Examen de Inglés PAU Extremadura 2025 · Ordinaria

Text 1: 'Malkovich go home': Actor's play sparks a riot in Bulgaria

In a career on stage and screen spanning almost 50 years, John Malkovich has been honoured with many awards and recognitions. But the Hollywood star did not expect his production of George Bernard Shaw's celebrated play Arms and the Man to provoke fury and violence when it was staged in Bulgaria.

The play, set during the Serbo-Bulgarian war of 1885 and being staged in the Ivan Vazov National Theatre in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, has so enraged nationalists in the country that they have called on the production to be shut down and for Malkovich, 70, its director, to be kicked out of the country.

The riots during last week's premiere were so bad that Vasil Vasilev, general manager of theatre, said he feared for his life. "Everything happened within a split second," he said. "The moment I went out they pushed me and from then on, I only saw disgusting scenes, spitting, insults. They said they were going to kill me and I just felt fear, I'm not going to lie."

The protesters claim the production is an insult to Bulgaria and accused Malkovich of ridiculing the country's history and its citizens. The rioters held up banners that read: "Malkovich, go home!"

The play is meant to be a humorous take on the Serbo-Bulgarian conflict, exploring the absurdity of war while exposing the flaws of heroic adulation and militarism. It is a "charming, light, kind of anti-war" comedy that Malkovich had already staged on Broadway in 1985.

For the pro-Russian, ultra-nationalist Vazrazhdane party, the third-largest force in parliament, "not only is the play mediocre" but the production also had "totally inadequate staging." Bulgaria's conservative writers' union, SBP, said "such works" had no place in the country, criticising what it perceived as the "mockery of the thousands of soldiers who fell at the front for the freedom and reunification of the country."

But those who managed to get in to see the play, called it "fun." Nikolay Hristov, a 66-year-old architect who saw the comedy with his wife on Friday, said there was "nothing anti-Bulgarian" about it, it was "more about love, lies, and misunderstood honour."

Source: The Times (adapted). November 2024.

1. Are the following statements true (T) or false (F)? Quote the fragment from the text that justifies your answer. Marks: 2 points (0.5 points per correct answer).

.

Text 1: 'Malkovich go home': Actor's play sparks a riot in Bulgaria

In a career on stage and screen spanning almost 50 years, John Malkovich has been honoured with many awards and recognitions. But the Hollywood star did not expect his production of George Bernard Shaw's celebrated play Arms and the Man to provoke fury and violence when it was staged in Bulgaria.

The play, set during the Serbo-Bulgarian war of 1885 and being staged in the Ivan Vazov National Theatre in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, has so enraged nationalists in the country that they have called on the production to be shut down and for Malkovich, 70, its director, to be kicked out of the country.

The riots during last week's premiere were so bad that Vasil Vasilev, general manager of theatre, said he feared for his life. "Everything happened within a split second," he said. "The moment I went out they pushed me and from then on, I only saw disgusting scenes, spitting, insults. They said they were going to kill me and I just felt fear, I'm not going to lie."

The protesters claim the production is an insult to Bulgaria and accused Malkovich of ridiculing the country's history and its citizens. The rioters held up banners that read: "Malkovich, go home!"

The play is meant to be a humorous take on the Serbo-Bulgarian conflict, exploring the absurdity of war while exposing the flaws of heroic adulation and militarism. It is a "charming, light, kind of anti-war" comedy that Malkovich had already staged on Broadway in 1985.

For the pro-Russian, ultra-nationalist Vazrazhdane party, the third-largest force in parliament, "not only is the play mediocre" but the production also had "totally inadequate staging." Bulgaria's conservative writers' union, SBP, said "such works" had no place in the country, criticising what it perceived as the "mockery of the thousands of soldiers who fell at the front for the freedom and reunification of the country."

But those who managed to get in to see the play, called it "fun." Nikolay Hristov, a 66-year-old architect who saw the comedy with his wife on Friday, said there was "nothing anti-Bulgarian" about it, it was "more about love, lies, and misunderstood honour."

Source: The Times (adapted). November 2024.

2. Answer 2 of the following 3 questions with one or two sentences. Use your own words as far as possible. Marks: 2 points (1 point per correct answer).

A.

What do protesters want?

B.

What happened during the premiere, according to Vasilev?

C.

What are the main topics of the play?

Text 1: 'Malkovich go home': Actor's play sparks a riot in Bulgaria

In a career on stage and screen spanning almost 50 years, John Malkovich has been honoured with many awards and recognitions. But the Hollywood star did not expect his production of George Bernard Shaw's celebrated play Arms and the Man to provoke fury and violence when it was staged in Bulgaria.

The play, set during the Serbo-Bulgarian war of 1885 and being staged in the Ivan Vazov National Theatre in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, has so enraged nationalists in the country that they have called on the production to be shut down and for Malkovich, 70, its director, to be kicked out of the country.

The riots during last week's premiere were so bad that Vasil Vasilev, general manager of theatre, said he feared for his life. "Everything happened within a split second," he said. "The moment I went out they pushed me and from then on, I only saw disgusting scenes, spitting, insults. They said they were going to kill me and I just felt fear, I'm not going to lie."

The protesters claim the production is an insult to Bulgaria and accused Malkovich of ridiculing the country's history and its citizens. The rioters held up banners that read: "Malkovich, go home!"

The play is meant to be a humorous take on the Serbo-Bulgarian conflict, exploring the absurdity of war while exposing the flaws of heroic adulation and militarism. It is a "charming, light, kind of anti-war" comedy that Malkovich had already staged on Broadway in 1985.

For the pro-Russian, ultra-nationalist Vazrazhdane party, the third-largest force in parliament, "not only is the play mediocre" but the production also had "totally inadequate staging." Bulgaria's conservative writers' union, SBP, said "such works" had no place in the country, criticising what it perceived as the "mockery of the thousands of soldiers who fell at the front for the freedom and reunification of the country."

But those who managed to get in to see the play, called it "fun." Nikolay Hristov, a 66-year-old architect who saw the comedy with his wife on Friday, said there was "nothing anti-Bulgarian" about it, it was "more about love, lies, and misunderstood honour."

Source: The Times (adapted). November 2024.

3. Find words in the text as requested. Use one word in each case. Marks: 1.5 points (0.5 points per correct answer).

A.

B.

C.

Text 1: 'Malkovich go home': Actor's play sparks a riot in Bulgaria

In a career on stage and screen spanning almost 50 years, John Malkovich has been honoured with many awards and recognitions. But the Hollywood star did not expect his production of George Bernard Shaw's celebrated play Arms and the Man to provoke fury and violence when it was staged in Bulgaria.

The play, set during the Serbo-Bulgarian war of 1885 and being staged in the Ivan Vazov National Theatre in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, has so enraged nationalists in the country that they have called on the production to be shut down and for Malkovich, 70, its director, to be kicked out of the country.

The riots during last week's premiere were so bad that Vasil Vasilev, general manager of theatre, said he feared for his life. "Everything happened within a split second," he said. "The moment I went out they pushed me and from then on, I only saw disgusting scenes, spitting, insults. They said they were going to kill me and I just felt fear, I'm not going to lie."

The protesters claim the production is an insult to Bulgaria and accused Malkovich of ridiculing the country's history and its citizens. The rioters held up banners that read: "Malkovich, go home!"

The play is meant to be a humorous take on the Serbo-Bulgarian conflict, exploring the absurdity of war while exposing the flaws of heroic adulation and militarism. It is a "charming, light, kind of anti-war" comedy that Malkovich had already staged on Broadway in 1985.

For the pro-Russian, ultra-nationalist Vazrazhdane party, the third-largest force in parliament, "not only is the play mediocre" but the production also had "totally inadequate staging." Bulgaria's conservative writers' union, SBP, said "such works" had no place in the country, criticising what it perceived as the "mockery of the thousands of soldiers who fell at the front for the freedom and reunification of the country."

But those who managed to get in to see the play, called it "fun." Nikolay Hristov, a 66-year-old architect who saw the comedy with his wife on Friday, said there was "nothing anti-Bulgarian" about it, it was "more about love, lies, and misunderstood honour."

Source: The Times (adapted). November 2024.

4. Complete these sentences with one of the options given. Marks: 1.5 points (0.5 points per correct answer).

A.

The play deals the Serbo-Bulgarian war of 1885.

B.

The rioters many people into the theatre.

C.

Bulgarian soldiers fought the Serbian army in the late 19 th century.

Text 2: Wales's 20mph speed limit: Why has it become a culture-war battlefield?

Imagine you're a politician running a country. In front of you there is a proposal that in just nine months would save your society more than £45m, prevent almost 500 people being killed or injured, make your residential areas more appealing places to live in and reduce car insurance costs by an average of £50. It is also backed by multiple scientific studies and it has the universal support of all emergency services in your nation.

Yet this is exactly what happened in Wales and it became the single most unpopular and controversial piece of lawmaking in the history of their Senedd (parliament).

In September 2023 the Welsh government introduced the default 20mph ( miles per hour) speed limit, changing every road in Wales that had a 30mph limit to 20mph. Essentially, almost everywhere people now had slower speed limits. The evidence that this would save lives was unequivocal and overwhelming.

The response from some to the policy was unrestrained fury. A petition on the Senedd website opposing the new measures has reached nearly 470,000 signatures (in a nation of just over 3 million people). Protests sprang up citing the cost of the policy (£32m, mostly on changing the road signs and markings). Some of them were somewhat counterintuitive – many of the 20mph signs were vandalised, meaning they had to be replaced at additional cost.

However, a year on from the scheme's introduction we can see pretty strong evidence that the 20mph limit is very effective in saving lives and preventing injuries. We now have the road collision data for the first three quarters since the policy was introduced and the figures are pretty clear. Compared with the same period the year before, the number of people killed on the affected roads is down 35%, serious injuries are down 14.2% and slight injuries 31%.

The experience in Wales is a lesson for the wider UK and beyond. Evidence-based policy does work. In a world where facts and evidence matter less and less, it is all the more vital that we stand by that evidence to take nations forward (at an appropriate speed).

Source: The Guardian (adapted). November 2024.

1. Are the following statements true (T) or false (F)? Quote the fragment from the text that justifies your answer. Marks: 2 points (0.5 points per correct answer).

A.

Car insurance is now more expensive because of the new law.

True

False

B.

Everybody was on board with the new speed limit.

True

False

C.

A third of Welsh citizens have signed the petition against the new measures.

True

False

D.

The writer suggests that these measures should be implemented by other countries.

True

False

Text 2: Wales's 20mph speed limit: Why has it become a culture-war battlefield?

Imagine you're a politician running a country. In front of you there is a proposal that in just nine months would save your society more than £45m, prevent almost 500 people being killed or injured, make your residential areas more appealing places to live in and reduce car insurance costs by an average of £50. It is also backed by multiple scientific studies and it has the universal support of all emergency services in your nation.

Yet this is exactly what happened in Wales and it became the single most unpopular and controversial piece of lawmaking in the history of their Senedd (parliament).

In September 2023 the Welsh government introduced the default 20mph ( miles per hour) speed limit, changing every road in Wales that had a 30mph limit to 20mph. Essentially, almost everywhere people now had slower speed limits. The evidence that this would save lives was unequivocal and overwhelming.

The response from some to the policy was unrestrained fury. A petition on the Senedd website opposing the new measures has reached nearly 470,000 signatures (in a nation of just over 3 million people). Protests sprang up citing the cost of the policy (£32m, mostly on changing the road signs and markings). Some of them were somewhat counterintuitive – many of the 20mph signs were vandalised, meaning they had to be replaced at additional cost.

However, a year on from the scheme's introduction we can see pretty strong evidence that the 20mph limit is very effective in saving lives and preventing injuries. We now have the road collision data for the first three quarters since the policy was introduced and the figures are pretty clear. Compared with the same period the year before, the number of people killed on the affected roads is down 35%, serious injuries are down 14.2% and slight injuries 31%.

The experience in Wales is a lesson for the wider UK and beyond. Evidence-based policy does work. In a world where facts and evidence matter less and less, it is all the more vital that we stand by that evidence to take nations forward (at an appropriate speed).

Source: The Guardian (adapted). November 2024.

2. Answer 2 of the following 3 questions with one or two sentences. Use your own words as far as possible. Marks: 2 points (1 point per correct answer).

A.

What are the main advantages of the new traffic regulations in Wales?

B.

The application of the new speed limit had some associated costs. Why?

C.

Why does the writer emphasise the importance of "evidence" for new policies?

Text 2: Wales's 20mph speed limit: Why has it become a culture-war battlefield?

Imagine you're a politician running a country. In front of you there is a proposal that in just nine months would save your society more than £45m, prevent almost 500 people being killed or injured, make your residential areas more appealing places to live in and reduce car insurance costs by an average of £50. It is also backed by multiple scientific studies and it has the universal support of all emergency services in your nation.

Yet this is exactly what happened in Wales and it became the single most unpopular and controversial piece of lawmaking in the history of their Senedd (parliament).

In September 2023 the Welsh government introduced the default 20mph ( miles per hour) speed limit, changing every road in Wales that had a 30mph limit to 20mph. Essentially, almost everywhere people now had slower speed limits. The evidence that this would save lives was unequivocal and overwhelming.

The response from some to the policy was unrestrained fury. A petition on the Senedd website opposing the new measures has reached nearly 470,000 signatures (in a nation of just over 3 million people). Protests sprang up citing the cost of the policy (£32m, mostly on changing the road signs and markings). Some of them were somewhat counterintuitive – many of the 20mph signs were vandalised, meaning they had to be replaced at additional cost.

However, a year on from the scheme's introduction we can see pretty strong evidence that the 20mph limit is very effective in saving lives and preventing injuries. We now have the road collision data for the first three quarters since the policy was introduced and the figures are pretty clear. Compared with the same period the year before, the number of people killed on the affected roads is down 35%, serious injuries are down 14.2% and slight injuries 31%.

The experience in Wales is a lesson for the wider UK and beyond. Evidence-based policy does work. In a world where facts and evidence matter less and less, it is all the more vital that we stand by that evidence to take nations forward (at an appropriate speed).

Source: The Guardian (adapted). November 2024.

3. Find words in the text as requested. Use one word in each case. Marks: 1.5 points (0.5 points per correct answer).

A.

B.

C.

Susan suffered severe

in the accident.

Text 2: Wales's 20mph speed limit: Why has it become a culture-war battlefield?

Imagine you're a politician running a country. In front of you there is a proposal that in just nine months would save your society more than £45m, prevent almost 500 people being killed or injured, make your residential areas more appealing places to live in and reduce car insurance costs by an average of £50. It is also backed by multiple scientific studies and it has the universal support of all emergency services in your nation.

Yet this is exactly what happened in Wales and it became the single most unpopular and controversial piece of lawmaking in the history of their Senedd (parliament).

In September 2023 the Welsh government introduced the default 20mph ( miles per hour) speed limit, changing every road in Wales that had a 30mph limit to 20mph. Essentially, almost everywhere people now had slower speed limits. The evidence that this would save lives was unequivocal and overwhelming.

The response from some to the policy was unrestrained fury. A petition on the Senedd website opposing the new measures has reached nearly 470,000 signatures (in a nation of just over 3 million people). Protests sprang up citing the cost of the policy (£32m, mostly on changing the road signs and markings). Some of them were somewhat counterintuitive – many of the 20mph signs were vandalised, meaning they had to be replaced at additional cost.

However, a year on from the scheme's introduction we can see pretty strong evidence that the 20mph limit is very effective in saving lives and preventing injuries. We now have the road collision data for the first three quarters since the policy was introduced and the figures are pretty clear. Compared with the same period the year before, the number of people killed on the affected roads is down 35%, serious injuries are down 14.2% and slight injuries 31%.

The experience in Wales is a lesson for the wider UK and beyond. Evidence-based policy does work. In a world where facts and evidence matter less and less, it is all the more vital that we stand by that evidence to take nations forward (at an appropriate speed).

Source: The Guardian (adapted). November 2024.

4. Complete these sentences with one of the options given. Marks: 1.5 points (0.5 points per correct answer).

A.

If you had been a politician running your country, _________ passed the new speed limit?

B.

Protests cite the cost of the measure, _________ is rather high.

C.

The scheme was introduced over a year _________.

Written Expression

5. Write ONE of the following two compositions. Write between 120-150 words. Marks: 3 points.

A. In your opinion, should certain works of art (e.g., movies, plays, books) be censored? Why or why not?

Written Expression

5. Write ONE of the following two compositions. Write between 120-150 words. Marks: 3 points.

B. What are the advantages and disadvantages of reducing the speed limit?