Reading.
Inglés, exámenes de 2024.
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 2024
Convocatoria ordinaria
Junio 2024
BLOQUE A (Comprensión lectora)
Puntuación máxima: 4 puntos
Debe responderse a las 8 preguntas de uno de los 2 textos propuestos.
COMPREHENSION (4 points). CHOOSE TEXT 1 OR TEXT 2 AND ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS FROM THAT TEXT ONLY.
TEXT 1: YOUNG PEOPLE’S SCREEN TIME
- As we can attest from firsthand experience, regular TV viewership has been decreasing as streaming services like Netflix are
- becoming increasingly popular. The amount of time kids and teens spend watching TV has dropped. In 2013, young people spent
- an average of 3 hours per day in front of the television screen; today, it’s an hour and 12 minutes. So, have youth reduced their
- screen time? Not really. Studies show that they have rather traded the TV screen for their phone and laptop. Now the average
- youth watches 97 minutes of YouTube and 95 minutes of TikTok per day.
- A few years ago, two Oxford researchers captured the media’s attention by concluding that screen time was as bad for teen
- mental health as… potatoes! Their paper even stated that social media had no psychological negative effects. However, most
- evidence points to the contrary. Two Spanish researchers argued that the Oxford study’s conclusions were “extremely misleading”,
- after they found that the use of social media was strongly linked to mental health issues, while TV and gaming were only weakly
- related. Other studies confirmed this and added that the worst effects impacted girls 50% more than boys.
- It’s time to abandon the idea that screen time doesn’t matter for mental health. It does. It’s just that some screen time matters
- more than others. Social media seems the most problematic. For practical purposes, that’s good news. Parents, policymakers,
- and teens themselves don’t need to consider giving up technology; instead, they can focus on cutting back on social media time.
- There are other ways teens can stay in touch with friends virtually, like texting, gaming together or meeting on FaceTime or Zoom.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
1. According to the text, young people today…
Solución
(b) use multiple devices for entertainment.
Los jóvenes siguen viendo la televisión, aunque menos, y además usan el móvil y el portátil (línea 4): “they have rather traded the TV screen for their phone and laptop”, con YouTube y TikTok cada día.
El texto no compara a los jóvenes con otros grupos de edad (a); ven más YouTube (97 minutos) que televisión (una hora y 12 minutos) (c); y siguen viendo algo de televisión convencional, así que no lo ven todo por internet (d).
2. The Oxford research on social media…
Solución
(a) was contradicted by several researchers.
Dos investigadores españoles calificaron sus conclusiones de engañosas, y otros estudios les dieron la razón (líneas 8-10): “Two Spanish researchers argued that the Oxford study’s conclusions were ‘extremely misleading’… Other studies confirmed this”.
Fueron otros estudios, no el de Oxford, los que mostraron que afecta más a las chicas (b); la mayoría de los datos dicen lo contrario (“most evidence points to the contrary”) (c); y llamó la atención de los medios (“captured the media’s attention”) (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. People watch less conventional TV than they used to.
Solución
TRUE. “(As we can attest from firsthand experience,) regular TV viewership has been decreasing (as streaming services like Netflix are becoming increasingly popular.)” (líneas 1-2).
La audiencia de la televisión convencional (“regular TV”) lleva tiempo bajando.
4. Spanish researchers studied the effect of videogames on young people.
Solución
TRUE. “Two Spanish researchers argued that (the Oxford study’s conclusions were ‘extremely misleading’, after they found that the use of social media was strongly linked to mental health issues, while) TV and gaming were only weakly related.” (líneas 8-10).
Su estudio analizó, entre otras cosas, el efecto de los videojuegos (“gaming”) y concluyó que apenas está relacionado con los problemas de salud mental.
5. The author is emphatic that screen devices have an unquestionable psychological impact.
Solución
TRUE. “It’s time to abandon the idea that screen time doesn’t matter for mental health. // It does.” (línea 11).
La frase corta y rotunda “It does.” muestra que el autor no tiene ninguna duda: el tiempo de pantalla sí afecta a la salud mental.
6. The author suggests that adolescents should avoid interacting with friends online.
Solución
FALSE. “There are other ways teens can stay in touch with friends virtually(, like texting, gaming together or meeting on FaceTime or Zoom).” (línea 14).
El autor propone reducir el tiempo en redes sociales, pero anima a seguir en contacto con los amigos por internet de otras formas.
7. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
7.1. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “change” (verb)
Solución
traded (línea 4): “they have rather traded the TV screen for their phone and laptop”. Como se pide un verbo, también vale el infinitivo, trade.
7.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “audience” (noun)
Solución
viewership (línea 1): “regular TV viewership has been decreasing”.
8. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
8.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “someone responsible for making new rules, laws, etc.”
Solución
policymakers (línea 12): “Parents, policymakers, and teens themselves”. Como la definición está en singular (“someone”), también vale policymaker.
8.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “to send a message from one mobile phone to another.”
Solución
texting (línea 14): “like texting, gaming together…”. Como la definición es un infinitivo (“to send…”), también vale text.
TEXT 2: CHARLES DICKENS
- Charles Dickens is one of the greatest writers in English literature. His stories such as Great Expectations and Oliver Twist
- continue to shape the way in which we understand nineteenth-century England.
- Forget the idea that Dickens was always a rich, benevolent gentleman. His family moved around a lot in Dickens’s youth, from
- Portsmouth to Kent, and from there to London. Dickens’s father was getting deeper and deeper into debt, and the family were
- literally running away from their creditors. When he was 12, Dickens was sent to live with a family friend and to work at Warren’s
- shoe polish factory. In his youth, Dickens thought of becoming an actor. However, he fell in love with a woman whose parents were
- middle-class and disapproved of her association with an aspiring actor —actors being seen as of a low social status at the time.
- Once he was a famous writer, Dickens became a well-known philanthropist who committed himself to many charities,
- particularly focusing on issues of child poverty and education. On the same altruistic note, Dickens was also the editor of magazines
- that, at popular prices, brought literature to everybody. They featured stories by different writers, established novelists, including
- himself, and also women, like the first salaried female journalist, Eliza Lynn Linton.
- Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol rapidly, taking just six weeks from beginning to end. He was forced to pay half the publication
- costs himself as his publishers failed to see the value of a Christmas story. Ironically, it’s never been out of print since its publication
- in 1843 and it’s been considered one of Dickens’s finest literary achievements, as well as an inspiration for numerous films.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
9. As an editor, Charles Dickens…
Solución
(a) published some stories written by women.
Sus revistas incluían relatos de distintos autores, también de mujeres (líneas 10-11): “They featured stories by different writers, established novelists, including himself, and also women, like the first salaried female journalist, Eliza Lynn Linton.”
Publicaba a novelistas ya consagrados (“established novelists”), no se centraba en nuevas promesas (b); vendía las revistas a precios populares para acercar la literatura a todos, con un fin altruista (“at popular prices, brought literature to everybody”) (c); y las mujeres eran autoras de los relatos, no su tema (d).
10. According to the text, A Christmas Carol…
Solución
(c) had to be co-financed by Dickens himself.
Dickens tuvo que pagar de su bolsillo la mitad de los costes de publicación (líneas 12-13): “He was forced to pay half the publication costs himself”.
Los editores no vieron el valor de la historia (“his publishers failed to see the value of a Christmas story”) (a); la escribió deprisa, en solo seis semanas (“rapidly, taking just six weeks”) (b); y se considera una de sus mejores obras (“one of Dickens’s finest literary achievements”) (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 Dickenses had a hard time due to the father’s spending habits.
Solución
TRUE. “Dickens’s father was getting deeper and deeper into debt, and the family were literally running away from their creditors.” (líneas 4-5).
Las deudas del padre obligaban a la familia a huir de sus acreedores.
12. Dickens did not have experience as a manual worker.
Solución
FALSE. “(When he was 12,) Dickens was sent to (live with a family friend, and to) work at Warren’s shoe polish factory.” (líneas 5-6).
Con 12 años trabajó en una fábrica de betún, un trabajo manual.
13. Actors were well regarded in Dickens’s times.
Solución
FALSE. “(However, he fell in love with a woman whose parents were middle-class and disapproved of her association with an aspiring actor) —actors being seen as of a low social status at the time.” (líneas 6-7).
En aquella época se consideraba que los actores tenían un estatus social bajo.
14. Dickens supported numerous good causes.
Solución
TRUE. “(Once he was a famous writer,) Dickens became a well-known philanthropist who committed himself to many charities (, particularly focusing on issues of child poverty and education.)” (líneas 8-9).
Se volcó en muchas causas benéficas, sobre todo la pobreza infantil y la educación.
15. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
15.1. ONE OPPOSITE FOR: “consent” (verb)
Solución
disapproved (línea 7): “disapproved of her association with an aspiring actor”. Como se pide un verbo, también vale el infinitivo, disapprove.
15.2. ONE OPPOSITE FOR: “wealth” (noun)
Solución
poverty (línea 9): “issues of child poverty and education”.
16. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
16.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “something done successfully with effort, skill or courage.”
Solución
achievements (línea 14): “one of Dickens’s finest literary achievements”. Como la definición está en singular, también vale achievement.
16.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “a person to whom money is owed.”
Solución
creditors (línea 5): “running away from their creditors”. Como la definición está en singular (“a person”), también vale creditor.
Convocatoria extraordinaria
Julio 2024
Convocatoria extraordinaria
Julio 2024
BLOQUE A (Comprensión lectora)
Puntuación máxima: 4 puntos
Debe responderse a las 8 preguntas de uno de los 2 textos propuestos.
COMPREHENSION (4 points). CHOOSE TEXT 1 OR TEXT 2 AND ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS FROM THAT TEXT ONLY.
TEXT 1: THE ETHICS OF TRUE CRIME
- True crime TV shows have been so popular in the past few years that they have become the object of academic study.
- Professor of Media Ethics Whitney Phillips claims that the reason for the current success of this genre, as compared to novels and
- movies, is the reality factor: audiences enjoy feeling engaged in an actual mystery happening before them.
- Research has found that white women are the largest demographic group consuming true crime. The explanation is that, since
- white women have anxiety about potential threats, they turn to true crime to feel better prepared in case anything violent were to
- happen to them. The fact that the target audience is basically white women determines the profile of typical victims in true crime
- —white and female. After all, audiences prefer to watch cases they can relate to. Phillips argues that this produces the “missing
- white woman syndrome,” that is, the idea that there’s only one type of victim whose story matters. The media reinforce this with
- many stories and updates about white female victims, while stories about marginalized groups like Indigenous women are rarely
- shown, if at all. Even white women who are missing or murdered receive little media attention when they’re sex workers, because
- they’re perceived as less valuable than “innocent” white women.
- Another harmful effect resulting from the boom of true crime is the dehumanization of victims when their tragedies become
- marketable content. As one victim said, “My trauma’s not your entertainment. Awareness is a whole different story.”
- Fortunately, there’s an alternative: ethical true crime, which avoids sensationalising the narrative and honours victims. Further
- still, it seeks a way to help their case and alert to social inequalities.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
1. According to the text, the key to the boom of true crime shows lies in…
Solución
(b) presenting real people’s cases.
El éxito del género se debe a que los casos son reales (líneas 2-3): “the reason for the current success of this genre… is the reality factor: audiences enjoy feeling engaged in an actual mystery happening before them.”
El texto compara el género con las novelas y películas, pero no dice que las adapte (a); muestra casi siempre un único tipo de víctima, mujeres blancas (c); y el interés académico es una consecuencia de su éxito, no la causa (“so popular… that they have become the object of academic study”) (d).
2. According to the text, white women follow the true crime genre in great numbers…
Solución
(c) to learn how to keep safe.
Lo ven para sentirse mejor preparadas por si les ocurre algo violento (líneas 4-6): “since white women have anxiety about potential threats, they turn to true crime to feel better prepared in case anything violent were to happen to them.”
El texto no dice que el género sea nuevo (a) ni que lo vean por la emoción de las historias (b); y prefieren casos con los que se identifican, mientras que las víctimas marginadas apenas aparecen (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. True crime’s average viewers resemble the victims featured in the shows.
Solución
TRUE. “The fact that the target audience is basically white women determines the profile of typical victims in true crime —white and female.” // “(After all,) audiences prefer to watch cases they can relate to.” (líneas 6-7).
El público son sobre todo mujeres blancas, y las víctimas de los programas también lo son, porque los espectadores prefieren casos con los que se identifican. Basta con una de las dos citas.
4. There is a shortage of true crime episodes about Native American female victims.
Solución
TRUE. “(The media reinforce this with many stories and updates about white female victims, while) stories about marginalized groups like Indigenous women are rarely shown (, if at all).” (líneas 8-10).
Las historias de mujeres indígenas (“Indigenous women”, es decir, nativas americanas) apenas se emiten.
5. All white female victims are equally relevant for the media.
Solución
FALSE. “Even white women who are missing or murdered receive little media attention when they’re sex workers (, because they’re perceived as less valuable than ‘innocent’ white women).” (líneas 10-11).
Las víctimas blancas que son trabajadoras sexuales reciben poca atención mediática.
6. Ethical true crime raises visibility for all kinds of victims.
Solución
TRUE. “(Further still,) it seeks a way to help their case and alert to social inequalities.” (líneas 14-15).
El true crime ético busca ayudar a las víctimas y denunciar las desigualdades sociales, es decir, dar visibilidad también a quienes normalmente no la tienen.
7. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
7.1. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “seldom” (adverb)
Solución
rarely (línea 9): “stories about marginalized groups like Indigenous women are rarely shown”.
7.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “worthy” (adjective)
Solución
valuable (línea 11): “they’re perceived as less valuable than ‘innocent’ white women”.
8. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
8.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “the most recent news or information about something.”
Solución
updates (línea 9): “many stories and updates about white female victims”. Como la definición está en singular, también vale update.
8.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “a danger that something unpleasant might happen.”
Solución
threats (línea 5): “anxiety about potential threats”. Como la definición está en singular (“a danger”), también vale threat.
TEXT 2: POMFRET, VERMONT: THE TOWN THAT WENT VIRAL
- With a mere handful of businesses, Pomfret, located in Vermont (US), is generally a quiet place. But in autumn, as “leaf-
- peepers” from everywhere descend on the region’s hills to witness its multicolored leaves, all that changes.
- Ever since images of Sleepy Hollow Farm, a private property set on a rustic road, began going viral on social media a few
- years ago, locals say that things have gotten out of hand. A quick look on Instagram reveals thousands of images of the farm’s
- winding road lined by trees lit up in autumnal reds and pumpkin oranges. It’s no wonder then that this unlikely farm has become
- known as one of “the most photographed places in the state.”
- Unfortunately, social media influencers regularly climb over gates covered with “No Trespassing” signs, get their “city cars”
- stuck on the narrow country road, and leave bodily waste by the roadside. “It’s a hotel and amusement park —bring all your friends,”
- laughed out an Instagrammer with 20,000 followers.
- “It’s a beautiful spot. It’s too bad that it’s been ruined for everybody,” said Deborah Goodwin, a local councilwoman. “Tour
- buses are constantly unloading crowds of people out there. We can’t have this anymore.” In 2022, town officials finally voted to
- close the roads leading to the farm to non-residents during the autumn season, which annoyed the travelers who had come hoping
- to capture a perfect autumnal photo.
- “We enjoy having tourists. It’s a big part of the Vermont economy, and we want people to enjoy its bucolic beauty and visit the
- shops,” Goodwin says. Her call is for responsible tourism that enjoys Pomfret’s beauty without ruining what makes it special —its
- peaceful charm.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
9. According to the text, Pomfret has…
Solución
(b) become an attraction due to media exposure.
Las fotos de la granja se hicieron virales en las redes sociales y desde entonces la situación se ha desbordado (líneas 3-4): “Ever since images of Sleepy Hollow Farm… began going viral on social media a few years ago, locals say that things have gotten out of hand.”
Normalmente es un lugar tranquilo (“generally a quiet place”) (a); se cerraron las carreteras a los no residentes por las aglomeraciones, no por motivos económicos, y de hecho el turismo es importante para su economía (c); y el texto no habla de mejorar la oferta turística (d).
10. According to the text, “leaf-peepers” are…
Solución
(a) visitors who love the colorful autumn countryside.
Son visitantes que llegan de todas partes para ver los colores de las hojas en otoño (líneas 1-2): “‘leaf-peepers’ from everywhere descend on the region’s hills to witness its multicolored leaves”.
No son dueños de negocios (b) ni concejales (d), sino visitantes de fuera; y a los turistas la prohibición les molestó (“which annoyed the travelers”) (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. There are plenty of stores and shops in Pomfret.
Solución
FALSE. “With a mere handful of businesses(, Pomfret, located in Vermont (US), is generally a quiet place).” (línea 1).
A mere handful significa “apenas un puñado”: hay muy pocos negocios.
12. Local residents’ privacy is often invaded by photo seekers.
Solución
TRUE. “(Unfortunately,) social media influencers regularly climb over gates covered with ‘No Trespassing’ signs(, get their ‘city cars’ stuck on the narrow country road, and leave bodily waste by the roadside).” (líneas 7-8).
Los influencers saltan con frecuencia (“regularly”) las vallas de una propiedad privada pese a los carteles de “Prohibido el paso”.
13. Tourists are understanding about the prohibition to drive to the farm.
Solución
FALSE. “(In 2022, town officials finally voted to close the roads leading to the farm to non-residents during the autumn season,) which annoyed the travelers who had come hoping to capture a perfect autumnal photo.” (líneas 11-13).
El cierre de las carreteras molestó a los visitantes; no lo entendieron.
14. Pomfret welcomes holidaymakers who respect its essence.
Solución
TRUE. “Her call is for responsible tourism that enjoys Pomfret’s beauty without ruining what makes it special —its peaceful charm.” (líneas 15-16).
El pueblo quiere turistas, siempre que respeten su encanto tranquilo, que es su esencia.
15. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
15.1. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “spoil” (verb)
Solución
ruined (línea 10): “it’s been ruined for everybody”, o ruining (línea 15): “without ruining what makes it special”. También vale el infinitivo, ruin.
15.2. ONE OPPOSITE FOR: “wide” (adjective)
Solución
narrow (línea 8): “stuck on the narrow country road”.
16. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
16.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “to move upwards, especially by using the hands and feet.”
Solución
climb (línea 7): “social media influencers regularly climb over gates”.
16.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “a large gathering of people.”
Solución
crowds (línea 11): “unloading crowds of people out there”. Como la definición está en singular, también vale crowd.
Examen de reserva
Reserva 1 2024
Examen de reserva
Reserva 1 2024
BLOQUE A (Comprensión lectora)
Puntuación máxima: 4 puntos
Debe responderse a las 8 preguntas de uno de los 2 textos propuestos.
COMPREHENSION (4 points). CHOOSE TEXT 1 OR TEXT 2 AND ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS FROM THAT TEXT ONLY.
TEXT 1: LA CATRINA
- Mexicans have an exceptional relationship with death and the afterlife because they are quite unique in taking it good-
- humoredly and passionately. That doesn’t mean that Mexicans don’t grieve or miss those who have passed away —they just
- choose to remember them by celebrating their lives and memories. On November 2nd, the Day of the Dead, families gather in
- cemeteries to feast while they clean tombstones, sing songs, and talk to their ancestors. Parents might even introduce a baby to
- a grandparent who died before the baby was born.
- One of the most recognizable symbols of the Day of the Dead celebrations is La Catrina, a female skeleton wearing a fancy
- hat. Her striking makeup has become trendy worldwide. The essence of La Catrina’s story goes deep into Mexican roots as the
- Aztecs worshipped Mictecacihuatl, a goddess of death that protected and helped their departed loved ones into the next stages.
- However, the skull that we see today was created in the early 1900s by José Guadalupe Posada. This cartoonist drew calaveras
- in a satirical way to urge people to stop pretending to be something that they weren’t, for they would all die someday.
- Later, famous artist and husband of Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, immortalized Posada’s Catrina in one of his murals. He painted
- her wearing sophisticated clothing and an extravagant hat with feathers, thus creating the multicolored look that she’s well-known
- for today. From there, La Catrina became a powerful symbol for the numerous Day of the Dead events. Women use colorful
- makeup and wear lively outfits evoking the famous skeleton.
- Tourists find La Catrina fascinating and many purchase Catrina figurines as souvenirs. La Catrina is definitely a Mexican icon!
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
1. According to the text, …
Solución
(a) Mexicans don’t have a frivolous attitude towards death.
Aunque celebran a sus muertos con alegría, eso no significa que no sufran su pérdida (línea 2): “That doesn’t mean that Mexicans don’t grieve or miss those who have passed away”.
La imagen actual de La Catrina la creó Posada a principios del siglo XX, no es la diosa azteca (b); Rivera pintó la Catrina de Posada, no a su mujer (c); y Frida Kahlo solo aparece como esposa de Rivera, no como diseñadora (d).
2. According to the text, Posada…
Solución
(c) reminded people of the certainty of death.
Dibujaba calaveras para recordar a la gente que todos acabarían muriendo (línea 10): “to urge people to stop pretending to be something that they weren’t, for they would all die someday.”
El Día de Muertos tiene raíces mucho más antiguas (a); Posada era caricaturista (“This cartoonist”), no maquillador (b); y fue Rivera quien la pintó con ropa elegante (“sophisticated clothing”) (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. On the Day of the Dead, Mexican people take care of the graves of their departed loved ones.
Solución
TRUE. (On November 2nd, the Day of the Dead, families gather in cemeteries to feast while) they clean tombstones(, sing songs, and talk to their ancestors.) (líneas 3-4).
Las familias limpian las lápidas de sus difuntos.
4. Mictecacihuatl was believed to safeguard the dead.
Solución
TRUE. (The essence of La Catrina’s story goes deep into Mexican roots as the Aztecs worshipped) Mictecacihuatl, a goddess of death that protected and helped their departed loved ones into the next stages. (líneas 7-8).
Los aztecas creían que esta diosa protegía a sus difuntos.
5. The Day of the Dead celebrations require a modest dress code.
Solución
FALSE. (Women use colorful makeup and) wear lively outfits evoking the famous skeleton. (líneas 13-14).
Se visten con ropa alegre y llamativa, no con un estilo sobrio.
6. Catrina dolls are regarded as sacred, and thus are not for sale.
Solución
FALSE. (Tourists find La Catrina fascinating and) many purchase Catrina figurines as souvenirs. (línea 15).
Las figuras de La Catrina se venden como recuerdo a los turistas.
7. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
7.1. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “predecessor” (noun)
Solución
ancestors (línea 4): “talk to their ancestors”. Como “predecessor” está en singular, también vale ancestor.
7.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “phase” (noun)
Solución
stages (línea 8): “into the next stages”. En singular, también vale stage.
8. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
8.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “a hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds.”
Solución
feathers (línea 12): “an extravagant hat with feathers”. En singular, también vale feather.
8.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “to give a false appearance.”
Solución
pretending (línea 10): “to stop pretending to be something that they weren’t”. Como la definición es un infinitivo, también vale pretend.
TEXT 2: THE DISAPPEARANCE OF MICHAEL ROCKEFELLER
- Michael Rockefeller, great-grandson of the founder of the wealthy Rockefeller dynasty, was deeply impressed when his father
- opened the Museum of Primitive Art in 1960. He decided there and then to devote his life to finding “primitive” art —a term no
- longer used today due to its implications that non-Western cultures are inferior. Within months of the museum launch, Michael
- went on an expedition trip to New Guinea —ruled by the Netherlands at the time— to collect art from the native Asmat people.
- Michael learned on arrival that Asmat warriors took the heads of their enemies in battle and that they practised cannibalism. He
- was fascinated by these people, who represented such an intriguing violation of the norms of Western society.
- When Michael returned to the island one year later, his boat sank. The Rockefellers spent a small fortune supporting the
- Dutch’s search for Michael. Despite all efforts, the search was called off barely two weeks after the boating accident. Michael was
- never seen again. The official cause of death was filed as drowning, but the news and rumours about it spread like wildfire in
- tabloids and newspapers.
- In 2014, reporter Carl Hoffman revealed in a book that the Netherlands’ inquiries into the matter had concluded, shortly after
- the disappearance, that the Asmat had killed Michael. But why would the Dutch bury those files? According to Hoffman, Michael
- couldn’t have arrived at a worst time: the Netherlands was losing the colony to Indonesia, and the scandal would have exposed
- their lack of control. So, they denied the murder rumours even to the Rockefellers, who to this day refuse to accept any other
- version of events than that Michael drowned.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
9. According to the text, Michael Rockefeller travelled to New Guinea…
Solución
(c) in search of articles of local art.
Viajó para reunir obras de arte de los asmat (línea 4): “to collect art from the native Asmat people.”
Fue dos veces: volvió a la isla un año después (“When Michael returned to the island one year later”) (a); el museo ya lo había abierto su padre (b); y entonces la isla seguía gobernada por los Países Bajos (“ruled by the Netherlands at the time”) (d).
10. According to the text, the Rockefellers…
Solución
(c) were lied to about Michael’s death at the time.
Los neerlandeses les ocultaron que los asmat lo habían matado (línea 14): “they denied the murder rumours even to the Rockefellers”.
La decisión de buscar arte fue del propio Michael (“He decided there and then”) (a); la familia sigue creyendo que se ahogó (b); y financiaron la búsqueda de los neerlandeses, no la hicieron solos (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. Michael knew about the Asmats’ warfare practices before going to New Guinea.
Solución
FALSE. Michael learned on arrival that Asmat warriors took the heads of their enemies in battle (and that they practised cannibalism). (línea 5).
Se enteró al llegar (“on arrival”), no antes del viaje.
12. The mysterious disappearance of Michael Rockefeller was a media sensation.
Solución
TRUE. (The official cause of death was filed as drowning, but) the news and rumours about it spread like wildfire in tabloids and newspapers. (líneas 9-10).
La noticia corrió como la pólvora en la prensa.
13. The Netherlands’ authorities have recently discovered that Michael never drowned.
Solución
FALSE. (In 2014, reporter Carl Hoffman revealed in a book that) the Netherlands’ inquiries into the matter had concluded, shortly after the disappearance, that the Asmat had killed Michael. (líneas 11-12).
Las autoridades lo sabían desde poco después de la desaparición; lo reciente es que un periodista lo hiciera público.
14. The Netherlands was experiencing political problems in New Guinea at the time of Michael’s death.
Solución
TRUE. (According to Hoffman,) Michael couldn’t have arrived at a worst time: the Netherlands was losing the colony to Indonesia (and the scandal would have exposed their lack of control). (líneas 12-14).
Los Países Bajos estaban perdiendo la colonia en favor de Indonesia.
15. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
15.1. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “inauguration” (noun)
Solución
launch (línea 3): “Within months of the museum launch”.
15.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “dedicate” (verb)
Solución
devote (línea 2): “to devote his life to finding ‘primitive’ art”.
16. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
16.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “to govern people or a political unit.”
Solución
ruled (línea 4): “ruled by the Netherlands at the time”. Como la definición es un infinitivo, también vale rule.
16.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “a powerful group or family that maintains its position for a considerable time.”
Solución
dynasty (línea 1): “the wealthy Rockefeller dynasty”.
Examen de reserva
Reserva 2 2024
Examen de reserva
Reserva 2 2024
BLOQUE A (Comprensión lectora)
Puntuación máxima: 4 puntos
Debe responderse a las 8 preguntas de uno de los 2 textos propuestos.
COMPREHENSION (4 points). CHOOSE TEXT 1 OR TEXT 2 AND ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS FROM THAT TEXT ONLY.
TEXT 1: THE 30-MILLION-DOLLAR SANDWICH
- During the sixties, the United States was locked in a race with the Soviet Union for dominance in space. The question became
- who would get to the Moon first. In March 1965, NASA launched the spaceship Gemini 3 to develop space travel techniques in
- weightless conditions. It was the first U.S. mission to carry two astronauts —John Young and his crewmate, Gus Grissom.
- As the frozen meals that NASA had selected were not exactly appetizing to Young’s palate, he slipped a beef sandwich into
- his pocket just before the spaceship was launched. Two days later at lunchtime, Young shared a bite of his hidden sandwich with
- Grissom. Suddenly, breadcrumbs started floating around due to the lack of gravity, putting at risk the pieces of equipment that kept
- the 30-million spacecraft running. Aware of the serious threat, the astronauts opted to put the sandwich away and continued their
- mission with crumbs floating around the cabin.
- Young’s special menu didn’t cause any harm but it became a bigger issue back on Earth, resulting in an official review to
- discuss the incident. Young was given an official reprimand, the first ever for a NASA member. He eventually regretted taking the
- sandwich to space, but he later wrote that he didn’t think it was such a big deal. Firstly, because to his knowledge, it wasn’t even
- the first “illegal” sandwich but the third. And secondly, he joked, it didn’t even have mustard!
- While the infamous sandwich is no longer available, a similar one, preserved in acrylic, is on display at the Grissom Memorial
- Museum. It immortalizes the historic moment when an astronaut dared to eat a beef sandwich in space.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
1. According to the text, …
Solución
(a) Young was reprehended because of the sandwich.
Young recibió una amonestación oficial por el sándwich (línea 10): “Young was given an official reprimand, the first ever for a NASA member.”
La misión servía para practicar técnicas en ingravidez, no llegó a la Luna (b); las migas no causaron ningún daño (“didn’t cause any harm”) (c); y se llevó el sándwich porque no le gustaba la comida de la NASA, no para gastar una broma (d).
2. According to the text, Young managed to…
Solución
(b) keep on with the mission work.
Guardaron el sándwich y siguieron con la misión (líneas 7-8): “the astronauts opted to put the sandwich away and continued their mission”.
Se enteraron en la Tierra y hubo una investigación oficial (a); el texto no dice que cambiaran los menús (c); y lo escondió en el bolsillo, no en el equipo de la nave (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. NASA made inquiries into the sandwich affair.
Solución
TRUE. (Young’s special menu didn’t cause any harm but it became a bigger issue back on Earth,) resulting in an official review to discuss the incident. (líneas 9-10).
Se abrió una revisión oficial del incidente.
4. Young apologised right away for what he had done.
Solución
FALSE. He eventually regretted taking the sandwich to space(, but he later wrote that he didn’t think it was such a big deal). (líneas 10-11).
Se arrepintió con el tiempo (“eventually”), no de inmediato.
5. According to Young, no one had ever dared to do what he did.
Solución
FALSE. (Firstly, because to his knowledge,) it wasn’t even the first ‘illegal’ sandwich but the third. (líneas 11-12).
Según él, ya había habido otros dos sándwiches “ilegales” antes.
6. The remains of the sandwich are exhibited for visitors to see.
Solución
FALSE. While the infamous sandwich is no longer available, a similar one, preserved in acrylic, is on display at the Grissom Memorial Museum. (líneas 13-14).
Lo que se expone es un sándwich parecido, no los restos del original.
7. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
7.1. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “yummy” (adjective)
Solución
appetizing (línea 4): “not exactly appetizing to Young’s palate”.
7.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “conscious” (adjective)
Solución
aware (línea 7): “Aware of the serious threat”.
8. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
8.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “to cause someone or something to be remembered for a very long time.”
Solución
immortalizes (línea 14): “It immortalizes the historic moment”. Como la definición es un infinitivo, también vale immortalize.
8.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “to say something funny to make people laugh.”
Solución
joked (línea 12): “And secondly, he joked”. También vale el infinitivo, joke.
TEXT 2: YOUR NOSE KNOWS
- Smell is a powerful sense. Why can a particular smell take us immediately to a vivid moment of our past? Smell and memory
- are so closely linked because, according to Harvard professor Venkatesh Murthy, “olfactory signals have direct access to the limbic
- system —the brain centre of emotion and memory.” Smell also plays a huge role in taste. When you chew, food molecules “make
- their way back to your nasal epithelium, so what you consider flavour is really smell.” Murthy says you can check this by pinching
- your nose when eating chocolate. With your nose passageway blocked, you’ll just taste sweetness instead of chocolate’s distinctive
- flavour.
- History confirms the importance of smell. Hieroglyphics show Ancient Egyptians making perfume as long ago as 3,000 BC.
- Egyptian priests burnt aromatic resins to sweeten the air in holy ceremonials and burials because they believed that this ritual
- connected humans with the gods. When those tombs were opened in the 1800s, the perfumes still maintained their original smells.
- There are also references to perfume in the Bible, and Chinese writings on aromatic products date even further back. So, when
- was perfumery born? Well, Stone Age humans had fire and could burn fragrant woods, but until archaeologists come across new
- evidence, we can only guess.
- In 16th- and 17th-century Europe, people associated unpleasant smells with disease. Wealthy people used scented things like
- cosmetics or perfumed gloves in the hope that their pleasant aroma could protect them against infection.
- Unsurprisingly, today’s perfume industry is a multi-million market. The latest thing: exclusive stores and hotels which have their
- own signature scents to make a lasting impression on customers through the power of perfume.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
9. According to the text, the use of perfumed substances in Ancient Egypt…
Solución
(c) played a religious role.
Los sacerdotes quemaban resinas aromáticas en ceremonias sagradas porque creían que unían a los humanos con los dioses (líneas 8-9): “Egyptian priests burnt aromatic resins to sweeten the air in holy ceremonials and burials because they believed that this ritual connected humans with the gods.”
La Biblia habla del perfume en general, no del uso egipcio (a); el motivo era religioso, no ocultar el olor de la muerte (b); y los jeroglíficos lo documentan (d).
10. Historically, perfume was once believed to…
Solución
(d) prevent illness.
En los siglos XVI y XVII se pensaba que los buenos olores protegían de las infecciones (línea 14): “in the hope that their pleasant aroma could protect them against infection.”
El texto no dice que se considerara un regalo de los dioses (a), ni que intensificara el olor corporal (b); y la relación con las emociones es un dato científico actual, no una creencia histórica sobre el perfume (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. Smell and memory are anatomically related.
Solución
TRUE. Smell and memory are so closely linked because(, according to Harvard professor Venkatesh Murthy,) ‘olfactory signals have direct access to the limbic system —the brain centre of emotion and memory.’ (líneas 1-3).
Las señales del olfato llegan directamente a la zona del cerebro de la memoria.
12. You can fully taste food even if you cover your nose.
Solución
FALSE. (Murthy says you can check this by pinching your nose when eating chocolate.) With your nose passageway blocked, you’ll just taste sweetness instead of chocolate’s distinctive flavour. (líneas 4-6).
Con la nariz tapada solo se percibe el dulzor, no el sabor completo.
13. The use of perfume among primitive tribes has yet to be proved.
Solución
TRUE. (Well,) Stone Age humans had fire and could burn fragrant woods, but until archaeologists come across new evidence, we can only guess. (líneas 11-12).
Todavía no hay pruebas de que los humanos de la Edad de Piedra usaran perfumes.
14. Some top companies use perfume to make their brand unforgettable.
Solución
TRUE. (The latest thing:) exclusive stores and hotels which have their own signature scents to make a lasting impression on customers through the power of perfume. (líneas 15-16).
Tiendas y hoteles exclusivos tienen su propio aroma para que los clientes los recuerden.
15. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
15.1. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “speculate” (verb)
Solución
guess (línea 12): “we can only guess”.
15.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “sacred” (adjective)
Solución
holy (línea 8): “in holy ceremonials and burials”.
16. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
16.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “seeming like real life because it is very clear or detailed.”
Solución
vivid (línea 1): “a vivid moment of our past”.
16.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “to bite and crush with your teeth.”
Solución
chew (línea 3): “When you chew”.
Examen de reserva
Reserva 3 2024
Examen de reserva
Reserva 3 2024
BLOQUE A (Comprensión lectora)
Puntuación máxima: 4 puntos
Debe responderse a las 8 preguntas de uno de los 2 textos propuestos.
COMPREHENSION (4 points). CHOOSE TEXT 1 OR TEXT 2 AND ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS FROM THAT TEXT ONLY.
TEXT 1: DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME
- Spring marks many changes and, for many people around the world, the beginning of Daylight Saving Time (DST). The idea
- behind the clock shift is to make better use of sunlight.
- Benjamin Franklin is often credited as the first to suggest the change in 1784. When he was an American delegate in Paris,
- he felt he was wasting his Parisian mornings by staying in bed after the sun had come up. He ironically proposed that the French
- should fire cannons at sunrise to wake up people, so that they would go to bed earlier and use fewer candles at night.
- It wasn’t until resources became limited during World War I that Germany decided to go ahead with a clock-changing plan,
- implementing the first DST in 1916. Most of Europe followed their example in a matter of weeks, and the United States did the
- same in 1918.
- Nowadays, DST still has fervent supporters who claim that it helps drive the economy. Conversely, it’s often argued that, apart
- from the legion of missed meetings and sleepy citizens, DST causes adverse effects on our health and safety. Studies reveal that
- changing clocks brings about an increase in heart attacks and fatal car accidents. DST opponents even question whether there
- have ever been energy savings at all.
- All in all, the time shift is becoming more and more unpopular around the world, since people today are fond of going out after
- work and it’s obviously nicer doing so when it’s lighter outside. Recently, a survey showed 80% of Europeans were against DST,
- and every October the matter is a controversial topic, with people either expressing enthusiasm about sunny mornings or
- complaining about shorter days.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
1. According to the text, Daylight Saving Time (DST)…
Solución
(d) has been argued to improve the economy.
Sus defensores aseguran que ayuda a impulsar la economía (línea 9): “DST still has fervent supporters who claim that it helps drive the economy.”
Tiene efectos negativos para la salud (“adverse effects on our health and safety”) (a); lo propuso Franklin, no el Gobierno francés (b); y deja a los ciudadanos con sueño (“sleepy citizens”) (c).
2. According to the text, Benjamin Franklin…
Solución
(a) suggested changing sleeping habits.
Propuso, en tono irónico, despertar a la gente al amanecer para que se acostara antes (líneas 4-5): “He ironically proposed that the French should fire cannons at sunrise to wake up people, so that they would go to bed earlier”.
Se le atribuye la primera propuesta de cambio de hora (b); sentía que desperdiciaba las mañanas en la cama, no que le gustara dormir (c); y su propuesta fue irónica, no llegó a aplicarse (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. According to the text, clocks change in the spring to make the most of natural light.
Solución
TRUE. Spring (marks many changes and, for many people around the world, the beginning of Daylight Saving Time (DST).) The idea behind the clock shift is to make better use of sunlight. (líneas 1-2).
El cambio de hora empieza en primavera para aprovechar mejor la luz del sol.
4. The Germans put the clock shift into effect to help fight the shortage of supplies.
Solución
TRUE. It wasn’t until resources became limited during World War I that Germany decided to go ahead with a clock-changing plan, implementing the first DST in 1916. (líneas 6-7).
Alemania lo aplicó cuando los recursos escaseaban durante la Primera Guerra Mundial.
5. People may even die due to Daylight Saving Time (DST).
Solución
TRUE. (Studies reveal that) changing clocks brings about an increase in heart attacks and fatal car accidents. (líneas 10-11).
El cambio de hora aumenta los infartos y los accidentes de tráfico mortales.
6. According to the text, Daylight Saving Time (DST) fits nicely in our current lifestyle.
Solución
FALSE. (All in all, the time shift is becoming more and more unpopular around the world, since) people today are fond of going out after work and it’s obviously nicer doing so when it’s lighter outside. (líneas 13-14).
El cambio de hora es cada vez más impopular porque no encaja con la costumbre de salir después del trabajo.
7. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
7.1. ONE OPPOSITE FOR: “sunset” (noun)
Solución
sunrise (línea 5): “fire cannons at sunrise”.
7.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “crash” (noun)
Solución
accidents (línea 11): “fatal car accidents”. En singular, también vale accident.
8. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
8.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “to shoot ammunition from a weapon.”
Solución
fire (línea 5): “the French should fire cannons”.
8.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “in a forward direction, onwards.”
Solución
ahead (línea 6): “to go ahead with a clock-changing plan”.
TEXT 2: JUNETEENTH
- On June 17th, 2021, President Biden signed into law the bill that established as a national public holiday June 19th, Juneteenth
- National Independence Day. Despite Juneteenth’s storied history, the holiday had largely gone unnoticed by non-Black Americans
- for long. It was the Black Lives Matter movement that pushed Juneteenth into the national spotlight, following decades of activists’
- calls for recognition of the landmark occasion.
- In 1863, during the American Civil War between the Union and the Confederacy, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation
- Proclamation, which declared free more than three million slaves living in the Confederate States. More than two years would
- pass, however, before the news reached African Americans living in Texas. It was not until Union soldiers arrived in Galveston,
- Texas, on June 19th, 1865 that the town’s residents finally learned that slavery had been abolished. The former slaves immediately
- began to celebrate with prayer, feasting, song and dance.
- The following year, on June 19th, the first official Juneteenth celebrations took place in Texas. They included prayer meetings
- and the singing of spirituals, and celebrants wore new clothes as a way of representing their newfound freedom.
- Since African Americans were prohibited from using public facilities, they often held their annual celebration of freedom at their
- churches or out in rural areas around rivers and streams, which could provide for additional activities such as fishing, horseback riding
- and barbecues. There were also visits to the cemeteries to reunite the freed and living with their dead and enslaved ancestors.
- Having been commemorated for more than 160 years, Juneteenth has now become a date representing African Americans’
- struggle for freedom and equality, as well as an occasion for family and community celebration.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
9. According to the text, Juneteenth originally celebrated…
Solución
(d) the emancipation of slaves in Galveston.
Recuerda el día en que los esclavos de Galveston supieron que eran libres (líneas 7-8): “It was not until Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, on June 19th, 1865 that the town’s residents finally learned that slavery had been abolished.”
No conmemora el fin de la guerra (a); la proclamación de Lincoln fue en 1863, dos años antes (b); y Black Lives Matter es un movimiento reciente que dio visibilidad a la fiesta (c).
10. According to the text, Juneteenth celebrations were…
Solución
(b) enjoyed in a cheerful manner.
Se celebraban con alegría: oraciones, banquetes, canciones y bailes (líneas 8-9), “began to celebrate with prayer, feasting, song and dance.”
Fue Biden quien la declaró fiesta nacional en 2021 (a); también se celebraba en las iglesias (c); y el texto no dice que los soldados la fomentaran (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. Non-black Americans have traditionally taken part in Juneteenth events.
Solución
FALSE. (Despite Juneteenth’s storied history,) the holiday had largely gone unnoticed by non-Black Americans for long. (líneas 2-3).
Durante mucho tiempo la fiesta pasó desapercibida para los estadounidenses que no eran negros.
12. The Black Lives Matter movement has played a key role in making Juneteenth a national holiday.
Solución
TRUE. It was the Black Lives Matter movement that pushed Juneteenth into the national spotlight(, following decades of activists’ calls for recognition of the landmark occasion). (líneas 3-4).
Black Lives Matter dio a la fiesta relevancia nacional.
13. Enslaved people in Galveston were initially reluctant to believe they had been freed.
Solución
FALSE. The former slaves immediately began to celebrate with prayer, feasting, song and dance. (líneas 8-9).
Lo celebraron de inmediato; no dudaron de la noticia.
14. Juneteenth celebration outfits were symbolic of Blacks’ new condition.
Solución
TRUE. (They included prayer meetings and the singing of spirituals, and) celebrants wore new clothes as a way of representing their newfound freedom. (líneas 10-11).
La ropa nueva simbolizaba su recién conseguida libertad.
15. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
15.1. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “ban” (verb)
Solución
prohibited (línea 12): “were prohibited from using public facilities”. También vale el infinitivo, prohibit.
15.2. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “fight” (noun)
Solución
struggle (línea 16): “struggle for freedom and equality”.
16. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
16.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “a place used for a particular activity.”
Solución
facilities (línea 12): “public facilities”. En singular, también vale facility.
16.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “a social gathering where people come together to enjoy grilled food.”
Solución
barbecues (línea 14): “horseback riding and barbecues”. En singular, también vale barbecue.
Examen de reserva
Reserva 4 2024
Examen de reserva
Reserva 4 2024
BLOQUE A (Comprensión lectora)
Puntuación máxima: 4 puntos
Debe responderse a las 8 preguntas de uno de los 2 textos propuestos.
COMPREHENSION (4 points). CHOOSE TEXT 1 OR TEXT 2 AND ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS FROM THAT TEXT ONLY.
TEXT 1: SAVING ABU SIMBEL
- In the early 1960s, Egypt had to improve agriculture and provide electricity for its increasing population. In order to do so, the
- country planned to build a huge dam across the Nile River that would flood an area with important archaeological sites. In the eyes
- of the Egyptian government, the destruction of the treasures, while regrettable, was necessary. Christiane Desroches-Noblecourt,
- the female chief curator of Egyptian antiquities at the Louvre Museum, appealed to Egyptian officials not to resign themselves to
- this catastrophic loss of their cultural heritage.
- Christiane proposed to them the most difficult archaeological rescue in history —a project of almost unthinkable magnitude and
- complexity consisting in moving the fragile sandstone temple of Abu Simbel to higher ground. On top of the enormous engineering
- problems, the project required cooperation among countries at a time of escalating global political tensions. But that didn’t stop her.
- After months of countless meetings, Christiane eventually won the support of UNESCO and Egypt’s Minister of Culture, who
- persuaded the Egyptian president to approve the rescue plan. This was a major step, but the project was doomed to fail without
- massive financial help from Western countries, particularly the United States. It was then that an unexpected saviour, Jacqueline
- Kennedy, appeared on the scene. Thanks to her influence, her husband, President John F. Kennedy, called on US Congress to
- authorise money to ensure the rescue.
- Ironically, the two women who played crucial roles in this landmark rescue apparently had no idea of each other’s moves. Both
- Christiane and Jacqueline had worked behind the scenes. Neither of them ever sought or received public attention for their
- achievement, caring less about the credit than getting the job done.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
1. According to the text, Abu Simbel…
Solución
(c) went through a complex relocation.
El templo se trasladó a un terreno más alto, en un proyecto de una complejidad casi inimaginable (líneas 6-7): “a project of almost unthinkable magnitude and complexity consisting in moving the fragile sandstone temple of Abu Simbel to higher ground.”
La amenaza era el agua de la presa, no la arena (a); el texto no habla de daños (b); y se movió a un terreno más alto en Egipto, no al extranjero (d).
2. According to the text, Jacqueline Kennedy…
Solución
(d) helped get the project financed.
Gracias a ella, su marido pidió al Congreso que aprobara el dinero para el rescate (líneas 12-13): “Thanks to her influence, her husband, President John F. Kennedy, called on US Congress to authorise money to ensure the rescue.”
Quien consiguió el apoyo de la UNESCO fue Christiane (a); ninguna de las dos sabía lo que hacía la otra (b); y el texto no dice que intentara comprar el templo (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. The initial dam project involved leaving ancient treasures under the water.
Solución
TRUE. (In order to do so,) the country planned to build a huge dam across the Nile River that would flood an area with important archaeological sites. (líneas 1-2).
La presa iba a inundar una zona con yacimientos arqueológicos importantes.
4. International conflicts added to the difficulty of the mission.
Solución
TRUE. On top of the enormous engineering problems, the project required cooperation among countries at a time of escalating global political tensions. (líneas 7-8).
Además de los problemas técnicos, el proyecto exigía cooperar en plena tensión política internacional.
5. Egypt had enough resources to carry out the rescue operation.
Solución
FALSE. (This was a major step, but) the project was doomed to fail without massive financial help from Western countries, particularly the United States. (líneas 10-11).
Sin la ayuda económica de Occidente, el proyecto habría fracasado.
6. Christiane and Jacqueline worked side by side.
Solución
FALSE. Ironically, the two women who played crucial roles in this landmark rescue apparently had no idea of each other’s moves. (línea 14).
Ninguna de las dos sabía lo que estaba haciendo la otra.
7. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
7.1. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “lamentable” (adjective)
Solución
regrettable (línea 3): “the destruction of the treasures, while regrettable, was necessary”.
7.2. ONE OPPOSITE FOR: “gain” (noun)
Solución
loss (línea 5): “this catastrophic loss of their cultural heritage”.
8. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
8.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “to make certain, guarantee.”
Solución
ensure (línea 13): “to ensure the rescue”.
8.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “a person who rescues another person or a thing from danger or harm.”
Solución
saviour (línea 11): “an unexpected saviour, Jacqueline Kennedy”.
TEXT 2: THE STRENGTH OF WEAK SOCIAL TIES
- I’ve been working as a psychotherapist since 1988. Through the years, I’ve dealt with hundreds of patients who come to my
- practice because they feel lonely. Many report finding relief in brief, casual encounters. That’s the case of Alice, who lived alone
- for years after a divorce. Her family lived away from her, and she described feeling terribly lonesome, especially during the holidays.
- One day, I asked her what helped cheer her up. “I love going to the library and chatting with Maria, the librarian, about historical
- novels or cozy mysteries. I always leave feeling a warm connection with her.”
- Another patient, Sherry, gets great joy from her Sunday breakfasts at a local diner: “The manager’s so nice. She calls me
- ‘Sweety’ and brings me extra whipped cream for my pancakes. I feel uplifted.”
- As for me, when I shop for groceries, I always go to a cashier I’ve chatted with for years. Our shared kindness and familiarity
- give me a sense of community. What’s more, even those we meet only once can leave a lasting impression. I’ll never forget
- discussing Don Quixote on an airplane with a well-read economics professor.
- Relationships like these, generally referred to as “weak social ties”, have been proved to be just as important to life satisfaction
- as core or strong ties. When we feel blue or lonely, we tend to turn down social engagements, usually to avoid the imagined
- embarrassment of being the only sad person in a group. But saying yes, despite the hesitation, offers an opportunity to feel less
- isolated. Staying mindful of our strong and weak ties allows us to benefit from the comfort and the sense of community they provide.
CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)
9. Alice…
Solución
(d) enjoys casual conversation about shared interests.
Le gusta charlar con la bibliotecaria sobre los libros que les gustan a las dos (líneas 4-5): “I love going to the library and chatting with Maria, the librarian, about historical novels or cozy mysteries.”
1988 es el año en que la autora empezó a trabajar, no cuando Alice se hizo paciente (a); su familia vive lejos y se siente sola en vacaciones, no cuando ellos se van de viaje (b); y el texto no dice que la terapeuta vaya a esa biblioteca (c).
10. The therapist…
Solución
(a) sticks to a routine when paying at the store.
Cuando hace la compra, siempre va a la misma cajera (línea 8): “when I shop for groceries, I always go to a cashier I’ve chatted with for years.”
Esa relación le da sentido de comunidad, no dice que se sienta sola (b); en el avión habló del Quijote, no lo leyó entero (c); y recomienda cuidar ambos tipos de relaciones, no convertir unas en otras (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. Sherry receives special attention at her usual restaurant.
Solución
TRUE. ‘(The manager’s so nice.) She calls me ‘Sweety’ and brings me extra whipped cream for my pancakes.’ (líneas 6-7).
La encargada la trata con cariño y le pone nata de más.
12. Casual encounters with strangers may be memorable.
Solución
TRUE. (What’s more,) even those we meet only once can leave a lasting impression. // I’ll never forget discussing Don Quixote on an airplane with a well-read economics professor. (líneas 9-10).
Incluso alguien a quien vemos una sola vez puede dejarnos huella. Basta con una de las dos citas.
13. Short routine interactions are less rewarding than strong personal relationships.
Solución
FALSE. Relationships like these, generally referred to as ‘weak social ties’, have been proved to be just as important to life satisfaction as core or strong ties. (líneas 11-12).
Los “lazos débiles” son igual de importantes que los fuertes.
14. People often refuse to mix with others if they are feeling low.
Solución
TRUE. When we feel blue or lonely, we tend to turn down social engagements(, usually to avoid the imagined embarrassment of being the only sad person in a group). (líneas 12-13).
Cuando estamos tristes solemos rechazar los planes sociales.
15. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
15.1. ONE SYNONYM FOR: “awfully” (adverb)
Solución
terribly (línea 3): “feeling terribly lonesome”.
15.2. ONE OPPOSITE FOR: “determination” (noun)
Solución
hesitation (línea 13): “despite the hesitation”.
16. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)
16.1. ONE WORD MEANING: “someone whose job is to receive or pay out money in a shop.”
Solución
cashier (línea 8): “a cashier I’ve chatted with for years”.
16.2. ONE WORD MEANING: “food and other goods sold in a shop or at a supermarket.”
Solución
groceries (línea 8): “when I shop for groceries”.