Examen de Inglés PAU Madrid 2021 · Ordinaria (2ª lengua)

TEXTO A

Dog Training and the Myth of Alpha-Male Dominance

Dogs are descended from wolves. Wild wolves live in hierarchical groups in which the aggressive alpha male rules over everyone else. Therefore, humans need to dominate their pet dogs to get them to behave. This logic has dominated the canine conversation for more than five years. But many experts say alpha-male dominance philosophy is based on old-fashioned animal studies.

The debate has its roots in 1940s studies of confined wolves that, when forced to live together, naturally competed for dominance. Acclaimed animal behaviourist Rudolph Schenkel first introduced the theory of alpha-male dominance after observing male and female dogs in captivity. As it turns out, Schenkel’s research was based on a faulty premise: wolves in the wild, says L. David Mech, founder of the Minnesota-based International Wolf Center, actually live in nuclear families, in which the mother and father are the group leaders and their offspring’s status is based on birth order. Mech, who used to support alpha-wolf theory but has changed his opinion in recent years, says the group’s hierarchy does not involve anyone fighting to the top of the group, because just like in a human family, the youngsters naturally follow their parents’ lead.

It is leadership by showing a good example, not dominance, that owners should try to practice in relation to their dogs. Dominant-submissive relationships that do occur in nature are a means to distribute food and other basic needs. This problem rarely exists between dogs and their owners. House pets, on the contrary, bark too much, jump up on you, ignore your commands, and growl at you because they have been rewarded for this conduct or because they have not been trained to act differently.

Adapted from “Dog Training and the Myth of Alpha-Male Dominance,” Time, July 30, 2010. <https://bit.ly/2VaFNKJ >

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)

When they live in captivity, wolves fight among themselves to become leaders.

TRUE

FALSE

b)

In wildlife, dominance is motivated by the need to control resources.

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)

Why does David Mech reject alpha-male dominance theories?

b)

What causes pets' misbehaviour?

TEXTO A

Dog Training and the Myth of Alpha-Male Dominance

Dogs are descended from wolves. Wild wolves live in hierarchical groups in which the aggressive alpha male rules over everyone else. Therefore, humans need to dominate their pet dogs to get them to behave. This logic has dominated the canine conversation for more than five years. But many experts say alpha-male dominance philosophy is based on old-fashioned animal studies.

The debate has its roots in 1940s studies of confined wolves that, when forced to live together, naturally competed for dominance. Acclaimed animal behaviourist Rudolph Schenkel first introduced the theory of alpha-male dominance after observing male and female dogs in captivity. As it turns out, Schenkel’s research was based on a faulty premise: wolves in the wild, says L. David Mech, founder of the Minnesota-based International Wolf Center, actually live in nuclear families, in which the mother and father are the group leaders and their offspring’s status is based on birth order. Mech, who used to support alpha-wolf theory but has changed his opinion in recent years, says the group’s hierarchy does not involve anyone fighting to the top of the group, because just like in a human family, the youngsters naturally follow their parents’ lead.

It is leadership by showing a good example, not dominance, that owners should try to practice in relation to their dogs. Dominant-submissive relationships that do occur in nature are a means to distribute food and other basic needs. This problem rarely exists between dogs and their owners. House pets, on the contrary, bark too much, jump up on you, ignore your commands, and growl at you because they have been rewarded for this conduct or because they have not been trained to act differently.

Adapted from “Dog Training and the Myth of Alpha-Male Dominance,” Time, July 30, 2010. <https://bit.ly/2VaFNKJ >

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

a)

b)

c)

d)

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

a)

David Mech was fascinated

the way in which wolves behave in the wild,

they live in families.

b)

you want to have a well-behaved dog,

(not / pay) attention to it when it misbehaves.

c)

Rudolph Schenkel,

put forward the theory of alpha-male dominance,

(write) his most famous study in 1947.

d)

Complete the following sentence to report what was said:

“Do you prefer having dogs or cats at your home?”

My friend asked me

.

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

What is your opinion about keeping animals in zoos? Discuss.

TEXTO B

University and Life

Whether you are at the beginning of your studies or at the very end, you surely have heard countless times so far that studying is the best period of a person's life. At first glance it seems like a cliché, which people always pronounce with a certain dose of sadness. With all the commitments, strict professors and difficult exams for which one needs to study for months, it does not really seem to be an amusing period of life. However, if you look at things from a different angle, at the end you definitely will come to the same conclusion. It is absolutely worthwhile.

You will enjoy freedom because you are finally on your own and you can arrange your free time the way you please. The students that live outside their hometown get to really experience this advantage. You can do or stop doing things you couldn't even dream of in your parents' home. A spontaneous party or a stroll at 4 am, why not?

Going away from home can be both stressful and difficult. Nevertheless, there are very few things that will contribute to your personal development and self-reliance as much as this experience. If you have decided to study in a foreign country, then you are facing the real challenge. When you get used to it, there are no limits for you anymore. And if you manage to work part-time at university while you study, it can be a very rewarding experience.

In the end, the best moment comes when you successfully overcome all the problems and obstacles, tasks and obligations that the study brings, and you are finally able to say that you are a grown-up. You are gradually changing every single day you spend as a student. Don't be surprised if you start your academic education as one person, and finish it as another, a better one, for sure.

Adapted from “University is the best time of your life,” Student Voices, October 11 th, 2017. <https://rb.gy/xiqvv8>

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)

Living by yourself makes you improve as an individual.

TRUE

FALSE

b)

It is not advisable to work and study at the same time.

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 advantages of living on your own when studying at university.

b)

When do students feel they are at the peak of their university experience?

TEXTO B

University and Life

Whether you are at the beginning of your studies or at the very end, you surely have heard countless times so far that studying is the best period of a person's life. At first glance it seems like a cliché, which people always pronounce with a certain dose of sadness. With all the commitments, strict professors and difficult exams for which one needs to study for months, it does not really seem to be an amusing period of life. However, if you look at things from a different angle, at the end you definitely will come to the same conclusion. It is absolutely worthwhile.

You will enjoy freedom because you are finally on your own and you can arrange your free time the way you please. The students that live outside their hometown get to really experience this advantage. You can do or stop doing things you couldn't even dream of in your parents' home. A spontaneous party or a stroll at 4 am, why not?

Going away from home can be both stressful and difficult. Nevertheless, there are very few things that will contribute to your personal development and self-reliance as much as this experience. If you have decided to study in a foreign country, then you are facing the real challenge. When you get used to it, there are no limits for you anymore. And if you manage to work part-time at university while you study, it can be a very rewarding experience.

In the end, the best moment comes when you successfully overcome all the problems and obstacles, tasks and obligations that the study brings, and you are finally able to say that you are a grown-up. You are gradually changing every single day you spend as a student. Don't be surprised if you start your academic education as one person, and finish it as another, a better one, for sure.

Adapted from “University is the best time of your life,” Student Voices, October 11 th, 2017. <https://rb.gy/xiqvv8>

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

a)

innumerable (paragraph 1):

b)

organize (paragraph 2):

c)

hard (paragraph 3):

d)

get over (paragraph 4):

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

a)

More companies

(hire) me years ago if I

(have) a university degree.

b)

Parents assume their kids learn the things they

(interest) in, while children look forward to

(satisfy) all their curiosity in a particular field.

c)

Most students will agree this is

(precious) life period, but they only become aware of it

those days are behind.

d)

I wish I

(take up) more extracurricular activities years ago in order to meet someone

shared my passion.

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

Do you think studying abroad can make you grow as a person? Justify your answer.

Escribe una redacción de entre 150 y 200 palabras expresando y justificando tu punto de vista de forma clara, coherente y bien estructurada.

Consulta los criterios de evaluación oficiales y el modelo de respuesta sugerido para autoevaluar tu redacción.