Examen de Inglés PAU Madrid 2020 · Ordinaria (2ª lengua) Coincidencias

TEXTO A

Emojis and Food Allergies

Someday soon an emoji might literally save lives. Hiroyuki Komatsu, a Google engineer, submitted a proposal to add a range of new icons to the standard emoji library that could help those with food allergies understand what they are eating anywhere in the world. “Emoji should cover characters representing major food allergens,” Komatsu wrote in his proposal. “It enables people to understand what ingredients are used in foods even in foreign countries and safely select meals.”

The reason that emojis are so universal is because they are chosen and developed by the Unicode Consortium, a non-profit corporation that oversees, develops and maintains how text is represented in all software products and standards. It is thanks to the Unicode Standard that when you text a friend six pizza emojis, they will see those six pizza slices on their phone regardless of whether they use an iPhone or an Android.

Because emojis are everywhere and iconic, they could be helpful for restaurants and food packaging designers to communicate whether a product is made with common allergens. But as Komatsu’s proposal argues, many of the most common food allergens – such as peanuts, soy and milk – are missing or poorly represented by the current emoji library. There is an emoji for octopus, but nothing for squid; there is a loaf of bread that could symbolize gluten, but a bundle of wheat could be clearer and more direct when labelling foods.

It is not uncommon for the Unicode Consortium to add new emojis to the library: several food-related emojis debuted last June, including a long-awaited taco emoji. However, some might complain about the continuing death of the written word if Komatsu’s proposal is accepted.

Adapted from “How emojis could help people with food allergies,” Smithsonian Magazine, 4 August 2015. <https://bit.ly/2vHCcue>

QUESTIONS

A.1 (2 puntos) Are the following statements TRUE or FALSE? Copy the evidence from the text. No marks are given for only TRUE or FALSE.

a)

The most frequent food allergens are already present in the current emoji library.

TRUE

FALSE

b)

Everybody thinks using emojis contributes to making texts richer.

TRUE

FALSE

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

a)

How can emojis help people with food allergies?

b)

What is the role of the Unicode Consortium?

TEXTO A

Emojis and Food Allergies

Someday soon an emoji might literally save lives. Hiroyuki Komatsu, a Google engineer, submitted a proposal to add a range of new icons to the standard emoji library that could help those with food allergies understand what they are eating anywhere in the world. “Emoji should cover characters representing major food allergens,” Komatsu wrote in his proposal. “It enables people to understand what ingredients are used in foods even in foreign countries and safely select meals.”

The reason that emojis are so universal is because they are chosen and developed by the Unicode Consortium, a non-profit corporation that oversees, develops and maintains how text is represented in all software products and standards. It is thanks to the Unicode Standard that when you text a friend six pizza emojis, they will see those six pizza slices on their phone regardless of whether they use an iPhone or an Android.

Because emojis are everywhere and iconic, they could be helpful for restaurants and food packaging designers to communicate whether a product is made with common allergens. But as Komatsu’s proposal argues, many of the most common food allergens – such as peanuts, soy and milk – are missing or poorly represented by the current emoji library. There is an emoji for octopus, but nothing for squid; there is a loaf of bread that could symbolize gluten, but a bundle of wheat could be clearer and more direct when labelling foods.

It is not uncommon for the Unicode Consortium to add new emojis to the library: several food-related emojis debuted last June, including a long-awaited taco emoji. However, some might complain about the continuing death of the written word if Komatsu’s proposal is accepted.

Adapted from “How emojis could help people with food allergies,” Smithsonian Magazine, 4 August 2015. <https://bit.ly/2vHCcue>

A.3 (1 punto) Find the words in the text that mean:

a)

b)

c)

d)

A.4 (2 puntos) Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate form of the word in brackets when given.

a)

Emoji founder Shigetaka Kurita (work) for a Japanese telecommunication firm in the 90s when he (see) an opportunity to enhance written exchanges.

b)

The use of food pictograms to communicate has been effective early humans started drawing them cave walls.

c)

Emojis are becoming more popular internet abbreviations 'lol' or 'muah'.

d)

Last year, a proposal (send) to the Unicode Consortium, is responsible for developing Unicode.

A.5 (3 puntos) Write about 150 to 200 words on the following topic.

Are emojis helpful, are they simply a passing fashion, or are they actually destroying our languages? Write your opinion about it.

TEXTO B

The Worst Hotel in the World

The rooms are filthy, there is no hot water and the guests are encouraged to dry themselves off with the curtains to save on washing and in turn ‘save the planet’. But customers of the Hans Brinker Budget Hostel in Amsterdam can never say they weren’t warned. To prevent complaints, the owners of the $22.50-a-night hotel feel it is best to tell people in advance about what to expect, even if that means a potentially fatal disease or mental illness.

A lengthy disclaimer on their website reads: “Those wishing to stay at the Hans Brinker Budget Hotel do so at their own risk.” From grotty rooms without a view to dirty bathrooms with no hot water, the owners are happy to admit it is probably the worst hotel around.

The lift is broken so signs point guests towards the ‘eco-friendly elevator’ – or stairs – and by not providing hot water they claim, “it keeps water consumption moderate.” Advertising slogans include “It can’t get any worse. But we’ll do our best” as well as “Improve your immune system – stay at Hans Brinker!” or the modest claim “Now with beds in every room”.

But this hilariously honest approach seems to be a hit with travellers from all over the world, who are rushing to book one of the 127 rooms at the hotel. One traveller from Australia wrote: “For the reputation of the world’s worst hotel, it wasn’t as bad as I thought. Pretty scabby still, very basic. The bathroom was atrocious.” A more promising review reads: “Hans Brinker is a fun-filled hostel with great facilities, friendly staff and great location. You will not be disappointed.”

Adapted from “Proud to be the world’s worst hotel,” Daily Mail, Nov. 14, 2012. <https://dailym.ai/352THI8>

QUESTIONS

B.1 (2 puntos) Are the following statements TRUE or FALSE? Copy the evidence from the text. No marks are given for only TRUE or FALSE.

a)

The proprietors are bothered by the fact that their hotel is rated the worst hotel in the area.

TRUE

FALSE

b)

Apparently, not many travellers want to stay in this hotel.

TRUE

FALSE

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

a)

How does the Hans Brinker Hotel avoid complaints?

b)

Name two positive comments about the hotel mentioned in the reviews.

TEXTO B

The Worst Hotel in the World

The rooms are filthy, there is no hot water and the guests are encouraged to dry themselves off with the curtains to save on washing and in turn ‘save the planet’. But customers of the Hans Brinker Budget Hostel in Amsterdam can never say they weren’t warned. To prevent complaints, the owners of the $22.50-a-night hotel feel it is best to tell people in advance about what to expect, even if that means a potentially fatal disease or mental illness.

A lengthy disclaimer on their website reads: “Those wishing to stay at the Hans Brinker Budget Hotel do so at their own risk.” From grotty rooms without a view to dirty bathrooms with no hot water, the owners are happy to admit it is probably the worst hotel around.

The lift is broken so signs point guests towards the ‘eco-friendly elevator’ – or stairs – and by not providing hot water they claim, “it keeps water consumption moderate.” Advertising slogans include “It can’t get any worse. But we’ll do our best” as well as “Improve your immune system – stay at Hans Brinker!” or the modest claim “Now with beds in every room”.

But this hilariously honest approach seems to be a hit with travellers from all over the world, who are rushing to book one of the 127 rooms at the hotel. One traveller from Australia wrote: “For the reputation of the world’s worst hotel, it wasn’t as bad as I thought. Pretty scabby still, very basic. The bathroom was atrocious.” A more promising review reads: “Hans Brinker is a fun-filled hostel with great facilities, friendly staff and great location. You will not be disappointed.”

Adapted from “Proud to be the world’s worst hotel,” Daily Mail, Nov. 14, 2012. <https://dailym.ai/352THI8>

B.3 (1 punto) Find the words in the text that mean:

a)

b)

c)

d)

B.4 (2 puntos) Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate form of the word in brackets when given.

a)

The only 7-star hotel,

is situated in Dubai,

(consider) to be the world's most luxurious hotel.

b)

Text marketing is not just about

(send out) offers

your previous and prospective customers.

c)

I

(just/return) from the greatest summer holiday! It was

fantastic that I never wanted it to end.

d)

Complete the following sentence to report what was said.

"We want to thank you and your family for being such loyal guests."

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

Have you ever stayed at a really bad hotel or accommodation? Describe the experience or imagine what it would have been like.