Examen de Inglés PAU Canarias 2024 · Julio

GRUPO A

Is it time to rethink the polar bear as a symbol of the climate crisis?

Alone in the Arctic and surrounded by disappearing sea ice, the polar bear’s dramatic image has become

a symbol of the climate crisis. Few stories of the climate crisis are better known than the unfortunate

situation of the polar bear.

These marine mammals are heavily dependent on sea ice for hunting, and scientists affirm they will

5 become extinct across much of the region as the Arctic heats. Some scientists warn that many

subpopulations could disappear entirely this century. In fact, long-term declines have already been

recorded in three of the 19 polar bear subpopulations found across the Arctic.

The Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard is the Earth’s most rapidly warming part, where temperatures

have risen 4ºC on average in the past 50 years and a massive amount of sea ice has disappeared, raising

10 fears for the survival of 300 bears. Despite this significant change in conditions, the polar bear population

on Svalbard has not experienced a decline yet. “Biology and ecology are very complicated. I have to say

that I’m a bit surprised that polar bears do so well in Svalbard because the changes have been so big. They

have three to four months less sea ice now than three decades ago on average,” says Professor Jon Aars,

the scientist in charge of the polar bear program at the Norwegian Polar Institute.

15 On the other hand, Prof. Andrew Derocher, a polar bear expert at the Canadian University of Alberta,

claims that there are areas of polar bear distribution that are going to be quite robust to the effects of climate

change. Although he is pessimistic about the future for many subpopulations, including the bears in

Svalbard, he says we cannot talk about a global state of the polar bears.

That is why some researchers claim that this accidental icon of the climate crisis is unhelpful and not

20 universally true so far, and that can obstruct conservation efforts by driving mistrust among some

Indigenous communities in the Arctic. For example, in the Canadian context, the polar bears, as an icon

of climate change, have caused many problems. “We used to have a good relationship with Inuit hunters.

A lot of the hunters that I know think that these mammals will do OK with climate change, and that has

created some tensions,” Prof. Derocher complains.

25 Many groups of the world’s 26,000 wild polar bears could disappear entirely this century. However, Prof.

Derocher asserts that as there are 19 polar bear populations across the Arctic, 19 different scenarios are

playing out over time. “I think our best analysis is that not all polar bears are going extinct this century,”

he explains.

Fragment adapted from The Guardian, August 2023

1. Say whether the following sentences are TRUE or FALSE according to the text. COPY the evidence from the text. No marks will be given without the evidence. (1.5 points)

a)

Sea ice is not crucial for the polar bear to find food.

TRUE

FALSE

b)

The disagreement over the situation of the polar bear has not caused any problems between local hunters and scientists.

TRUE

FALSE

c)

According to Prof. Derocher, there are as many potential situations for polar bears as there are populations.

TRUE

FALSE

GRUPO A

Is it time to rethink the polar bear as a symbol of the climate crisis?

Alone in the Arctic and surrounded by disappearing sea ice, the polar bear’s dramatic image has become

a symbol of the climate crisis. Few stories of the climate crisis are better known than the unfortunate

situation of the polar bear.

These marine mammals are heavily dependent on sea ice for hunting, and scientists affirm they will

5 become extinct across much of the region as the Arctic heats. Some scientists warn that many

subpopulations could disappear entirely this century. In fact, long-term declines have already been

recorded in three of the 19 polar bear subpopulations found across the Arctic.

The Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard is the Earth’s most rapidly warming part, where temperatures

have risen 4ºC on average in the past 50 years and a massive amount of sea ice has disappeared, raising

10 fears for the survival of 300 bears. Despite this significant change in conditions, the polar bear population

on Svalbard has not experienced a decline yet. “Biology and ecology are very complicated. I have to say

that I’m a bit surprised that polar bears do so well in Svalbard because the changes have been so big. They

have three to four months less sea ice now than three decades ago on average,” says Professor Jon Aars,

the scientist in charge of the polar bear program at the Norwegian Polar Institute.

15 On the other hand, Prof. Andrew Derocher, a polar bear expert at the Canadian University of Alberta,

claims that there are areas of polar bear distribution that are going to be quite robust to the effects of climate

change. Although he is pessimistic about the future for many subpopulations, including the bears in

Svalbard, he says we cannot talk about a global state of the polar bears.

That is why some researchers claim that this accidental icon of the climate crisis is unhelpful and not

20 universally true so far, and that can obstruct conservation efforts by driving mistrust among some

Indigenous communities in the Arctic. For example, in the Canadian context, the polar bears, as an icon

of climate change, have caused many problems. “We used to have a good relationship with Inuit hunters.

A lot of the hunters that I know think that these mammals will do OK with climate change, and that has

created some tensions,” Prof. Derocher complains.

25 Many groups of the world’s 26,000 wild polar bears could disappear entirely this century. However, Prof.

Derocher asserts that as there are 19 polar bear populations across the Arctic, 19 different scenarios are

playing out over time. “I think our best analysis is that not all polar bears are going extinct this century,”

he explains.

Fragment adapted from The Guardian, August 2023

2. ANSWER the questions below. COPY no more than 10 words and/or a number from the text to answer each question. (1.5 points)

a)

What is the most widely recognised environmental issue related to the climate crisis?

b)

Compared to thirty years ago, how long does the sea ice in Svalbard last?

c)

How do some experts consider the choice of the polar bear as the image of the climate crisis?

GRUPO A

Is it time to rethink the polar bear as a symbol of the climate crisis?

Alone in the Arctic and surrounded by disappearing sea ice, the polar bear’s dramatic image has become

a symbol of the climate crisis. Few stories of the climate crisis are better known than the unfortunate

situation of the polar bear.

These marine mammals are heavily dependent on sea ice for hunting, and scientists affirm they will

5 become extinct across much of the region as the Arctic heats. Some scientists warn that many

subpopulations could disappear entirely this century. In fact, long-term declines have already been

recorded in three of the 19 polar bear subpopulations found across the Arctic.

The Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard is the Earth’s most rapidly warming part, where temperatures

have risen 4ºC on average in the past 50 years and a massive amount of sea ice has disappeared, raising

10 fears for the survival of 300 bears. Despite this significant change in conditions, the polar bear population

on Svalbard has not experienced a decline yet. “Biology and ecology are very complicated. I have to say

that I’m a bit surprised that polar bears do so well in Svalbard because the changes have been so big. They

have three to four months less sea ice now than three decades ago on average,” says Professor Jon Aars,

the scientist in charge of the polar bear program at the Norwegian Polar Institute.

15 On the other hand, Prof. Andrew Derocher, a polar bear expert at the Canadian University of Alberta,

claims that there are areas of polar bear distribution that are going to be quite robust to the effects of climate

change. Although he is pessimistic about the future for many subpopulations, including the bears in

Svalbard, he says we cannot talk about a global state of the polar bears.

That is why some researchers claim that this accidental icon of the climate crisis is unhelpful and not

20 universally true so far, and that can obstruct conservation efforts by driving mistrust among some

Indigenous communities in the Arctic. For example, in the Canadian context, the polar bears, as an icon

of climate change, have caused many problems. “We used to have a good relationship with Inuit hunters.

A lot of the hunters that I know think that these mammals will do OK with climate change, and that has

created some tensions,” Prof. Derocher complains.

25 Many groups of the world’s 26,000 wild polar bears could disappear entirely this century. However, Prof.

Derocher asserts that as there are 19 polar bear populations across the Arctic, 19 different scenarios are

playing out over time. “I think our best analysis is that not all polar bears are going extinct this century,”

he explains.

Fragment adapted from The Guardian, August 2023

3. FIND a word or expression in the text that means... (1 point)

a)

alert (lines 1-7):

b)

decrease (lines 8-18):

c)

strong (lines 8-18):

d)

someone who is always expecting bad things to happen (lines 8-18):

4. READ this conversation and COMPLETE your part. Write the numbers (1-6) and complete each sentence on your exam paper. (1.5 points)

Your Grandparents' wedding anniversary

Your sibling: Hey, we need to plan something special for our Grandparents' 50 th anniversary.

You: Yes, (1)

Your sibling: Oh, a surprise party! That's an excellent idea! Where should we start?

You: (2)

Your sibling: Fantastic. Since it's their 50 th anniversary, a perfect theme for the party would be the 1950s. Don't you think so?

You: I love it! (3)

Your sibling: Great idea. And what about the music?

You: (4)

Your sibling: Sure, our grandparents will love to hear their favourite songs, especially Elvis Presley's ones.

You: Perfect and lastly (5)

Your sibling: Of course, we can ask for a special one from the bakery near home. Everybody says they're pretty good.

You: Well, (6)

Your sibling: Yes, that's it. I can't wait to see Nana and Grandpa's faces when they walk into the party.

5. Read the following situations and WRITE what you would say in each one to show that you understand the context of the situation. Write between 10 and 25 words. [1.5 points]

a)

Some of your classmates are requesting to change the date of the upcoming math exam. Express your discontent.

b)

You got a ticket for Rosalía's concert but failed two subjects. As a result, your father is not permitting you to go. Convince him to change his mind.

c)

Your friend doesn't want to go on the end-of-school-year trip. Persuade her to come with you.

Is it time to rethink the polar bear as a symbol of the climate crisis?

Alone in the Arctic and surrounded by disappearing sea ice, the polar bear’s dramatic image has become

a symbol of the climate crisis. Few stories of the climate crisis are better known than the unfortunate

situation of the polar bear.

These marine mammals are heavily dependent on sea ice for hunting, and scientists affirm they will

5 become extinct across much of the region as the Arctic heats. Some scientists warn that many

subpopulations could disappear entirely this century. In fact, long-term declines have already been

recorded in three of the 19 polar bear subpopulations found across the Arctic.

The Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard is the Earth’s most rapidly warming part, where temperatures

have risen 4ºC on average in the past 50 years and a massive amount of sea ice has disappeared, raising

10 fears for the survival of 300 bears. Despite this significant change in conditions, the polar bear population

on Svalbard has not experienced a decline yet. “Biology and ecology are very complicated. I have to say

that I’m a bit surprised that polar bears do so well in Svalbard because the changes have been so big. They

have three to four months less sea ice now than three decades ago on average,” says Professor Jon Aars,

the scientist in charge of the polar bear program at the Norwegian Polar Institute.

15 On the other hand, Prof. Andrew Derocher, a polar bear expert at the Canadian University of Alberta,

claims that there are areas of polar bear distribution that are going to be quite robust to the effects of climate

change. Although he is pessimistic about the future for many subpopulations, including the bears in

Svalbard, he says we cannot talk about a global state of the polar bears.

That is why some researchers claim that this accidental icon of the climate crisis is unhelpful and not

20 universally true so far, and that can obstruct conservation efforts by driving mistrust among some

Indigenous communities in the Arctic. For example, in the Canadian context, the polar bears, as an icon

of climate change, have caused many problems. “We used to have a good relationship with Inuit hunters.

A lot of the hunters that I know think that these mammals will do OK with climate change, and that has

created some tensions,” Prof. Derocher complains.

25 Many groups of the world’s 26,000 wild polar bears could disappear entirely this century. However, Prof.

Derocher asserts that as there are 19 polar bear populations across the Arctic, 19 different scenarios are

playing out over time. “I think our best analysis is that not all polar bears are going extinct this century,”

he explains.

Fragment adapted from The Guardian, August 2023

6.

WRITE a composition of about 120-150 words on the following topic (3 points):

What symbol should be used to represent the climate crisis? Give your opinion.

GRUPO B

Who should stop, Mona or her mum?

Mona likes to be unconventional. She has purple hair one week, green the next. When she was 14, she gave herself about 10 ear piercings, and she fills them all with tiny earrings now. Her mother, Kate, noticed the first face piercing at 16 immediately – it was a small ring through her nose. As she thought Mona was too young, she told her repeatedly to take it out.

5 Kate’s rule was “You can do what you want when you move out, but while you’re in my house, I’d like you to give up piercings and tattoos.” Kate considers that it is out of respect, and she doesn’t really like Mona’s tattoos because they are permanent.

Kate was quite upset with the last noticeable tattoo Mona got on her inner arm, so she told Mona: “While you’re under my roof, I don’t want to see any more.” Mona said that was fine, but she went to university, 10 and every time she came back for the holidays, there was another tattoo or piercing.

Although Kate thinks that some of the tattoos are quite pretty, she is concerned about how Mona will be perceived when applying for jobs. Kate worries about what it will look like when she’s older, but Mona just laughs at her. In Kate’s words, “she needs to focus on getting serious employment as she’s just interning at a design agency now.”

15 To Mona, her tattoos and piercings are an extension of herself, as well as an expression of her personality and individuality, so they are important to her. When her mum criticises how she looks or tells her not to get any more “body modifications”, Mona takes it personally: “Part of me wants to follow my mother’s rules just to make sure we don’t argue, but on the other hand I think I am an adult. It’s my body.”

Mona considers that telling her what to do with her body is a direct attack on her personal rights: “It’s 20 negating my autonomy just because we live under the same roof. What right does my mum have to tell me not to get another tattoo or piercing?”

Mona has 12 tattoos so far and she will undoubtedly add to that, but for now, she wants an easy life, so she guesses things are on pause. But that won’t last forever, and Mona adds: “I don’t have to obey those old-fashioned and arbitrary rules just to keep my mum happy. I love her, but she can’t tell me what to do. 25 I think it’s important for everyone to present themselves as they want. If you’re not harming anyone, who cares whether your hair is blue or if you’re covered in metal?”

Fragment adapted from The Guardian, October 2023

1. Say whether the following sentences are TRUE or FALSE according to the text. COPY the evidence from the text. No marks will be given without the evidence. [1.5 points]

a)

Mona agreed not to alter her body anymore, but she continued doing it when she moved away to university.

TRUE

FALSE

b)

Mona’s body modifications are meaningless to her.

TRUE

FALSE

c)

Mona is taking a break before getting more tattoos to avoid arguments with her mum.

TRUE

FALSE

GRUPO B

Who should stop, Mona or her mum?

Mona likes to be unconventional. She has purple hair one week, green the next. When she was 14, she gave herself about 10 ear piercings, and she fills them all with tiny earrings now. Her mother, Kate, noticed the first face piercing at 16 immediately – it was a small ring through her nose. As she thought Mona was too young, she told her repeatedly to take it out.

5 Kate’s rule was “You can do what you want when you move out, but while you’re in my house, I’d like you to give up piercings and tattoos.” Kate considers that it is out of respect, and she doesn’t really like Mona’s tattoos because they are permanent.

Kate was quite upset with the last noticeable tattoo Mona got on her inner arm, so she told Mona: “While you’re under my roof, I don’t want to see any more.” Mona said that was fine, but she went to university, 10 and every time she came back for the holidays, there was another tattoo or piercing.

Although Kate thinks that some of the tattoos are quite pretty, she is concerned about how Mona will be perceived when applying for jobs. Kate worries about what it will look like when she’s older, but Mona just laughs at her. In Kate’s words, “she needs to focus on getting serious employment as she’s just interning at a design agency now.”

15 To Mona, her tattoos and piercings are an extension of herself, as well as an expression of her personality and individuality, so they are important to her. When her mum criticises how she looks or tells her not to get any more “body modifications”, Mona takes it personally: “Part of me wants to follow my mother’s rules just to make sure we don’t argue, but on the other hand I think I am an adult. It’s my body.”

Mona considers that telling her what to do with her body is a direct attack on her personal rights: “It’s 20 negating my autonomy just because we live under the same roof. What right does my mum have to tell me not to get another tattoo or piercing?”

Mona has 12 tattoos so far and she will undoubtedly add to that, but for now, she wants an easy life, so she guesses things are on pause. But that won’t last forever, and Mona adds: “I don’t have to obey those old-fashioned and arbitrary rules just to keep my mum happy. I love her, but she can’t tell me what to do. 25 I think it’s important for everyone to present themselves as they want. If you’re not harming anyone, who cares whether your hair is blue or if you’re covered in metal?”

Fragment adapted from The Guardian, October 2023

2. ANSWER the questions below. COPY no more than 10 words and/or a number from the text to answer each question. [1.5 points]

a)

b)

c)

GRUPO B

Who should stop, Mona or her mum?

Mona likes to be unconventional. She has purple hair one week, green the next. When she was 14, she gave herself about 10 ear piercings, and she fills them all with tiny earrings now. Her mother, Kate, noticed the first face piercing at 16 immediately – it was a small ring through her nose. As she thought Mona was too young, she told her repeatedly to take it out.

5 Kate’s rule was “You can do what you want when you move out, but while you’re in my house, I’d like you to give up piercings and tattoos.” Kate considers that it is out of respect, and she doesn’t really like Mona’s tattoos because they are permanent.

Kate was quite upset with the last noticeable tattoo Mona got on her inner arm, so she told Mona: “While you’re under my roof, I don’t want to see any more.” Mona said that was fine, but she went to university, 10 and every time she came back for the holidays, there was another tattoo or piercing.

Although Kate thinks that some of the tattoos are quite pretty, she is concerned about how Mona will be perceived when applying for jobs. Kate worries about what it will look like when she’s older, but Mona just laughs at her. In Kate’s words, “she needs to focus on getting serious employment as she’s just interning at a design agency now.”

15 To Mona, her tattoos and piercings are an extension of herself, as well as an expression of her personality and individuality, so they are important to her. When her mum criticises how she looks or tells her not to get any more “body modifications”, Mona takes it personally: “Part of me wants to follow my mother’s rules just to make sure we don’t argue, but on the other hand I think I am an adult. It’s my body.”

Mona considers that telling her what to do with her body is a direct attack on her personal rights: “It’s 20 negating my autonomy just because we live under the same roof. What right does my mum have to tell me not to get another tattoo or piercing?”

Mona has 12 tattoos so far and she will undoubtedly add to that, but for now, she wants an easy life, so she guesses things are on pause. But that won’t last forever, and Mona adds: “I don’t have to obey those old-fashioned and arbitrary rules just to keep my mum happy. I love her, but she can’t tell me what to do. 25 I think it’s important for everyone to present themselves as they want. If you’re not harming anyone, who cares whether your hair is blue or if you’re covered in metal?”

Fragment adapted from The Guardian, October 2023

3. FIND a word or expression in the text that means... [1 point]

a)

b)

c)

d)

4. READ this conversation and COMPLETE your part. Write the numbers (1-6) and complete each sentence on your exam paper. [1.5 points]

Telling your friend about a comment on your Instagram account

Your friend: Hi! Is everything alright? You look awful today.

Your friend: What's wrong?

Your friend: Did he write that?! On Instagram?! Everyone will read it! How could he do that?

Your friend: Ask him to delete it immediately.

Your friend: I don't know but go and talk to him.

You: Do you think he'll want to talk to me and delete the comment if he's not answering my phone calls?

Your friend: Well, if he doesn't do it, you could talk to his parents.

Your friend: I hope you can solve this problem.

5. Read the following situations and WRITE what you would say in each one to show that you understand the context of the situation. Write between 10 and 25 words. [1.5 points]

a)

Your friend is using her mobile all the time. Advise her not to use it so much.

b)

You are abroad and you have lost your flight to see your parents. Apologise for this.

c)

Your mother does not want you to go to a party with your friends. Complain about it.

GRUPO B

Who should stop, Mona or her mum?

Mona likes to be unconventional. She has purple hair one week, green the next. When she was 14, she gave herself about 10 ear piercings, and she fills them all with tiny earrings now. Her mother, Kate, noticed the first face piercing at 16 immediately – it was a small ring through her nose. As she thought Mona was too young, she told her repeatedly to take it out.

5 Kate’s rule was “You can do what you want when you move out, but while you’re in my house, I’d like you to give up piercings and tattoos.” Kate considers that it is out of respect, and she doesn’t really like Mona’s tattoos because they are permanent.

Kate was quite upset with the last noticeable tattoo Mona got on her inner arm, so she told Mona: “While you’re under my roof, I don’t want to see any more.” Mona said that was fine, but she went to university, 10 and every time she came back for the holidays, there was another tattoo or piercing.

Although Kate thinks that some of the tattoos are quite pretty, she is concerned about how Mona will be perceived when applying for jobs. Kate worries about what it will look like when she’s older, but Mona just laughs at her. In Kate’s words, “she needs to focus on getting serious employment as she’s just interning at a design agency now.”

15 To Mona, her tattoos and piercings are an extension of herself, as well as an expression of her personality and individuality, so they are important to her. When her mum criticises how she looks or tells her not to get any more “body modifications”, Mona takes it personally: “Part of me wants to follow my mother’s rules just to make sure we don’t argue, but on the other hand I think I am an adult. It’s my body.”

Mona considers that telling her what to do with her body is a direct attack on her personal rights: “It’s 20 negating my autonomy just because we live under the same roof. What right does my mum have to tell me not to get another tattoo or piercing?”

Mona has 12 tattoos so far and she will undoubtedly add to that, but for now, she wants an easy life, so she guesses things are on pause. But that won’t last forever, and Mona adds: “I don’t have to obey those old-fashioned and arbitrary rules just to keep my mum happy. I love her, but she can’t tell me what to do. 25 I think it’s important for everyone to present themselves as they want. If you’re not harming anyone, who cares whether your hair is blue or if you’re covered in metal?”

Fragment adapted from The Guardian, October 2023

GRUPO B

6. WRITE a composition of about 120-150 words on the following topic (3 points):

Write an email to Mona expressing your opinion on modern body modifications.