Examen de Inglés PAU Valencia 2021 · Ordinaria

TEXT A/TEXTO A

DO YOU DRINK BOTTLED WATER?

Although water bottles are recyclable, Americans throw away about 80% of the bottles they use – and Americans use 1,500 plastic bottles of water every second. Plastic bottles contribute to global environmental crises, in part due to the fact that they disintegrate into microplastics, the presence of which are so ubiquitous that researchers recently discovered them in the placentas of unborn babies. The extraction and manufacturing processes used by bottled water corporations also have negative environmental and economic effects, and amount to the privatisation and commercialisation of a limited and invaluable resource to which all should have a universal right.

When clean, safe water is unavailable, drinking bottled water becomes a necessity. The average consumer, however, does not purchase bottled water out of need, but because it is often marketed as purer or tastier than tap water – despite the fact that it does not necessarily come from the appealing sources consumers think it does.

When it comes to the health qualities of bottled versus tap water, differences are negligible. Both tap and bottled water are required to meet quality requirements. Contamination is always possible in either but by prevailing standards both are generally fine to drink.

Prevailing standards, however, have not quite caught up to the threat of PFAS – a group of industrial chemicals used in a variety of consumer products. PFAS have been found in both tap and bottled water. There is currently no federal guidance on PFAS regulation, though there is evidence that most PFAS are carcinogenic.

Adapted from an article by Adrienne Matei, The Guardian, 28-1-2021

Part I. Reading Comprehension

A1. Answer the following questions using your own words but taking into account the information in the text. (2 points: 1 point each)

a.

What are the effects of bottled water manufacturing?

b.

Why do people consume bottled water?

TEXT A/TEXTO A

DO YOU DRINK BOTTLED WATER?

Although water bottles are recyclable, Americans throw away about 80% of the bottles they use – and Americans use 1,500 plastic bottles of water every second. Plastic bottles contribute to global environmental crises, in part due to the fact that they disintegrate into microplastics, the presence of which are so ubiquitous that researchers recently discovered them in the placentas of unborn babies. The extraction and manufacturing processes used by bottled water corporations also have negative environmental and economic effects, and amount to the privatisation and commercialisation of a limited and invaluable resource to which all should have a universal right.

When clean, safe water is unavailable, drinking bottled water becomes a necessity. The average consumer, however, does not purchase bottled water out of need, but because it is often marketed as purer or tastier than tap water – despite the fact that it does not necessarily come from the appealing sources consumers think it does.

When it comes to the health qualities of bottled versus tap water, differences are negligible. Both tap and bottled water are required to meet quality requirements. Contamination is always possible in either but by prevailing standards both are generally fine to drink.

Prevailing standards, however, have not quite caught up to the threat of PFAS – a group of industrial chemicals used in a variety of consumer products. PFAS have been found in both tap and bottled water. There is currently no federal guidance on PFAS regulation, though there is evidence that most PFAS are carcinogenic.

Adapted from an article by Adrienne Matei, The Guardian, 28-1-2021

Part I. Reading Comprehension

A2. Are the following statements true (T) or false (F)? Identify the part of the text that supports your answer by copying the exact passage on the answer sheet. (1.5 points: 0.5 each)

a.

Americans recycle most of the plastic bottles they use.

b.

Drinking bottled water is healthier than drinking tap water.

c.

Carcinogenic PFAS are more often found in bottled water than in tap water.

TEXT A/TEXTO A

DO YOU DRINK BOTTLED WATER?

Although water bottles are recyclable, Americans throw away about 80% of the bottles they use – and Americans use 1,500 plastic bottles of water every second. Plastic bottles contribute to global environmental crises, in part due to the fact that they disintegrate into microplastics, the presence of which are so ubiquitous that researchers recently discovered them in the placentas of unborn babies. The extraction and manufacturing processes used by bottled water corporations also have negative environmental and economic effects, and amount to the privatisation and commercialisation of a limited and invaluable resource to which all should have a universal right.

When clean, safe water is unavailable, drinking bottled water becomes a necessity. The average consumer, however, does not purchase bottled water out of need, but because it is often marketed as purer or tastier than tap water – despite the fact that it does not necessarily come from the appealing sources consumers think it does.

When it comes to the health qualities of bottled versus tap water, differences are negligible. Both tap and bottled water are required to meet quality requirements. Contamination is always possible in either but by prevailing standards both are generally fine to drink.

Prevailing standards, however, have not quite caught up to the threat of PFAS – a group of industrial chemicals used in a variety of consumer products. PFAS have been found in both tap and bottled water. There is currently no federal guidance on PFAS regulation, though there is evidence that most PFAS are carcinogenic.

Adapted from an article by Adrienne Matei, The Guardian, 28-1-2021

Part I. Reading Comprehension

A3. Find a synonym for each of the four words below from these six options. All words are underlined in the text (1 point: 0.25 each)

invaluable • unavailable • average • appealing • prevailing • evidence

a. common

b. priceless

c. proof

d. attractive

TEXT A/TEXTO A

DO YOU DRINK BOTTLED WATER?

Although water bottles are recyclable, Americans throw away about 80% of the bottles they use – and Americans use 1,500 plastic bottles of water every second. Plastic bottles contribute to global environmental crises, in part due to the fact that they disintegrate into microplastics, the presence of which are so ubiquitous that researchers recently discovered them in the placentas of unborn babies. The extraction and manufacturing processes used by bottled water corporations also have negative environmental and economic effects, and amount to the privatisation and commercialisation of a limited and invaluable resource to which all should have a universal right.

When clean, safe water is unavailable, drinking bottled water becomes a necessity. The average consumer, however, does not purchase bottled water out of need, but because it is often marketed as purer or tastier than tap water – despite the fact that it does not necessarily come from the appealing sources consumers think it does.

When it comes to the health qualities of bottled versus tap water, differences are negligible. Both tap and bottled water are required to meet quality requirements. Contamination is always possible in either but by prevailing standards both are generally fine to drink.

Prevailing standards, however, have not quite caught up to the threat of PFAS – a group of industrial chemicals used in a variety of consumer products. PFAS have been found in both tap and bottled water. There is currently no federal guidance on PFAS regulation, though there is evidence that most PFAS are carcinogenic.

Adapted from an article by Adrienne Matei, The Guardian, 28-1-2021

Part I. Reading Comprehension

A4. Choose a, b, or c, in each question below. Only one choice is correct. (1.5 points: 0.5 each)

1.

Water should be...

2.

Contaminants can be found in...

3.

FPAS regulation...

Part II. Composition (130 to 150 words approximately) [4 points]

A5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of drinking tap water?

Compara el teu text amb les pautes de correcció oficials i l'exemple orientatiu.

TEXT B/TEXTO B

HOW FAST DO YOU CANCEL STREAMING SERVICES?

That is the issue facing media and entertainment companies as the battle for streaming audiences settles into a new phase. During 2019 and 2020, studios launched Disney+, HBO Max, Peacock with both paid and free tiers, Apple TV+, Discovery+ and others, all betting on original, exclusive programming to draw users. The coronavirus crisis has been very positive for the streaming industry while movie theaters, concert venues and sports arenas continue to suffer.

The problem is that, because they are so easy to cancel, those services are seeing a lot of people leave after they finish watching the shows that convinced them to sign up in the first place. That phenomenon, known in the industry as “churn,” is a growing headache in the streaming wars, according to a new report released by professional services giant Deloitte.

According to Deloitte’s survey of 1,100 people in October, 46% of respondents canceled at least one streaming service in the last six months. That is a dramatic increase from the 20% who said in a similar January survey that they had canceled a service in the previous year. Of the people surveyed who canceled a streaming subscription, 62% did so because they finished the show or movie that they had signed up to see, Deloitte said.

The data suggests it is becoming harder for media and entertainment companies to retain subscribers as competition increases, said Kevin Westcott, Deloitte’s leader. With so many services available, having exclusive content alone isn’t enough to keep people on board.

Adapted from an article by Ryan Faughnderstaff, Los Angeles Times, 18-1-2021

Part I. Reading Comprehension

B1. Answer the following questions using your own words but taking into account the information in the text. (2 points: 1 point each)

a.

What is “churn” for the streaming industry?

b.

Why is it becoming more and more difficult for entertainment companies to keep users?

TEXT B/TEXTO B

HOW FAST DO YOU CANCEL STREAMING SERVICES?

That is the issue facing media and entertainment companies as the battle for streaming audiences settles into a new phase. During 2019 and 2020, studios launched Disney+, HBO Max, Peacock with both paid and free tiers, Apple TV+, Discovery+ and others, all betting on original, exclusive programming to draw users. The coronavirus crisis has been very positive for the streaming industry while movie theaters, concert venues and sports arenas continue to suffer.

The problem is that, because they are so easy to cancel, those services are seeing a lot of people leave after they finish watching the shows that convinced them to sign up in the first place. That phenomenon, known in the industry as “churn,” is a growing headache in the streaming wars, according to a new report released by professional services giant Deloitte.

According to Deloitte’s survey of 1,100 people in October, 46% of respondents canceled at least one streaming service in the last six months. That is a dramatic increase from the 20% who said in a similar January survey that they had canceled a service in the previous year. Of the people surveyed who canceled a streaming subscription, 62% did so because they finished the show or movie that they had signed up to see, Deloitte said.

The data suggests it is becoming harder for media and entertainment companies to retain subscribers as competition increases, said Kevin Westcott, Deloitte’s leader. With so many services available, having exclusive content alone isn’t enough to keep people on board.

Adapted from an article by Ryan Faughnderstaff, Los Angeles Times, 18-1-2021

Part I. Reading Comprehension

B2. Are the following statements true (T) or false (F)? Identify the part of the text that supports your answer by copying the exact passage on the answer sheet. (1.5 points: 0.5 each)

a.

Coronavirus has had no effect on streaming services.

True

False

b.

More than 50% of people unsubscribed a streaming service when their favourite programs had just started.

True

False

c.

Companies need now much more than unshared products to keep users.

True

False

TEXT B/TEXTO B

HOW FAST DO YOU CANCEL STREAMING SERVICES?

That is the issue facing media and entertainment companies as the battle for streaming audiences settles into a new phase. During 2019 and 2020, studios launched Disney+, HBO Max, Peacock with both paid and free tiers, Apple TV+, Discovery+ and others, all betting on original, exclusive programming to draw users. The coronavirus crisis has been very positive for the streaming industry while movie theaters, concert venues and sports arenas continue to suffer.

The problem is that, because they are so easy to cancel, those services are seeing a lot of people leave after they finish watching the shows that convinced them to sign up in the first place. That phenomenon, known in the industry as “churn,” is a growing headache in the streaming wars, according to a new report released by professional services giant Deloitte.

According to Deloitte’s survey of 1,100 people in October, 46% of respondents canceled at least one streaming service in the last six months. That is a dramatic increase from the 20% who said in a similar January survey that they had canceled a service in the previous year. Of the people surveyed who canceled a streaming subscription, 62% did so because they finished the show or movie that they had signed up to see, Deloitte said.

The data suggests it is becoming harder for media and entertainment companies to retain subscribers as competition increases, said Kevin Westcott, Deloitte’s leader. With so many services available, having exclusive content alone isn’t enough to keep people on board.

Adapted from an article by Ryan Faughnderstaff, Los Angeles Times, 18-1-2021

Part I. Reading Comprehension

B3. Find a synonym for each of the four words below from these six options. All words are underlined in the text (1 point: 0.25 each)

settles draw venues sign up suggests increases

a.

grows:

b.

attract:

c.

subscribe:

d.

halls:

TEXT B/TEXTO B

HOW FAST DO YOU CANCEL STREAMING SERVICES?

That is the issue facing media and entertainment companies as the battle for streaming audiences settles into a new phase. During 2019 and 2020, studios launched Disney+, HBO Max, Peacock with both paid and free tiers, Apple TV+, Discovery+ and others, all betting on original, exclusive programming to draw users. The coronavirus crisis has been very positive for the streaming industry while movie theaters, concert venues and sports arenas continue to suffer.

The problem is that, because they are so easy to cancel, those services are seeing a lot of people leave after they finish watching the shows that convinced them to sign up in the first place. That phenomenon, known in the industry as “churn,” is a growing headache in the streaming wars, according to a new report released by professional services giant Deloitte.

According to Deloitte’s survey of 1,100 people in October, 46% of respondents canceled at least one streaming service in the last six months. That is a dramatic increase from the 20% who said in a similar January survey that they had canceled a service in the previous year. Of the people surveyed who canceled a streaming subscription, 62% did so because they finished the show or movie that they had signed up to see, Deloitte said.

The data suggests it is becoming harder for media and entertainment companies to retain subscribers as competition increases, said Kevin Westcott, Deloitte’s leader. With so many services available, having exclusive content alone isn’t enough to keep people on board.

Adapted from an article by Ryan Faughnderstaff, Los Angeles Times, 18-1-2021

Part I. Reading Comprehension

B4. Choose a, b, or c, in each question below. Only one choice is correct. (1.5 points: 0.5 each)

1.

Exclusive contents…

2.

When compared to last year, this year the number of cancellations…

3.

A study confirmed that the majority of subscribers did not continue the service after…

Part II. Composition (130 to 150 words approximately) (4 points)

B5. Do you often use streaming services like Netflix, HBO…? What do you like about them?