CUID-UNED CURSO 2017-18

IDIOMA: INGLÉS NIVEL: B1

PRUEBA ESCRITA: Comprensión Lectora DURACIÓN: 60 minutos

Reading Comprehension – Instructions and Marking:

There are two tasks which include 10 multiple-choice questions each. For each question there are
three options and the student has to select “a”, “b” or “c”. Answer the multiple-choice questions
on the answer sheet. Each correct answer receives 0.4 points and 0.13 points are subtracted for
wrong answers. Time allowed: 60 minutes.

The minimum pass mark is 50%.

MODELO C
READING COMPREHENSION.

TEXT 1: White lies

Often a white lie can seem the perfect tool to keep the world around you balanced. “Do I
look OK in these clothes?” The answer should always be “yes”, we’re told. “Do you want to
meet up for drinks tonight?” When we’re reluctant,* we deliver a cover up story*: “I’m too
busy!” or “I’m not feeling well”, because it avoids hurting feelings. But while it feels helpful in
the moment, in many situations we aren’t thinking of the impact it can have long-term. So
how do we know when and why it’s okay to tell a white lie, and when it’s doing you more
harm than good?

Before we jump too far in, let’s first define the white lie. According to the Merriam-Webster
Dictionary, a white lie is “a lie about a small or unimportant matter that someone tells to
avoid hurting another person.” The inherent dilemma, though, is that what’s supposed to be
a one-off* to avoid hurting feelings can spiral into a set of lies with which you then have to
live.
“The biggest problem with white lies is that we often need to continue to create more and
more lies to cover the tracks of our original lies,” said McDermott, a psychologist who
specializes in relationship repair. “If I say that I can’t come to your birthday dinner because I
already have plans, I then often need to remember that I lied and continue to lie when you
ask me about it later. This can cause a huge, and often totally unnecessary, stress. White
lies have their place, but we tell them too often.”
Further, white lies can end up hurting you. “We often lie to control how others feel,”
explained psychologist Brad Reedy. “It can be harmless, but if the pattern persists or
deepens, then the one lying will repress his or her needs.”

Depending on the white lie to control how others feel, and to prevent any discomfort we
may cause ourselves, isn’t always a terrible thing. But how do we determine when, and
how, to use the white lie to everyone’s advantage? Many of your relationships, explained
McDermott, can actually withstand* more honesty. If they can’t, it’s time for a deeper look
into that relationship.
Ultimately, any time a white lie will require additional white lies, or when it’s impeding the
expression of your personal needs, you should tell the truth. Also, note that you don’t have
to be rude when telling the truth — you can deliver honesty with a side of gentleness.
Adapted from: http://www.businessinsider.com/the-right-and-wrong-time-to-use-a-white-lie-2016-6

*reluctant: not willing to do something.

*cover up story: a story someone tells in order to hide the truth.
*one-off: something that happens or it is done just once.
*withstand: to be strong enough.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS. For questions 1-10, choose the answer (a, b or c)
which best fits according to the text. There is an example at the beginning (0):

0. Which of the following statements is true, according to the text?

a) In many situations, white lies can hurt feelings.
b) Sometimes white lies are useful.
c) Everybody prefers to be told white lies.

1. According to the text, ___________.

a) we always lie when people ask for opinion about the way they look.
b) it is our educators’ fault that we usually lie on social occasions.
c) sometimes people are expected to give rude answers.

2. Which of the following options is true, according to the text?

a) Cover up stories are told when people can’t go out because they don’t feel well.
b) A cover up story and a white lie are exactly the same thing.
c) White lies can cause some problems.

3. Which of the following is not true, according to the text?

a) Telling lies can harm you more than you might think.
b) In spite of the impact they can have in the future, it is better to tell white lies.
c) A white lie is a way to be nice to people.

4. According to the text, _______________.

a) white lies are only told once.
b) a white lie can lead you to more lies.
c) if you tell someone a while lie, you will always have to lie to that person.

5. According to McDermott, _____________.

a) when an individual starts telling white lies it is hard for him to stop.
b) when you are invited to an event it is better to say that you don’t want to attend it.
c) people have to remember the white lies they tell to avoid self-contradiction.

6. According to the text, _________.

a) white lies can be as hurtful as ugly truths.
b) people who are told white lies can develop stress.
c) white lies are not always wrong.
 7. According to the text, _______________.
a) people should be careful to avoid being damaged by their white lies.
b) if a white lie continues in time, it will hurt you deeply.
c) liars are interested in controlling people.

8. Which of the following statements is not true?

a) People tell white lies because they cannot build healthy relationships with other
people.
b) When someone tells a white lie, probably that person cares for the other.
c) The point is to make sure that the white lies we tell do not cause more harm than
benefits.

9. According to McDermott, ____________.

a) it is good to tell white lies to check whether a relationship is strong enough.
b) sometimes white lies are not necessary.
c) controlling how others feel is not a healthy behavior.

10. The text concludes that: ____________.

a) White lies have to be avoided at all times.
b) People should consider telling fewer white lies.
c) When you tell the truth you cannot avoid hurting other people.

TEXT 2: Read this text about how to be nice to people. Then for each paragraph (11 –
20), choose the option that best summarizes its content (a, b, c). The first one has
been done for you as an example (0):

0. a) Hot coffee can make people kinder in some situations.

b) Iced drinks may increase bad mood towards others.
c) Warm physical sensations can affect your experiences.

Research suggests that a hot cup of coffee could be your ticket to a more friendly lifestyle.
In one university study, participants who held a cup of hot coffee (versus iced) judged
others as having more generous and caring personalities. Researchers concluded that
holding warm objects increases a warm attitude toward others.

11. a) Be nice to everybody and help change society for good.

b) Being kind to others may take effort.
c) It is necessary to learn how to be nice to people who are nice to us.

Although it might seem really obvious, have you ever thought about how to be nice and
what little things you can do to show others you care? There are lots of different ways to
show kindness to others because being nice to others doesn’t take much time or money!
Check out these tips on how we can be nice to people we know and don’t know and help
make our world just a little bit better!
12. a) Smile at people and they will always smile back at you.
b) Smiling at people can encourage the same behavior around you.
c) Make people happy by smiling at them and by teaching them to smile.

If you want to know how to be nice, it all starts with a smile! Smiling can do so much and
not just for you but also for the person receiving it! Be generous with your smiles because
you might brighten someone’s day, encourage them to smile at others, and make them feel
good too. We’re all super busy and stressed, but taking the time out to smile at someone
can do wonders for all parties involved!

13. a) You may decide to stop listening to people because you are too busy for them.
b) Listening to people who are close to you and who you have daily contact with is not
enough.
c) Don’t focus only on your own goals and listen to people in order to understand them.

When thinking of ways to be nice, another super easy way to be nice is to listen to others.
Start doing this with co-workers, friends and family, and really listen to what they have to
say. Many times we get so caught up with our lives that we have a tendency to sort of tune
out* other people, even if we don’t mean to. Start listening to others and you’ll probably end
up learning so much about the other people in your life!

14. a) Donating blood is beneficial for your health.

b) Show your love to others by donating blood.
c) Find out the occasions on which donations are needed.

Donating your blood is one of the most beneficial ways to be nice to other people! Giving
blood can save or improve the lives of others. There are many times where blood
transfusions are necessary and your donation can make a difference! Another benefit to
donating blood is that your blood will go through a quick check, so you’ll know how your
iron and hemoglobin levels are.

15. a) Being friendly is an effective way of meeting new people and getting useful contacts.
b) Treat others like you want to be treated, especially in events.
c) In a crowded place, you may find the occasion to be friendly to someone.

Be friendly as a way of being nice to others! If you’re ever at an event or gathering where
many of the people there know one another and you see someone alone, talk to them.
Chat with them and introduce them to people you know so they won’t feel like an outsider.
You might make a new friend or introduce this person to some important new connections!

16. a) Before you compliment* someone, make sure you are absolutely convinced of what
you are going to say.
b) You should make a habit of complimenting people. Make sure it is well deserved.
 c) You will get your own compliment if you have made someone feel special by
complimenting him / her.

Paying someone a genuine compliment is a great way to make someone feel good! This is
a good way to break the ice with a stranger or lift someone’s spirits. The one thing to
remember about this random* act of niceness is to genuinely mean it. I mean, who wants to
hear a fake compliment?! Complimenting someone shows that you truly like their taste in
something and, if you really want it, you can find out how to get your own!

17. a) Show your kindness letting others go in front of you.

b) People expect you to be kind when driving.
c) You can also show kindness when driving.

Whenever you find yourself in a long line or on the road, when you can let someone else go
ahead of you or merge into your lane, it’s an easy way to be nice to others! You might be
helping someone who’s late to pick up their kids or on their way to an appointment, so you
could be doing someone a great favor. Hopefully someone else will return the favor to you
when you’re in a rush!

18. a) Communicate with people in an original way, such as writing a letter.

b) Using technology to communicate with people is impersonal, consider writing a letter.
c) Make someone feel special by writing a letter to him / her.

Nowadays when we need to communicate with people, we tend to text, email, or write on
Facebook walls to express our feelings. Instead, why not make someone feel good by
writing them a letter? We rarely write or send letters anymore, so receiving a hand-written
note from someone is a big deal! You can write a letter to someone who has helped you in
the past, someone you want to thank or do it just to make someone’s day!

19. a) Being a designated driver* is an important duty and it shows how responsible you
are.
b) If you always volunteer to be the designated driver, your friends will truly appreciate it.
c) Being the designated driver shows that you care for the safety of the people you love.

While we’re learning new ways on how to be nice to others, let’s not forget to show our
friends and family some love too! Volunteering to be a designated driver will not just make
you the most popular person among your friends, since they can get their drink on, but
you’re also helping to keep friends and people on the road safe!

20. a) Don’t be late unless you have a very good reason.

b) People who are often late tend to lose their friends.
c) Don’t be late because you have to be considerate of other people’s time.
Being on time might not seem like a way to be nice, but being perpetually late is rude! We
all run late occasionally because life happens, but if you’re always keeping people waiting,
make it a point to start being on time as a way to be nice to others. If you’re always running
late, it can appear that you don’t value the time of others.
Adapted from: http://cud.io/slides/8/50a418fbba00d7980cf8e773.html

* Tune out: Not give your attention to people around.

* Compliment: An expression of admiration or respect. To compliment: To express such admiration.
* Random: Happening or done by chance.
* Designated driver: A person in a group who agrees not to drink in order to drive the others home.
 CUID-UNED CURSO 2017-18
IDIOMA: INGLÉS NIVEL: B1

PRUEBA ESCRITA: Uso de la Lengua DURACIÓN: 30 minutos

Use of English - Instructions and Marking:

The task includes 5 multiple-choice questions. For each question there are three options and the
student has to select “a”, “b” or “c”. Answer the multiple-choice questions on the answer sheet.
Each correct answer receives 0.4 points and 0.13 points are subtracted for wrong answers. Time
allowed: 30 minutes.

The minimum pass mark is 50%.

USE OF ENGLISH. Choose the correct answer. The first one has been done for you
as an example (0):

0. That’s the dog ___________ was barking last night in the street.
a) what b) who c) that

21. I am looking forward to taking things easy a bit” – he said.

a) He said that he was looking forward to taking things easy a bit.
b) He said that he had been looking forward to taking things easy a bit.
c) He said that he would look forward to taking things easy a bit.

22. Paul _____________ to Japan unless he _________ enough money.

a) wouldn’t travel / had
b) wouldn’t travel / has
c) didn’t travel / will have

23. These days, couples wait ________ they’re older ________they marry and start a
family.
a) until / before b) while / then c) after / when

24. Pam also ___________ fat but now she is thin.

a) got used to be b) used to being c) used to be

25. They had built a school in Milan.

a) The school was being built in Milan.
b) The school has been built in Milan.
c) The school had been built in Milan.