Opción A · Inglés PAU Madrid Ordinaria (2ª lengua) 2018

OPCIÓN A

First Dates

When your dinner companion spends the evening looking at his device, or at the ball game on the television set conveniently on the wall behind you (perhaps explaining his choice of venue –and seat selection), you may wonder if you are even on a date. That is a great question. Because for the same reason that selective attention is one of the most seductive aspects of romantic attraction, inattention is one of the biggest turn-offs.

Speed dating has provided a great deal of information about first date chemistry through speed dating research. Speed dating involves a series of face-to-face interactions with prospective romantic partners, often lasting only several minutes in length. While this sounds exhausting, research reveals participants are able to glean enough information from these brief interactions to decide whether they would like to see the other person again – and why.

Speed-dating studies are better sources of relational predictive data than meeting people at parties or other social events, because a speed-dating context involves participants who are looking for romantic relationships. Speed dating can arguably also provide a more practical method of gauging potential romantic interest than answering prompts on a questionnaire or responding to a hypothetical scenario because it involves in-person, face-to-face chemistry.

Unfortunately, in a world of multitasking, we inadvertently display inattention, which can put at risk the development of the relationship. Divided attention reduces the ability to cultivate chemistry because distraction transmits disinterest. On the other hand, we have all had the experience of spending time with someone where the chemistry is almost palatable. We could not wait to see them again. What then makes the difference? The answer, in a word: ATTENTION.

QUESTIONS

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)

Speed-dating involves long-lasting online exchanges with our date.

b)

Doing many things at the same time can result in the intentional lack of attention.

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 the text, how can our date fail to show attention to us?

b)

Why does speed dating offer a more suitable way to measure romantic interest than surveys?