Ejercicio Text 1: La Catrina · Inglés PAU Andalucía Ordinaria Titular (Admisión) 2024

TEXT 1: LA CATRINA

1 Mexicans have an exceptional relationship with death and the afterlife because they are quite unique in taking it good-

2 humoredly and passionately. That doesn't mean that Mexicans don't grieve or miss those who have passed away —they just

3 choose to remember them by celebrating their lives and memories. On November 2nd, the Day of the Dead, families gather in

4 cemeteries to feast while they clean tombstones, sing songs, and talk to their ancestors. Parents might even introduce a baby to

5 a grandparent who died before the baby was born.

6 One of the most recognizable symbols of the Day of the Dead celebrations is La Catrina, a female skeleton wearing a fancy

7 hat. Her striking makeup has become trendy worldwide. The essence of La Catrina's story goes deep into Mexican roots as the

8 Aztecs worshipped Mictecacihuatl, a goddess of death that protected and helped their departed loved ones into the next stages.

9 However, the skull that we see today was created in the early 1900s by José Guadalupe Posada. This cartoonist drew calaveras

10 in a satirical way to urge people to stop pretending to be something that they weren't, for they would all die someday.

11 Later, famous artist and husband of Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, immortalized Posada's Catrina in one of his murals. He painted

12 her wearing sophisticated clothing and an extravagant hat with feathers, thus creating the multicolored look that she's well-known

13 for today. From there, La Catrina became a powerful symbol for the numerous Day of the Dead events. Women use colorful

14 makeup and wear lively outfits evoking the famous skeleton.

15 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,...

2.

According to the text, Posada...

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.

TRUE

FALSE

4.

Mictecacihuatl was believed to safeguard the dead.

TRUE

FALSE

5.

The Day of the Dead celebrations require a modest dress code.

TRUE

FALSE

6.

Catrina dolls are regarded as sacred, and thus are not for sale.

TRUE

FALSE

7. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)

7.1.

7.2.

8. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)

8.1.

8.2.