Examen de Inglés PAU Madrid 2019 · Extraordinaria (2ª lengua)

Riding Solo

Even the mere thought of travelling abroad alone can be frightening for many. However, the stigma surrounding travelling solo is unjustified, as travelling solo can be one of the most enjoyable experiences of your life.

The most important tip when planning your trip is to learn from other’s experiences of travelling to the destination you have in mind. This could be from either a friend or an online blog. It is better to ask someone you know personally as the information they’ll provide could be more reliable than that of online travel advisers. This way you can learn about the places that are off the beaten track.

A huge benefit of travelling on your own is that it means you can make sure you prioritise exactly what you want to do. You do not have to cater to anyone else’s wishes and do not have to worry about any tension or arguments that may arise with your fellow travellers. By being on your own, you can form your own views on your experiences and have lone walks by yourself rather than having silly arguments about which club to go to every night or which person is responsible for getting everyone lost. Travelling solo gives you the freedom to meet people you may not have otherwise, especially when travelling in a group. Being on your own also forces you to interact with locals more than you perhaps would have if you were with other people. This would allow yourself to become more immersed in the culture.

There is the issue of vulnerability when travelling solo, which you should prepare yourself for by being very careful, among other things. However, that should not dissuade you from travelling by yourself.

Adapted from “Ridin’ Solo: Tackling the Myths of Travelling Alone,” The Student Newspaper 22 October 2018.

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)

When travelling in a group you have greater chances of starting conversations with people who live in the area.

b)

You should not be scared of travelling on your own: there is no possibility of danger at all.

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, what is the best way to find information about places which are not very popular with tourists?

b)

What are the advantages of travelling solo? Mention two.

Riding Solo

Even the mere thought of travelling abroad alone can be frightening for many. However, the stigma surrounding travelling solo is unjustified, as travelling solo can be one of the most enjoyable experiences of your life.

The most important tip when planning your trip is to learn from other’s experiences of travelling to the destination you have in mind. This could be from either a friend or an online blog. It is better to ask someone you know personally as the information they’ll provide could be more reliable than that of online travel advisers. This way you can learn about the places that are off the beaten track.

A huge benefit of travelling on your own is that it means you can make sure you prioritise exactly what you want to do. You do not have to cater to anyone else’s wishes and do not have to worry about any tension or arguments that may arise with your fellow travellers. By being on your own, you can form your own views on your experiences and have lone walks by yourself rather than having silly arguments about which club to go to every night or which person is responsible for getting everyone lost. Travelling solo gives you the freedom to meet people you may not have otherwise, especially when travelling in a group. Being on your own also forces you to interact with locals more than you perhaps would have if you were with other people. This would allow yourself to become more immersed in the culture.

There is the issue of vulnerability when travelling solo, which you should prepare yourself for by being very careful, among other things. However, that should not dissuade you from travelling by yourself.

Adapted from “Ridin’ Solo: Tackling the Myths of Travelling Alone,” The Student Newspaper 22 October 2018.

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)

If I

(have) the chance to travel alone, I would jump at it. Nobody would stop me from

(have) such a wonderful experience.

b)

I couldn't understand every detail of what she explained to me.

, I could get

the site easily.

c)

(you ever have) arguments with your friends when travelling in a group? If so, what did you argue

?

d)

Complete the following sentence to report what was said.

“Don’t travel around Europe by yourself.”

My mother told me

.

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

Going abroad: by yourself or with friends? What do you prefer and why?

The World’s Busiest Beach

Fujiazhuang, which is in the north-eastern Chinese city of Dalian, is the world’s busiest beach. Bathers here are too busy slapping on the factor 50 and edging between towels and tents to hear reminders of their civic duty telling them not to spit litter or smoke among many others.

During peak season, about 40,000 people come to this 500m stretch of beach every day. There is no room for sand castles, or even sand apartments. It is a lovely natural setting, with mountains behind you, the smell of grilled fish and the beautiful ocean, but it has to be said that the initial sighting reminds you of a coastal invasion in a war movie.

Despite the enormous number of people, things function efficiently. Most Chinese people are dismissive of the rules – just look at the traffic – but highly aware of convention and Confucian tradition. This means that even if the country makes a chaotic impression most of the time, there is order beneath. And you can see this order on Fujiazhuang beach.

China is a socially conservative country and, along the beach, most Chinese women are modestly dressed in skirted bikinis. In fact, the atmosphere is generally relaxed. There is a cultural dislike of tanned skin, associated with poverty because you get sunburned working in the field as a farmer. That is why so many sunbathers keep their arms covered, and sport enormous sun visors to protect themselves from the sun. After seafood restaurants and beach toyshops, the main industry of Fujiazhuang beach is wedding photography. This beautiful landscape is filled with photo shoots, assistants with reflectors and brides bustling for places on the rocks for the best shot against the glorious Dalian skyline. And what a beautiful vista.

Adapted from: “The World’s Busiest Beach,” The Irish Times 4 August 2018.

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)

Chinese people in general are always willing to obey.

TRUE

FALSE

b)

Fujiazhuang is always crowded, no matter the time of the year.

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 are Chinese people so concerned about keeping their skin protected from the sun? What do they do to succeed in this?

b)

Mention two activities that can be carried out in Fujiazhuang beach apart from bathing.

The World’s Busiest Beach

Fujiazhuang, which is in the north-eastern Chinese city of Dalian, is the world’s busiest beach. Bathers here are too busy slapping on the factor 50 and edging between towels and tents to hear reminders of their civic duty telling them not to spit litter or smoke among many others.

During peak season, about 40,000 people come to this 500m stretch of beach every day. There is no room for sand castles, or even sand apartments. It is a lovely natural setting, with mountains behind you, the smell of grilled fish and the beautiful ocean, but it has to be said that the initial sighting reminds you of a coastal invasion in a war movie.

Despite the enormous number of people, things function efficiently. Most Chinese people are dismissive of the rules – just look at the traffic – but highly aware of convention and Confucian tradition. This means that even if the country makes a chaotic impression most of the time, there is order beneath. And you can see this order on Fujiazhuang beach.

China is a socially conservative country and, along the beach, most Chinese women are modestly dressed in skirted bikinis. In fact, the atmosphere is generally relaxed. There is a cultural dislike of tanned skin, associated with poverty because you get sunburned working in the field as a farmer. That is why so many sunbathers keep their arms covered, and sport enormous sun visors to protect themselves from the sun. After seafood restaurants and beach toyshops, the main industry of Fujiazhuang beach is wedding photography. This beautiful landscape is filled with photo shoots, assistants with reflectors and brides bustling for places on the rocks for the best shot against the glorious Dalian skyline. And what a beautiful vista.

Adapted from: “The World’s Busiest Beach,” The Irish Times 4 August 2018.

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)

If we

(know) that that place was so crowded, we

(not go) there to relax.

b)

The trip to that marvellous beach

(cancel) two hours ago

to very bad weather conditions.

c)

Nowadays, teenagers are very keen

taking photos no matter

dangerous it sometimes can be.

d)

Complete the following sentence to report what was said.

“Where did you spend your last holidays?”, he asked me.

He wanted to know

.

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

(Puntuación máxima: 3 puntos)

Quiet places versus crowded places for holidays. Explain which one you prefer and why.