Opción A - 5 · Inglés PAU Navarra Ordinaria 2023

5. Write a composition of around 150-200 words on ONE of the following topics

Solución: Sample answer for Option A (Email): Subject: You won't believe what happened my first week Dear Alex, I hope everything is going great with you. I'm writing because I really need to get something off my chest regarding what happened when I first moved into the university residence last September. During my very first week, a group of older students subjected all of us newcomers to terrible hazing rituals. At first, it seemed like silly jokes, but things rapidly escalated. One night, they forced us to drink cheap alcohol until we were sick and poured flour and cold water all over us in the middle of the night. It was absolutely humiliating, and what bothered me most was that nobody dared to stand up to them because everyone just wanted to fit in and avoid worse punishment. Looking back, I deeply regret not reporting them immediately or simply walking away. It took me months to overcome the anxiety and regain my self-confidence. Thankfully, our university is finally setting up anti-hazing support teams. Have you ever witnessed anything similar at your college? Let's catch up soon. Best, Sam --- Sample answer for Option B (Opinion Essay): Standing out from a group can be daunting, leading many people to blindly follow the crowd just to feel accepted. However, I strongly disagree with the idea that it is always better to conform rather than question existing norms. To begin with, conforming to harmful traditions or unfair rules stifles individuality and moral integrity. A clear example of this is university hazing: when newcomers accept humiliation simply to fit in, they perpetuate a dangerous cycle of abuse. Challenging unfair rules requires bravery, but it is necessary to protect one's personal dignity. Furthermore, progress in society relies entirely on people who dare to think differently. If historical figures had always complied with majority opinions, social rights and scientific advancements would never have taken place. Challenging the status quo encourages critical thinking and prevents the normalization of harmful behaviours. In conclusion, while belonging to a community is a natural human desire, acceptance should never come at the expense of our values or self-respect. True belonging occurs when people respect you for who you are, not because you unquestioningly follow the crowd.