Examen de Inglés PAU Madrid 2018 · Ordinaria (2ª lengua)

OPCIÓN A

First Dates

When your dinner companion spends the evening looking at his device, or at the ball game on the television set conveniently on the wall behind you (perhaps explaining his choice of venue –and seat selection), you may wonder if you are even on a date. That is a great question. Because for the same reason that selective attention is one of the most seductive aspects of romantic attraction, inattention is one of the biggest turn-offs.

Speed dating has provided a great deal of information about first date chemistry through speed dating research. Speed dating involves a series of face-to-face interactions with prospective romantic partners, often lasting only several minutes in length. While this sounds exhausting, research reveals participants are able to glean enough information from these brief interactions to decide whether they would like to see the other person again – and why.

Speed-dating studies are better sources of relational predictive data than meeting people at parties or other social events, because a speed-dating context involves participants who are looking for romantic relationships. Speed dating can arguably also provide a more practical method of gauging potential romantic interest than answering prompts on a questionnaire or responding to a hypothetical scenario because it involves in-person, face-to-face chemistry.

Unfortunately, in a world of multitasking, we inadvertently display inattention, which can put at risk the development of the relationship. Divided attention reduces the ability to cultivate chemistry because distraction transmits disinterest. On the other hand, we have all had the experience of spending time with someone where the chemistry is almost palatable. We could not wait to see them again. What then makes the difference? The answer, in a word: ATTENTION.

QUESTIONS

1.- Are the following statements TRUE or FALSE? Copy the evidence from the text. No marks are given for only TRUE or FALSE.

(Puntuación máxima: 2 puntos)

a)

Speed-dating involves long-lasting online exchanges with our date.

b)

Doing many things at the same time can result in the intentional lack of attention.

2.- In your own words and based on the ideas in the text, answer the following questions. Do not copy from the text.

(Puntuación máxima: 2 puntos)

a)

According to the text, how can our date fail to show attention to us?

b)

Why does speed dating offer a more suitable way to measure romantic interest than surveys?

OPCIÓN A

First Dates

When your dinner companion spends the evening looking at his device, or at the ball game on the television set conveniently on the wall behind you (perhaps explaining his choice of venue –and seat selection), you may wonder if you are even on a date. That is a great question. Because for the same reason that selective attention is one of the most seductive aspects of romantic attraction, inattention is one of the biggest turn-offs.

Speed dating has provided a great deal of information about first date chemistry through speed dating research. Speed dating involves a series of face-to-face interactions with prospective romantic partners, often lasting only several minutes in length. While this sounds exhausting, research reveals participants are able to glean enough information from these brief interactions to decide whether they would like to see the other person again – and why.

Speed-dating studies are better sources of relational predictive data than meeting people at parties or other social events, because a speed-dating context involves participants who are looking for romantic relationships. Speed dating can arguably also provide a more practical method of gauging potential romantic interest than answering prompts on a questionnaire or responding to a hypothetical scenario because it involves in-person, face-to-face chemistry.

Unfortunately, in a world of multitasking, we inadvertently display inattention, which can put at risk the development of the relationship. Divided attention reduces the ability to cultivate chemistry because distraction transmits disinterest. On the other hand, we have all had the experience of spending time with someone where the chemistry is almost palatable. We could not wait to see them again. What then makes the difference? The answer, in a word: ATTENTION.

3.- Find the words in the text that mean: (Puntuación máxima: 1 punto)

a)

potential (paragraph 2):

b)

gather (paragraph 2):

c)

offer (paragraph 3):

d)

in danger (paragraph 4):

4.- Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate form of the word in brackets when given. (Puntuación máxima: 2 puntos)

a)

Those interested in (meet) romantic partners should try speed-dating, since it (seem) to be quite an effective method.

b)

If Susan (know) that her date would be so boring, she (not agree) to meet him in the first place.

c)

She got furious when she realised that her personal photos (publish) online by the dating agency even she had not given her consent.

d)

Complete the following sentence to report what was said.

Anne told her friend: “I met my fiancé on a dating web last year.”

5.- Write about 150 to 200 words on the following topic. (Puntuación máxima: 3 puntos)

Would you try speed-dating to meet someone? Why or why not?

OPCIÓN B

A Generation in Debt

In today's day and age, it appears that a degree from higher education establishments is more desired than ever. Data released by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) in August 2017 revealed that a total of 461,860 people have been placed in full-time UK universities. This was accompanied by an increase in tuition fees, rising from a maximum of £3,375 to £9,000 a year, in 2012, and from £9,000 to £9,250 in 2017. Back in March, The Independent newspaper had reported that university tuition fees in England are the highest in the world.

In addition, maintenance grants have been terminated, meaning that students now require a higher maintenance loan to cover living costs. Thus, they find themselves in more debt than ever before. For instance, it would take those entering a career in mechanical engineering over 29 years to pay off their student debt totalling £72,960, of which interest makes up to £27,930. Investment bankers and financial managers would have paid their full loan off in 14 years and 13 years, respectively.

The exorbitant costs of higher education have raised concerns over its affordability and accessibility, especially to students of lower-income households. This has culminated into a major student protest this year, reflecting student dissatisfaction. Sandi, a law student at University College London, who is currently taking on a student loan to finance her studies, spoke to The Student Magazine: “The loan is only enough to cover tuition expenses in the first year, so for the second and third years, my situation is still not clear. Hopefully I can get a scholarship, but if not, I will have to squeeze the money out from somewhere. I do intend to find a part time job. England is too expensive, especially London.”

QUESTIONS

1.- Are the following statements TRUE or FALSE? Copy the evidence from the text. No marks are given for only TRUE or FALSE.

(Puntuación máxima: 2 puntos)

a)

A growing number of students are currently giving up on the idea of entering university education.

TRUE

FALSE

b)

One of the reasons why university students need to borrow money is because help for living costs is no longer available.

TRUE

FALSE

2.- In your own words and based on the ideas in the text, answer the following questions. Do not copy from the text.

(Puntuación máxima: 2 puntos)

a)

Why have higher education students in Britain protested this year?

b)

What do students from less privileged families usually have to do in order to pay for a degree in an expensive English university?

OPCIÓN B

A Generation in Debt

In today's day and age, it appears that a degree from higher education establishments is more desired than ever. Data released by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) in August 2017 revealed that a total of 461,860 people have been placed in full-time UK universities. This was accompanied by an increase in tuition fees, rising from a maximum of £3,375 to £9,000 a year, in 2012, and from £9,000 to £9,250 in 2017. Back in March, The Independent newspaper had reported that university tuition fees in England are the highest in the world.

In addition, maintenance grants have been terminated, meaning that students now require a higher maintenance loan to cover living costs. Thus, they find themselves in more debt than ever before. For instance, it would take those entering a career in mechanical engineering over 29 years to pay off their student debt totalling £72,960, of which interest makes up to £27,930. Investment bankers and financial managers would have paid their full loan off in 14 years and 13 years, respectively.

The exorbitant costs of higher education have raised concerns over its affordability and accessibility, especially to students of lower-income households. This has culminated into a major student protest this year, reflecting student dissatisfaction. Sandi, a law student at University College London, who is currently taking on a student loan to finance her studies, spoke to The Student Magazine: “The loan is only enough to cover tuition expenses in the first year, so for the second and third years, my situation is still not clear. Hopefully I can get a scholarship, but if not, I will have to squeeze the money out from somewhere. I do intend to find a part time job. England is too expensive, especially London.”

3.- Find the words in the text that mean:

(Puntuación máxima: 1 punto)

a)

b)

c)

d)

4.- Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate form of the word in brackets when given.

(Puntuación máxima: 2 puntos)

a)

Lately, a lot of international students

(admit) to British universities,

the implementation of more restrictive immigration policies.

b)

Students from low-income families find it really difficult

(afford) university fees.

they have to work very hard in order to obtain a grant.

c)

If Anne

(know) that university fees in England were so high, she

(apply) to a Scottish university, but she didn’t: she applied to an English one.

d)

Complete the following sentence to report what was said.

Mrs Robinson asked her daughter: “Why don’t you want to go to university?”

Mrs Robinson asked her daughter

5.- Write about 150 to 200 words on the following topic.

(Puntuación máxima: 3 puntos)

Do you think Spanish university students have to face the same financial problems as their English counterparts? Explain why.