Examen de Inglés PAU Cantabria 2026 · Extraordinaria

Option 1

Screen time in Japan

1 Amid growing concerns about excessive screen time, the city council of Toyoake in Japan is asking its residents to limit their recreational use of smartphones and tablets to no more than two hours per day. Official guidelines on the use of digital devices came into municipal law in October 2025. The mayor of Toyoake explained: “Digital technologies are wonderful, but it is important to limit the time we spend on them for non-work or non-educational purposes. We also need to think about our youth. Many children and teenagers have their own smartphones and bedrooms. With nothing else to do, they spend hours staring at screens. Day turns to night, their sleep suffers, and the cycle repeats.” The primary purpose of the law is to ensure sufficient sleeping hours among children and adolescents. For children aged 6 to 12, the guidelines recommend switching off phones and tablets by 9:00 pm to ensure that sleep is not disturbed. Older children, and even adults, are encouraged to switch off by 10:00 pm.

2 The Toyoake city council first proposed the law in August and immediately received criticism from residents. Local councillor Mariko Fujie argued: “Many residents believe this is total nonsense. For my part, I feel a strong resistance to regulating people's free time with a law.” Councillor Fujie also published an open letter in the local newspaper arguing that the guidelines were not based on scientific evidence. However, several studies carried out in Asia have confirmed the negative impact of screen time on wellbeing. For example, one study of teenagers in China found that sleep patterns, social relationships, and academic performance were all negatively affected by the number of hours participants spent on their devices.

3 In reality, the law is more symbolic than enforced. The Toyoake city council will not track residents' phone usage, and it will not issue fines to those who exceed the recommended two-hour limit. Instead, the guidelines are more about encouraging users to carefully consider their screen time. Although the measure was controversial at first, many residents have responded positively to it. University student Shoki Moriyama has reduced his screen time from eight hours to just under two, admitting that although it had been a struggle, it was worth it: “I now use that extra time to study or go to the gym.” Local resident Akari Saito agrees: “I found it especially hard to put my phone away during the train to school or while I was walking, but I can see that reducing my phone use will allow me to spend my day more meaningfully.”

Adapted from Time, December 2025

Question 1 [2 points]

Indicate clearly by writing the words TRUE or FALSE whether the following statements are true or false according to the text and write down the sentence or the part of the text that you consider justifies your answer. The evidence must make sense and be grammatically and lexically coherent.

No points will be given if the evidence is not correct or if the handwriting is not sufficiently clear.

A.

The law's main aim is to guarantee better sleep habits for young people.

TRUE

FALSE

B.

When the law was initially suggested, it received full support from the community.

TRUE

FALSE

C.

There is research evidence from studies conducted in Asia that helps to justify the law.

TRUE

FALSE

D.

If residents are caught passing the two-hour limit, they will have to pay a penalty.

TRUE

FALSE

Option 1

Screen time in Japan

1 Amid growing concerns about excessive screen time, the city council of Toyoake in Japan is asking its residents to limit their recreational use of smartphones and tablets to no more than two hours per day. Official guidelines on the use of digital devices came into municipal law in October 2025. The mayor of Toyoake explained: “Digital technologies are wonderful, but it is important to limit the time we spend on them for non-work or non-educational purposes. We also need to think about our youth. Many children and teenagers have their own smartphones and bedrooms. With nothing else to do, they spend hours staring at screens. Day turns to night, their sleep suffers, and the cycle repeats.” The primary purpose of the law is to ensure sufficient sleeping hours among children and adolescents. For children aged 6 to 12, the guidelines recommend switching off phones and tablets by 9:00 pm to ensure that sleep is not disturbed. Older children, and even adults, are encouraged to switch off by 10:00 pm.

2 The Toyoake city council first proposed the law in August and immediately received criticism from residents. Local councillor Mariko Fujie argued: “Many residents believe this is total nonsense. For my part, I feel a strong resistance to regulating people's free time with a law.” Councillor Fujie also published an open letter in the local newspaper arguing that the guidelines were not based on scientific evidence. However, several studies carried out in Asia have confirmed the negative impact of screen time on wellbeing. For example, one study of teenagers in China found that sleep patterns, social relationships, and academic performance were all negatively affected by the number of hours participants spent on their devices.

3 In reality, the law is more symbolic than enforced. The Toyoake city council will not track residents' phone usage, and it will not issue fines to those who exceed the recommended two-hour limit. Instead, the guidelines are more about encouraging users to carefully consider their screen time. Although the measure was controversial at first, many residents have responded positively to it. University student Shoki Moriyama has reduced his screen time from eight hours to just under two, admitting that although it had been a struggle, it was worth it: “I now use that extra time to study or go to the gym.” Local resident Akari Saito agrees: “I found it especially hard to put my phone away during the train to school or while I was walking, but I can see that reducing my phone use will allow me to spend my day more meaningfully.”

Adapted from Time, December 2025

Question 2 [2 points]

Choose and answer only TWO of the following questions in your own words according to the text.

Cada pregunta elegida vale 1 punto (0,5 comprensión y 0,5 expresión).

A.

Which specific guidelines does the law provide regarding screen time in the evenings?

B.

Why was Councillor Mariko Fujie against the law, and what actions did she take to show this?

C.

What has happened to university student Shoki Moriyama's mobile phone habits since the law came into place, and how does he feel about this change?

Option 1

Screen time in Japan

1 Amid growing concerns about excessive screen time, the city council of Toyoake in Japan is asking its residents to limit their recreational use of smartphones and tablets to no more than two hours per day. Official guidelines on the use of digital devices came into municipal law in October 2025. The mayor of Toyoake explained: “Digital technologies are wonderful, but it is important to limit the time we spend on them for non-work or non-educational purposes. We also need to think about our youth. Many children and teenagers have their own smartphones and bedrooms. With nothing else to do, they spend hours staring at screens. Day turns to night, their sleep suffers, and the cycle repeats.” The primary purpose of the law is to ensure sufficient sleeping hours among children and adolescents. For children aged 6 to 12, the guidelines recommend switching off phones and tablets by 9:00 pm to ensure that sleep is not disturbed. Older children, and even adults, are encouraged to switch off by 10:00 pm.

2 The Toyoake city council first proposed the law in August and immediately received criticism from residents. Local councillor Mariko Fujie argued: “Many residents believe this is total nonsense. For my part, I feel a strong resistance to regulating people's free time with a law.” Councillor Fujie also published an open letter in the local newspaper arguing that the guidelines were not based on scientific evidence. However, several studies carried out in Asia have confirmed the negative impact of screen time on wellbeing. For example, one study of teenagers in China found that sleep patterns, social relationships, and academic performance were all negatively affected by the number of hours participants spent on their devices.

3 In reality, the law is more symbolic than enforced. The Toyoake city council will not track residents' phone usage, and it will not issue fines to those who exceed the recommended two-hour limit. Instead, the guidelines are more about encouraging users to carefully consider their screen time. Although the measure was controversial at first, many residents have responded positively to it. University student Shoki Moriyama has reduced his screen time from eight hours to just under two, admitting that although it had been a struggle, it was worth it: “I now use that extra time to study or go to the gym.” Local resident Akari Saito agrees: “I found it especially hard to put my phone away during the train to school or while I was walking, but I can see that reducing my phone use will allow me to spend my day more meaningfully.”

Adapted from Time, December 2025

Question 3 [1.5 points]

Find in the text a word or phrase that corresponds to the meaning, definition, or opposite of each of the following.

0.375 points each.

A.

B.

C.

D.

Option 1

Screen time in Japan

1 Amid growing concerns about excessive screen time, the city council of Toyoake in Japan is asking its residents to limit their recreational use of smartphones and tablets to no more than two hours per day. Official guidelines on the use of digital devices came into municipal law in October 2025. The mayor of Toyoake explained: “Digital technologies are wonderful, but it is important to limit the time we spend on them for non-work or non-educational purposes. We also need to think about our youth. Many children and teenagers have their own smartphones and bedrooms. With nothing else to do, they spend hours staring at screens. Day turns to night, their sleep suffers, and the cycle repeats.” The primary purpose of the law is to ensure sufficient sleeping hours among children and adolescents. For children aged 6 to 12, the guidelines recommend switching off phones and tablets by 9:00 pm to ensure that sleep is not disturbed. Older children, and even adults, are encouraged to switch off by 10:00 pm.

2 The Toyoake city council first proposed the law in August and immediately received criticism from residents. Local councillor Mariko Fujie argued: “Many residents believe this is total nonsense. For my part, I feel a strong resistance to regulating people's free time with a law.” Councillor Fujie also published an open letter in the local newspaper arguing that the guidelines were not based on scientific evidence. However, several studies carried out in Asia have confirmed the negative impact of screen time on wellbeing. For example, one study of teenagers in China found that sleep patterns, social relationships, and academic performance were all negatively affected by the number of hours participants spent on their devices.

3 In reality, the law is more symbolic than enforced. The Toyoake city council will not track residents' phone usage, and it will not issue fines to those who exceed the recommended two-hour limit. Instead, the guidelines are more about encouraging users to carefully consider their screen time. Although the measure was controversial at first, many residents have responded positively to it. University student Shoki Moriyama has reduced his screen time from eight hours to just under two, admitting that although it had been a struggle, it was worth it: “I now use that extra time to study or go to the gym.” Local resident Akari Saito agrees: “I found it especially hard to put my phone away during the train to school or while I was walking, but I can see that reducing my phone use will allow me to spend my day more meaningfully.”

Adapted from Time, December 2025

Question 4 [1.5 points]

Choose the correct option - A, B, C, or D - for each question. Indicate your choice clearly in your answer sheet, either by writing the letter A, B, C, or D or by copying the letter and the sentence that follows. No points will be given if the handwriting is not sufficiently clear.

.

Option 2.

Overtourism

1 Tourism is booming. In 2024, there were 1.5 billion holidaymakers worldwide, setting the second-highest ever record after 2019. Overtourism refers to the excessive influx of holidaymakers to a destination. The UN World Tourism Organisation defines the phenomenon as follows: “It is the point at which locals or visitors feel tourism has negatively impacted the quality of life in a region to an unacceptable degree.” This certainly applies to the Canary Islands. Home to 2.2 million residents, the islands hosted 15.2 million visitors last year, and a new record is expected for 2026. Tourism accounts for more than one-third of the Canary Islands' economy, but local community groups argue that the tourism industry is transforming the islands in ways that do not serve local needs.

2 Overtourism stretches infrastructure and local resources to their limit. Noise, littering, and traffic jams are just a few of the unpleasant aspects of surges in visitors. Landscapes are often altered, disrupting the local flora and fauna. Overtourism also threatens local water resources, particularly in places like the Canary Islands, where supplies are limited, and holidaymakers generally consume more water than locals. Moreover, tourism today accounts for 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with air travel mainly to blame for its growing climate impact. Short trips with low-cost airlines are increasingly popular in Europe and are particularly damaging, as the largest proportion of tourists’ carbon emissions comes from the flights to and from their destinations.

3 They say the presence of nearby airports, particularly those served by low-cost airlines, encourages overtourism. Mallorca, for example, would perhaps not be so popular if people could only travel there by ship. However, cruise ships are also criticised for aggravating the problem. Cruise ships carry large numbers of passengers, who usually go ashore for only a few hours, putting pressure on local infrastructure and contributing very little to the local economy, as everything they need is on board.

4 But can overtourism be prevented? Some regions are trying to limit the number of visitors they receive. Tenerife is restricting access to the summit of the Pico del Teide volcano to 300 visitors per day, and Thailand has gone one step further; to help local ecosystems recover, the Thai government has closed the popular Similan and Surin Islands entirely to the public this year until autumn 2026. Restrictions aside, there are also places that reward climate-friendly travellers. Last year, Copenhagen city council launched CopenPay, a campaign that rewards visitors with bonuses such as reduced admission prices to local attractions or a free cup of coffee when they travel to the city by train rather than by aeroplane.

Adapted from Yahoo! News, December 2025

Question 1 [2 points]

Indicate clearly by writing the words TRUE or FALSE whether the following statements are true or false according to the text and write down the sentence or the part of the text that you consider justifies your answer. The evidence must make sense and be grammatically and lexically coherent.

No points will be given if the evidence is not correct or if the handwriting is not sufficiently clear.

A.

Only residents of a tourist destination can feel the effects of overtourism.

B.

The Canary Islands expect to receive more than 15 million tourists this year.

C.

Wildlife and plant life are generally unaffected by overtourism.

D.

The Similan and Surin Islands will reopen to the public after summer.

Option 2.

Overtourism

1 Tourism is booming. In 2024, there were 1.5 billion holidaymakers worldwide, setting the second-highest ever record after 2019. Overtourism refers to the excessive influx of holidaymakers to a destination. The UN World Tourism Organisation defines the phenomenon as follows: “It is the point at which locals or visitors feel tourism has negatively impacted the quality of life in a region to an unacceptable degree.” This certainly applies to the Canary Islands. Home to 2.2 million residents, the islands hosted 15.2 million visitors last year, and a new record is expected for 2026. Tourism accounts for more than one-third of the Canary Islands' economy, but local community groups argue that the tourism industry is transforming the islands in ways that do not serve local needs.

2 Overtourism stretches infrastructure and local resources to their limit. Noise, littering, and traffic jams are just a few of the unpleasant aspects of surges in visitors. Landscapes are often altered, disrupting the local flora and fauna. Overtourism also threatens local water resources, particularly in places like the Canary Islands, where supplies are limited, and holidaymakers generally consume more water than locals. Moreover, tourism today accounts for 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with air travel mainly to blame for its growing climate impact. Short trips with low-cost airlines are increasingly popular in Europe and are particularly damaging, as the largest proportion of tourists’ carbon emissions comes from the flights to and from their destinations.

3 They say the presence of nearby airports, particularly those served by low-cost airlines, encourages overtourism. Mallorca, for example, would perhaps not be so popular if people could only travel there by ship. However, cruise ships are also criticised for aggravating the problem. Cruise ships carry large numbers of passengers, who usually go ashore for only a few hours, putting pressure on local infrastructure and contributing very little to the local economy, as everything they need is on board.

4 But can overtourism be prevented? Some regions are trying to limit the number of visitors they receive. Tenerife is restricting access to the summit of the Pico del Teide volcano to 300 visitors per day, and Thailand has gone one step further; to help local ecosystems recover, the Thai government has closed the popular Similan and Surin Islands entirely to the public this year until autumn 2026. Restrictions aside, there are also places that reward climate-friendly travellers. Last year, Copenhagen city council launched CopenPay, a campaign that rewards visitors with bonuses such as reduced admission prices to local attractions or a free cup of coffee when they travel to the city by train rather than by aeroplane.

Adapted from Yahoo! News, December 2025

Question 2 [2 points]

Choose and answer only TWO of the following questions in your own words according to the text.

A.

Why are the Canary Islands especially vulnerable regarding water resources? Give two reasons

B.

According to the text, how does cruise ship tourism affect local communities? Give two examples

C.

What measures have been taken in Copenhagen to mitigate the environmental impact of tourism?

Option 2.

Overtourism

1 Tourism is booming. In 2024, there were 1.5 billion holidaymakers worldwide, setting the second-highest ever record after 2019. Overtourism refers to the excessive influx of holidaymakers to a destination. The UN World Tourism Organisation defines the phenomenon as follows: “It is the point at which locals or visitors feel tourism has negatively impacted the quality of life in a region to an unacceptable degree.” This certainly applies to the Canary Islands. Home to 2.2 million residents, the islands hosted 15.2 million visitors last year, and a new record is expected for 2026. Tourism accounts for more than one-third of the Canary Islands' economy, but local community groups argue that the tourism industry is transforming the islands in ways that do not serve local needs.

2 Overtourism stretches infrastructure and local resources to their limit. Noise, littering, and traffic jams are just a few of the unpleasant aspects of surges in visitors. Landscapes are often altered, disrupting the local flora and fauna. Overtourism also threatens local water resources, particularly in places like the Canary Islands, where supplies are limited, and holidaymakers generally consume more water than locals. Moreover, tourism today accounts for 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with air travel mainly to blame for its growing climate impact. Short trips with low-cost airlines are increasingly popular in Europe and are particularly damaging, as the largest proportion of tourists’ carbon emissions comes from the flights to and from their destinations.

3 They say the presence of nearby airports, particularly those served by low-cost airlines, encourages overtourism. Mallorca, for example, would perhaps not be so popular if people could only travel there by ship. However, cruise ships are also criticised for aggravating the problem. Cruise ships carry large numbers of passengers, who usually go ashore for only a few hours, putting pressure on local infrastructure and contributing very little to the local economy, as everything they need is on board.

4 But can overtourism be prevented? Some regions are trying to limit the number of visitors they receive. Tenerife is restricting access to the summit of the Pico del Teide volcano to 300 visitors per day, and Thailand has gone one step further; to help local ecosystems recover, the Thai government has closed the popular Similan and Surin Islands entirely to the public this year until autumn 2026. Restrictions aside, there are also places that reward climate-friendly travellers. Last year, Copenhagen city council launched CopenPay, a campaign that rewards visitors with bonuses such as reduced admission prices to local attractions or a free cup of coffee when they travel to the city by train rather than by aeroplane.

Adapted from Yahoo! News, December 2025

Question 3 [1.5 points]

Find in the text a word or phrase that corresponds to the meaning, definition, or opposite of each of the following.

A.

A word that means “a person who is on holiday” [paragraph 1]

B.

A phrase that means “when large numbers of vehicles are unable to move or are moving very slowly” [paragraph 2]

C.

A word that means “to say something is responsible for something bad happening” [paragraph 2]

D.

synonym for “completely” [paragraph 4]

Option 2.

Overtourism

1 Tourism is booming. In 2024, there were 1.5 billion holidaymakers worldwide, setting the second-highest ever record after 2019. Overtourism refers to the excessive influx of holidaymakers to a destination. The UN World Tourism Organisation defines the phenomenon as follows: “It is the point at which locals or visitors feel tourism has negatively impacted the quality of life in a region to an unacceptable degree.” This certainly applies to the Canary Islands. Home to 2.2 million residents, the islands hosted 15.2 million visitors last year, and a new record is expected for 2026. Tourism accounts for more than one-third of the Canary Islands' economy, but local community groups argue that the tourism industry is transforming the islands in ways that do not serve local needs.

2 Overtourism stretches infrastructure and local resources to their limit. Noise, littering, and traffic jams are just a few of the unpleasant aspects of surges in visitors. Landscapes are often altered, disrupting the local flora and fauna. Overtourism also threatens local water resources, particularly in places like the Canary Islands, where supplies are limited, and holidaymakers generally consume more water than locals. Moreover, tourism today accounts for 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with air travel mainly to blame for its growing climate impact. Short trips with low-cost airlines are increasingly popular in Europe and are particularly damaging, as the largest proportion of tourists’ carbon emissions comes from the flights to and from their destinations.

3 They say the presence of nearby airports, particularly those served by low-cost airlines, encourages overtourism. Mallorca, for example, would perhaps not be so popular if people could only travel there by ship. However, cruise ships are also criticised for aggravating the problem. Cruise ships carry large numbers of passengers, who usually go ashore for only a few hours, putting pressure on local infrastructure and contributing very little to the local economy, as everything they need is on board.

4 But can overtourism be prevented? Some regions are trying to limit the number of visitors they receive. Tenerife is restricting access to the summit of the Pico del Teide volcano to 300 visitors per day, and Thailand has gone one step further; to help local ecosystems recover, the Thai government has closed the popular Similan and Surin Islands entirely to the public this year until autumn 2026. Restrictions aside, there are also places that reward climate-friendly travellers. Last year, Copenhagen city council launched CopenPay, a campaign that rewards visitors with bonuses such as reduced admission prices to local attractions or a free cup of coffee when they travel to the city by train rather than by aeroplane.

Adapted from Yahoo! News, December 2025

Question 4 [1.5 points]

Choose the correct option - A, B, C, or D - for each question. Indicate your choice clearly in your answer sheet, either by writing the letter A, B, C, or D or by copying the letter and the sentence that follows. No points will be given if the handwriting is not sufficiently clear.

1.

What concerns have local community groups expressed about overtourism in the Canary Islands?

2.

Why are short trips with low-cost airlines especially bad for the environment, according to the text?

3.

Why is Mallorca a popular tourist destination, according to the text?

Part 2 [3 points]. Written production.

Choose ONE of the two options below and write a short composition (120-150 words). Compositions up to 200 words won't be penalised.

Remember that compositions MUST NOT be signed.

Option 1.

Write a story about something that happened to you in the past. Your story must begin with this sentence: “It all started with an email from …”

Part 2 [3 points]. Written production.

Choose ONE of the two options below and write a short composition (120-150 words). Compositions up to 200 words won't be penalised.

Remember that compositions MUST NOT be signed.

Option 2.

Write a for and against essay on the following topic: What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in the countryside?