Examen de Inglés PAU Valencia 2022 · Ordinaria

TEXT A / TEXTO A

“ALEXA, TAKE ME TO THE MOON”

Lockheed Martin, which is building the Orion spacecraft that NASA hopes will fly astronauts to the moon within a couple of years, is partnering with Amazon to put an Alexa on the capsule.

The device would give astronauts real-time information on telemetry, the health of the spacecraft and its speed. It would be possible “for astronauts to ask about the spacecraft, the mission, the subsystems,” Aaron Rubenson, Amazon’s vice president, said. “More importantly, from the crew perspective: What’s that alarm that just went off? Remind me what that is.”

In addition to Alexa, the Orion spacecraft will be outfitted with screens that, like Zoom, allow users to see each other and share critical information. Taken together, the package, known as Callisto, would help translate different languages so astronauts from all over the world could communicate. It would also help controllers on the ground share information over a screen. The platform would also help in overcoming isolation by allowing astronauts to stay and feel connected to their home, family members and friends.

The onboard space Alexa would not be connected to the Internet but instead connect directly to Orion’s computer and its own onboard cloud. Still, it could send queries back to Earth and connect with the cloud to retrieve all sorts of information, such as news, that would help astronauts to feel less lonely. There would be a lag in those queries since data would have to travel from the spacecraft to Earth and then from Earth to the spacecraft.

Adapted from an article by Christian Davenport, The Guardian, 5-1-2022

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 advantages of installing Alexa on the Orion spacecraft?

b.

How could Alexa help the astronauts stay in contact with the Earth?

TEXT A / TEXTO A

“ALEXA, TAKE ME TO THE MOON”

Lockheed Martin, which is building the Orion spacecraft that NASA hopes will fly astronauts to the moon within a couple of years, is partnering with Amazon to put an Alexa on the capsule.

The device would give astronauts real-time information on telemetry, the health of the spacecraft and its speed. It would be possible “for astronauts to ask about the spacecraft, the mission, the subsystems,” Aaron Rubenson, Amazon’s vice president, said. “More importantly, from the crew perspective: What’s that alarm that just went off? Remind me what that is.”

In addition to Alexa, the Orion spacecraft will be outfitted with screens that, like Zoom, allow users to see each other and share critical information. Taken together, the package, known as Callisto, would help translate different languages so astronauts from all over the world could communicate. It would also help controllers on the ground share information over a screen. The platform would also help in overcoming isolation by allowing astronauts to stay and feel connected to their home, family members and friends.

The onboard space Alexa would not be connected to the Internet but instead connect directly to Orion’s computer and its own onboard cloud. Still, it could send queries back to Earth and connect with the cloud to retrieve all sorts of information, such as news, that would help astronauts to feel less lonely. There would be a lag in those queries since data would have to travel from the spacecraft to Earth and then from Earth to the spacecraft.

Adapted from an article by Christian Davenport, The Guardian, 5-1-2022

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.

It is expected that Orion will fly to the space in 2024.

T

F

b.

Alexa will allow the crew to do videoconferencing.

T

F

c.

There would be real-time communication between Orion and the Earth.

T

F

TEXT A / TEXTO A

“ALEXA, TAKE ME TO THE MOON”

Lockheed Martin, which is building the Orion spacecraft that NASA hopes will fly astronauts to the moon within a couple of years, is partnering with Amazon to put an Alexa on the capsule.

The device would give astronauts real-time information on telemetry, the health of the spacecraft and its speed. It would be possible “for astronauts to ask about the spacecraft, the mission, the subsystems,” Aaron Rubenson, Amazon’s vice president, said. “More importantly, from the crew perspective: What’s that alarm that just went off? Remind me what that is.”

In addition to Alexa, the Orion spacecraft will be outfitted with screens that, like Zoom, allow users to see each other and share critical information. Taken together, the package, known as Callisto, would help translate different languages so astronauts from all over the world could communicate. It would also help controllers on the ground share information over a screen. The platform would also help in overcoming isolation by allowing astronauts to stay and feel connected to their home, family members and friends.

The onboard space Alexa would not be connected to the Internet but instead connect directly to Orion’s computer and its own onboard cloud. Still, it could send queries back to Earth and connect with the cloud to retrieve all sorts of information, such as news, that would help astronauts to feel less lonely. There would be a lag in those queries since data would have to travel from the spacecraft to Earth and then from Earth to the spacecraft.

Adapted from an article by Christian Davenport, The Guardian, 5-1-2022

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)

partnering • device • crew • overcoming • retrieve • lag

a.

machine:

b.

in association:

c.

delay:

d.

collect:

TEXT A / TEXTO A

“ALEXA, TAKE ME TO THE MOON”

Lockheed Martin, which is building the Orion spacecraft that NASA hopes will fly astronauts to the moon within a couple of years, is partnering with Amazon to put an Alexa on the capsule.

The device would give astronauts real-time information on telemetry, the health of the spacecraft and its speed. It would be possible “for astronauts to ask about the spacecraft, the mission, the subsystems,” Aaron Rubenson, Amazon’s vice president, said. “More importantly, from the crew perspective: What’s that alarm that just went off? Remind me what that is.”

In addition to Alexa, the Orion spacecraft will be outfitted with screens that, like Zoom, allow users to see each other and share critical information. Taken together, the package, known as Callisto, would help translate different languages so astronauts from all over the world could communicate. It would also help controllers on the ground share information over a screen. The platform would also help in overcoming isolation by allowing astronauts to stay and feel connected to their home, family members and friends.

The onboard space Alexa would not be connected to the Internet but instead connect directly to Orion’s computer and its own onboard cloud. Still, it could send queries back to Earth and connect with the cloud to retrieve all sorts of information, such as news, that would help astronauts to feel less lonely. There would be a lag in those queries since data would have to travel from the spacecraft to Earth and then from Earth to the spacecraft.

Adapted from an article by Christian Davenport, The Guardian, 5-1-2022

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

1.

Callisto is the name given to...

a

an onboard translator.

b

an onboard platform similar to Zoom.

c

a combination of Alexa and some screens.

2.

Callisto would...

a

help astronauts connect with their families.

b

share critical information with the astronauts.

c

control the astronauts' communications.

3.

Alexa would connect...

a

only to the spacecraft’s cloud and computer.

b

only to the spacecraft’s cloud and the Internet.

c

to the spacecraft’s computer, the onboard cloud and the Internet.

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

A5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using digital voice assistants? Do you usually use them?

TEXT B / TEXTO B

2022: EUROPEAN YEAR OF YOUTH TO EMPOWER YOUNG PEOPLE

The 2022 European Year of Youth (EYY) will focus on re-establishing a positive outlook for European young people negatively affected by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Designating 2022 as a year focused on young people means increased efforts will be made to include youth priorities in relevant EU policy areas and at every level of the EU’s decision-making process.

The EYY will aim to engage young people in key consultation processes, such as the Conference on the Future of Europe, and in other public policies at EU, national and local levels. There will be a special focus on young people with fewer opportunities and on mental health issues. The EYY will include conferences, initiatives promoting youth participation in policy making, awareness-raising campaigns on a more inclusive, green, and digital EU, as well as studies and research on the situation in which young people in the EU find themselves.

“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to disproportionately affect young people”, said Sabine Verheyen. “They face the challenges of trying to continue their education and enter the job market (…) make new acquaintances and discover other countries. Young people have accepted and supported the ongoing restrictions out of solidarity. Now it is time to let them flourish ”, she said. “This year will lay the foundation for giving young people a stronger platform to make their voices heard”, she stressed, adding that we need “all young people to be involved and participate in creating a better, greener, more digital and inclusive future in Europe.”

Adapted from an article in EU Monitor, 15-12-2021

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.

On which two main areas will the Conference on the Future of Europe focus?

b.

What difficulties do young people face after the pandemic?

TEXT B / TEXTO B

2022: EUROPEAN YEAR OF YOUTH TO EMPOWER YOUNG PEOPLE

The 2022 European Year of Youth (EYY) will focus on re-establishing a positive outlook for European young people negatively affected by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Designating 2022 as a year focused on young people means increased efforts will be made to include youth priorities in relevant EU policy areas and at every level of the EU’s decision-making process.

The EYY will aim to engage young people in key consultation processes, such as the Conference on the Future of Europe, and in other public policies at EU, national and local levels. There will be a special focus on young people with fewer opportunities and on mental health issues. The EYY will include conferences, initiatives promoting youth participation in policy making, awareness-raising campaigns on a more inclusive, green, and digital EU, as well as studies and research on the situation in which young people in the EU find themselves.

“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to disproportionately affect young people”, said Sabine Verheyen. “They face the challenges of trying to continue their education and enter the job market (…) make new acquaintances and discover other countries. Young people have accepted and supported the ongoing restrictions out of solidarity. Now it is time to let them flourish ”, she said. “This year will lay the foundation for giving young people a stronger platform to make their voices heard”, she stressed, adding that we need “all young people to be involved and participate in creating a better, greener, more digital and inclusive future in Europe.”

Adapted from an article in EU Monitor, 15-12-2021

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.

The objective of the EYY is to consider what politicians think of young people.

True (T)

False (F)

b.

The EYY will include scientific studies on the current situation of Europe’s youth.

True (T)

False (F)

c.

The EYY aims to promote a less inclusive and more digital Europe.

True (T)

False (F)

TEXT B / TEXTO B

2022: EUROPEAN YEAR OF YOUTH TO EMPOWER YOUNG PEOPLE

The 2022 European Year of Youth (EYY) will focus on re-establishing a positive outlook for European young people negatively affected by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Designating 2022 as a year focused on young people means increased efforts will be made to include youth priorities in relevant EU policy areas and at every level of the EU’s decision-making process.

The EYY will aim to engage young people in key consultation processes, such as the Conference on the Future of Europe, and in other public policies at EU, national and local levels. There will be a special focus on young people with fewer opportunities and on mental health issues. The EYY will include conferences, initiatives promoting youth participation in policy making, awareness-raising campaigns on a more inclusive, green, and digital EU, as well as studies and research on the situation in which young people in the EU find themselves.

“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to disproportionately affect young people”, said Sabine Verheyen. “They face the challenges of trying to continue their education and enter the job market (…) make new acquaintances and discover other countries. Young people have accepted and supported the ongoing restrictions out of solidarity. Now it is time to let them flourish ”, she said. “This year will lay the foundation for giving young people a stronger platform to make their voices heard”, she stressed, adding that we need “all young people to be involved and participate in creating a better, greener, more digital and inclusive future in Europe.”

Adapted from an article in EU Monitor, 15-12-2021

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)

outlook

priorities

engage

challenges

acquaintances

flourish

a.

involve:

b.

relationships:

c.

develop:

d.

prospect:

TEXT B / TEXTO B

2022: EUROPEAN YEAR OF YOUTH TO EMPOWER YOUNG PEOPLE

The 2022 European Year of Youth (EYY) will focus on re-establishing a positive outlook for European young people negatively affected by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Designating 2022 as a year focused on young people means increased efforts will be made to include youth priorities in relevant EU policy areas and at every level of the EU’s decision-making process.

The EYY will aim to engage young people in key consultation processes, such as the Conference on the Future of Europe, and in other public policies at EU, national and local levels. There will be a special focus on young people with fewer opportunities and on mental health issues. The EYY will include conferences, initiatives promoting youth participation in policy making, awareness-raising campaigns on a more inclusive, green, and digital EU, as well as studies and research on the situation in which young people in the EU find themselves.

“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to disproportionately affect young people”, said Sabine Verheyen. “They face the challenges of trying to continue their education and enter the job market (…) make new acquaintances and discover other countries. Young people have accepted and supported the ongoing restrictions out of solidarity. Now it is time to let them flourish ”, she said. “This year will lay the foundation for giving young people a stronger platform to make their voices heard”, she stressed, adding that we need “all young people to be involved and participate in creating a better, greener, more digital and inclusive future in Europe.”

Adapted from an article in EU Monitor, 15-12-2021

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.

The EYY aims to involve young people in...

2.

Some of the EYY issues are...

3.

The EYY will be the starting point to give young people...

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

B5. What suggestions would you make to empower young people and get their ideas considered?