Examen de Inglés PAU Madrid 2021 · Extraordinaria

TEXTO A

TikTok, a Social Media Sensation

Andy Warhol predicted a time everyone would have 15 minutes of fame. He was nearly right – it is actually 15 seconds. That is the maximum duration of a video clip with music (non-music clips can last up to a minute) on TikTok, the video-sharing platform that has taken the world by storm. Favoured by under-20s, who make up its core audience, TikTok this year surpassed Facebook and WhatsApp as the world’s most downloaded non-gaming app.

TikTok’s content doesn’t take itself too seriously, and ranges from food to fashion, pranks to pets – as well as the omnipresent dance challenges. It is a perfect fit, in other words, for the lockdown, when many of us were stuck inside and in desperate need of some silly fun. What makes it stand apart from Snapchat is one crucial difference: the closely guarded algorithm that produces the app’s opening dashboard. Unlike other apps, this home screen is not full of people you are following. That is because the algorithm searches for new clips rather than pushing already popular ones. So, you don’t need lots of followers to go viral.

TikTok as a family business is not uncommon. One of the most famous TikTok families is the Harfins (Felicity and her sons). Their 1.8 million followers watch the family play pranks, dance, and cook. Felicity, a former marketer, runs the account and has helped to turn it into a business giving clients the chance to be mentioned or promoted in their videos. Indeed, it is now Felicity’s main job. But it was the boys who initiated the project. “They grew up watching videos online and always wanted to create themselves.” It took them years to persuade her. “I didn’t realise how much fun it was going to be.”

Adapted from “TikTok is the social media sensation of lockdown. Could I become its new star?” The Guardian, April 14, 2020. <https://bit.ly/3eyAwWd>

A.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)

Most people watching TikTok videos are adults.

TRUE

FALSE

b)

Becoming famous exclusively depends on the number of fans you have.

TRUE

FALSE

A.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 is the usual content of TikTok videos?

b)

In which two ways does Felicity take advantage of TikTok?

TEXTO A

TikTok, a Social Media Sensation

Andy Warhol predicted a time everyone would have 15 minutes of fame. He was nearly right – it is actually 15 seconds. That is the maximum duration of a video clip with music (non-music clips can last up to a minute) on TikTok, the video-sharing platform that has taken the world by storm. Favoured by under-20s, who make up its core audience, TikTok this year surpassed Facebook and WhatsApp as the world’s most downloaded non-gaming app.

TikTok’s content doesn’t take itself too seriously, and ranges from food to fashion, pranks to pets – as well as the omnipresent dance challenges. It is a perfect fit, in other words, for the lockdown, when many of us were stuck inside and in desperate need of some silly fun. What makes it stand apart from Snapchat is one crucial difference: the closely guarded algorithm that produces the app’s opening dashboard. Unlike other apps, this home screen is not full of people you are following. That is because the algorithm searches for new clips rather than pushing already popular ones. So, you don’t need lots of followers to go viral.

TikTok as a family business is not uncommon. One of the most famous TikTok families is the Harfins (Felicity and her sons). Their 1.8 million followers watch the family play pranks, dance, and cook. Felicity, a former marketer, runs the account and has helped to turn it into a business giving clients the chance to be mentioned or promoted in their videos. Indeed, it is now Felicity’s main job. But it was the boys who initiated the project. “They grew up watching videos online and always wanted to create themselves.” It took them years to persuade her. “I didn’t realise how much fun it was going to be.”

Adapted from “TikTok is the social media sensation of lockdown. Could I become its new star?” The Guardian, April 14, 2020. <https://bit.ly/3eyAwWd>

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

a)

almost (paragraph 1):

b)

trapped (paragraph 2):

c)

previous (paragraph 3):

d)

possibility (paragraph 3):

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

a)

Research (show) that apps (use) by millions of people in the last ten years.

b)

TikTok is very well known, the most popular site sharing videos is YouTube.

c)

The (funny) a video is, the (high) number of likes it gets.

d)

Complete the following sentence to report what was said.

“When did you discover social media for the first time?”

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

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using social media.

TEXTO B

Gap Years for Every Student

Taking a gap year – a period of time during which a student takes a break from studying after school and before college or university – has long been considered a rite of passage. Students delay advanced academic studies to spend a year in the world focused on experiential education, internship, volunteer work and gaining real-world experience to complement the classroom learning.

It is not so much a year “off” of school, as a year “on” your own terms used to experiment with interests and pursue passions that may clarify a student’s future career path. Academic experts say that students who take gap years will frequently be more mature, more self-reliant and independent than non-gap year students. Career advisors state that taking a year out can set you apart from other applicants.

The benefits of taking a gap year aren’t just a matter of opinion. Research statistics show that 90 percent of students who took a gap year returned to college within a year and confirmed that this experience had an impact on their choice of academic major and career. Students who have taken a gap year report being satisfied with their jobs and figures confirm that 88 percent of them improved their employability thanks to this experience.

The question that is hotly debated, of course, is that of economic parity. Traditionally, gap years have been seen as something for children of wealthy families. While statistics indicate that 18% of students taking a gap year come from families with high-income levels, 19% came from families with more limited incomes. Therefore, the value of a gap year is widely recognized and even families in the lower to middle income brackets are investing in this experience for the educational benefit of their students.

Adapted from “Gap Years for Every Student: How to Make the Most of the Opportunity,” Bootsnall Articles, November 27, 2020. <https://www.bootsnall.com/articles/a-gap-year-for-every-student.html>

QUESTIONS

B.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)

It is said that taking a gap year does not contribute to students' autonomy and confidence.

TRUE

FALSE

b)

According to statistics, job opportunities decrease due to taking a gap year.

TRUE

FALSE

B.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)

Mention two kinds of activities students do during their gap year.

b)

To what extent does the family income level affect students' opportunities to take a gap year? Explain.

TEXTO B

Gap Years for Every Student

Taking a gap year – a period of time during which a student takes a break from studying after school and before college or university – has long been considered a rite of passage. Students delay advanced academic studies to spend a year in the world focused on experiential education, internship, volunteer work and gaining real-world experience to complement the classroom learning.

It is not so much a year “off” of school, as a year “on” your own terms used to experiment with interests and pursue passions that may clarify a student’s future career path. Academic experts say that students who take gap years will frequently be more mature, more self-reliant and independent than non-gap year students. Career advisors state that taking a year out can set you apart from other applicants.

The benefits of taking a gap year aren’t just a matter of opinion. Research statistics show that 90 percent of students who took a gap year returned to college within a year and confirmed that this experience had an impact on their choice of academic major and career. Students who have taken a gap year report being satisfied with their jobs and figures confirm that 88 percent of them improved their employability thanks to this experience.

The question that is hotly debated, of course, is that of economic parity. Traditionally, gap years have been seen as something for children of wealthy families. While statistics indicate that 18% of students taking a gap year come from families with high-income levels, 19% came from families with more limited incomes. Therefore, the value of a gap year is widely recognized and even families in the lower to middle income brackets are investing in this experience for the educational benefit of their students.

Adapted from “Gap Years for Every Student: How to Make the Most of the Opportunity,” Bootsnall Articles, November 27, 2020. <https://www.bootsnall.com/articles/a-gap-year-for-every-student.html>

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

a)

b)

c)

d)

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

a)

I still don’t know my career advisor will be Oxford University.

b)

Before (start) college, I would like to check if I would be able to live my own.

c)

If she had known what she (want) to study, she (complete) a university degree.

d)

Only after she (spend) one year working, did she manage (decide) which field she wanted to specialise in.

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

What would you like to do if you had the opportunity to take a gap year? Explain.