Examen de Inglés PAU Madrid 2026 · Ordinaria (2ª lengua) Coincidencias

Learning to Live Beside Endangered Tigers

Even after four decades, seeing a tiger in the wild still fills Ullas Karanth with wonder. “They’re beyond anything a human painter or sculptor could create,” says Karanth. He is the founder of the Centre for Wildlife Studies, where he has been studying tigers since the 1980s.

Tigers can weigh more than 600 pounds, jump up to 20 feet laterally and hunt animals nearly five times their weight. But despite all their strength and ferocity, their position in the food chain can be fragile. To survive, a single tiger must consume 100 pounds of meat each week. That is equivalent to 50 large animals such as buffalo or antelope each year. “This means tigers need to live in big areas,” says Karanth. “But land alone isn’t enough—the land must be filled with food.”

In 1900, the global tiger population was nearly 100,000. Today it reaches an estimated 4,500 animals. Simply, tigers now occupy less than 7 per cent of their historical range. Direct conflict with people has not helped their troubles. In India—home to some 70 per cent of the world's wild tigers—human population growth and large housing developments are pressing people and tigers closer together. Millions of people now live around tiger reserves, and each year tigers kill 50 to 60 people and hundreds of farm animals, which can provoke revenge killings from people.

Karanth’s daughter, Krithi Karanth, well-known wildlife researcher and head of the Centre for Wildlife Studies, spends significant time and resources trying to reduce human-wildlife conflict. One of the centre’s programmes works with around 2,000 rural communities to facilitate access to government funds collected for people who have lost family members or goats to tiger attacks. “These payments don’t fully compensate for what people have lost emotionally or monetarily, but it can help them face the future,” Krithi Karanth explains. “If these payments don’t reach people, the feeling of indignation toward tigers goes up.”

Another programme designed by Karanth, and active in nearly 1,000 rural schools, teaches children about the crucial role tigers and other animals play in their local ecosystems. Otherwise, Krithi Karanth says, “the kids view wildlife with hostility and fear.” It also provides the students with simple tips, such as carrying flashlights, talking loudly, singing songs or travelling in groups, to keep them safe near wildlife. “If we can teach them empathy—that every non-human life matters—I think people and tigers will live better.”

Adapted from Alex Fox's “Learning to Live Beside Endangered Tigers May Be the Key to Saving Them.” Smithsonian Magazine, Sept./Oct. 2024. <https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/learning-live-beside-endangered-tigers-may-be-key-saving-them-180984900/>

1.- Indicate whether TWO of the following statements are True, False or the information is Not Given in the text (T/F/NG). In true and false cases, copy the complete sentence that contains the evidence which justifies your answer. No marks are given for only TRUE or FALSE. (Puntuación máxima: 2 puntos)

a)

Although he has observed them for many years, Ullas Karanth continues to be amazed by tigers.

TRUE

FALSE

NOT GIVEN

b)

Although tigers are powerful animals, they may be vulnerable in their environment.

TRUE

FALSE

NOT GIVEN

c)

Krithi Karanth thinks money gives hope to people whose relatives or farm animals were killed by tigers, even if it does not completely satisfy them.

TRUE

FALSE

NOT GIVEN

Learning to Live Beside Endangered Tigers

Even after four decades, seeing a tiger in the wild still fills Ullas Karanth with wonder. “They’re beyond anything a human painter or sculptor could create,” says Karanth. He is the founder of the Centre for Wildlife Studies, where he has been studying tigers since the 1980s.

Tigers can weigh more than 600 pounds, jump up to 20 feet laterally and hunt animals nearly five times their weight. But despite all their strength and ferocity, their position in the food chain can be fragile. To survive, a single tiger must consume 100 pounds of meat each week. That is equivalent to 50 large animals such as buffalo or antelope each year. “This means tigers need to live in big areas,” says Karanth. “But land alone isn’t enough—the land must be filled with food.”

In 1900, the global tiger population was nearly 100,000. Today it reaches an estimated 4,500 animals. Simply, tigers now occupy less than 7 per cent of their historical range. Direct conflict with people has not helped their troubles. In India—home to some 70 per cent of the world's wild tigers—human population growth and large housing developments are pressing people and tigers closer together. Millions of people now live around tiger reserves, and each year tigers kill 50 to 60 people and hundreds of farm animals, which can provoke revenge killings from people.

Karanth’s daughter, Krithi Karanth, well-known wildlife researcher and head of the Centre for Wildlife Studies, spends significant time and resources trying to reduce human-wildlife conflict. One of the centre’s programmes works with around 2,000 rural communities to facilitate access to government funds collected for people who have lost family members or goats to tiger attacks. “These payments don’t fully compensate for what people have lost emotionally or monetarily, but it can help them face the future,” Krithi Karanth explains. “If these payments don’t reach people, the feeling of indignation toward tigers goes up.”

Another programme designed by Karanth, and active in nearly 1,000 rural schools, teaches children about the crucial role tigers and other animals play in their local ecosystems. Otherwise, Krithi Karanth says, “the kids view wildlife with hostility and fear.” It also provides the students with simple tips, such as carrying flashlights, talking loudly, singing songs or travelling in groups, to keep them safe near wildlife. “If we can teach them empathy—that every non-human life matters—I think people and tigers will live better.”

Adapted from Alex Fox's “Learning to Live Beside Endangered Tigers May Be the Key to Saving Them.” Smithsonian Magazine, Sept./Oct. 2024. <https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/learning-live-beside-endangered-tigers-may-be-key-saving-them-180984900/>

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 are people and tigers living so close together in India?

b)

What safety rules do kids learn at the rural schools participating in Krithi Karanth's second programme? Mention two ideas.

Learning to Live Beside Endangered Tigers

Even after four decades, seeing a tiger in the wild still fills Ullas Karanth with wonder. “They’re beyond anything a human painter or sculptor could create,” says Karanth. He is the founder of the Centre for Wildlife Studies, where he has been studying tigers since the 1980s.

Tigers can weigh more than 600 pounds, jump up to 20 feet laterally and hunt animals nearly five times their weight. But despite all their strength and ferocity, their position in the food chain can be fragile. To survive, a single tiger must consume 100 pounds of meat each week. That is equivalent to 50 large animals such as buffalo or antelope each year. “This means tigers need to live in big areas,” says Karanth. “But land alone isn’t enough—the land must be filled with food.”

In 1900, the global tiger population was nearly 100,000. Today it reaches an estimated 4,500 animals. Simply, tigers now occupy less than 7 per cent of their historical range. Direct conflict with people has not helped their troubles. In India—home to some 70 per cent of the world's wild tigers—human population growth and large housing developments are pressing people and tigers closer together. Millions of people now live around tiger reserves, and each year tigers kill 50 to 60 people and hundreds of farm animals, which can provoke revenge killings from people.

Karanth’s daughter, Krithi Karanth, well-known wildlife researcher and head of the Centre for Wildlife Studies, spends significant time and resources trying to reduce human-wildlife conflict. One of the centre’s programmes works with around 2,000 rural communities to facilitate access to government funds collected for people who have lost family members or goats to tiger attacks. “These payments don’t fully compensate for what people have lost emotionally or monetarily, but it can help them face the future,” Krithi Karanth explains. “If these payments don’t reach people, the feeling of indignation toward tigers goes up.”

Another programme designed by Karanth, and active in nearly 1,000 rural schools, teaches children about the crucial role tigers and other animals play in their local ecosystems. Otherwise, Krithi Karanth says, “the kids view wildlife with hostility and fear.” It also provides the students with simple tips, such as carrying flashlights, talking loudly, singing songs or travelling in groups, to keep them safe near wildlife. “If we can teach them empathy—that every non-human life matters—I think people and tigers will live better.”

Adapted from Alex Fox's “Learning to Live Beside Endangered Tigers May Be the Key to Saving Them.” Smithsonian Magazine, Sept./Oct. 2024. <https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/learning-live-beside-endangered-tigers-may-be-key-saving-them-180984900/>

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

a)

b)

c)

d)

e)

Answer FOUR questions (from a to f) of your choice.

a)

Write a new sentence that has the same meaning as the one given. Use the word or expression in brackets. Do not change the word given.

I'd like to be able to speak Spanish. ( wish)

b)

Write a new sentence that has the same meaning as the one given. Use the word or expression in brackets. Do not change the word given.

My friend plays basketball very well. ( good)

c)

Write a new sentence that has the same meaning as the one given. Use the word or expression in brackets. Do not change the word given.

Jennifer can run faster than Amy. ( as)

d)

Write a new sentence that has the same meaning as the one given. Use the word or expression in brackets. Do not change the word given.

You can borrow my new car, but you must be careful with it. ( long)

e)

Complete the following sentence to report what was said:

“Put your belongings on this tray.”

The police officer asked her ….

The police officer asked her

f)

Rephrase the sentence beginning with the words given:

“Let’s all go to the zoo,” Ann told us.

Ann suggested ….

Ann suggested

5.- Write between 140 and 180 words on ONE of the following questions.

Opción a

Many people think zoos play an important role in wildlife education. However, others argue that animals should not be kept in captivity. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

5.- Write between 140 and 180 words on ONE of the following questions.

Opción b

If you had extra time to connect with nature, what would you do?