tattoos vary: religion, status or artistic expression.” El texto menciona además usos terapéuticos, de espionaje o para marcar a delincuentes.
Su popularidad ha subido y bajado con el tiempo (“has risen and fallen over time”) (b); los tatuajes de Ötzi coinciden con puntos de acupuntura, pero no la originaron (c); y hay momias egipcias tatuadas (d).
2. According to the text, eBay…
Solución
(c) has made it possible to use a body part for publicity.
Un diseñador vendió su frente en eBay como espacio publicitario (líneas 13-14): “a webpage designer recently sold his forehead as advertising space on eBay.”
Fue el diseñador quien usó eBay, no eBay quien lo contrató (a); Ötzi está en un museo (b); y lo que se tatuó fue el logo de una marca farmacéutica, no productos para tatuar (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. Ötzi’s remains were located after a thorough and systematic search.
Solución
FALSE. In 1991 two Germans hiking in the Alps found by chance what they initially believed to be a modern corpse frozen in the ice. (línea 1).
Lo encontraron por casualidad (“by chance”) unos excursionistas.
4. Ötzi’s tattoos might have been related to health.
Solución
TRUE. The locations of the markings are consistent with traditional Chinese acupuncture points.” // “So, Ötzi’s tattoos probably played a therapeutic role. (líneas 5-6).
Los tatuajes coinciden con puntos de acupuntura, así que probablemente tenían una función terapéutica. Basta con una de las dos citas.
5. In the past, being tattooed was not always a matter of personal preference.
Solución
TRUE. Later, the Romans marked criminals and slaves with tattoos. (líneas 9-10).
A los delincuentes y esclavos los tatuaban a la fuerza.
6. Ötzi would approve of the webpage designer’s actions.
Solución
FALSE. If Ötzi weren’t in deep freeze at a museum, I’m sure he’d be rolling in his grave. (líneas 14-15).
Rolling in his grave (“revolverse en la tumba”) indica que le horrorizaría.
7. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
7.1. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “differ” (verb)
Solución
vary (línea 12): “The reasons for getting tattoos vary”.
7.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “wish” (noun)
Solución
desire (línea 11): “their desire for a Christian burial”.
8. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
8.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “a long way down from the surface”
Solución
deep (línea 14): “in deep freeze”.
8.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “a trademark or distinctive name identifying a product or company”
Solución
brand (línea 14): “a pharmaceutical brand logo”.
TEXT 2: ALL UK NUMBER 1 HITS
- The UK singles chart, a weekly countdown of the most popular songs on the radio, has been a constant in our lives for seventy
- years. But to Dave Watson, it’s a lifestyle. Watson has been collecting copies of UK Number 1 hits since the late 1980s; today, he
- owns all 1,404 UK Number 1 singles, reaching back to the birth of the charts in 1952. He believes it’s the only complete collection
- of its kind.
- Watson’s devotion to music charts began more than thirty years ago. Starting a collection made sense: his mother had worked
- in a record store, and he enjoyed collecting things. When he started his mission in 1988, the charts had already seen 605 Number
- 1 singles. With the single “Don’t Turn Around” under his arm, he decided to find the previous 604 releases.
- In his treasure hunt, Watson used to get trains to London to visit music fairs and second-hand record shops. He also responded
- to selling adverts in Time Out and Loot magazines and wrote to record dealers. “I spent endless hours searching through dealers’
- stock,” he says. “I had a handwritten list that I photocopied and took around with me to spread the word. Some sellers answered
- back saying which singles they had and how much they would be.” His first wish list was already several pages long. Then he
- started crossing titles out and he told himself, “Well, I have a chance of doing all this.”
- Discovering eBay around the millennium was a turning point. With a mouse click, Watson found there the last ten singles he
- needed. With the 1953 single “Doggy in the Window” Watson brought the collection up to date.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
9. According to the text, the UK singles chart started…
Solución
(a) in the 1950s.
La lista nació en 1952 (línea 3): “reaching back to the birth of the charts in 1952.”
Hace 30 años y a finales de los 80 es cuando Watson empezó su colección (b y d); y el texto no menciona los años 70 (c).
10. According to the text, Dave Watson’s collection…
Solución
(d) is probably unique.
Watson cree que es la única colección completa de su clase (líneas 3-4): “He believes it’s the only complete collection of its kind.”
Él respondía a anuncios de venta en esas revistas, no anunciaba su colección (a); tiene los 1.404 números uno; 605 eran los que había cuando empezó (b); y en eBay solo compró los diez últimos (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)
11. Watson took up his hobby to please his mother.
Solución
FALSE. (Starting a collection made sense: his mother had worked in a record store, and) he enjoyed collecting things. (línea 6).
Empezó porque le gustaba coleccionar cosas, no para agradar a su madre.
12. The single “Don’t Turn Around” was the first UK Number 1 hit.
Solución
FALSE. (When he started his mission in 1988, the charts had already seen 605 Number 1 singles.) With the single ‘Don’t Turn Around’ under his arm, he decided to find the previous 604 releases. (línea 7).
Ese sencillo era el número 605; antes había otros 604.
13. Watson never left his hometown to buy the singles.
Solución
FALSE. (In his treasure hunt,) Watson used to get trains to London to visit music fairs and second-hand record shops. (línea 8).
Viajaba en tren a Londres para buscar discos.
14. Online shopping was key to making his collection complete.
Solución
TRUE. Discovering eBay around the millennium was a turning point. // With a mouse click, Watson found there the last ten singles he needed. (líneas 13-14).
En eBay encontró los diez últimos sencillos que le faltaban. Basta con una de las dos citas.
15. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
15.1. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “used” (adjective)
Solución
second-hand (línea 8): “second-hand record shops”.
15.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “possibility” (noun)
Solución
chance (línea 12): “I have a chance of doing all this”.
16. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
16.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “an event where people show and sell goods”
Solución
fairs (línea 8): “to visit music fairs”. En singular, también vale fair.
16.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “a supply of something for use or sale”
Solución
stock (línea 10): “searching through dealers’ stock”.
Examen de reserva
Reserva 3 2023
Examen de reserva
Reserva 3 2023
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: SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING BLUE…
- Last August, a 911 operator came to the rescue of a desperate bride, but not in the way you would expect. A bride named
- Amanda had her wedding dress stolen on the morning of her nuptials! She had been packing her car when, upon returning from a
- quick trip to the house, she discovered the dress had gone missing. Panicking, she called 911 to report the theft.
- Candice, the 911 dispatcher answering the call, couldn’t help but sympathize with Amanda. She said that all she kept thinking
- was “I have a wedding gown. Maybe she could wear that. Here we go, let’s see if she wants it.”
- On an impulse, Candice asked her supervisor if she could offer the bride her dress. Of course, she had no idea if the dress
- would fit, much less if Amanda would even want to give it a try. Luckily, her supervisor agreed and let her do it. Though grateful
- for the offer, the traumatized bride asked to see a picture of the gown first. Candice completely understood. She texted the police
- officer on the scene a picture of the gown and, thankfully, Amanda loved it.
- The operator then asked her husband to pick up the dress, which was in her parents’ attic. After overcoming a series of
- obstacles, including discovering that he had taken the wrong keys, Candice’s husband successfully delivered the dress to the bride
- in time, and the wedding went off without any further incidents.
- Some days later, newlywed Amanda surprised Candice at her office to return her dress. She wanted to say a personal and
- heartfelt thank you to the woman that she believes saved her wedding.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
1. According to the text, the person who took Candice’s gown to the bride was…
Solución
(c) Candice’s husband.
El marido de Candice llevó el vestido a tiempo (líneas 11-12): “Candice’s husband successfully delivered the dress to the bride in time”.
Candice pidió a su marido que fuera a buscarlo (a); a la policía solo le envió una foto (b); y su supervisora únicamente le dio permiso (d).
2. According to the text, …
Solución
(a) desperate Amanda didn’t accept the offer immediately.
Antes de aceptar, Amanda pidió ver una foto del vestido (líneas 7-8): “Though grateful for the offer, the traumatized bride asked to see a picture of the gown first.”
Se conocieron días después, cuando Amanda fue a devolver el vestido (b); el marido se llevó las llaves equivocadas, no se olvidó de ellas (c); y el texto no habla de arreglos en el vestido (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. Amanda left her wedding dress unsupervised.
Solución
TRUE. (She had been packing her car when,) upon returning from a quick trip to the house, she discovered the dress had gone missing. (líneas 2-3).
Dejó el vestido en el coche mientras entraba un momento en casa.
4. Candice’s manager disapproved of her kind gesture.
Solución
FALSE. Luckily, her supervisor agreed and let her do it. (línea 7).
Su supervisora estuvo de acuerdo y le dio permiso.
5. Apart from the dress incident, there were no other impediments to the ceremony.
Solución
TRUE. (Candice’s husband successfully delivered the dress to the bride in time,) and the wedding went off without any further incidents. (línea 12).
La boda se celebró sin más incidentes.
6. Amanda and Candice never met each other.
Solución
FALSE. Some days later, newlywed Amanda surprised Candice at her office to return her dress. (línea 13).
Amanda fue a verla a su oficina días después.
7. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
7.1. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “perhaps” (adverb)
Solución
maybe (línea 5): “Maybe she could wear that”.
7.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “sincere” (adjective)
Solución
heartfelt (línea 14): “a personal and heartfelt thank you”.
8. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
8.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “to be of the right size”
Solución
fit (línea 7): “she had no idea if the dress would fit”.
8.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “to understand and care about someone’s problem”
Solución
sympathize (línea 4): “couldn’t help but sympathize with Amanda”.
TEXT 2: SANAS CAN CHANGE YOUR ACCENT
- English is the world’s most widely used language. An estimated 1.5 billion people speak it, and most of them aren’t native
- speakers. In the United States alone, millions of people speak English as a second language. A new company called Sanas is
- testing out artificial intelligence-powered software that aims to eliminate miscommunication by changing people’s accents in real
- time. A call center worker in the Philippines, for example, could speak normally into the microphone and end up sounding more
- like someone from Kansas to a customer on the other end. The American accent sounds somewhat artificial, Siri-like, but they are
- working on improving the technology. The idea is that, rather than learning to pronounce words differently, you could have
- technology do it for you. And understanding would be nearly instantaneous.
- The three founders of Sanas met at Stanford University, but they’re all from different countries originally. All three say they’ve
- experienced over the years how accents can get in the way. “We all come from international backgrounds. We’ve seen firsthand
- how people treat you differently just because of the way you speak,” Maxim Serebryakov, one of the founders, says. He also
- remarks that people’s accents and identities can be closely linked, and he stresses that the company isn’t trying to erase accents
- or imply that one way of speaking is better than another.
- Eventually, they hope the app they’re developing will be used by a variety of industries and individuals. It could help doctors
- better understand patients. Someday, they say, it could also assist language learners and improve dubbing in movies. It could
- even help smart speakers in homes and voice assistants in cars understand different accents.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
9. According to the text, the majority of English speakers…
Solución
(c) don’t have English as their first language.
La mayoría de quienes hablan inglés no son nativos (líneas 1-2): “An estimated 1.5 billion people speak it, and most of them aren’t native speakers.”
El texto no dice que la mayoría tenga acento estadounidense (a) ni que viva en EE. UU. (b); y la aplicación de Sanas todavía está en pruebas (d).
10. According to the text, Sanas…
Solución
(b) intends to improve communication.
Su objetivo es acabar con los malentendidos (línea 3): “software that aims to eliminate miscommunication”.
El cambio es casi instantáneo (“nearly instantaneous”) (a); funciona con inteligencia artificial (“artificial intelligence-powered”) (c); y cambia el acento, no traduce entre idiomas (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. Sanas technology has succeeded in replicating the sound of a real human accent.
Solución
FALSE. The American accent sounds somewhat artificial, Siri-like, but they are working on improving the technology. (líneas 5-6).
El acento todavía suena algo artificial.
12. According to the text, Sanas considers some accents superior to others.
Solución
FALSE. (He also remarks that people’s accents and identities can be closely linked, and) he stresses that the company isn’t trying to erase accents or imply that one way of speaking is better than another. (líneas 11-12).
La empresa insiste en que ningún acento es mejor que otro.
13. The film industry is likely to benefit from software like Sanas.
Solución
TRUE. Someday, they say, it could also (assist language learners and) improve dubbing in movies. (línea 14).
Podría mejorar el doblaje de películas.
14. Sanas might be used as an aid to improve the performance of home devices.
Solución
TRUE. It could even help smart speakers in homes (and voice assistants in cars) understand different accents. (líneas 14-15).
Podría ayudar a los altavoces inteligentes a entender distintos acentos.
15. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
15.1. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “emphasize” (verb)
Solución
stresses (línea 11): “he stresses that the company isn’t trying to erase accents”. También vale el infinitivo, stress.
15.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “client” (noun)
Solución
customer (línea 5): “to a customer on the other end”.
16. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
16.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “failure to transmit information successfully to somebody”
Solución
miscommunication (línea 3): “aims to eliminate miscommunication”.
16.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “obtained or experienced by direct personal observation”
Solución
firsthand (línea 9): “We’ve seen firsthand”.
Examen de reserva
Reserva 4 2023
Examen de reserva
Reserva 4 2023
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: THE PINK SAUCE DISASTER
- If you logged onto TikTok or Twitter recently, you might have seen people talking about something called Pink Sauce. No, it’s
- not pasta made with cream and tomatoes, but a condiment made by a TikTok user named Chef Pii. Pii advertises Pink Sauce by
- dumping it on tacos, wings, egg rolls, salads and more. The bottle has an adorable design, and she’s shipping it everywhere. The
- problem? Almost everything.
- Consumers are reporting all kinds of issues, ranging from misleading nutritional information to a spoiled smell. The chef posted
- videos of her preparing the sauce without gloves on. Once the negative reviews started pouring in, people realized that nobody
- knew what the actual ingredients were. In fact, Pink Sauce is unregulated and could likely make you sick. In a statement, Pii said
- “I guess when you’re great, you can’t make a mistake. My team’s working quickly to fix the issues.”
- Pink Sauce is not the only food product created by a TikTok user which has gone viral for the wrong reasons. Earlier this year,
- someone called Deva Tillis posted a video complaining about a “spicy bowl” containing crawfish and eggs that she ordered from a
- small business on the platform. The bowl took nine days to reach her, and the fish was rotten by the time it arrived. The product
- was falsely advertised as being shipped with dry ice to preserve the seafood.
- Small businesses selling unregulated food online isn’t new, according to an expert. “It’s not a TikTok phenomenon, but what’s
- different is that TikTok is really good at small consumption and making things go viral. However, just because it’s on TikTok, that
- doesn’t mean that it’s safe,” she concluded.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
1. According to the text, Pink Sauce…
Solución
(b) can accompany many dishes.
La chef la anuncia echándola en todo tipo de platos (líneas 2-3): “Pii advertises Pink Sauce by dumping it on tacos, wings, egg rolls, salads and more.”
La envía a todas partes (“she’s shipping it everywhere”) (a); es un condimento, no una sopa ni pasta (c); y el bote tiene un diseño adorable (d).
2. According to the text, customers…
Solución
(c) don’t know what the sauce is made of.
Nadie sabía qué ingredientes llevaba la salsa (líneas 6-7): “people realized that nobody knew what the actual ingredients were.”
El texto no habla de devoluciones (a); la salsa no está regulada, no se dice que sea natural (b); y los vídeos de queja que menciona son de otro producto, el “spicy bowl” (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. Chef Pii followed hygiene standards.
Solución
FALSE. The chef posted videos of her preparing the sauce without gloves on. (líneas 5-6).
Preparaba la salsa sin guantes.
4. When Deva Tillis received the package, there was putrid food in it.
Solución
TRUE. (The bowl took nine days to reach her,) and the fish was rotten by the time it arrived. (línea 11).
El marisco llegó podrido.
5. The “spicy bowl” manufacturers lied about their delivery policy.
Solución
TRUE. The product was falsely advertised as being shipped with dry ice to preserve the seafood. (líneas 11-12).
Anunciaban falsamente que lo enviaban con hielo seco.
6. TikTok can be a powerful marketing tool.
Solución
TRUE. (It’s not a TikTok phenomenon,) but what’s different is that TikTok is really good at small consumption and making things go viral. (líneas 13-14).
TikTok es muy eficaz para hacer que un producto se vuelva viral.
7. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
7.1. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “suppose” (verb)
Solución
guess (línea 8): “I guess when you’re great”.
7.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “probably” (adverb)
Solución
likely (línea 7): “could likely make you sick”.
8. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
8.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “quickly and widely spread or popularized, especially by means of social media”
Solución
viral (líneas 9 y 14): “has gone viral for the wrong reasons”.
8.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “to prevent from decomposition”
Solución
preserve (línea 12): “to preserve the seafood”.
TEXT 2: NO MORE MONDAYS
- For some US schools, the pandemic created an opportunity to try new things. One of them was to make four-day school weeks
- the norm. As teachers’ salaries cannot be raised, shortening the school week is a bonus which has allowed administrators to retain
- and attract experienced teachers. Besides, a shorter school week may alleviate some of the workload on teachers and improve
- their mental health. Schools can also save money. However, since teachers are not receiving any pay cuts, savings are typically
- only between zero and three percent of the schools’ budget.
- Currently, more than 1,600 schools across 24 US states have a four-day school week, and the trend is growing, giving students
- and teachers either Fridays or Mondays off. To make up for the time missed, the new model’s school day is, on average, about an
- hour longer than the traditional one.
- Superintendents in districts which have transitioned to four-day weeks say that the vast majority of teachers, students,
- administrators and parents actually love the model, an assertion backed by research and surveys.
- It is a fact that absenteeism and discipline have seen a marked improvement in most of these districts. As regards students’
- academic performance, results are varied. For example, students in Colorado had higher scores in Maths and English, whereas
- students in Oregon got poorer results. Still, graduation rates, particularly among Latino students, have increased since the model
- began.
- The four-day week is still limited to small, rural schools in US states where travel distances are greater and hiring qualified
- educators is a challenge. Current research is giving rise to more innovative ways of schooling which work better for teachers,
- students and families.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
9. According to the text, the four-day schedule has helped to…
Solución
(b) keep and recruit teachers.
La semana de cuatro días ha servido para retener y atraer a profesores con experiencia (líneas 2-3): “a bonus which has allowed administrators to retain and attract experienced teachers.”
Los sueldos no se pueden subir (“teachers’ salaries cannot be raised”) (a); y el texto no habla de reducir la plantilla (c) ni de la ratio de alumnos por profesor (d).
10. According to the text, …
Solución
(a) more students complete their studies.
Ha aumentado el número de alumnos que se gradúan (líneas 13-14): “graduation rates, particularly among Latino students, have increased since the model began.”
Los resultados académicos han variado según el estado (b); a la gran mayoría de las familias les encanta el modelo (c); y de momento se limita a pequeñas escuelas rurales (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 four-day school week could help prevent teachers’ stress.
Solución
TRUE. Besides, a shorter school week may alleviate some of the workload on teachers and improve their mental health. (líneas 3-4).
Reduce la carga de trabajo y mejora la salud mental de los profesores.
12. Shortening the school week is reducing costs substantially.
Solución
FALSE. (However, since teachers are not receiving any pay cuts,) savings are typically only between zero and three percent of the schools’ budget. (líneas 4-5).
El ahorro es pequeño, entre el 0 y el 3 % del presupuesto.
13. The length of the school day has remained unchanged.
Solución
FALSE. To make up for the time missed, the new model’s school day is, on average, about an hour longer than the traditional one. (líneas 7-8).
La jornada escolar es una hora más larga.
14. The new model is emerging in urban school districts.
Solución
FALSE. The four-day week is still limited to small, rural schools in US states (where travel distances are greater and hiring qualified educators is a challenge.) (línea 15).
De momento solo se aplica en pequeñas escuelas rurales.
15. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
15.1. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “rule” (noun)
Solución
norm (línea 2): “to make four-day school weeks the norm”.
15.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “support” (verb)
Solución
backed (línea 10): “an assertion backed by research and surveys”. También vale el infinitivo, back.
16. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
16.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “an examination of opinions made by asking people questions”
Solución
surveys (línea 10): “backed by research and surveys”. En singular, también vale survey.
16.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “a prevailing tendency or a current style”
Solución
trend (línea 6): “the trend is growing”.