Examen de Inglés PAU Madrid 2024 · Extraordinaria (2)

TEXTO A

Hard News

Hard news refers to stories that cover events with important, real-world implications. It is associated with the notion of a free press and to the public's right to know. Hard news stories aim to inform about events and give citizens the information they need to be able to participate in the democratic process as fully informed citizens.

Hard news provides new information to the public in the interests of society. It covers topics such as politics, crime, law, environment, conflict, war, disasters, welfare, health, social justice, economics, science, and technology.

Hard news needs to be conveyed quickly and they should cover current events. People need to be informed about the most recent developments. Digital media and the internet have made the 24/7 access to news a lot easier.

New media are providing new opportunities –and new challenges– for news journalists: to blog and tweet or not to blog and tweet? Should journalists use social networking services to find sources? Journalists working in all media need to be adept at posting stories on multiple sites. These new demands, at a time when staff numbers are being reduced, place new pressures on journalists. But new media also offer new opportunities for collaboration between journalists, the public, and media companies in the creation of news.

The competition for newspaper readers from online sources has, as we all know, impacted on the viability of newspapers. As the old saying goes, why pay for something that is free? This is the ideology that has devastated the music and the printed newspaper industries.

Adapted from Bainbridge et al. 2015. Media and journalism: new approaches to theory and practice. 3rd edition. p.xxiv.

A.1.- Are the following statements TRUE or FALSE? Copy the evidence from the text. No marks are given for only TRUE or FALSE. [2 marks]

a)

Hard news ought to deal with the latest developments, and be immediately communicated.

TRUE

FALSE

b)

Online media journalists need to be good at publishing stories on different platforms.

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. [2 marks]

a)

Why is hard news important for democracy?

b)

What is the main problem with printed newspapers?

TEXTO A

Hard News

Hard news refers to stories that cover events with important, real-world implications. It is associated with the notion of a free press and to the public's right to know. Hard news stories aim to inform about events and give citizens the information they need to be able to participate in the democratic process as fully informed citizens.

Hard news provides new information to the public in the interests of society. It covers topics such as politics, crime, law, environment, conflict, war, disasters, welfare, health, social justice, economics, science, and technology.

Hard news needs to be conveyed quickly and they should cover current events. People need to be informed about the most recent developments. Digital media and the internet have made the 24/7 access to news a lot easier.

New media are providing new opportunities –and new challenges– for news journalists: to blog and tweet or not to blog and tweet? Should journalists use social networking services to find sources? Journalists working in all media need to be adept at posting stories on multiple sites. These new demands, at a time when staff numbers are being reduced, place new pressures on journalists. But new media also offer new opportunities for collaboration between journalists, the public, and media companies in the creation of news.

The competition for newspaper readers from online sources has, as we all know, impacted on the viability of newspapers. As the old saying goes, why pay for something that is free? This is the ideology that has devastated the music and the printed newspaper industries.

Adapted from Bainbridge et al. 2015. Media and journalism: new approaches to theory and practice. 3rd edition. p.xxiv.

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

[1 punto]

a)

connected (paragraph 1):

b)

themes (paragraph 2):

c)

requirements (paragraph 4):

d)

personnel (paragraph 4):

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

a)

Ignore what Jim says about you. It is just pure

(jealous). He blames you

his unhappiness.

b)

He tends

(exaggerate), so if I

(be) you, I wouldn't believe everything he says.

c)

Peter Watson seems to be afraid of

(work) hard. He

(most) wants to play the fool.

d)

New York

(change) so much in the last two decades that it is almost

(recognise).

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

What piece of news has interested you most lately? Explain.

TEXTO B - QUESTIONS

TEXTO B

Who Is Krampus, And What Does He Have to Do With Christmas?

Every December, Santa Claus comes out and gives presents to good children around the world, according to popular culture. But children who have misbehaved are instead visited by Krampus, a far more frightening mythical creature. Krampus is often depicted with horns and a demon-like face. Traditionally, Krampus appeared on the evening of Dec. 5, just the night preceding the feast of St. Nicholas.

In essence, Krampus is the bad cop to Santa's good cop. Krampus would often target children who behaved badly, hitting them with a tree branch known as a "switch," or even kidnapping them in a basket. If kids were "good," they would instead wake up on Dec. 6 to find presents from Santa.

It's not entirely clear when and how the Krampus custom began. The tradition has two origins located in different historical contexts. During the Enlightenment (1685-1815), Krampus appeared in Vienna, where he was used as an educational tool to teach children obedience and discipline. In the 17th and 18th centuries, carnival parades became popular in Bavaria and mountainous areas of Austria, and Krampus was incorporated into them. Authorities tried to ban these parades, in part because they led young people to get drunk and riot.

The popularity of Krampus has gone up and down over the years. In the 20th century, it was only popular in a handful of small regions in Bavaria, Tyrol and Salzburg. But now, in the 21st century, Krampus festivities are more popular than ever, with events occurring around the world. For example, people dress up as Krampus on Dec. 5 and participate in events called "Krampus runs" in Germany and Austria. Advances in technology and social media may be one reason for this increase in popularity of the Krampus tradition in the latest years.

Adapted from “Who is Krampus, and what does he have to do with Christmas?” Livescience.com, November 28, 2022. <https://www.livescience.com/who-is-krampus>

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)

According to tradition, Krampus showed up on the night of St. Nicholas's festivity.

TRUE

FALSE

b)

It is only through new technologies that Krampus is becoming more famous.

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)

Which are the two origins of the Krampus tradition?

b)

How has the popularity of Krampus changed from the 20th century to the present?

TEXTO B

Who Is Krampus, And What Does He Have to Do With Christmas?

Every December, Santa Claus comes out and gives presents to good children around the world, according to popular culture. But children who have misbehaved are instead visited by Krampus, a far more frightening mythical creature. Krampus is often depicted with horns and a demon-like face. Traditionally, Krampus appeared on the evening of Dec. 5, just the night preceding the feast of St. Nicholas.

In essence, Krampus is the bad cop to Santa's good cop. Krampus would often target children who behaved badly, hitting them with a tree branch known as a "switch," or even kidnapping them in a basket. If kids were "good," they would instead wake up on Dec. 6 to find presents from Santa.

It's not entirely clear when and how the Krampus custom began. The tradition has two origins located in different historical contexts. During the Enlightenment (1685-1815), Krampus appeared in Vienna, where he was used as an educational tool to teach children obedience and discipline. In the 17th and 18th centuries, carnival parades became popular in Bavaria and mountainous areas of Austria, and Krampus was incorporated into them. Authorities tried to ban these parades, in part because they led young people to get drunk and riot.

The popularity of Krampus has gone up and down over the years. In the 20th century, it was only popular in a handful of small regions in Bavaria, Tyrol and Salzburg. But now, in the 21st century, Krampus festivities are more popular than ever, with events occurring around the world. For example, people dress up as Krampus on Dec. 5 and participate in events called "Krampus runs" in Germany and Austria. Advances in technology and social media may be one reason for this increase in popularity of the Krampus tradition in the latest years.

Adapted from “Who is Krampus, and what does he have to do with Christmas?” Livescience.com, November 28, 2022. <https://www.livescience.com/who-is-krampus>

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 enjoy

(celebrate) Christmas with my family. For me, it is even

(good) than summer.

b)

When he

(be) a child, he was afraid of monsters coming to his bedroom

night.

c)

If Tom had known Jane loves films

happen during Halloween parties, he

(invite) her to watch Scream VI.

d)

all the noise and the cold, I managed to have a good rest thanks to your

(wonder) hospitality.

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

Do you think that historical traditions and festivities should be preserved? Justify your opinion.