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

Why We Need Silence

In a recent interview, journalist and author Ta-Nehisi Coates argued that remarkable thinkers and writers should get off Twitter. It wasn’t a critique of the 140/280-character medium or even the quality of the social media discourse in the age of fake news. It was a call to get beyond the noise. For Coates, generating good ideas and quality work requires something all too rare in modern life: quiet. He is in good company since Harry Potter’s creator J. K. Rowling, biographer Walter Isaacson and psychiatrist Carl Jung all had periods of deep silence.

Recent studies are showing that taking time for silence restores the nervous system, helps sustain energy and conditions our minds to be more adaptive and responsive to the complex environments in which so many of us now live. It is difficult to drop into deeper modes of listening and attention when we are constantly fixated on the verbal agenda: what to say next, what to write next, what to tweet next. However, it is in those deeper modes of attention that truly novel ideas are found.

Even incredibly busy people can cultivate periods of sustained quiet time. It is possible to hit reset by engaging in a silent practice of meditation or reflection, if you are able to close the office door, retreat to a park bench or find another quiet hideaway. You need not be an outdoors type to ditch the phone and go for a simple two-or-three-hour walk in nature. Immersion in nature can be the clearest option for improving creative thinking. Turn off your email for several hours or even a full day, or try “fasting” from news and entertainment. The world is getting louder. But silence is still accessible; it just takes commitment and creativity to cultivate it.

Adapted from: Talbot Zorn, J and L. Marz (2017) “Why We Need Silence,” Harvard Business Review 17 March 2017. <https://hbr.org/2017/03/the-busier-you-are-the-more-you-need-quiet-time>

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

a)

Silence had not been valued as a productive medium by scholars and writers until Mr Coates put forward his proposal.

TRUE

FALSE

b)

We can find a suitable place to meditate only by leaving our workplace and going to the park.

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.

a)

Explain two of the main benefits of silence.

b)

According to the text, how can we cultivate silence? Give two possibilities.

Why We Need Silence

In a recent interview, journalist and author Ta-Nehisi Coates argued that remarkable thinkers and writers should get off Twitter. It wasn’t a critique of the 140/280-character medium or even the quality of the social media discourse in the age of fake news. It was a call to get beyond the noise. For Coates, generating good ideas and quality work requires something all too rare in modern life: quiet. He is in good company since Harry Potter’s creator J. K. Rowling, biographer Walter Isaacson and psychiatrist Carl Jung all had periods of deep silence.

Recent studies are showing that taking time for silence restores the nervous system, helps sustain energy and conditions our minds to be more adaptive and responsive to the complex environments in which so many of us now live. It is difficult to drop into deeper modes of listening and attention when we are constantly fixated on the verbal agenda: what to say next, what to write next, what to tweet next. However, it is in those deeper modes of attention that truly novel ideas are found.

Even incredibly busy people can cultivate periods of sustained quiet time. It is possible to hit reset by engaging in a silent practice of meditation or reflection, if you are able to close the office door, retreat to a park bench or find another quiet hideaway. You need not be an outdoors type to ditch the phone and go for a simple two-or-three-hour walk in nature. Immersion in nature can be the clearest option for improving creative thinking. Turn off your email for several hours or even a full day, or try “fasting” from news and entertainment. The world is getting louder. But silence is still accessible; it just takes commitment and creativity to cultivate it.

Adapted from: Talbot Zorn, J and L. Marz (2017) “Why We Need Silence,” Harvard Business Review 17 March 2017. <https://hbr.org/2017/03/the-busier-you-are-the-more-you-need-quiet-time>

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

a)

b)

c)

d)

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

a)

He advised us (look for) quiet places that we could do quality work.

b)

He says that longer people spend meditating, the original their ideas will be.

c)

If he (know) important it is to remain silent, he would be a much nicer person.

d)

Since ancient times, silence (consider) to have not physical but also psychological benefits.

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

“Silence is a requisite when studying.” Give your opinion.

The Kingdom of Women

America has technologically averse subcultures within its borders, and China is no different. In the shadow of the Himalayan live the Mosuo people. Their complex social structure is said to be one of the last semi-matriarchal societies in the world. It is perhaps the only culture in the world that does not include marriage.

The nature of marriage as an old model where the woman is effectively her husband's property has given way to a modern view of marriage where she is an equal partner. Nevertheless, the Mosuo subscribe to neither. Instead, they practice “walking marriage”, in which there are no lifelong commitments and relationships are based solely on mutual affection, not family alliances, finances, inheritance, or even parental responsibilities.

The Mosuo have aspects of a matriarchal culture: women own and inherit property, sow crops in this agrarian society, run the households – cooking, cleaning and child-rearing – and make business decisions. However, unlike a matriarchy, the political power tends to be in the hands of males. Men provide strength, ploughing, building, repairing homes and helping with big familial decisions.

However, things are changing since (mostly) Chinese tourists began arriving in the early 1990s. It is a society in transition and the traditional way of life has started to feel outdated to young Mosuo people. They are carving out a different path from their parents, embracing “western” marriage and family life. Some people think Mosuo culture will disappear in 30 years, but many others look for a balance between modern and traditional life.

Adapted from: “The Kingdom of Women,” The Guardian 1 April 2017.

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)

There seems to be many societies in which the traditional concept of marriage does not exist.

TRUE

FALSE

b)

There is no consensus among people regarding the future of Mosuo society.

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)

What does the practice of “walking marriage” involve? Mention four characteristics.

b)

What do men do to support their families in the Mosuo society? Mention four aspects.

The Kingdom of Women

America has technologically averse subcultures within its borders, and China is no different. In the shadow of the Himalayan live the Mosuo people. Their complex social structure is said to be one of the last semi-matriarchal societies in the world. It is perhaps the only culture in the world that does not include marriage.

The nature of marriage as an old model where the woman is effectively her husband's property has given way to a modern view of marriage where she is an equal partner. Nevertheless, the Mosuo subscribe to neither. Instead, they practice “walking marriage”, in which there are no lifelong commitments and relationships are based solely on mutual affection, not family alliances, finances, inheritance, or even parental responsibilities.

The Mosuo have aspects of a matriarchal culture: women own and inherit property, sow crops in this agrarian society, run the households – cooking, cleaning and child-rearing – and make business decisions. However, unlike a matriarchy, the political power tends to be in the hands of males. Men provide strength, ploughing, building, repairing homes and helping with big familial decisions.

However, things are changing since (mostly) Chinese tourists began arriving in the early 1990s. It is a society in transition and the traditional way of life has started to feel outdated to young Mosuo people. They are carving out a different path from their parents, embracing “western” marriage and family life. Some people think Mosuo culture will disappear in 30 years, but many others look for a balance between modern and traditional life.

Adapted from: “The Kingdom of Women,” The Guardian 1 April 2017.

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

[1 punto]

a)

opposite (paragraph 1):

b)

considered (paragraph 1):

c)

give (paragraph 3):

d)

old-fashioned (paragraph 4):

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

(Puntuación máxima: 2 puntos)

a)

The you travel, the (good) you understand other people’s cultures.

b)

Despite not (sign) any papers, Mosuo people (establish) their own rules and responsibilities centuries ago.

c)

you have signed a marital contract or not, finally matters in your relationship is love.

d)

Complete the following sentence to report what was said.

“I cannot reveal who my son’s father is,” the Chinese woman said.

The Chinese woman said that

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

Do you think women’s role in Spanish society has changed over the last years? Discuss.

(Puntuación máxima: 3 puntos)

Word count: words.