Examen de Inglés PAU Madrid 2026 · Ordinaria 9:30

A Style Icon

Diane Keaton, the Oscar-winning actress whose death at 79 surprised everyone in 2025, was one of the last movie stars to arrive in Hollywood before big brands changed the way celebrities dressed. She never used a stylist but came with an aesthetic so clearly formed that she shaped fashion, rather than allowing fashion to shape her.

As a result, she was fond of men's suits, of coats and raincoats as evening wear, and of accessories—bowler hats, gloves, belts, glasses. All that is as much a part of her legacy as her unforgettable roles in films like Annie Hall (1977)—the film that first introduced the Keaton aesthetic to the world—and Reds (1981). In a time when it often seems that movie stars let designers and professional brands choose their clothes, Keaton is a reminder that personal style can be powerful.

Keaton inspired not just her early director, Woody Allen, who famously asked her to dress herself for Annie Hall, but also designers such as Ralph Lauren. Her fashion was the impetus for two titles from Keaton herself: the 2014 essay collection, Let's Just Say it Wasn't Pretty, about finding and staying true to your own style, and the 2024 coffee table book, Diane Keaton: Fashion First. Ralph Lauren wrote the introduction for the latter. Lauren said he is always being credited with dressing Diane in her role as Annie Hall, which could not be further from the truth. He praised her look: “Annie's style was Diane's style. It's not defined by the moment. It's not about trends, but authentic and forever.”

Her affinity for ties, loose trousers, vests and outfits typically worn by men put Keaton in the tradition of some old Hollywood female stars who refused to conform to gender or social expectations. Those clothes also covered up what she viewed as her weak points. She wore hats, she said, because she did not like her hair. Turtlenecks because they hid the neck and framed her face. All those layers gave her freedom because they gave her security. “You could call my wardrobe an impenetrable castle,” she wrote. Her way of dressing for red-carpet ceremonies was indeed the negation to today's naked dressing trend.

She never avoided fashion discussions nor rejected the role it played in her life. For her it was not frivolous, it was an established part of her identity. Her goal, Keaton wrote, was “finding whatever works for you to get out the door every day.” She found it and she encouraged other people to find it too. Her style was not for sale, and that made it priceless.

Adapted from Vanessa Friedman's “Diane Keaton Was the Definition of a Style Icon: An Appraisal.” The New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025. <https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/12/style/diane-keaton-style-icon.html>

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)

Diane Keaton did not like stylists because she had had negative experiences with them in her early career.

TRUE

FALSE

NOT GIVEN

b)

Contrary to popular belief, Ralph Lauren never dressed Diane Keaton for her role in Annie Hall.

TRUE

FALSE

NOT GIVEN

c)

Diane Keaton categorically refused to comment on fashion.

TRUE

FALSE

NOT GIVEN

A Style Icon

Diane Keaton, the Oscar-winning actress whose death at 79 surprised everyone in 2025, was one of the last movie stars to arrive in Hollywood before big brands changed the way celebrities dressed. She never used a stylist but came with an aesthetic so clearly formed that she shaped fashion, rather than allowing fashion to shape her.

As a result, she was fond of men's suits, of coats and raincoats as evening wear, and of accessories—bowler hats, gloves, belts, glasses. All that is as much a part of her legacy as her unforgettable roles in films like Annie Hall (1977)—the film that first introduced the Keaton aesthetic to the world—and Reds (1981). In a time when it often seems that movie stars let designers and professional brands choose their clothes, Keaton is a reminder that personal style can be powerful.

Keaton inspired not just her early director, Woody Allen, who famously asked her to dress herself for Annie Hall, but also designers such as Ralph Lauren. Her fashion was the impetus for two titles from Keaton herself: the 2014 essay collection, Let's Just Say it Wasn't Pretty, about finding and staying true to your own style, and the 2024 coffee table book, Diane Keaton: Fashion First. Ralph Lauren wrote the introduction for the latter. Lauren said he is always being credited with dressing Diane in her role as Annie Hall, which could not be further from the truth. He praised her look: “Annie's style was Diane's style. It's not defined by the moment. It's not about trends, but authentic and forever.”

Her affinity for ties, loose trousers, vests and outfits typically worn by men put Keaton in the tradition of some old Hollywood female stars who refused to conform to gender or social expectations. Those clothes also covered up what she viewed as her weak points. She wore hats, she said, because she did not like her hair. Turtlenecks because they hid the neck and framed her face. All those layers gave her freedom because they gave her security. “You could call my wardrobe an impenetrable castle,” she wrote. Her way of dressing for red-carpet ceremonies was indeed the negation to today's naked dressing trend.

She never avoided fashion discussions nor rejected the role it played in her life. For her it was not frivolous, it was an established part of her identity. Her goal, Keaton wrote, was “finding whatever works for you to get out the door every day.” She found it and she encouraged other people to find it too. Her style was not for sale, and that made it priceless.

Adapted from Vanessa Friedman's “Diane Keaton Was the Definition of a Style Icon: An Appraisal.” The New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025. <https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/12/style/diane-keaton-style-icon.html>

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 was Ralph Lauren’s opinion about Keaton’s clothes in the movie Annie Hall ?

b)

How did Keaton challenge gender conformity in Hollywood?

A Style Icon

Diane Keaton, the Oscar-winning actress whose death at 79 surprised everyone in 2025, was one of the last movie stars to arrive in Hollywood before big brands changed the way celebrities dressed. She never used a stylist but came with an aesthetic so clearly formed that she shaped fashion, rather than allowing fashion to shape her.

As a result, she was fond of men's suits, of coats and raincoats as evening wear, and of accessories—bowler hats, gloves, belts, glasses. All that is as much a part of her legacy as her unforgettable roles in films like Annie Hall (1977)—the film that first introduced the Keaton aesthetic to the world—and Reds (1981). In a time when it often seems that movie stars let designers and professional brands choose their clothes, Keaton is a reminder that personal style can be powerful.

Keaton inspired not just her early director, Woody Allen, who famously asked her to dress herself for Annie Hall, but also designers such as Ralph Lauren. Her fashion was the impetus for two titles from Keaton herself: the 2014 essay collection, Let's Just Say it Wasn't Pretty, about finding and staying true to your own style, and the 2024 coffee table book, Diane Keaton: Fashion First. Ralph Lauren wrote the introduction for the latter. Lauren said he is always being credited with dressing Diane in her role as Annie Hall, which could not be further from the truth. He praised her look: “Annie's style was Diane's style. It's not defined by the moment. It's not about trends, but authentic and forever.”

Her affinity for ties, loose trousers, vests and outfits typically worn by men put Keaton in the tradition of some old Hollywood female stars who refused to conform to gender or social expectations. Those clothes also covered up what she viewed as her weak points. She wore hats, she said, because she did not like her hair. Turtlenecks because they hid the neck and framed her face. All those layers gave her freedom because they gave her security. “You could call my wardrobe an impenetrable castle,” she wrote. Her way of dressing for red-carpet ceremonies was indeed the negation to today's naked dressing trend.

She never avoided fashion discussions nor rejected the role it played in her life. For her it was not frivolous, it was an established part of her identity. Her goal, Keaton wrote, was “finding whatever works for you to get out the door every day.” She found it and she encouraged other people to find it too. Her style was not for sale, and that made it priceless.

Adapted from Vanessa Friedman's “Diane Keaton Was the Definition of a Style Icon: An Appraisal.” The New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025. <https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/12/style/diane-keaton-style-icon.html>

3.- Find the words in the text that mean: [Puntuación máxima: 1 punto]

a)

important (paragraph 1):

b)

pick (paragraph 2):

c)

considered (paragraph 4):

d)

certainly (paragraph 4):

e)

invaluable (paragraph 5):

4.- Answer FOUR questions (from a to f) of your choice. [2 puntos]

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, or complete/rephrase as indicated.

a)

They arrived very late because their car broke down. ( if)

b)

Patrick often panics when there is a problem. ( tendency)

c)

I would like to go shopping today. ( rather)

d)

This fashion museum was once an old car factory. ( turned into)

e)

“Can you take my name off the guest list?” He asked his mother.

Complete the following sentence to report what was said:

He asked his mother if

f)

I've never seen such a beautiful place as Yosemite National Park.

Rephrase the sentence beginning with the words given:

Yosemite National Park is

5.- Writing (Option a) [3 puntos]

Write between 140 and 180 words on the following question:

Write about the style of the celebrity you most admire.

Word count: words (requirement: 140 - 180 words).

5.- Writing (Option b) [3 puntos]

Write between 140 and 180 words on the following question:

Some people think fashion is like art and important for modern life, while others feel it is a waste of time and money. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Word count: words (requirement: 140 - 180 words).