Examen de Inglés PAU Asturias 2022 · Ordinaria (2ª lengua extranjera)

TEXTO A: Black or black? White or white?

Should the spelling be Black or black, White or white? There does not seem to be a right or wrong answer to these questions. The New York Times says it is time to capitalize the 'B' when referring to Black people. It says the reason to do this is that Black people share a culture and history. It says white people and brown people do not. It took years for The Times newspaper to change the use of lower-case 'negro' to upper-case 'Negro', the term used by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his great speeches. At some point after the 1960s, 'African-Americans' became the popular term for Black people, replacing 'Negroes'. A person at The Times who favours Black says, 'Most of us do not have a specific African nation to link our relatives back to.' The word 'coloured' (The National Association of Coloured People) led to 'Negro' (United Negro College Fund); 'Negro' led to 'African-American'; 'African-American' led to 'black'; and now 'black' may lead to 'Black'. Another commenter said this kind of change was a dangerous source of controversy. This person said Whites are part of European and Middle Eastern culture and history. The link is as strong as Blacks with Africa. People have different views on the proposed changes. For some, it just does not make sense to upper-case 'Black': they do not want The Times to decide usage for them. Others see the change as an example of tolerance. Another writer said there are no genetically distinct races; race as used by the Census Bureau is the invention of racists. And what of the fact that the US is becoming multi-racial? More and more babies are born to parents of different ethnic backgrounds. One example is former US President Barak Obama; his father was Black and his mother was White. The idea that people are Black if they have one drop of 'Black blood' in them is a racist invention. This change in usage is part of the movement to call attention to the racism to which Black people have been subjected. A rectification of a historic wrong.

QUESTIONS. Do not copy literally from the text. (1 punto por respuesta = 4 puntos)

1.

According to The New York Times, why should 'black' be spelled with an initial 'B' to refer to black people?

2.

How many ways are there in the English language to refer to black people?

3.

The Times mentions geographical links related to the use of the terms 'Blacks' and 'Whites'. Which links are these?

4.

According to the text, what is the connection between racism and the spelling of the word 'black'?

TEXTO A: Black or black? White or white?

Should the spelling be Black or black, White or white? There does not seem to be a right or wrong answer to these questions. The New York Times says it is time to capitalize the 'B' when referring to Black people. It says the reason to do this is that Black people share a culture and history. It says white people and brown people do not. It took years for The Times newspaper to change the use of lower-case 'negro' to upper-case 'Negro', the term used by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his great speeches. At some point after the 1960s, 'African-Americans' became the popular term for Black people, replacing 'Negroes'. A person at The Times who favours Black says, 'Most of us do not have a specific African nation to link our relatives back to.' The word 'coloured' (The National Association of Coloured People) led to 'Negro' (United Negro College Fund); 'Negro' led to 'African-American'; 'African-American' led to 'black'; and now 'black' may lead to 'Black'. Another commenter said this kind of change was a dangerous source of controversy. This person said Whites are part of European and Middle Eastern culture and history. The link is as strong as Blacks with Africa. People have different views on the proposed changes. For some, it just does not make sense to upper-case 'Black': they do not want The Times to decide usage for them. Others see the change as an example of tolerance. Another writer said there are no genetically distinct races; race as used by the Census Bureau is the invention of racists. And what of the fact that the US is becoming multi-racial? More and more babies are born to parents of different ethnic backgrounds. One example is former US President Barak Obama; his father was Black and his mother was White. The idea that people are Black if they have one drop of 'Black blood' in them is a racist invention. This change in usage is part of the movement to call attention to the racism to which Black people have been subjected. A rectification of a historic wrong.

5. Fill in the gaps with the correct, most appropriate word in each case. (0,25 por acierto = 1 punto)

Blacks (A) gradually moved into the middle class and more and more blacks (B) being hired in the workplace. However, the greatest change has been in the attitudes of American's white citizens. In (C), younger Americans show a new respect (D) all races, and there is an increasing acceptance of blacks by whites in all walks of life and social situations.

6.A. Rephrase the following sentences so that their meaning is as similar to the original as possible. (0,25 por acierto = 1 punto)

a)

People think that an apple a day is good for you.

b)

You press this button to stop the machine.

c)

'You murdered Lord Digby, didn't you, Colin!'

d)

It was cold, so I decided to wear two pullovers.

7.A. Write a composition about the following topic (100-120 words) (4 puntos):

Pros and cons of being a black teenager living in a community of white people.

QUESTIONS. Do not copy literally from the text. (1 punto por respuesta = 4 puntos)

1.

Describe why the use of face masks by people infected by COVID-19 helps stop the spread of the virus.

2.

Should healthy people wear face masks too?

3.

Do people with COVID-19 all show symptoms of the disease?

4.

What are the positive effects of wearing face masks for the overall health service?

5. Fill in the gaps with the correct, most appropriate word in each case. (0,25 por acierto = 1 punto)

Wear a mask when caring (A) someone (B) is sick with COVID-19 (whether at home or in a non-healthcare setting). If you are sick with COVID-19 or think you may (C) COVID-19, wear a mask when you need to be around other people or animals, even in your (D) home.

6.B. Rephrase the following sentences so that their meaning is as similar to the original as possible. (0,25 por acierto = 1 punto)

a)

Last weekend the weather was so bad that we had to stay indoors all the time. // Last weekend it was such...

b)

I started waiting for their answer three days ago. // I have been waiting...

c)

We ought to use the new operating system in our computer. // It's time we...

d)

'How high will the tax be if I decide to live in the rich district of town?' Prof. Bergman asked. // Prof. Bergman wanted to know...

7.B. Write a composition about the following topic (100-120 words) (4 puntos):

Describe what you would do if a member of your family were suffering from COVID-19.