Examen de Inglés PAU Galicia 2025 · Extraordinaria (2ª lengua extranjera)

Whether it’s a birthday party, Thanksgiving, Christmas or any other celebration when family and friends across generations, lifestyles and viewpoints are thrust together at the dinner table, tensions can run high. Alcohol won’t help either, and it’s only a matter of time before some uncle mentions the wrong thing and World War III ensues.

One of the most important skills to master is knowing how to have a pleasant and enjoyable conversation at the dinner table. While it can be tempting to jump into a wide range of topics, there are some that you should avoid as they have the potential to make people uncomfortable or even lead to arguments. Don’t ask about politics, religion, or tricky subjects like marriage and babies and instead seek out personal stories and anecdotes. Ask and get conversation flowing. For the most part, a conversation about something great you watched or read won’t lead to an argument. ‘Have you seen/watched X?’ opens up discussion so others can chime in, building common ground without going too deep. There may also be a generational divide at your dinner table, and older people may feel alienated if you spend the afternoon talking about TikToks and the latest Netflix show.

To add some equilibrium to your chats, ask questions about your family history or what older relatives were like in their school days. You may end up learning a little something too. You can pick a game that’s competitive but easy for all ages to understand, long enough but not as much as to run over into the following day. Showing gratitude to your family and friends is important, whether it’s for their efforts cooking the turkey, for spending hard-earned money on a present, or for choosing to spend the big day with you. Lending a helping hand is also a great way to show manners.

As well as not bringing up controversial subjects yourself, you will have to be ready to react. If the embarrassing uncle or the Granny who has been on the cooking sherry get awkward, you will quickly have to change track. Basically, etiquette is about putting others first, being kind and showing compassion.

1. Answer both subsections in this question. (2.5 points)

1.1. Indicate whether the following statements are True, False or the information is Not Given in the text (T/F/NG). In true and false cases, copy the part of the text which justifies your answer. (1.5 points; 0.25 each)

1.

If people get drunk, there’s nothing to fear.

True

False

Not Given

2.

People from different backgrounds shouldn’t sit together at a dinner table.

True

False

Not Given

3.

Politics is obviously a no-no.

True

False

Not Given

4.

Offering to help with chores isn’t advised.

True

False

Not Given

5.

If things go wrong, you should help avoid conflict.

True

False

Not Given

6.

Observing etiquette means being selfish and uncaring.

True

False

Not Given

Whether it’s a birthday party, Thanksgiving, Christmas or any other celebration when family and friends across generations, lifestyles and viewpoints are thrust together at the dinner table, tensions can run high. Alcohol won’t help either, and it’s only a matter of time before some uncle mentions the wrong thing and World War III ensues.

One of the most important skills to master is knowing how to have a pleasant and enjoyable conversation at the dinner table. While it can be tempting to jump into a wide range of topics, there are some that you should avoid as they have the potential to make people uncomfortable or even lead to arguments. Don’t ask about politics, religion, or tricky subjects like marriage and babies and instead seek out personal stories and anecdotes. Ask and get conversation flowing. For the most part, a conversation about something great you watched or read won’t lead to an argument. ‘Have you seen/watched X?’ opens up discussion so others can chime in, building common ground without going too deep. There may also be a generational divide at your dinner table, and older people may feel alienated if you spend the afternoon talking about TikToks and the latest Netflix show.

To add some equilibrium to your chats, ask questions about your family history or what older relatives were like in their school days. You may end up learning a little something too. You can pick a game that’s competitive but easy for all ages to understand, long enough but not as much as to run over into the following day. Showing gratitude to your family and friends is important, whether it’s for their efforts cooking the turkey, for spending hard-earned money on a present, or for choosing to spend the big day with you. Lending a helping hand is also a great way to show manners.

As well as not bringing up controversial subjects yourself, you will have to be ready to react. If the embarrassing uncle or the Granny who has been on the cooking sherry get awkward, you will quickly have to change track. Basically, etiquette is about putting others first, being kind and showing compassion.

1.2. Find a synonym for each of the following words. (1 point; 0.20 each)

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

2. Answer both subsections in this question. (2.5 points)

2.1. Write a NEW sentence that has the same meaning as the given one(s). Use the word or expression in brackets.

[1.5 points; 0.25 each]

1.

I met Julie three years ago. (have known)

2.

They bought some snacks. Then they had a meeting. (after)

3.

That’s a cool passport photo!! Where did you take it? (taken)

4.

Mary can afford a new car. Her salary is higher than mine. (whose)

5.

If you wash it very often, it will get worse. (the more)

6.

Try not to talk about the issue in front of him. (bring)

2. Answer both subsections in this question. (2.5 points)

2.2. Answer the following questions about pronunciation. (1 point)

1.

Which is the only word whose ending can be pronounced as the underlined ending in “profi t ”?

2.

In which word is the “-ed” morpheme pronounced the same as the “-ed” in “rounded”?

3.

In which word do(es) the underlined letter(s) have the same sound as the underlined letter in “pi c nic”?

4.

In which word does the “th” sound the same as in “breathe”?

5.

Which word contains the same vowel sound as the underlined vowel in “c o mfort”?

3. In this text, fill in the gaps with the most suitable option from the four options given for each gap.

(2.5 points; 0.25 each)

With a history spanning over 600 years, ikebana remains a cherished tradition in Japan, passed

1.

(down / over / up / for) from generation to generation as a way of connecting with nature and expressing creativity. This specific type of flower arranging has

2.

(evolved / involved / revolved / devolved) into a highly respected art form that reflects the Japanese aesthetic sense and philosophy. In recent years, ikebana is attracting a new generation of enthusiasts who are

3.

(withdrawn / gone / drawn / torn) to its innovative spirit and contemporary style.

Ikebana, also known as kado, or the “way of flowers,” is a traditional Japanese art form that involves the arrangement of flowers and other natural materials in a stylized manner.

4.

(It’s / its / his / their) origins can be traced back to the sixth century, when China introduced Buddhism to Japan.

5.

(Nevertheless, / Yet/ While / Meanwhile,) ikebana has Buddhist roots, its development

6.

(actually / suddenly / quickly / maybe) goes back to ancient Japan, where key factors like the landscape played a role in its creation. After the arrival of Buddhism, ikebana developed more clearly in the 15th and 16th centuries, along with other Japanese cultural arts. It wasn’t until the 18th century that the practice became one of the top leisure activities—

7.

(temporarily / eventually / sadly / meaningfully) branching out into different schools of ikebana.

Japanese floral arrangements prize asymmetry and negative space,

8.

(that / which/ when / how) creates a sense of movement and dynamism

9.

(besides /within / without / aside) the arrangement. In Ikebana one of the most important things is to make sure you have the empty space in the arrangement. This helps to give the flowers a sense of life and vitality, and also creates a feeling of depth and space. There are millions of different schools of ikebana in Japan,

10.

(either / neither / each / both) with its own unique techniques, styles, philosophies, and grandmasters.

4. Answer ONE of the following subsections. (2.5 points)

4.1. Write an e-mail to a social media website reporting that you have been a victim of identity theft. (120 words)

4. Answer ONE of the following subsections. (2.5 points)

4.2. Write a composition on whether you would consider a career in teaching. (120 words)