A Horse Name HansAs late as the Middle Ages in Europe, the ability to communicate with animals

was regarded a sign of achieving sainthood. St Francis of Assisi, for example, preached sermons to hypnotized audiences of birds. In this modern age of scientific objectivity, such stories seem strange and fantastical. Yet, ironically, the concept of people talking to animals and vice versa continues to flourish as never before.

The recent revival of interest in such phenomena began with a horse called Clever Hans. Hans belonged to a retired teacher, Wilhem von Osten, around the turn of the century in Germany. Convinced that his horse was exceptionally intelligent, von Osten decided to teach it to solve simple mathematical problems using the same techniques he had used to teach children. Hans far exceeded his expectations. When asked to solve a simple problem, for example six subtracted from eleven, the horse would give the correct answer by tapping five times on the ground with its right foreleg. Only rarely he made serious mistakes.

Further investigations revealed that Hans was, indeed, very clever, but not in the way that people had thought. Hans’ skill lay in his ability to detect the subtle variations in people’s posture and facial expression whenever he solved a problem correctly. To get the right answer, all Hans needed to do was to continue tapping on the ground until he received the appropriate signal to stop from his mystified audience. Everyone, including von Osten had been fooled because they were unaware that they had unconsciously been transmitting any signals to the horse.

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) Nowadays nobody believes that a person can communicate with animals.

b) Hans seldom made big mistakes.

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) Why did Wilhem von Osten star teaching maths to his horse?b) How could Clever Hans solve the problem correctly?

3. Find the words in the text that mean: (Puntuación máxima: 1 punto)a) considered (paragraph 1)b) surpassed (paragraph 2)

c) hardly ever (paragraph 2)d) not obvious (paragraph 3)

4. Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate form of the word in brackets when given.(Puntuación máxima 2 puntos)a) St Francis of Assisi is said_________ (preach) sermons to birds and _________ (train)

wolves.b) _________ (talk) with animals_________ (think) to be a gift.c) Wilhem von Osten taught maths_________to his pupils_________also to his horse.d) Parrots can_________ (teach) to say a few_________ .

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5. Write about 120 to 150 words on one of the following topics. (Puntuación máxima 3 puntos)Would you like to communicate with animals? Why?

Friends Forever?Throughout university, the sentence “I'll add you on Facebook” is a common

end to a 4 a.m. walk home with new acquaintances. Then you wake up in the morning to find out they actually have. You cannot refuse because that would be awkward next time you meet them in the bar. However, having too many friends is causing anxiety amongst many young people and, unless they change the way they engage with Facebook post-university, these Facebook friends are likely to see their future wedding, first children and 40th birthday party all online. Perhaps it is the time to cut down on the number of online friends.

One fourth-year student suggested that deleting one person a day is a suitable method to gently reduce your number of Facebook friends. But being deleted on Facebook is offensive. Rarely in real life do we walk up to someone and very publicly say to their face, "we are not friends anymore", yet that is the comparable act of deleting someone on Facebook. An online action with no real life equivalent.

A popular reason for keeping casual acquaintances from university days is that they could be useful contacts in a future career. Yet, Hannah, a final year business student, also suggested that the combination of personal use and professional image online had become difficult. In fact, coming towards the end of fourth year, many students are concerned with potential employers checking their social media account1.- 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) Many university students enlarge their Facebook contacts with people they casually meet during a night out.

b) There is no way Facebook friends could eventually be of help in your professional life.

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) Why can deleting Facebook friends be considered offensive? b) Why should students in the last year of their degree be especially careful with the people they have as Facebook friends?

3.- Find the words in the text that mean: (Puntuación máxima: 1 punto) a) people you have met but do not know well (paragraph 1) b) reduce (paragraph 1)

c) though (paragraph 2)d) worried about (paragraph 3)

4.- Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate form of the word when given.(Puntuación máxima: 2 puntos)

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a) Students _______ have many social contacts over the Internet are at risk of _______ (lose) opportunities when it comes to finding a job. b) As every minute 240,000 pictures _______ (add) to Facebook, career advisers suggest that we _______ (use) social networking wisely. c) Peter asked: "How long _______ (have) a Facebook account?" Molly answered: “_______ I was 18 and I’m 22 now.” d) Complete the following sentence to report what was said. “Do not post these photos on Instagram.” My mother told me_________________________________________________ 5.- Write about 120 to 150 words on the following topic. (Puntuación máxima: 3 puntos)Should Facebook users make their contact information, photos and friends private? Justify your answer.

Sunbathing Can Stop You Gaining WeightDon’t waste time at the gym, or cutting down on cheese. Scientists have

discovered that the best route to a perfect figure could be to just lie down in the sun. That is, if you are a mouse.

For the study, published recently, researchers gave some mice too much food. While doing so, the mice were exposed to UV light – a simulation of the sun’s rays. Not only did this slow down their weight gain, but it also reduced the number of symptoms that in humans are linked to diabetes. When skin is exposed to sunlight it produces vitamin D and nitric oxide. To try out what was causing the effect in mice, the scientists spread nitric oxide onto the skin of some overfed mice, which produced the same result. Other mice were given a vitamin D supplement causing a different effect.

Can we hope the research could transfer to humans? The researchers urged caution. While mice can often be good models for investigating human health, on the particular issue of responding to sun, they are less than ideal. As fur-covered nocturnal animals, mice are not normally exposed to much sunlight. However, one of the scientists said that the research supported previous work showing the benefits of sunlight in humans. He said that, in spite of the bad press the sun often gets, “epidemiology studies prove that sun-seekers live longer than those who live in the shade. We need to remember that skin cancer is not the only disease that can kill us and should perhaps balance our advice on sun exposure”.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) In the experiment the mice were subjected to the effects of sunlight.

b) This experiment was the first to show that sun exposure can be good for your health.

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) Mention the effects that exposure to UV light may have on mice. b) What does one of the researchers say about the positive effects of sunlight in humans?

3.- Find the words in the text that mean: (Puntuación máxima: 1 punto)3

a) found out (paragraph 1) b) related (paragraph 2)

c) applied (paragraph 2) d) demonstrate (paragraph 3)

4.- Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate form of the word when given. (Puntuación máxima: 2 puntos) a) Sunburn _______ (cause) by overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, _______ can damage your cells. b) Tanning-beds are even worse _______ the sun, so you should use them with care to avoid _______ (expose) to huge levels of ultraviolet rays. c) We must do everything we can not to get _______ (burn) by the sun. Sunscreen is important because it helps to protect skin _______ harmful rays. d) Complete the following sentence to report what was said. “Mary, do not expose yourself to the sun so much”, said Peter. Peter told Mary ____________________________________________________

5.- Write about 120 to 150 words on the following topic. (Puntuación máxima: 3 puntos)Where would you go for a healthy holiday? Justify your answer.

La CelestinaIn the 15th century Italian influences took root in the Peninsula and shaped a new

cultural phenomenon: Humanism. The theocentricism that had ruled the Middle Ages had finally ended and anthropocentrism appeared. Man became the center of the universe. A certain joie de vivre appeared and authors stopped writing about divine love, instead focusing on human love. The classic books by Greek authors were reinstated. The Turks had invaded Constantinople and the Greek sages had brought the books to Italy.

The Greek myths, comedies and tragedies of Hélade appeared. The tragedies told stories about the people of the town, as well as the gods and classic heroes.

Among these appeared a book called “Tragicomedia de Calixto y Melibea” (The Tragic Comedy of Calixto and Melibea), one of the pinnacle pieces of Spanish literature, whose original title was eclipsed by the name of one of its characters, La Celestina. The book was written by a mysterious author called Fernando de Rojas, about whom little is known. We only know that he was born in Puebla de Montalbán, graduated in Salamanca, and was probably a Jewish covert.

The book is written in dialogue form as if it were a play. But it was too long to be learnt by heart and performed in this way with the resources at the time. Certainly it was written to be read aloud in a lounge where every guest would be invited to play a role, as was the custom at the time.

The story takes place in Salamanca. Calixto is a young boy that falls in love with Melibea, a beautiful girl from the upper classes. In order to satiate his passions Calixto enrolls the help of Celestina, a witch and owner of a brothel which Calixto and his servants frequent. Celestina manages to arrange a date between the lovers but then tragedy unfolds.

If we analyze Calixto, who according to the classic norms should be a hero, we see that he is nothing more or less than a man controlled by his base instincts, he is a comic character. It is because of this that the book is known as a “Tragicomedia”. Melibea is the symbol of idealized love, but her innocence is corrupted by the intervention of Celestina and Calixto. 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)

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a) In the 15th century, there was an important phenomenon called theocentricism .

b) La Celestina is often performed in theatres

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) Why is the book called “La Celestina”?b) Why is La Celestina considered a tragicomedy?

3.- Find the words in the text that mean: (Puntuación máxima: 1 punto) a) governed (Paragraph 1)b) memorized (Paragraph 4)

c) public room (Paragraph 4)d) hires (Paragraph 5)

4.- Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate form of the word when given. (Puntuación máxima: 2 puntos)a) La Celestina, ______ was written by Fernando de Rojas, _________ (publish) in 1499.b) The second edition ________ (appear) in 1500 where the author ________ (include) his name and birthplace in an acrostic.c) In the 19th century. It ___________ (say) that Fernando de Rojas _____ never ________ (exist).d) “Did the book traditionally mark the end of Medieval literature? Ask the student.The student ……5.- Write about 120 to 150 words on the following topic. (Puntuación máxima: 3 puntos)Which is your favourite book? Write about why you like it and what is it about

Jet LagPeople who avoid travelling by plane have not experienced the fatigue and

other more or less pronounced symptoms of jet lag that come after long trips with many other changes.

The main reason for the unpleasant symptoms that accompany our arrival by plane at some distant destination is the rapid crossing of various time zones, where the sudden time of change disrupts our heart rate and consequently our body`s biochemical and psychological processes. The characteristic symptoms include: disorientation, the feeling of being ‘at the end of the rope’, oversensitivity to touch, temperature, noise with disturbed sleeping patterns, dehydration and lack of appetite, digestive functions, discomfort in the feet, legs and throat and even loss of memory.

It is more difficult to travel from west to east, i.e. from Europe to Asia or from America to Europe. Airline passengers who travel frequently are accustomed to feeling mildly or strongly ‘under the weather’ because of time changes and many don’t even treat it as a problem. But those who travel less frequently sometimes perceive this feeling of indisposition as a major problem.

Our mind and body need time to adjust to the signals they receive from the environment. NASA estimates that we need one day for every time zone we pass through to regain our normal bodily rhythm and energy levels.

What can we do to prevent these unpleasant symptoms? Avoid flying.

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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) Jet lag symptoms appear no matter the duration of the flight.

b) Some passengers get used to the effects of jet lag.

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) Mention at least four symptoms you might have if you suffer from jet lag.b) b .How long does it take you to go back to normal after a long trip?

3. Find the words in the text that mean: (Puntuación máxima: 1 punto)a) signs (paragraph 1)b) unexpected (paragraph 2)

c) handle (paragraph 3)d) recover (paragraph 4)

4. Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate form of the word in brackets when given.(Puntuación máxima 2 puntos)a) After_________ (have lunch) she_________ (sleep) for two hours.b) He _________ (lose) an eye in an accident. He’s a _________ (one, eye) man.c) As_________their parents work, these children are always by_________d) ‘How_________ (you, come) to school yesterday?’ ‘_________foot’

5. Write about 120 to 150 words on one of the following topics. (Puntuación máxima 3 puntos)Modernization is responsible for many serious illnesses

Cell Phone JammersIt might look like a walkie talkie, but that little box is more powerful than you

think. When a cell phone jammer is turned on, it can block any cell phone service in the area. Using one is not only a federal crime but it could result in a $16,000 fine and jail time.

But that did not stop Eric, a man from Philadelphia, who was fed up with the chatty cell phone talkers on the 44 bus. According to a TV channel, Eric would fire up that jammer when he did not want to hear the conversations. “A lot of people are extremely loud, no sense of privacy or anything. When it becomes a bother, that’s when I screw on the antenna and flip the switch”, Eric told the reporters.

Eric claimed that he did not know it was illegal to block a cell phone signal, and thought it was a “gray area”. He said he was under the impression that it was only illegal when blocking television or radio signals. “I guess I’m taking the law into my own hands and, quite frankly, I’m proud of it”, he added.

This type of jammers is illegal because they could prevent cell phone communication in emergencies and because they can block other important signals such as police radio. But the bigger issue is that Eric is not alone in this jamming

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practice. Jammers are easy to buy at sites on the Internet. Police reported that other people in the New Jersey and New York area are using them as well. Maybe Eric’s story will remind them all of just how illegal using that powerful device is.

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) Eric is not sorry for his action.

b) The use of cell phone Jammers has been restricted to the Philadelphia area.

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, what is a jammer used for?b) Why is using a jammer considered a crime?

3.- Find the words in the text that mean: (Puntuación máxima: 1 punto)a) penalty (paragraph 1)b) tired of (paragraph 2)

c) nuisance (paragraph 2)d) like (paragraph 4)

4.- Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate form of the word in brackets when given. (Puntuación máxima: 2 puntos)a) ________ (use) a blocking device can ________ (consider) a crime.b) ________ would you do if you ________ (bother) by other people’s conversation?c) It is probably ________ (good) to put ________ with the annoying chatter than calling the police.d) Complete the following sentence to report what was said.“I have used cell phones ever since I started going to school”, Kate said.Kate said that she ___________________________________________.

5.- Write about 120to 150 words on the following topic. (Puntuación máxima: 3 puntos)Describe a situation in which a cell phone could be really useful.

Zoo LifeIn the past, a visit to the zoo was considered an enjoyable day out, not much

different from a picnic in the park. But zoos are now causing a lot of controversy.As people move away from rural areas, it is more difficult for them to see

animals in their natural habitats. Many people believe that we can teach children about these animals through visits to zoos, where it is possible to see, hear, smell and sometimes even touch them.

Opponents, however, argue that seeing animals in cages is not instructive, because it is impossible to learn about their natural behaviour in such unnatural conditions. They believe that zoos actually send a negative message and allow people to believe that keeping living beings captive is permissible.

Moreover, these opponents believe that keeping animals in cages promotes suffering, especially for more intellectually complex species that need mental

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stimulation as well as adequate space in which to move. They say that in many zoos, animals are kept in small, filthy enclosures and are often forced to perform tricks for the public. Consequently, many animals suffer from “zoochosis”; that is, abnormal behaviours such as bar-biting or self-mutilation among zoo animals. They reject the arguments that zoos help animals to lead longer, healthier lives due to the guaranteed diet and veterinary care they receive.

There are, of course, kind and humane zoos, such as the Jersey Zoo in the UK, that provide outstanding services to animal welfare and conservation. But most zoos do not in fact meet the standards they set themselves. Unless they really do start to contribute to animal welfare, zoos may soon find that they themselves are extinct.

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) It is difficult to find animals in rural areas.

b) Most animals enjoy performing tricks for visitors.

2.In your own words and based on the ideas in the text, answer the following questions.(Puntuación máxima: 2 puntos)a) What is the negative message that zoos send?b) Why do some animals in zoos suffer more than others?

3. Find a word in the text than means: (Puntuación máxima: 1 punto)a) pleasant (paragraph 1)b) acceptable (paragraph 3)

c) dirty (paragraph 4)d) excellent (paragraph 5)

4. Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate form of the word in brackets when given. (Puntuación máxima: 2 puntos)

a) They are very fond ______ animals and worry ______ their welfare.b) Due ______ their terrible conditions, some zoos may be forced to close; ______ the other hand, zoos like the one in Jersey are doing very well.c) On our recent safari holiday, we _____ (photograph) the animals while they _____ (sleep) in the wild.d) You can’t teach children ______ animals ______ keeping them in unnatural surroundings.

5. Write about 120 to 150 words on the following topic. (Puntuación máxima: 3 puntos)

Do you think that zoos should be abolished? Explain your answer.Airport Cities

Anyone who has ever spent time in an airport waiting for a flight knows that this can be very dull. However, this is changing, as airports have already entered the twenty-first century.

The rise and expansion of air traffic is causing many changes. Many people commute for business reasons, and there has recently been a large increase in the air cargo business. Food items produced in one place, for example, tropical fruit, may have to be transported quickly for sale in

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another. In addition, the growth in Internet use has expanded e-commerce, and customers who order items online expect delivery right away.

As a result, airports and the surrounding areas have grown tremendously. Many companies are building warehouses near runways, and high-tech firms are setting up offices that are convenient for airline commuters. Other new airport buildings include entertainment and sports facilities. Some “aerotropoli”, as these new airport cities have been called, even include housing. Despite the noise and pollution, developers are quickly building homes to house the increasing number of workers dependent on airports.

Even without the adjacent businesses, airports themselves are growing. To meet the needs of workers and travellers, airports are expanding their services. Not only has shopping become more attractive and competitive, but some airports display works of art, and the Dallas / Fort Worth International Airport even offers wine tasting.

The idea of building aerotropoli is now spreading beyond the USA, and there are plans to build them in France, Brazil, South Korea, and Hong Kong. Wouldn’t it be nice if, while you wait for your next flight, you could sit in a rocking chair (as in Boston Logan International Airport, Massachusetts) and listen to live music (as in Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Texas)?

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) People don’t live in any “aerotropoli.”b) Airport cities can be found in Hong Kong today.

2. In your own words and based on the ideas in the text, answer the following questions. (Puntuación máxima: 2 puntos)a) How has Internet growth affected airports?b) Why are more airports today offering more services than in the past?

3. Find the words in the text that mean: (Puntuación máxima: 1 punto)a) boring (paragraph 1)

b) immediately (paragraph 2)c) establishing (paragraph 3)d) show (paragraph 4)

4.Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate form of the word in brackets when given. (Puntuación máxima: 2 puntos)a) “What time does the plane take _____ ? I think it ______ (be) about to leave soon.”b) In the past, homes _______ (not build) near airports, but that _____ (change) nowadays.c) Because ______ increased security, people must now arrive ______ airports earlier than in the past.Complete the following sentence to report what was said.d) “What time is your flight tonight?” He asked me …

5.Write about 120 to 150 words on the following topics. (Puntuación máxima: 3 puntos)

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What are the advantages and disadvantages of air travel?The Truth about Bears

The wildlife biologist, John Rogers, had spent thousands of hours studying North America's black bears. He shot them with tranquilisers before fitting them with radio co11ars. He took their blood and studied their DNA. And he tracked their movements and marked them on maps. But none of that had allowed him to really know the creatures.

Rogers finally decided that he couldn't hope to know bears unless he won their trust. And so he abandoned scientific detachment and took the controversial step of forming relationships with his study animals, using food to gain acceptance among an extended bear family in Minnesota. Now, he has abandoned almost everything he knew, or thought he knew, about bears. They do not like honey. They are not even that crazy about berries or nuts, if they have a choice of larvae in a tree trunk.

And they are not dangerous. "In a11 my 42 years of working closely with bears, 1 have not found a way of getting a bear to attack. The more 1 push, the more they try to get away. If they wave their arms aggressively, it's just a way to keep me at a distance while they find a way to escape. 1t's humans who are the more dangerous animals", he said. "If you look at statistics, one black bear out of a million kills somebody. Among humans, it's one person out of 18,000 who kills somebody. So you could see why 1 would feel a lot less comfortable in the city than in the woods next to a bear."

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) The biologist collected factual information about bears, like the area where they lived and travelled around.

b) Making close contact with your object of study is normal in scientific research.

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) What has the biologist discovered about the bear's diet?b) Why does he think hurnans are dangerous?

3. Find the words in the text that mean: (Puntuación máxima: 1 punto)a) animals (paragraph 1)b) confidence (paragraph 2)

c) distance (paragraph 2)d) move (in the air) (paragraph 3)

4. Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate form of the word in brackets when given. (Puntuación máxima 2 puntos)a) Everybody ______ (believe) that bears love ______ (eat) honey.b) If we want to know the real facts ______ animals, we ______ study them in action.Rewrite the sentences starting with the words given:c) It's not necessary to dissect an animal to know a lot about it.You _________d) When Rogers went near the bear, he called to it "Don't worry, bear!"

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Rogers told _________

5. Write about 120 to 150 words on one of the following topics. (Puntuación máxima 3 puntos)Pets in city flats? Argue for or against.

Daughter of David Adams joins Antarctic ski expeditionThe 16-year-old daughter of explorer David Adams is to join her father on an

expedition to ski to the South Pole. If successful, Amelia will become the youngest person to ski in the Antarctic. They plan to ski the last 97 miles to the South Pole over two weeks.

It would not be the first time one of Mr. Adams's daughters has joined him on a polar mission. In 2005, Amelia's sister Alicia, then aged 15, became the youngest person to trek to the North Pole.

The latest challenge will begin 97 miles from the South Pole, at the spot where Sir Ernest Shackleton had to abandon his expedition in 1907. Mr. Adams said: "I am apprehensive about taking a teenager to such a harsh environment. It will be minus 30 on a daily basis, dropping as low as minus 60 when the wind is cold. But Shackleton has always been a hero of mine and it will be wonderful to walk in his footsteps. It will be very special to share this experience with my youngest daughter."

Amelia will have to consume 8,000 calories a day to deal with the harsh conditions because the Antarctic is one of the coldest, driest and most windswept places on earth. "I am frightened about the harsh conditions as I don't know what to expect, the cold, the wind, etc. However, eating a lot of chocolate won't be hard for me," she said. "I am not sure if I'll be able to sleep, though, since it is 24-hour daylight at the South Pole and dad snores very loudly when he is asleep."

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) Mr. Adams´s expedition will begin at the point where Ernest Shackleton gave up.

b) Amelia doesn’t like chocolate.

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) What is unusual about Amelia’s Antarctic expedition?b) Explain two of the challenges Amelia will have to face on the Antarctic.

3.- Find the words in the text that mean: (Puntuación máxima: 1 punto)a) walk (paragraph 2)b) place (paragraph 3)

c) worried (paragraph 3)d) take in (paragraph 4)

4.- Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate form of the word in brackets when given. (Puntuación máxima: 2 puntos)a) The explorers _________ (train) _________the past few months.

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b) The expedition, _________starts 97 miles from the South Pole, _________ (lead) by David Adams.c) If Alicia_________ (not go) to the North Pole, Amelia _________ (be) the first teenager on an expedition of this kind.d) Rewrite the sentence beginning with the words given:Amelia said “I am not sure if I’ll be able to sleep.”Amelia said (that) _________

5.- Write about 120 to 150 words on the following topic. (Puntuación máxima: 3 puntos)What kind of expedition would you like to go on? Describe it and explain your choice.

Earthquake Hits BritainOn 27th February 2008, something very unusual happened in the UK: there

was a rather large earthquake. It was the biggest earthquake in 25 years in Great Britain.

There have been very small tremors in the past but they seem nothing compared to this one. It was felt in a large area across the country too, from as far north as Edinburgh in Scotland to as far south as Plymouth on the south coast of England. The epicentre of the earthquake was in a small town in Lincolnshire, which is an area about two and a half to three hours north of London by car. A magnitude of 5.2 was registered on the Richter scale.

There were lots of reports in the news from people who felt the earth move. One man said, “We had loads of vibrating and wall shaking, noise coming off the roof. I went outside - the chimney’s on the floor!” A collapsed chimney was, in fact, the cause of what was probably the worst injury from the earthquake: a man broke his pelvis when the chimney fell on him. The earthquake was felt by a lot of people, but it surprisingly caused very little structural damage to property.

Most British people would be surprised to learn that there are 200-300 earthquakes in Britain every year - but most of them are so small, they go unnoticed. The magnitude of this earthquake is fairly small in comparison to some other natural disasters that have made international news, but, for the people affected, it certainly came as a surprise.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) The earthquake could only be felt in a small village in Lincolnshire.

b) Lots of buildings were destroyed in the 2008 earthquake.

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) Are earthquakes frequent in Britain? Explain your answer.b) What did people tell reporters about the earthquake?

3.- Find the words in the text that mean: (Puntuación máxima: 1 punto)12

a) rare (paragraph 1)b) fallen (paragraph 3)

c) amazed (paragraph 4)d) find out (paragraph 4)

4.- Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate form of the word in brackets when given. (Puntuación máxima: 2 puntos)a) This was the_______important) story in the news, because the earthquake was quite a big _________b) Usually, earthquakes_________ (measure) with a seismometer; another device _________records earthquakes is known as a seismograph.c) After _________ (destroy) half of the country, an enormous wave was created _________the earthquake.Complete the following sentence to report what was said.d. “What did you see after the earthquake?” I asked the girl_________

5.- Write about 120 to 150 words on the following topic. (Puntuación máxima: 3 puntos)Describe any natural disaster you have seen, read or been told about.

Waltzing with WhalesThere were called right whales because they were the “right” ones to hunt,

being slow and conveniently unsinkable after death. They and their kind were well in their way to extinction when fate intervened in the form of gas lighting followed by electricity, which blocked the need for whale oil to make candles. But the hunt went on: ladies of fashion still needed whalebone for their corsets and whale by-products continued to be used for everything from tempering steel to dog food.

Only in 1946 did the global whaling nations begin to agree on regulations to restrict whale hunting, including complete protection for the endangered right whale. Since then, most countries have banned whaling or trade on whale products. Now, as their populations recover, the world’s biggest mammals are on show for a new kind of wildlife enthusiast-whale watchers.

“It’s the fastest growing tourist industry in the world.” says Mark Carwardine, a British whale researcher based in Brighton.

Eubalaena australis, the southern right whale, averges 14m om lengh and 41 tonnes in weight. It may be small compared to the blue whale, which grows to 30.5m and weighs up to 220 tonnes, but when 48 southern rejoy in Hermanus’ Walker Bay, the sight is enough to reduce even the most bored tourist to wide-eyed silence.

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. Both gas and electricity made whale oil candles unnecessary.b. Whale hunting began to be limited at the turn of the twentieth century.

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) Why were these whales called “the right ones”?b) Did gas lighting and electricity put on end to whale hunting? Justify your answer.

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3. Find the words in the text that mean: (Puntuación máxima: 1 punto)a) destiny (paragraph 1)b) hard flexible metal (paragraph 1)

c) forbidden (paragraph 2)d) play (paragraph 4)

4. Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate form of the word in brackets when given.(Puntuación máxima 2 puntos)a) The whale is _________ (large) creature_________ the world.b) The average “right whale” is 14 metres_________and it weighs_________ 41 tonnes.c) If whale hunting _________ (not restrict), whale population_________ (not recover)d) People are getting_________and _________interested in whale watching.

5. Write about 120 to 150 words on one of the following topics. (Puntuación máxima 3 puntos)Would you like to go on a whale-watching trip? Support your opinion with arguments.

The Key to Choosing the Right CareerWhen I graduated from college, I liked lots of things. But love? Passion? That

would have been an exaggeration. Choosing a career path is usually a confusing and stressing experience. Many will tell you to “follow your passion” or “do what you love”, but this doesn’t seem very useful advice.

We all want to choose a career that will make us happy, but how can we know what that will be? In fairness, how are you supposed to know if you will be happy as an investment banker or an artist or a professor, if you haven’t actually done any of these things yet? Who has ever, in the history of mankind, taken a job and had it turn out exactly as they imagined it would?

So if passion and expected happiness can’t be your guides, what can be? Well, you can begin by choosing a career that fits well with your skills and values. Since you actually have some sense of what those are (hopefully), this is a good starting place. But a bit less obviously, you also want to choose an occupation that provides good motivation for you as well.

There are two ways you can be motivated to reach your goals. Some of us tend to see our goals as opportunities for advancement, success and rewards. The rest of us see our goals as being about security - about not losing everything we’ve worked so hard for. So, if you are starting a new venture, make sure that you've got a healthy balance of promotion and prevention.

1.- Are the following statements TRUE or FALSE? Copy the evidence from the text. Nomarks are given for only TRUE or FALSE. (Puntuación máxima: 2 puntos)a) It is not always easy to decide what career to follow.

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b) In order to make a good career choice you can begin by considering what you are good at.

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) Mention two reasons why the author of the text believes it is hard to make a career choice.b) Explain two manners of achieving your objectives and choosing the right career.

3.- Find the words in the text that mean: (Puntuación máxima: 1 punto)a) puzzling (paragraph 1)b) matches (paragraph 3)

c) achieve (paragraph 4)d) risky activity (paragraph 4)

4.- Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate form of the word(s) in bracketswhen given. (Puntuación máxima: 2 puntos)a) Usually people ________ (motivate) by both promotion and prevention. In Spain there are many places ________ you can find career advice.b) Cal Newport’s is the________ (good) career advice book I ________ (ever read).c) Nobody is to blame ________ making a wrong career choice. It is difficult to be sure ________ what you want to do when you are very young.d. Complete the following sentence to report what was said.“Choose a job you love”, John told Jennifer.John told Jennifer ________________________________________________

5.- Write about 120 to 150 words on the following topic. (Puntuación máxima: 3 puntos)Explain the factors that might influence your career choice.

Women and SustainabilityAccording to professor McElhaney, founder of the Centre for Responsible Business at

the University of California, companies that empower women are more likely to act sustainably. It has been found that businesses with more women on their board of directors are more likely to manage and improve their energy efficiency, invest in renewable power, measure and reduce their carbon emissions, improve access to healthcare in developing countries and have anti-corruption policies. What is more important, women have strong partnerships with local communities.

But why is this? Do men have by nature unsustainable ways of acting in the world? Does testosterone fuel the exploitation of our planet and its people? Are women our best hope for creating a sustainable future?

Elle Carberry, co-founder of China G. Initiative, believes that women may be drawn to sustainability because of its social angle. “From all my 20 years in business, I have met more women working in this area than in others,” she says. In China, women appear to be playing an increasingly important role in sustainability and for one Chinese woman in particular, it turned her into the wealthiest self-made woman in the world. Zhang Yin is the founder of a recycling company that buys scrap paper from the US, imports it into China, and turns it mainly into cardboard for use in boxes to export Chinese goods.

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However, despite this and many other role models, millions of women are still under-represented, but the hope is that more will be empowered to join the sustainability revolution.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) One of the reasons why women succeed in the sustainability sector is because they maintain close contacts with the locals.

b) Elle Carberry’s experience reveals that there is a higher proportion of women in the sustainability sector as compared to others.

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) Name three advantages of having female top executives in this sector.b) Why has Zhang Yin become so successful?

3.- Find the words in the text that mean: (Puntuación máxima: 1 punto)a) give authority to (paragraph 1)b) attracted (paragraph 3)

c) seem (paragraph 3)d) products (paragraph 3)

4.- Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate form of the word in brackets when given. (Puntuación máxima: 2 puntos)a) Nick: How _____ do top executives attend conferences on recycling? Sue: Once a year.b) Zhang Yin's recycling company invested in _____ (buy) new equipment for special services. In 2006, she topped the list of the wealthiest people _____ China and by 2010 her fortune was _____ (great) than that of J. K. Rowling, the author of Harry Potter.c) A few years ago, I _____ (invite) to speak to an organisation in Shanghai called “Women in Sustainability Action”, _____ was set up in 2000.d) Albert studied at a very prestigious university. If he _____ (not obtain) good marks, he _____ (not get) such a good job.

5. Write about 120 to 150 words on the following topic. (Puntuación máxima: 3 puntos)Are there some jobs which are more appropriate for men than for women? State your opinion and give specific reasons and examples.

Package HolidaysPackage holidays, covering a two weeks' stay in an attractive location are

increasingly popular, because they offer an inclusive price with few extras. Once you get to the airport, it is up to the tour operator to see that you get safely to your destination. Excursions, local entertainment, swimming, sunbathing, skiing, etc., it's all provided for you. There is, in fact, no reason for you to bother to arrange anything for yourselves. You make friends and have a good time, but there is very little chance that you will really get to know the local people.

This is even less likely on a coach tour, when you spend almost your entire 10 time travelling. Of course there are carefully scheduled stops for you to visit historic

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buildings and monuments, but you will probably be allowed only a brief stay overnight in some famous city, with a polite reminder to be up and breakfasted early in time for the coach the next morning. You may visit the beautiful, the historic, the ancient, but time is always at your elbow. There is also the added disadvantage of being obliged to spend your holiday with a group of people you have never met before. However, it can be argued that for many people, par-ticularly the lonely or elderly, the feeling of belonging to a group, although for a short period of time, is an added bonus. They can sit safely in their seats and watch the world go by

1. Are the following statements TRUE or F ALSE? Copy the evidence from thetext. No marks are given for only TRUE or F ALSE. (Puntuación máxima 2 puntos)a) On a coach tour it may often be exhausting, because you are constantly on the move.

b) When you go on a package holiday there are not many additional charges.

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) What are the main disadvantages of package holidays? b) Why do people like package holidays?

3. Find the words or phrases in the text that mean: (Puntuación máxima 1 puntos)a) site (paragraph 1)b) opportunity (paragraph 1)

c) short (paragraph 2)d) benefit (paragraph 2)

4. Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate form of the word in brackets when given.(Puntuación máxima 2 puntos)a) _______ you travel out of the European Community, it is necessary to have a

passport.b) ____________ (spend) a holyday with people you don’t know is __________ a

different experience that not everybody is ready to do it.c) If I _________________ (know) that you were going to visit Utrech, I _______________

(go) with you.d) A professional traveller is someone _____________ job is going around the world

and he ____________ (pay) money for ____________ (do) that.

5. Write about 120 to 150 words on the following topic. (Puntuación máxima 3 puntos)Solitary or crowded places for your holidays.

Young da Vinci17

Leonardo was born near the Italian town of Vinci in 1452. He probably spent the first few years living with his mother, but moved to his father's house when she married. His father was stern and distant with him, but Leonardo was a favourite with his uncle, Francesco, who ran the family's farm. Piero da Vinci didn't know what to do about his son, Leonardo. He had reached the point in life when young men needed to prepare for a career.

Piero himself was an important official - a notary, but because the boy was illegitimate, the association of magistrates and notaries would not accept him, nor would he be allowed to attend the university. The boy did show a definite talent for drawing, however. Perhaps he could be apprenticed to an artist…

Some time between the age of fifteen and eighteen, Leonardo was apprenticed to the artist Andrea di Cione, called Verrocchio (which means “true eye”) in his studio in Florence. This is how young Leonardo da Vinci started on his career in art, a career in which he would create some of the most famous paintings in the world.

Leonardo was more than just an artist, however. He was also interested in science, anatomy and architecture. His sketchbooks, filled with his ideas for inventions, stunned the world when they were found centuries after his death. He was a scientist before there was science, an inventor whose ideas surpassed the technology of his time, and a famous artist who produced the most valuable and recognized paintings in the world.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) Leonardo’s relationship with his father was not easy as a child.

b) Leonardo’s father had clear ideas about his son’s future.

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) Explain why Leonardo couldn’t attend the university.b) Why is Leonardo considered a man ahead of his time?

3.- Find the words in the text that mean: (Puntuación máxima: 1 punto)a) managed (paragraph 1)b) aptitude (paragraph 2)

c) acclaimed (paragraph 3)d) amazed (paragraph 4)

4.- Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate form of the word in brackets when given.(Puntuación máxima: 2 puntos)a) I wonder _____ Leonardo da Vinci would have invented if he _____ (have) access to a computer during his lifetime.b) When young, Leonardo learnt __ his master. Then, he ___ (leave) us some of the best paintings ever.c) Although he began his career _____ an artist, the _____ (old) Leonardo grew the more attracted he became to different topics.d) Complete the following sentence to report what was said.Verrocchio said to Leornardo “don’t stop practising until you learn how to paint”.Verrocchio told Leonardo…..

5.- Write about 120 to 150 words on the following topic. (Puntuación máxima: 3 puntos)Some of the most famous paintings belong to private collections. Should they be taken to museums so that everyone could enjoy them? Discuss.

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Life in the ShadowsIn the world’s great cities, from ancient Rome to modern Tokyo, respectable

society has always existed hand and glove with its negative image: the shadowy underworld of criminals and malcontents who exploit the community around them. Like urban nomads, these social pariahs defy with their opportunism the order that defines the city life. For them the city’s changeable population is the prey: the city’s faceless anonymity gives perfect cover for the hunt, and its crowded streets provide an ideal sanctuary in times of danger.

Since city walls were first built, they have enclosed areas of poverty and overcrowding, the perfect breeding ground for crime. In the eighteenth century London, for example, certain slum districts formed a criminal microcosm complete with its own rules and even its own secret language or cant.

If the cause of the disease has remained constant through ages, so have the symptoms. Prostitution is known with good reason as the “oldest profession”: in classical times, a foot imprinted on a pavement in the ancient Turkish city of Ephesus openly advertised the presence of a brothel. The consumption of hashis and opium was as much condemned in medieval Cairo as in modern New York. Organized criminal societies such as the Chinese Triads and Sicilian Mafia flourished for centuries in their homelands before expanding into industrial cities worldwide.

For some, the underworld holds a perverse attraction. But to urban authorities it is an enemy as threatening as any outsider aggressor.

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) Crime is a new phenomenon.b) The root of all delinquency lies deep in the society.

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) why do so many delinquents live in large cities?b) How would you describe the areas of London where the criminals live ?

3. Find the words in the text that mean: (Puntuación máxima: 1 punto)a) closely connected (paragraph 1)b) replete (paragraph 1)

c) raised (paragraph 2)d) banned(paragraph

4. Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate form of the word in brackets when given.(Puntuación máxima 2 puntos)a) I’d ________ to live in a small village________ in a city.b) If her house________ (break into) twice, she wouldn’t have had left the

alarm________ (uninstall).c) I am used to________ (drive) in this busy city________I don’t find it a hardship.d) D. Boys should do as ________housework ________ their sisters.

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5. Write about 120 to 150 words on one of the following topics. (Puntuación máxima 3 puntos)Do you think people live better in a city than in a village? Give reasons

NessyThe history of the Loch Ness Monster goes back more than 1400 years to 565

A.D.. In this year, St. Columba, a Christian missionary from Ireland who was passing near the lake, is supposed to have seen a dragon about to eat a visitor standing beside the river Ness. The religious man fortunately managed to chase the monster away. Although we can not be certain about the authenticity of such an early account, there have been many other important sightings through the years and since 1953 the monster has begun to develop an international reputation. In April of that year some boys reported to the Inverness Courier, a local newspaper, that they had seen a dragon-like creature the size of a horse in the area of Loch Ness. In May another report appeared in the same newspaper, this time the story of a prominent businessman who was driving near the lake. This man saw a large creature "with a body resembling that of a whale and sending up waves bigger than those made by a steamship".

The most convincing evidence came in July when a London couple named Spicer, motoring along the shores of the Loch, came practically face to face with the beast. Mr. Spicer wrote in a letter to the Courier that the creature was "between six and eight feet long, with a long neck that moved up and down like a scenic railway, a hump in its back, and was the nearest approach to a dragon or a prehistoric animal that I have ever seen".

In London the Daily Mail felt that there might be a big story here and sent a reporter to Loch Ness. He interviewed the people who had seen the monster and wrote a story which made "Nessie" famous.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) The history of the monster dates from the year 1400.b) Among the miracles attributed to St. Columba is the saving of a man from a

dragon´s mouth.

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) How did the legend of Loch Ness monster start?b) What is the monster like according to Mr Spicer ?

3. Find the words in the text that mean: (Puntuación máxima: 1 punto)a) closely connected (paragraph 1)b) replete (paragraph 1)

c) raised (paragraph 2)d) banned(paragraph 3)

4. Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate form of the word in brackets when given.(Puntuación máxima 2 puntos)

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a) Many tourists often leave the Loch Ness without _________(be able) to see the monster, after they_________ (wait) for hours

b) If all touristic places knew _________ to make use of their history and landmarks, they would not depend _________ these kind of legends.

c) Some people say that the monster is the _________ extraordinary creature that they _________ (ever/see)

d)Complete the following sentence to report what was said.“When I went to the Loch Ness I didn’t see the monster, but the place is nice and peaceful” Karen said.Karen explained…………..

5. Write about 120 to 150 words on one of the following topics. (Puntuación máxima 3 puntos)How strong is the power of the press? Give reasons

An End to Tedious ConversationsHave you ever worried that your conversations might be boring? Well, help

could be at hand from a watch that gives a warning buzz if you have been talking too much and in a monotonous manner. Scientists from Massachusetts have created a device worn on the wrist that uses artificial intelligence to read the tone of conversations. The watch is loaded with sensors that capture physiological data such as heart rate, blood pressure, temperature and movement. That information is then combined with audio recordings to analyse a conversation’s energy levels and vocabulary. Using a complicated algorithm, the device assesses the tone with an 83% accuracy level.

It understands happy, sad or neutral tones and some versions could tell you if you are boring others by collecting negative signs such as pauses, moving about restlessly or putting a hand to your face. The device could be linked to smartphones that would then warn you if a conversation was going downhill. The prototype focuses on the wearer, but later versions could also analyse audio from all sides of a conversation, telling us whether the listener is still interested in what we are saying.

Experts believe that in the future people could have an “intelligent social coach right in their pocket”. It could help you succeed in important social situations, such as job interviews. It could also help people who suffer from conditions such as autism and Asperger’s syndrome, since they struggle to read emotional cues. This device could help them avoid a variety of negative consequences, from social isolation to depression.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) Scientists have invented a device that alerts you with a visual signal when you are having a tedious conversation.b) The new watch, as it is now, collects information from both parties involved in the conversation.

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) What kind of information does the new watch need to analyse conversations?b) In what ways might this new invention be useful in the coming years?

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3.- Find the words in the text that mean: (Puntuación máxima: 1 punto)a) way (paragraph 1)b) gudget (paragraph 1)

c) trainer (paragraph 3)d) achieve good results (paragraph 3)

4.- Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate form of the word in brackets when given. (Puntuación máxima: 2 puntos)a) _______ many new devices have started to conquer the market, smartphones are still the _______ popular gadget among young people.b) If you _______ (be) a boring salesman, _______ would you do? Would you wear one of those new watches?c) This is the first device that _______ (match) different types of data to read the tone of conversations. Every detail _______ (put) together with the greatest precision.d) Complete the following sentence to report what was said.“What else did you buy?”I asked the girl ____________________________________________________

5.- Write about 100 to 150 words on the following topic. (Puntuación máxima: 3 puntos)Are you a fan of the new technologies? Justify your answer.

January SalesPeople who are addicted to shopping are nowadays called shopaholics. For

these shopaholics, the post-Christmas period means only one thing - sales! Across the country, prices are reduced on clothing, electronics, home furnishings and more, but London is the place for serious shopping, and you can certainly pick up some amazing bargains.

The sales start on Boxing Day, 26th December, and continue for the month of January, but the keenest bargain hunters get there early to be first through the doors. In Oxford Street queues form outside shops before pre-dawn openings for the start of their sales. At Brent Cross, in north London, hundreds of people queue at 3:30 am for the “Next” clothing store’s sale which begins at 4 am. Some hardy individuals even camp outside the shops to be first in the line.

Consumers who go to the shops are rewarded with discounts of up to 80%, as department stores join the sales frenzy. The shops are packed with people moving around as the sales get into full swing, with more than half a million people converging on London’s West End.

Some people are taking their partners shopping with them and buying their Christmas presents in the sale - a practical but unromantic way of making sure you get the gift you really want. For a less exciting but less stressful shopping experience, online retailers also participate in the January sales of their own. The most organized of all are those who are already doing their present shopping for next Christmas, in the January sales!

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) During January sales shops can sell products for less than half their price.

b) After-Christmas sales also offer good opportunities to buy products via internet.

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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) What do some people in London do to get good bargains?b) Why do some couples go shopping together during Christmas sales?

3.- Find the words in the text that mean: (Puntuación máxima: 1 punto)a) obtain (paragraph 1)b) go on (paragraph 2)

c) most enthusiastic (paragraph 2)d) compensated (paragraph 3)

4.- Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate form of the word in brackets when given. (Puntuación máxima: 2 puntos)a) There’s no _____ (good) time to buy a new computer than after the Christmas season, when prices _____ (reduce) by more than 30%.b) If you _____ (be) a shop owner, _____ would you encourage people to come to your shop during January sales?c) After _____ (go) shopping with my grandmother, I realised that I hadn’t spent so much money on clothes _____ last Christmas.d) Complete the sentence to report what was said. “What did you buy for Peter?” → I asked Mary …..

5. Write about 120 to 150 words on the following topic. (Puntuación máxima: 3 puntos)Who do you think benefits more from discount shopping, customers or shops? Discuss

Skin ArtPrehistoric man was thought to have practised tattooing, that is, puncturing

the skin with tools dipped in pigment that left a permanent mark. And mummies with decorative tattoos have been discovered in many parts of the world. Yet for nearly as long as there has been tattooing, there has been condemnation. The Romans considered decorative tattooing barbaric, which is still evident in the Latin world for tattoos, stigma, and used tattoos to mark slaves and criminals. Despite its deep roots in ancient cultures, tattooing had fallen out of practice in Europe by the time the Britain’s Captain Cook set sail for the Polynesian Islands in 1768.

Though Cook and his men were not the first Europeans to encounter Oceanic tattooing, they were the first to record the practice systematically. Cook also introduced to the English language the word tattoo, taken from the Tahitian. Cook’s men did not fully understand the significance of tattooing among the Oceanic people, for whom the designs were symbolic protection against earthly enemies. Yet the sailors were fascinated and eager to be marked themselves. They adopted the practice with gusto, designing mariner motifs of their own. A turtle meant a sailor had crossed the equator, and an anchor that he had sailed the Atlantic. Crucifixion scenes were also popular motifs – a vain attempt to avoid being beaten, as it was hoped no one would dare hit the image of Christ.

Today, all types of people get tattooed. Though the art was adopted from distant cultures and adapted to suit Western tastes, the attraction of tattooing has changed very little.

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1. Indicate if the following statements are True or False and write down the lines of the text where you found the evidence to justify your choice: (Puntuación máxima: 2)a) Fashionable people in the Roman world had tattoos.

b) The origin of the word tattoo is unknown.

2. Answer the following questions based on the ideas from the text. (Puntuación máxima: 2)a) Why did the Polynesian Islanders get tattooed?b) Why did the sailors choose to have crosses tattooed?

3. Find the words in the text: (Puntuación máxima: 1)a) Embalmed human bodies

(paragraph 1)b) almost (paragraph 1)

c) profound (paragraph 1)d) completely (paragraph 2)

4. Fill the blank spaces with one or more words. (Puntuación máxima: 2)a) Before ________ (become) king of England, George the V had a dragon tattooed on________arm.

b) “________does the word ‘stigma’ mean?” “It means________mark or sign or shame.”c) Winston Churchill’s mother, ________wrist was tattooed with a serpent, tried to cover ____with a bracelet when in public.d) In the past, tattoos ________ (link) to criminals, but today the tattoo________ (wear) proudly by celebrities.

5. Write about 120 to 150 words on one of the following topics. (Puntuación máxima: 3 puntos)Why do many people get tattooed today? Give reasons

The truth about bearsThe wildlife biologist, John Rogers, had spent thousands of hours studying

North America's black bears. He shot them with tranquilisers before fitting them with radio co11ars. He took their blood and studied their DNA. And he tracked their movements and marked them on maps. But none of that had allowed him to really know the creatures.

Rogers finally decided that he couldn't hope to know bears unless he won their trust. And so he abandoned scientific detachment and took the controversial step of forming relationships with his study animals, using food to gain acceptance among an extended bear family in Minnesota. Now, he has abandoned almost everything he knew, or thought he knew, about bears. They do not like honey. They are not even that crazy about berries or nuts, if they have a choice of larvae in a tree trunk.

And they are not dangerous. "In a11 my 42 years of working closely with bears, 1 have not found a way of getting a bear to attack. The more 1 push, the more they try to get away. If they wave their arms aggressively, it's just a way to keep me at a distance while they find a way to escape. 1t's humans who are the more dangerous animals", he said. "If you look at statistics, one black bear out of a

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million kills somebody. Among humans, it's one person out of 18,000 who kills somebody. So you could see why 1 would feel a lot less comfortable in the city than in the woods next to a bear."

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) The biologist collected factual information about bears, like the area where they lived and travelled around.b) Making close contact with your object of study is normal in scientific research.

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) What has the biologist discovered about the bear's diet?b) Why does he think hurnans are dangerous?

3. Find the words in the text that mean: (Puntuación máxima: 1 punto)a) animals (paragraph 1)b) confidence (paragraph 2)

c) distance (paragraph 2)d) move (in the air) (paragraph 3)

4. Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate form of the word in brackets when given.(Puntuación máxima 2 puntos)a) Everybody ______ (believe) that bears love ______ (eat) honey.b) If we want to know the real facts ______ animals, we ______ study them in action.Rewrite the sentences starting with the words given:c) It's not necessary to dissect an animal to know a lot about it.You ....d) When Rogers went near the bear, he called to it "Don't worry, bear!"Rogers told ....

5. Write about 100 to 150 words on one of the following topics. (Puntuación máxima 3 puntos)Pets in city flats? Argue for or against.

DragonsOf all the mythological creatures, few have captured the human imagination as much

as the dragon. It appears in the literature and legends of cultures as diverse as China, Japan, Iran, the Mayans, classical Greece, Rome, Judaism, the Babylonians, ancient Egypt, and medieval Europe.

These fascinating creatures have taken different forms and qualities in the mythologies of different cultures throughout history. To the Chinese, a dragon was an immensely wise animal which brought good luck. But for the Norsemen of Scandinavia, it was an evil, terrifying and treacherous monster. And to the ancient Greeks, the dragon was often a creature of intelligence and virtue – and might be found guarding shrines dedicated to the gods. All these dragons do have some things in common, however. They tend to be show with huge bat-like wings, long toothed jaws like a crocodile, piercing eyes, sharp eagle-like talons and huge scaly bodies-and they can often breathe fire. Another common point is that they’re always creatures of immense power and strength.

But where do dragons come from? The creatures they most resemble, in size and shape, are dinosaurs – but since the last dinosaurs died out tens of millions of years before

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the firs humans ever appeared, that seems an unlikely source of inspiration. One theory is that the earliest humans may have evolved when huge lizards – smaller than dinosaurs, but larger than anything know today – were still around. Another theory is that the dragon represents something submerged in the human subconscious. It’s fun to speculate, but nobody knows for sure.1. Are they following statements TRUE or FALSE? Copy the evidences from the text. Nomarks are given for only TRUE or FALSE. (puntuación máxima: 2 puntos)a) Dragons in China are considered to have a positive influence on people’s life.

b) Dragons in different cultures do not physically resemble one another.

2. Answer the questions in your own words and based on the ideas in the text. (puntuación máxima: 2 puntos)a) How do dragons appear in European cultures?b) Is there any connection between dragons and dinosaurs? Explain.

3. Find a synonym in the text: (puntuación máxima 1 punto)a) clever (paragraph 2)b) keeping (paragraph 2)

c) look like (paragraph 3)d) hidden (paragraph 3)

4. Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate from of the word in brackets whengiven. (puntuación máxima: 2 puntos)a) Dragons______(from) a part of human mythology since long ago. One only has to consult ancient texts_____(know) that this is true.b) In China the dragon_____(see) as a wise and lucky animal, while Greek people were afraid of it_____ of its evil and terrifying reputation.c) The Komodo Dragon is the world’s______(large) living lizard, although there are some species of reptile, such as the crocodile, that are much_____(big).Rewrite the following sentence in reported speech with the words given.d) “Dragons have played an important role in my life” Steven Spielberg said.-Steven Spielberg said…..5. Write about 100 to 150 words on one of the following topics. (puntuación máxima: 3 puntos) Have you ever read a look or seen a film about dragons? Tell the story.

Tragedy Can Be Good for Your Health“Why do we waste so much of our time and money going back to novels and films

that make us cry?” asked a research team at the beginning of a new study. In their previous investigations of group activities like dancing, laughing and singing, they found that feel-good chemicals called endorphins were released in the brain, leading to increased pain tolerance. They also discovered that there were stronger bonds between participants. Watching a tragic film unfold in a cinema might trigger the same system, the researchers hypothesized.

For their study, 169 participants were recruited and split into two groups. The first group was shown the film Stuart: A Life Backwards, the true story of a homeless man with a troubled childhood, while the second group watched a documentary on archaeology. Before and after seeing the films, participants were asked to indicate, through various scales, their mood and their feelings of belonging towards other members of their group. Some participants were also asked to do the wall-sit test to gauge their pain tolerance. This test

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involves squatting with their back against a wall for as long as possible. The higher the endorphin level, the longer a person should be able to sustain the posture.

The results revealed that those who watched the traumatic film had a much stronger change to their moods and that their pain thresholds were boosted by nearly 18% as compared to the control scenario. They also had increased feelings of group bonding. So, psychologists may have found a reason why such films are so appealing: “perhaps watching tragic films is good for your health!”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) According to the text, dancing and singing produce a stronger resistance to pain.b) In the investigation described in the text, tragic stories lead to a heightened senseof connection between people.

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) Describe the pain tolerance test and its purpose.b) Give two reasons why the researchers consider that watching dramatic films may be good for you.

3.- Find the words in the text that mean: (Puntuación máxima: 1 punto)a) set off (paragraph 1)b) problematic (paragraph 2)

c) measure (paragraph 2)d) attractive (paragraph 3)

4.- Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate form of the word in bracketswhen given. (Puntuación máxima: 2 puntos)a) Romantic films, _____ are sometimes very silly, are often more entertaining_____ westerns.b) I felt like the _____ (lucky) person in the world after I _____ (win) two tickets toattend a play in New York.c) I really don’t feel like _____ (go) out to the cinema tonight. I’d rather _____(stay) home and watch TV.d) Complete the following sentence to report what was said.“Can you meet me at the cinema, Doug?”Mary wanted to know ______________________________________________.

5.- Write about 100 to 150 words on the following topic. (Puntuación máxima: 3 puntos)What are your favourite types of films? Name one film and explain why you enjoy it.

Cup of Tea?Tea is a huge part of British culture and heritage. They treasure tea breaks,

teacakes, tea parties, afternoon teas and high tea. And despite the increase in coffee houses, tea remains their preferred beverage. So much so, they consume over 165 million cups of it every day.

Tea was a relative latecomer to British shores. Although it dates back to the third millennium BC in China, it wasn’t until the mid-17th century that the beverage

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made its appearance in England. Samuel Pepys first mentioned drinking tea in his journal entry for September 1660. Since Pepys was a member of the wealthy and fashionable London set, his failure to mention tea earlier suggests that it was still unusual at that time.

Yet it became known in Europe very quickly after its introduction there. Two years later King Charles II married Catherine of Braganza. Catherine was a Portuguese princess, and a tea addict, and it was her love of the drink that established it as a fashionable beverage at court and among the wealthy classes. Tea was particularly interesting to the Western world because it was very easy to prepare and it revived the spirits and cured mild colds. In fact, in the 18th century tea was thought to be a wonder cure for all manner of illnesses. It even played a big part in the Industrial Revolution because the stimulants increased the number of hours labourers could work in factories.

Nowadays, whatever the occasion, the nation puts on the kettle for a cup of tea. It’s a drink that cheers and consoles, and it’s good for health and well-being.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) Coffee is drunk as much as tea in England.

b) Tea was known in England before it was in China.

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) Why is tea a highly recommended drink? Give at least three reasons. b) How did tea help during the Industrial Revolution?

3.- Find the words in the text that mean: (Puntuación máxima: 1 punto)a) rich (paragraph 2) b) not severe (paragraph 3)

c) raised (paragraph 3) d) comforts (paragraph 4)

4.- Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate form of the word in brackets when given. (Puntuación máxima: 3 puntos)a) Experts say that _____ you want to enjoy a nice cup of tea, you _____ drink it without sugar. b) Since the 19th century, tea _____ (become) the most popular drink _____ the British. c) The art of _____ (make) tea was _____ important for George Orwell that he wrote about it in London´s Evening Standard in 1946. d) Complete the following sentence to report what was said. (Puntuación máxima: 2 puntos) “What would you like to do when you finish High School?” Mary asked her son. “Let´s have some tea” → I suggested ________________________________ 5.- Write about 100 to 150 words on the following topic. (Puntuación máxima: 3 puntos)Describe the celebration that you and your family most enjoy.

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