Examen de Inglés PAU Murcia 2021 · Extraordinaria

TEXT A

Living in Egypt: A human review

We lived in Egypt for two and a half months, learning as much as possible about life there. We tried as many experiences as we could, and spoke to many people, from locals of different backgrounds to visitors from neighbouring countries and people from further away.

Egypt is both an African country and an Arab country, but it's also neither. The people of Egypt consider themselves some combination of Egyptian, Arab, North African, or sometimes, none of the above, and just Bedouin (or foreigners). Ethnically speaking, most people living in Egypt are the blend of North African and Arab genes that dominate the country. In fact, according to the National Geographic Genographic Project, the Egyptian gene pool consists of around 17% Arabian genes. Contrast this with Kuwait, whose population on average have 84% Arabian genes, or even Iran, with 56% Arab genes.

There are some pretty significant minorities in Egypt, too. For example, the Bedouin, a group of roaming tribes who have been unconquered by the various empires and religions that have dominated the region over the last two thousand years. They have a sort of “whatever will be, will be” attitude, which also extends to nobody telling them what to do. The Bedouin are distinct culturally, ethnically, and linguistically, though they share a lot with the countries they inhabit.

Egypt itself is a country with many thousands of years of history. In Cairo, you can see the Pyramids from many vantage points 1 around the city, and some people live with them in daily view. In the South of Egypt, there are cities like Luxor which are like living museums, with ruins and relics everywhere. Still, ancient history isn’t the concern of everyday Egyptians…

And as a visitor, Egypt is the kind of country that puts you on your guard, so much that there are probably many times you won’t be able to enjoy its hospitality because you’ve already run away. For example, at the souq 2. When Egyptian salesmen address you, it’s hard to understand if what they’re saying is their typical sales pitch 3 or they are harassing 4 you.

1 Vantage point: A place, especially a high one, that provides a good, clear view of an area.

2 Souq: A market in an Arab country.

3 Sales pitch: A way of talking that is intended to convince you to buy something.

4 Harassment: To behave in a way that annoys or upsets someone, usually repeatedly or continuously.

Read the text and decide whether statements 1.1 to 1.4 are true or false. Then, find a text fragment which confirms your answer in either case. Write “TRUE” or “FALSE” plus the fragment (one or two lines maximum).

TRUE

FALSE

TEXT A

Living in Egypt: A human review

We lived in Egypt for two and a half months, learning as much as possible about life there. We tried as many experiences as we could, and spoke to many people, from locals of different backgrounds to visitors from neighbouring countries and people from further away.

Egypt is both an African country and an Arab country, but it's also neither. The people of Egypt consider themselves some combination of Egyptian, Arab, North African, or sometimes, none of the above, and just Bedouin (or foreigners). Ethnically speaking, most people living in Egypt are the blend of North African and Arab genes that dominate the country. In fact, according to the National Geographic Genographic Project, the Egyptian gene pool consists of around 17% Arabian genes. Contrast this with Kuwait, whose population on average have 84% Arabian genes, or even Iran, with 56% Arab genes.

There are some pretty significant minorities in Egypt, too. For example, the Bedouin, a group of roaming tribes who have been unconquered by the various empires and religions that have dominated the region over the last two thousand years. They have a sort of “whatever will be, will be” attitude, which also extends to nobody telling them what to do. The Bedouin are distinct culturally, ethnically, and linguistically, though they share a lot with the countries they inhabit.

Egypt itself is a country with many thousands of years of history. In Cairo, you can see the Pyramids from many vantage points 1 around the city, and some people live with them in daily view. In the South of Egypt, there are cities like Luxor which are like living museums, with ruins and relics everywhere. Still, ancient history isn’t the concern of everyday Egyptians…

And as a visitor, Egypt is the kind of country that puts you on your guard, so much that there are probably many times you won’t be able to enjoy its hospitality because you’ve already run away. For example, at the souq 2. When Egyptian salesmen address you, it’s hard to understand if what they’re saying is their typical sales pitch 3 or they are harassing 4 you.

1 Vantage point: A place, especially a high one, that provides a good, clear view of an area.

2 Souq: A market in an Arab country.

3 Sales pitch: A way of talking that is intended to convince you to buy something.

4 Harassment: To behave in a way that annoys or upsets someone, usually repeatedly or continuously.

Complete each sentence with information from the text but using your own words (about 10-15 words of your own per sentence). DO NOT COPY LITERALLY from the text nor from statements 1.1 to 1.4.

2.1.

2.2.

Text B

Spanish is on the rise

The position of the Spanish language in the world today remains strong. Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language after Chinese. In the United States, after English, Spanish is the most common language, spoken by approximately 38 million people.

In the US, Spanish is by far the most commonly taught language in schools and has increased in popularity over the past 20 years. In 2008, 88% of the elementary schools with foreign language programs taught Spanish, compared to 79% in 1997, and 68% in 1987. At the same time, French and German decreased. In secondary schools, 93% of the schools with language programs offered Spanish, and this percentage increased since 1987 by 6%. Both French and German instruction decreased during this time period as well.

Over 572 million people speak Spanish worldwide, of which 477 million people are native speakers, according to a new report from the Spanish government’s Cervantes Institute. In its annual report, Spanish in the World (2017), the Institute found that the number of Spanish native speakers jumped by 5 million between 2016 and 2017.

According to the report, Spanish continues to be the second most spoken native language —topped only by Mandarin, which is spoken by 950 million people. Today, Spanish is spoken in 7.8% of the world, a percentage that is predicted to remain the same until at least 2050 —unlike those for Mandarin and English, which are expected to drop.

This number is expected to rise to 754 million people by 2050, pushed by population growth in Spanish-speaking countries as well as the growing number of Spanish speakers in the US.

Today, in the US, there are 43 million native Spanish speakers and another 15 million people with some knowledge of Spanish. Spanish has a lot of weight in Latin America, but the most interesting news is how Spanish has grown in the US. By the middle of this century, Spanish will break apart the English-only model.

1. Read the text and choose the best option (A, B, or C) for items 1.1 to 1.4. [Score: 4 items x 0.5 marks = 2 marks]

Text B

Spanish is on the rise

The position of the Spanish language in the world today remains strong. Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language after Chinese. In the United States, after English, Spanish is the most common language, spoken by approximately 38 million people.

In the US, Spanish is by far the most commonly taught language in schools and has increased in popularity over the past 20 years. In 2008, 88% of the elementary schools with foreign language programs taught Spanish, compared to 79% in 1997, and 68% in 1987. At the same time, French and German decreased. In secondary schools, 93% of the schools with language programs offered Spanish, and this percentage increased since 1987 by 6%. Both French and German instruction decreased during this time period as well.

Over 572 million people speak Spanish worldwide, of which 477 million people are native speakers, according to a new report from the Spanish government’s Cervantes Institute. In its annual report, Spanish in the World (2017), the Institute found that the number of Spanish native speakers jumped by 5 million between 2016 and 2017.

According to the report, Spanish continues to be the second most spoken native language —topped only by Mandarin, which is spoken by 950 million people. Today, Spanish is spoken in 7.8% of the world, a percentage that is predicted to remain the same until at least 2050 —unlike those for Mandarin and English, which are expected to drop.

This number is expected to rise to 754 million people by 2050, pushed by population growth in Spanish-speaking countries as well as the growing number of Spanish speakers in the US.

Today, in the US, there are 43 million native Spanish speakers and another 15 million people with some knowledge of Spanish. Spanish has a lot of weight in Latin America, but the most interesting news is how Spanish has grown in the US. By the middle of this century, Spanish will break apart the English-only model.

2. Complete each sentence with information from the text but using your own words ( about 10-15 words of your own per sentence). DO NOT COPY LITERALLY from the text nor from items 1.1 to 1.4. Write the two sentences on your answer sheet. [Score: 2 items x 0.5 marks = 1 mark]

2.1.

2.2.

SECTION II: OVERALL LANGUAGE ABILITY (USE OF ENGLISH) (3 marks)

3. Complete the text choosing the best option (A, B, or C) for each gap (1-15). On your answer sheet, draw a table like the one below and, for each gap (1-15), copy the letter that corresponds to your answer (A, B, or C). Use CAPITAL LETTERS. [Score: 15 items x 0.1 marks = 1.5 marks]

Life may not come with a map, but everyone will experience twists and turns, (1) everyday challenges to traumatic events with more lasting impact, (2) the death of a loved one, a life-altering accident, or a (3) illness. Each change affects people differently, bringing a unique flood of thoughts, strong emotions and uncertainty. (4), people generally adapt well over time to life-changing and stressful situations —in part (5) to resilience.

Psychologists define resilience (6) the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress —(7) as family and relationship problems, health problems, or workplace and financial stressors. Although resilience involves “bouncing back” from (8) difficult experiences, it can (9) involve profound personal growth.

(10) these adverse events are certainly painful and difficult, they don’t have to determine the outcome of your life. There are many aspects of your life (11) you can control, modify, and grow with. That’s the (12) of resilience. Becoming more resilient not (13) helps you get through difficult circumstances, it also empowers you to grow and even improve (14) life along the way. (15) being resilient doesn’t mean that a person won’t experience difficulty or distress. In fact, the road to resilience is likely to involve considerable emotional distress.

.

4. Complete THREE of the following sentences so that each sentence keeps the meaning of the sentence printed before it and includes a clear change of linguistic structure. COPY THE COMPLETE SENTENCES (including the beginnings already given to you) onto your answer sheet. [Score: 3 items x 0.5 marks = 1.5 marks]

4.1.

I never thought she would get so angry because of a broken glass.

She got she would get because of a broken glass.

4.2.

I am only allowed to check my Whatsapp and Instagram after I finish my homework.

I am not allowed to check my Whatsapp and Instagram my homework.

4.3.

He said to his little sister: “Don’t be afraid!”

He told afraid.

4.4.

After the concert, my best friend’s boyfriend introduced us to the band’s singer.

After the concert, we boyfriend.

4.5.

There is only a little tea left in the pot.

There in the pot.

SECTION III: WRITING (4 marks)

5. Choose ONE of the four options below (a, b, c, or d) and write the corresponding text (150-175 words). Write your PARAGRAPH or TEXT on your answer sheet. [Score: 1 item x 4 marks = 4 marks]

a)

Argumentative writing. “Mass tourism (i.e., large numbers of people visiting the same place at the same time) is destroying the world.” Discuss.

WRITE AN ARGUMENTATIVE TEXT including arguments in favor and against mass tourism. Make sure you provide a balanced discussion of the topic.

SECTION III: WRITING (4 marks)

5. Choose ONE of the four options below (a, b, c, or d) and write the corresponding text (150-175 words). Write your PARAGRAPH or TEXT on your answer sheet. [Score: 1 item x 4 marks = 4 marks]

b)

Descriptive writing. Your favorite cartoon / movie / TV program / literary character.

WRITE A PARAGRAPH describing your favorite character (from a movie, a cartoon, a TV program, or a book). (You must include, at least, the character’s name; a physical description; the personality, interests, and lifestyle of the character; and what you like the most about this character). (Don’t tell a story involving this character; describe it/him/her!)

SECTION III: WRITING (4 marks)

5. Choose ONE of the four options below (a, b, c, or d) and write the corresponding text (150-175 words). Write your PARAGRAPH or TEXT on your answer sheet. [Score: 1 item x 4 marks = 4 marks]

c)

Opinion writing. Young people are behaving very irresponsibly and selfishly in the current sanitary crisis. Do you agree?

WRITE AN OPINION TEXT. Make sure you adopt a position and provide the necessary arguments to convince the reader of it.

SECTION III: WRITING (4 marks)

5. Choose ONE of the four options below (a, b, c, or d) and write the corresponding text (150-175 words). Write your PARAGRAPH or TEXT on your answer sheet. [Score: 1 item x 4 marks = 4 marks]

d)

Email writing. Breaking up is hard to do!

WRITE AN EMAIL to your best friend, who wants to break up with his/her boyfriend/girlfriend and does not know how to do it without hurting his/her feelings more than necessary. (You must include, at least, 4 different pieces of advice on how to end a love relationship and how to continue with one’s own life without that person.).