Examen de Inglés PAU Madrid 2022 · Ordinaria (2ª lengua)

TEXTO A

Happy Faces Everywhere

If you have ever seen a face in an inanimate object, your brain is engaged in a process called pareidolia. This is the tendency to see a pattern or meaning in something, where actually there is nothing there. Seeing faces in everyday objects is a common experience. Many of us perceive a smiley face in the clouds, in the froth of a cappuccino, or in an object as mundane as an electrical plug socket. Scientists from the University of Sydney carried out a study to investigate whether our brain processes these illusory faces in the same way it does with real human faces. Their research suggests there are some similarities in how we recognise both human and 'false' faces.

In the study, 17 volunteers looked at a series of illusory and human faces, and they had to rate the strength of emotional attachment they felt upon seeing each one. Psychologist David Alais said: "We know these objects are not truly faces, yet the perception of a face lingers." He added: "We end up with something strange: a parallel experience that the object is both a compelling face and an object. Two things at once, and we focus more on the image of a face than the fact it is an object. The first impression of a face does not give way to the second perception of an object."

The researchers point to the importance of facial expressions as social communication as the reason for why our brains are constantly recognizing faces and assessing their expressions. It helps us determine what sort of situation we are in, and what to do next, which is why our brains have learned to do it so quickly and with so little information (just a hint of two eyes and a nose, perhaps).

Adapted from “Here's Why We Tend to See Faces Everywhere We Look, According to Science,” Science Alert, July 9, 2021. <https://www.sciencealert.com/here-s-why-we-tend-to-see-faces-everywhere-we-look>

QUESTIONS

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

(Puntuación máxima: 2 puntos)

a)

Scientists say the ways we identify real and false faces are totally identical.

TRUE

FALSE

b)

In the experiment, the volunteers had to measure their emotions only when seeing false faces.

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 does pareidolia mean?

b)

Why do researchers underline the importance of face recognition as social communication?

TEXTO A

Happy Faces Everywhere

If you have ever seen a face in an inanimate object, your brain is engaged in a process called pareidolia. This is the tendency to see a pattern or meaning in something, where actually there is nothing there. Seeing faces in everyday objects is a common experience. Many of us perceive a smiley face in the clouds, in the froth of a cappuccino, or in an object as mundane as an electrical plug socket. Scientists from the University of Sydney carried out a study to investigate whether our brain processes these illusory faces in the same way it does with real human faces. Their research suggests there are some similarities in how we recognise both human and 'false' faces.

In the study, 17 volunteers looked at a series of illusory and human faces, and they had to rate the strength of emotional attachment they felt upon seeing each one. Psychologist David Alais said: "We know these objects are not truly faces, yet the perception of a face lingers." He added: "We end up with something strange: a parallel experience that the object is both a compelling face and an object. Two things at once, and we focus more on the image of a face than the fact it is an object. The first impression of a face does not give way to the second perception of an object."

The researchers point to the importance of facial expressions as social communication as the reason for why our brains are constantly recognizing faces and assessing their expressions. It helps us determine what sort of situation we are in, and what to do next, which is why our brains have learned to do it so quickly and with so little information (just a hint of two eyes and a nose, perhaps).

Adapted from “Here's Why We Tend to See Faces Everywhere We Look, According to Science,” Science Alert, July 9, 2021. <https://www.sciencealert.com/here-s-why-we-tend-to-see-faces-everywhere-we-look>

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)

The researchers found that the study participants mostly agreed

the expressions that the pareidolia faces

(show).

b)

However, it is still

(know) whether the expression in illusory faces

(involve) the same mechanisms as human faces.

c)

Regardless

your version of true

(happy), living a happier, more satisfied life is within reach.

d)

Making a conscious effort to focus your attention on

is happening around you can help you feel

(good).

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

What would you need to become a happier and more positive person? Explain.

TEXTO B

Economists ‘Grossly Undervalue Young Lives’

Many economic assessments of the climate crisis “grossly undervalue the lives of young people and future generations,” Professor Stern warned, before the climate summit in Glasgow. Economists have failed to take into account the “immense risks and potential loss of life” that could occur as a result of the climate crisis, he said, as well as badly underestimating the speed at which the costs of clean technologies, such as solar and wind energy, have fallen.

Stern said the economics profession had also misunderstood the basics of “discounting”, the way in which economic models value future assets and lives compared with their value today. “It means economists have grossly undervalued the lives of young people who are most at threat from the devastating impacts of climate change,” he said. “Discounting has been applied in such a way that it is effectively discrimination by date of birth.”

Youth protests around the world, sparked by the school strike of Greta Thunberg, have been a key factor in increasing demands for action in recent years, along with rising extreme weather events. Recent research shows people born today will suffer many times more extreme heatwaves and other climate disasters over their lifetimes than their grandparents.

However, Stern said: “The move to net zero emissions can be the great driver of a new form of growth – the growth story of the 21st century. This growth will be more resource-efficient, more productive, and healthier, and will offer greater protection to our biodiversity.” Renewable energy costs have fallen dramatically, and the use of electric cars is increasing. Meanwhile, 75% of global emissions are now covered by national commitments to net zero emissions by the middle part of the century.

Adapted from “Climate crisis: economists ‘grossly undervalue young lives’, warns Stern,” The Guardian, October 26, 2021. <https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/oct/26/climate-crisis-economists-grossly-undervalue-young-lives-warns-stern>

QUESTIONS

B.1.- Are the following statements TRUE or FALSE? Copy the evidence from the text. Use a complete sentence. No marks are given for only TRUE or FALSE. (Puntuación máxima: 2 puntos)

a)

Youth demonstrations and extreme weather have triggered action to address the climate emergency.

TRUE

FALSE

b)

There has been a slight decrease in energy costs and use of electric cars.

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)

According to recent studies, how will extreme weather conditions affect people in the near future?

b)

According to Stern, what are the consequences of moving to zero emissions?

TEXTO B

Economists ‘Grossly Undervalue Young Lives’

Many economic assessments of the climate crisis “grossly undervalue the lives of young people and future generations,” Professor Stern warned, before the climate summit in Glasgow. Economists have failed to take into account the “immense risks and potential loss of life” that could occur as a result of the climate crisis, he said, as well as badly underestimating the speed at which the costs of clean technologies, such as solar and wind energy, have fallen.

Stern said the economics profession had also misunderstood the basics of “discounting”, the way in which economic models value future assets and lives compared with their value today. “It means economists have grossly undervalued the lives of young people who are most at threat from the devastating impacts of climate change,” he said. “Discounting has been applied in such a way that it is effectively discrimination by date of birth.”

Youth protests around the world, sparked by the school strike of Greta Thunberg, have been a key factor in increasing demands for action in recent years, along with rising extreme weather events. Recent research shows people born today will suffer many times more extreme heatwaves and other climate disasters over their lifetimes than their grandparents.

However, Stern said: “The move to net zero emissions can be the great driver of a new form of growth – the growth story of the 21st century. This growth will be more resource-efficient, more productive, and healthier, and will offer greater protection to our biodiversity.” Renewable energy costs have fallen dramatically, and the use of electric cars is increasing. Meanwhile, 75% of global emissions are now covered by national commitments to net zero emissions by the middle part of the century.

Adapted from “Climate crisis: economists ‘grossly undervalue young lives’, warns Stern,” The Guardian, October 26, 2021. <https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/oct/26/climate-crisis-economists-grossly-undervalue-young-lives-warns-stern>

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)

Several countries have

(recent) announced major commitments to cut their carbon emissions,

(promise) to reach "net zero" in the coming years.

b)

Solar PV module prices

(fall) by around 90% since the end

2009.

c)

The climate crisis presents a threat

food and water security if we keep

(burn) fossil fuels at our current rates.

d)

Complete the following sentence to report what was said.

"Why was Greta Thunberg criticised by some politicians last year?"

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

Taking future challenges into account, describe a day in the life of a person 100 years from now.