Ejercicio Text 1 - Part I. Reading Comprehension · Inglés PAU Castilla-La Mancha Extraordinaria 2024

TEXT 1: The problems with TikTok’s controversial ‘beauty filters’

As beauty filters become more sophisticated, concerns over their potential effect on self-esteem and their power in popularizing particular beauty standards are increasing. The release of TikTok's "Bold Glamour" filter, which can turn anyone into a photoshopped top model, has prompted users to question if the technology has gone too far.

Our society idealizes beauty, and conventionally good-looking people are seen as more intelligent or earning a higher income. Our choices in clothing, makeup, and haircuts are often influenced by current beauty standards, which are constantly changing. We all represent ourselves in a way that conforms to current beauty standards, but beauty filters take it further than cosmetics ever could. Adolescent girls who use filters are more likely to consider cosmetic surgery, and plastic surgeons have noted a rise in clients requesting surgery that makes them look more like their filters. This is particularly concerning given that these filters tend to be racially biased, based on stereotypically "white" characteristics.

Beauty filters are just another step in our cultural obsession with perfecting our appearance, and while they are making industry tricks more accessible, they are too new for us to know exactly how they affect self-perception and mental health long-term. Research indicates that they could make users feel worse about themselves, particularly adolescent girls who are vulnerable to internalizing images they see in the media. Previous versions of these filters were often a bit problematic, so passing a hand in front of your face would interrupt the "magic". But the latest generation, such as TikTok's Bold Glamour filter, is incredibly life-like. Users can move and gesticulate on-screen without breaking the illusion.

While TikTok's "Bold Glamour" is getting most of the press, the "Teen" filter is also problematic. It can be used by adults in sexually enticing poses or clothing, leading viewers to think the person posing is a teen, highlighting a dangerous aspect of society: the normalization of the sexualization of children.

It is important to recognize that these filters reflect and perpetuate existing biases and issues within our society, and their impact on self-perception and mental health must be further studied. As technology continues to advance, it is crucial to consider the potential consequences and ensure that it does not contribute to harmful societal norms.

Adapted from BBC, 1 March 2023

TEXT 1. QUESTIONS

1. READING COMPREHENSION. (2 POINTS) (0.5 points for each correct answer). Add TRUE or FALSE and copy the evidence from the text to support your answer. No marks are given for only TRUE or FALSE. No marks are given for T or F.

1.

The use of beauty filters has led to an increase in requests for plastic surgery.

TRUE

FALSE

2.

Beauty filters have been found to have a positive impact on self-esteem and mental health.

TRUE

FALSE

3.

Tik-Tok's Bold Glamour looks very realistic.

TRUE

FALSE

4.

The use of the Teen filter by older people can be misleading.

TRUE

FALSE