Universidad Nacional de La Pampa
Facultad de Ciencias Humanas
Servicio Externo de Lenguas Extranjeras
Examen de Acreditación de
Niveles de Lengua Inglesa
Año 2014
NIVEL POST-INTERMEDIO
Universidad Nacional de La Pampa - Facultad de Ciencias Humanas-SEREX
Examen de Acreditación de Niveles de Lengua Inglesa
2014
Candidate’s Name .........………...……………………………….
DNI …………………………………………………………
Nivel: POST-INTERMEDIO Paper: READING ( 90 min)
A. Read the following text.
You are going to read an article in which four people comment on a book
they have read recently.
A – Kerry
Sundance by Teresa Wilson
I really don't know why this book is so popular. I mean, I suppose it is
going to appeal to young girls who want danger and romance, but I
found this book really tedious. For a start, the characters were really
unconvincing. The author went out of her way to add lots of details
about the characters, but I found these details really pointless. I thought
that some of the facts she presented about the main characters would
become significant in some way later in the novel, but they didn't. They
were just worthless bits of information. I also was disappointed that,
although this book is meant to be about kids at high school, the writer
seems to have no recollection at all about what it's like to be 17. The
main character thought and acted like a 32-year old. It just wasn't
believable. I'm not saying Teresa Wilson is a bad writer. She can
obviously string words together and come up with a story that is
appealing to a large number of people, but she lacks anything original.
There is no flair. It just uses the same sort of language as you can see
in many other mediocre novels.
B - Liz
Wild Ways by Margery Emerson
I have to say that I won't forget this book for a long time. I was hooked
from the very first chapter. The devastating story affected me so much
that I don't know if I'll ever feel the same again. I was close to tears on
several occasions. I've got images in my brain now that I don't think will
ever leave me. It's incredibly well-researched and, although it is fiction,
is based on shocking real-life events. I learned an awful lot about things
that went on that I never knew before. Margaret Emerson has a brilliant
way with words and I really felt real empathy towards the characters,
although I was sometimes irritated by the choices they made. However,
the parallel story, the part that is set in the present, is not quite so
good. I found myself just flicking through that part so that I could get
back to 1940s Paris.
C – Imogen
Orchid by Henry Rathbone
This is a delightful novel full of wonderful imagery, which paints a
remarkable picture of life in a distant time and a far-away place. If
you're looking to learn about Eastern culture in great detail, then this is
probably not the book for you, as the writer skims over most of the
more complicated aspects of the country's etiquette. The historical
Universidad Nacional de La Pampa - Facultad de Ciencias Humanas-SEREX
Examen de Acreditación de Niveles de Lengua Inglesa
2014
Candidate’s Name .........………...……………………………….
DNI …………………………………………………………
aspects are also not covered in much depth. However, I wonder whether
this was the writer's intention. By doing this, he symbolises the
superficiality of the girl's life. She, like the book, is beautiful and eager
to please, but remains too distant from us, the readers, to teach us
much. Although I loved the book and read it in one sitting, the ending
was a bit of a disappointment. A story which involves so much turmoil,
in a place where the future is uncertain, should not have a happy-everafter fairy-tale ending.
D – Hannah
High Hills by Mary Holland
I read this book for a literature class. I know it's a classic, and I did try
to like it, but I just didn't get into it. I kept persevering, hoping that I'd
start to enjoy it, but no such luck. The famous scene out on the moors
was definitely the best bit of the book, but even that I found ridiculous
when it is clearly supposed to be passionate. As I approached the end of
the book, I figured there must be some kind of moral to the story,
something that I would learn from the experience of trudging through
seven hundred long pages, but there was nothing worthwhile. I don't
know why the literary world sees this book as such a masterpiece. The
characters are portrayed as being intelligent, but they do such stupid
things! And as for it being a love story - marrying someone you don't
love and then being abused by them - that doesn't spell love to me.
1. Four sentences have been removed from the text. Choose from
sentences a-d the one which fits each gap (1-4). There is one extra
sentence which you do not need to use.
a. which paints a remarkable picture of life in a distant time
and a far-away place.
b. I also was disappointed that, although this book is meant
to be about kids at high school, the writer seems to have
no recollection at all about what it's like to be 17.
c. The role did not entirely suit her.
d. I kept persevering, hoping that I'd start to enjoy it, but
no such luck.
e. I was close to tears on several occasions.
2. For questions 1-15, choose from the people A-D. The people may be
chosen more than once.
Which person read a book which...
1. was set in an Oriental country
Imogen
2. finished in an unrealistic way
Imogen
3. had characters that the reader could sympathise with
4. is well-known and was written a long time ago
5. contained two stories
Liz
6. was not set in the past
Kerry
7. was historically accurate
Liz
Liz
Hannah
Universidad Nacional de La Pampa - Facultad de Ciencias Humanas-SEREX
Examen de Acreditación de Niveles de Lengua Inglesa
2014
Candidate’s Name .........………...……………………………….
DNI …………………………………………………………
8. made the reader cry
Liz
9. contained insignificant details
Kerry
10. has a well-known scene
Hannah
11. is written for teenagers
Kerry
12. had unbelievable characters
Kerry
13. is classed as romantic fiction
Hannah
14. contains nothing new in the way of writing
Kerry
15. has an attractive but shallow heroine
Imogen
3. Choose, from the options below, a suitable explanation for the meaning of
the underlined words in these phrases extracted from the reading.
a. but I found this book really tedious.
i.
monotonous
ii.
everlasting
iii.
painful
b. There is no flair.
i.
discernment
ii.
talent
iii.
interest
c. I was hooked from the very first chapter.
i.
ii.
iii.
very enthusiastic
obssessed
surprised
d. I found myself just flicking through that part
i.
reading slowly
ii.
reading silently
iii.
reading quickly
e. I loved the
i.
ii.
iii.
book and read it in one sitting
in a sitting position
without interrupting my reading
in a meeting
f. I figured there must be some kind of moral to the story
i.
took into consideration
ii.
concluded or thought
iii.
solved the puzzle
g. but there was nothing worthwhile.
i.
that I wanted to learn from reading it
ii.
sufficiently troublesome to justify the time spent
iii.
sufficiently rewarding to justify the time spent
Universidad Nacional de La Pampa - Facultad de Ciencias Humanas-SEREX
Examen de Acreditación de Niveles de Lengua Inglesa
2014
Candidate’s Name .........………...……………………………….
DNI …………………………………………………………
B. Read the following text.
1. You are going to read a magazine article about a woman who goes gliding.
Seven paragraphs have been removed from the article. Choose from the
paragraphs (A-H) the one which fits each gap (1-6). There is one extra
paragraph which you do not need to use. There is an example at the
beginning (0).
IN PERSON
Twelve months ago, it was Lyn Ferguson
who had the honour of cutting the ribbon
to declare our Oakham Distribution
Centre and offices open.
0 / ........H........
‘I had my first glider flight when I was
16, but it wasn’t until January 1986 that I
took it up seriously. My boys had gone to
school, I had lots of spare time and I
thought, ‘What am I going to do?’ It just
so happened that I had the opportunity to
go up in a glider as a passenger to see if I
liked it. I did.’
1 / ........B........
‘Really, it’s very easy. All you need is
coordination. The average person needs
about 60 flights before they can go solo,
completely alone, which sounds a lot, but
the average instruction flight only takes
around eight minutes, so training doesn’t
take long. I once did eleven trips in a day
when I was training.’
2 / ........D........
‘Well, once you’ve done it alone, you can
register with the British Gliding
Association, then work towards your
Bronze Badge. Each badge after that is
about height, distance and endurance.
3 / ........G........
Then, there are 10 km flights (straight out
and back to the beginning), and 300 km
flights, which show navigation skills.
They’re flown in a triangle starting and
finishing at the airfield.’
4 / ........E........
‘Once, when I was in Australia, I lost
height whilst attempting a 300 km flight
and had to select a field to land in.
Luckily, I spotted a field with a tractor in
it and was able to land there. I think the
farmer was pretty surprised when a glider
suddenly landed next to him! He did let
me use his phone, though.’
5 / ........A........
‘When you have a student who’s finding
things difficult, you convince them that
they can do it. When they do, they’re so
pleased with themselves. When you land
and they say “I can do it”, it’s brilliant.’
6 / ........C........
‘Flying is the main part, but there are
other angles too. Gliding is like
everything else. What you put in is what
you get out. It’s all about team work too.
Everybody mucks in to push gliders
around, pull cables in and generally help
out. You can’t do it on your own. I’ve
met people in gliding from all walks of
life, from lots of different countries, that I
would never have met if I didn’t go
gliding.’
So, next time you see a glider soaring
overhead, it may well be Lyn flying her
way to another badge or, knowing her
love of the sport, just gliding for the sheer
fun of it.
Universidad Nacional de La Pampa - Facultad de Ciencias Humanas-SEREX
Examen de Acreditación de Niveles de Lengua Inglesa
2014
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DNI …………………………………………………………
A. After ei g ht yea rs g li d i ng exp eri enc e , Lyn ha s a c hi eved her B ro nz e
a nd Si lver B a d g es a nd i s a n As s i s ta nt Ra ted Ins truc to r. She ho p es
to g o o n a nd ea rn m o re ba d g es , a s well a s bec o m i ng a F ull Ra ted
Ins truc to r i n the future. Her ro le a s i ns truc to r p ro vi d es her wi th
s o m e o f g li d i ng ’ s m o s t rewa rd i ng m o m ents .
B. To tho s e o f us o n the g ro und g a z i ng up , the p i lo t’ s s ki lls a re there
fo r a ll to s ee, a s the g li d er s o a rs effo rtles s ly o n the wa rm a i r
therm a ls . Lyn i s no t o ne to bo a s t a bo ut her tra i ni ng tho ug h.
C. B ut fo r a ll the a c hi evem ent o f s o lo fli g ht, g li d er p i lo ts ha ve to
wo rk fo r o ne a no ther, a nd t hi s i s a no ther s i d e o f g li d i ng tha t Lyn
enjo ys a nd a p p rec i a tes .
D. So wi th the fi rs t s o lo fli g ht behi nd yo u, wha t’ s next?
E. Lyn thi nks fo r a m o m ent when s he’ s a s ked i f s he’ s ever ha d a ny
em erg enc i es to c o ntend wi th.
F. As a res ult, a fri end o f hers flew i n a g li d e r a lo ng s i d e her a lo ng
the Inns bruc k V a lley a t m o unta i n to p hei g ht . . . tha t’ s a ro und
s even tho us a nd , fo ur hund red feet.
G. To g et the Si lver, fo r exa m p le, yo u ha ve to g et o ver 1, 000 m i n
hei g ht, c o m p lete a fi ve - ho ur fli g ht a nd then a 50 km fli g ht to a
d es i g na t ed a i rfi eld .
H. As PA to o ur Ma na g i ng Di rec to r, Lyn ha s to be p retty level hea d ed , but i n her s p a re ti m e, s he li kes no thi ng better tha n to
ha ve her hea d i n the c lo ud s , i nd ulg i ng i n her p a s s i o n fo r g li d i ng .
1. Say whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE, according to the
text you read. Correct the false ones.
a. Lyn Ferguson took up gliding when she was sixteen. _________F (She had a
glider flight at 16.)
b. To be allowed to take the first solo flight you need to train in about 60 flights. T
c. Glider pilots flying above 1,000 m and covering 50 km get the silver badge. F
(No, they also need to complete a five-hour flight.)
d. Lyn had to land unexpectedly because she had flown 300 km. F (She lost
height.)
e. Lyn enjoys her job as an instructor. T
f. Gliding should not be considered a team sport. F (Glider pilots need the help of
others.)
g. People who engage in gliding can belong to different spheres of society. T
Universidad Nacional de La Pampa - Facultad de Ciencias Humanas-SEREX
Examen de Acreditación de Niveles de Lengua Inglesa
2014
Candidate’s Name .........………...……………………………….
DNI …………………………………………………………
2. Choose from the options below, a suitable explanation for the meaning of
the underlined words in these phrases extracted from the reading.
a. As PA to our Managing Director (H)
1. Personal Assistant
2. Purchasing Agent
3. Publicity Agent
b. Lyn has to be pretty level-headed (H)
1. practical but exaggerated
2. quick-tempered but reliable 3. calm and
balanced
c. The glider soars effortlessly on the warm air thermals. (B)
1. flies downward
2. flies upward
3. flies around
d. ... to a designated airfield. (G)
1. voted
2. appointed in advance
3. nominated
e. ... any emergencies to contend with. (E)
1. to consider
2. to argue about
3. to struggle against
f. Each badge after that is about height, distance and endurance. (main text, par. 4)
1. prize
2. device worn as a sign of achievement
3. symbol
g. Everybody mucks in to push gliders around (main text, par. 8)
1. shares the job
2. gets dirty
3. walks around
h. ... from all walks of life (main text, par. 8)
1. all social, economic and ethnic groups
nationalities
2. different places
3. different
Universidad Nacional de La Pampa - Facultad de Ciencias Humanas-SEREX
Examen de Acreditación de Niveles de Lengua Inglesa
2014
Candidate’s Name .........………...……………………………….
DNI …………………………………………………………
Nivel: POST-INTERMEDIO Paper: USE OF ENGLISH
(1h 15m)
1. Read the text and then select the correct answer (a, b, c or d) from the options
below. There is an example at the beginning.
(0) a. sigh
b. yawn
c. cough
d. sneeze
H EL EN AND MARTIN
W i t h a t h o u gh t fu l (0) _ _ _ _ _ , He l e n t u rn e d a wa y fro m t h e wi n d o w a n d
wa l ke d b a ck t o h e r fa vo u rite a rmch air. (1)_ _ _ _ _ h e r b ro t h e r n e ve r a rri ve ?
Fo r a b ri e f mo me n t , s h e wo n d e red i f s h e re a l l y ca re d t h a t mu ch . Ove r t h e
ye a r s , He l e n h a d gi v e n (2) _ _ _ _ _ wa i t i ng fo r Ma rt i n t o t a ke a n i n t e re s t i n
h e r . He r fe e l i n gs fo r h i m h a d gra d u a l l y (3) _ _ _ _ _ u n t i l n o w, a s s h e s a t
wa i t i ng fo r h i m, s h e e x p e rie nce d n o mo re t h a n a s i s t e r’s (4) _ _ _ _ _ t o s e e
wh a t h a d (5) _ _ _ _ _ o f h e r b ro t h e r.
A l m o s t wi t h out (6) _ _ _ _ _ , Ma rt i n h a d l o s t h i s j o b wi t h a b u s y p u b l i s h i n g
co m p a n y a ft e r s p e n ding t h e l a s t e i gh t ye a rs i n N e w Y o rk a s a ke y fi gu re i n
t h e U S o ffi ce . So me h ow t h e t wo o f t h e m h a d n’t (7) _ _ _ _ _ t o ke e p i n t o u ch
a n d , l e ft a l o n e , He l e n h a d s l o wl y fo u n d h e r (8) _ _ _ _ _ i n h e r o wn
j u d ge me n t gro wi n g. (9) _ _ _ _ _ t h e wi s h e s o f h e r p a re n t s , s h e h a d l e ft
u n i ve r sit y h a l f way (10) _ _ _ _ _ h e r co u rs e a n d n o w, t o t h e a s t o n i s h me n t o f
t h e wh o l e fa mi l y, s h e wa s (11 ) _ _ _ _ _ a fa s t -gro wi n g re p u t a t i o n i n t h e
p a ge s o f re s p e ct e d a rt ma ga z in es a n d wa s a ct u a l l y e a rn i n g e n o u gh t o l i v e
(12) _ _ _ _ _ fro m h e r p a i n t i n gs . Of co u rs e , s h e (13 ) _ _ _ _ _ n o p l e a s u re i n
Ma r t i n’s s u d den mi s fortune , b u t s h e co u l d n ’t (14 ) _ _ _ _ _ l o o ki n g fo rwa r d
t o h e r b ro t h e r’s a rri va l wi t h (15) _ _ _ _ _ s a t i s fa ct i o n a t wh a t s h e h a d
a ch i e ve d .
(1) a. Could
b. Should
c. Would
d. Ought
(2) a. in
b. up
c. out
d. away
(3) a. depressed b. weakened c. lowered
d. fainted
(4) a. wonder
b. idea
d. Regard
(5) a. become
b. developed c. arisen
d. changed
(6) a. caution
b. warning
d. signal
c. curiosity
c. advice
(7) a. minded
b. concerned
c. worried
d. bothered
(8) a. dependence
b. confidence
c. certainty
d. courage
(9) a. Ignoring
b. Omitting
c. Avoiding
d. Preventing
(10) a. along
b. down
c. through
d. across
(11) a. gaining b. reaching
c. starting
d. opening
(12) a. for
b. by
c. with
d. on
(13) a. made
b. took
c. drew
d. formed
(14) a. help
b. miss
c. fail
d. drop
(15) a. soft
b. fine
c. quiet
d. still
Universidad Nacional de La Pampa - Facultad de Ciencias Humanas-SEREX
Examen de Acreditación de Niveles de Lengua Inglesa
2014
Candidate’s Name .........………...……………………………….
DNI …………………………………………………………
2. In m o st l i n es i n th e te xt b e l ow, th e r e i s o n e u n nec essar y wo r d. It i s
e i th er gr am matic ally i n cor rec t o r do e s n o t f i t i n wi th th e se n se o f
th e te xt. Wr i te th e e xtr a wo r d i n th e sp a c e a t th e e n d o f e a c h l i ne.
If th e r e i s n o u n n ecessary wo r d, p u t a ti c k ( ) .
WH Y I D ISLIK E C O MP UT E RS
A l m o s t a n yo ne s a ys t h a t co m p ut ers a re wo n d erful a n d t h a t t h e y a re (00) 
ch a n gi ng o u r o wn l i ve s fo r t h e b e t t e r b y ma ki n g e ve ryt hing fa s t e r a n d
(0) o wn
m o r e r e l i a bl e, b u t I’m n o t s o mu ch s u re t h a t t h i s i s t h e ca s e .
(1)
T h e o t h e r d a y I wa s s t a n ding i n a l a rge d e p a rtment s t o re u n t il
(2)
wa i t i ng t o p a y fo r a co u p l e o f fi l ms fo r my ca me ra wh e n t h e a s s i s tant
(3)
a n n o unce d t h a t t h e co mp u t er wh i ch co n t ro lle d t h e t i l l i t h a d s t o p p ed
(4)
wo r ki n g. I d i d n ’t t h i nk t h is wa s a b i g p ro b l em a n d I s e t mys e l f o ff t o
(5)
fi n d a n o t her co u n te r, b u t o f co u rs e , a l l t h e ma ch i ne s a re o n e p a rt o f
(6)
t h e s a me s ys t e m. So t h e re we we re : a s h o p fu l l o f cu s t o mers, mo n e y
(7)
a t t h e r e a d y, wa i t in g t o ma ke o u r p u rch a se s, b u t i t wa s q u i t e cl e a r t h a t (8)
n o n e o u t o f t h e a s s i s tant s kn e w wh a t t o d o . T h e y we re n ’t a l l owe d t o
(9)
t a ke o u r mo n e y a n d gi ve t o cu s t o me rs a wri t t e n re ce i p t, b e ca us e t h e
(10)
s a l e s wo u l dn’t t h e n h a ve b e e n re co rd e d o n t h e co mp u te r s ys t e m.
(11)
In t h e e n d , l i ke wi t h ma n y o t h e r p e o pl e, I l e ft my s h o p ping o n t h e
(12)
co u n t e r a n d wa l ke d o u t . Do n ’t yo u t h i n k s o t h a t ’s ri d icu lous ? It wo u l d (13)
n e ve r h a ve h a p p ene d b e fo re co mp u te rs , a n d t h a t , fo r me , i s a l l t h e
(14)
p r o b le m: we a re b e gi n n ing t o d e p e n d o n t h e s e m a ch i ne s fo r s o
(15)
co m p l e te ly t h a t we s i mp l y ca n ’t ma n a ge wi t h out t h e m a n y mo re .
3. Co m plete th e se c o nd se n te nc e u si ng th e wo r d gi ve n so th a t i t h a s a
si m ilar m eaning to th e f i r st se n te nc e. DO NO T CHA NGE THE
WO R D GIVEN. Yo u m u st u se b e twe e n 2 a n d 5 wo r ds, i n c luding the
wo r d gi ve n .
Exa m ple :
0. I la s t s a w hi m a t m y 21 s t bi rthd a y . si n c e
I __ haven’t seen him since __ m y 21 s t bi rthd a y p a rty .
1. My c a r rea lly need s to be rep a i red s o o n . m u st
I rea lly __MUST HAV E MY CAR __ rep a i red s o o n .
2. The to p s helf wa s s o hi g h tha t the c hi ld ren c o uld n’ t rea c h i t . to o
The to p s helf __ W AS TO O HIGH F O R __ the c hi ld ren to rea c h .
3. There i s no i c e - c rea m left . r un
Universidad Nacional de La Pampa - Facultad de Ciencias Humanas-SEREX
Examen de Acreditación de Niveles de Lengua Inglesa
2014
Candidate’s Name .........………...……………………………….
DNI …………………………………………………………
W e ___ HAV E RUN O UT O F __ i c e- c rea m .
4. There’ s no p o i nt i n a s ki ng Geo rg e to help . wo r th
It ___ IS NO T W O RTH ASKING __ Geo rg e to help .
5. ‘ W here ha ve I left m y s ung la s ses , Da vi d ? ’ a s ked Sus a n . wh e r e
Sus a n a s ked Da vi d __ W HERE SHE HAD LEF T HER __
s ung la s ses .
6. Sus a n reg rets no t buyi ng tha t ho us e . wi sh e s
Sus a n ___ W ISHES SHE HAD B O UGHT ___ tha t ho us e .
7. The brea d wa s to o s ta le to ea t . f r e sh
The brea d ___ W AS NO T F RESH ENO UGH ___ to ea t .
8. Perha p s B ri a n went ho m e ea rly . m ay
B ri a n ___ MAY HAV E GO NE ___ ho m e ea rly .
4. In th e te xt b e l ow, u se th e wo r d gi ve n i n c a p itals a t th e e n d o f th e
l i n e to f o r m a wo r d th a t f i ts i n th e sp a c e i n th e sa m e l i ne. Th e r e i s
a n e xa m ple a t th e b e gi nning.
AN IMPORTANT ENGLISH TOWN
The site of the town of Winchester was a (0) _natural_ place for a (1)
NAT UR E
SETTLEMENT, at the point where the river cut through the chalk of the
SE T T LE
(2)SOUTHERN hillsides. A simple camp at St Catherine’s Hill was the
SOU T H
(3)EARLIEST known use of the site. This was followed by an Iron Age hill-
E A R LY
fort, but this was left (4) UNINHABITTED by 100 BC. It was the Romans
IN HA B IT
who finally established the town and (5)SURROUNDED it was a
R OU N D
defensive wall for the protection of their people and trade.
With the (6) BUILDING of its first cathedral in the seventh century, the
B U ILD
town became an important (7) RELIGIOUS centre. Later, King Alfred,
R E LIG ION
who had (8) SUCCESSFULLY pushed back the invading Danes, moved his
SUCCESS
palace to Winchester. The town then experienced rapid (9)
DEVELOPMENT, and its (10) CENTRAL role in English history was
underlined in 1066 when the conquering Normans, like Alfred, made
Winchester their capital.
DEVELOP
CENTRE
Universidad Nacional de La Pampa - Facultad de Ciencias Humanas-SEREX
Examen de Acreditación de Niveles de Lengua Inglesa
2014
Candidate’s Name .........………...……………………………….
DNI …………………………………………………………
Nivel: POST-INTERMEDIO
Paper: LISTENING ( 45
min)
A. Listening 1
Listen to the following report on Valentine’s Day and fill in the missing
information with up to 4 (four) words.
Valentine’s Day is not only about
1) ……….………………………………………….: in recent
years it has also become big business. But
even if Valentine’s Day has become a 2)
………….…………………………..……………… with more
than 80 million roses sold worldwide, the origins of the day are
unclear. Nobody knows exactly who St Valentine was, although
some
historians
suggest
he
was
a
Roman
martyred
in
3)…………………………………………………………… AD by a Roman Emperor.
It is believed that the first recorded Valentine’s card was sent by
the imprisoned Duke of Orleans in 1415, who sought solace from
his confinement 4)………………………………………………..……… to his wife.
Valentine’s Day, or its equivalent, is now a
worldwide celebration. However, the 5)
.…………………………………………………………………….
from place to place. In Korea April 14th is
known as ‘Black Day’ and is when the
unfortunate men who received nothing on
Valentine’s Day 6) ………………………………………
………………………… and commiserate with each other.
7) ……………………………………………………….. have also played their part
in
keeping
Valentine’s
Day
relevant
in
the
21st
century.
Valentine’s 8) ……………………………………….………… have been all the
rage in recent years. However, internet security experts warn web
users about 9) …………………………………………………………. who could use
e-cards 10) ……………………………………………………....
But not everything is about romance. 11) ……………………………………
city of Liverpool sent Valentine’s cards to criminals who failed to
appear in court or 12) ……………………….…………………………... The cards
13) ……………………………….……………………, “Roses are red, violets are
blue, you’ve got a warrant, and we’d 14) …………………………………….”
Who says romance is dead?
Adapted from bbclearningenglish.com
Universidad Nacional de La Pampa - Facultad de Ciencias Humanas-SEREX
Examen de Acreditación de Niveles de Lengua Inglesa
2014
Candidate’s Name .........………...……………………………….
DNI …………………………………………………………
Valentine’s Day is not only about public displays of affection: in recent years it has
also become big business. But even if Valentine’s Day has become a global industry
with more than 80 million roses sold worldwide, the origins of the day are unclear.
Nobody knows exactly who St Valentine was, although some historians suggest he
was a Roman martyred in the third century AD by a Roman Emperor. It is believed
that the first recorded Valentine’s card was sent by the imprisoned Duke of Orleans
in 1415, who sought solace from his confinement by writing love poems to his wife.
Valentine’s Day, or its equivalent, is now a worldwide celebration. However, the
traditions often differ from place to place. In Korea April 14th is known as ‘Black
Day’ and is when the unfortunate men who received nothing on Valentine’s Day
gather to eat noodles and commiserate with each other.
Technological developments have also played their part in keeping Valentine’s Day
relevant in the 21st century. Valentine’s e-cards have been all the rage in recent
years. However, internet security experts warn web users about malicious hackers
who could use e-cards to spread viruses.
But not everything is about romance. Police in the UK city of Liverpool sent
Valentine’s cards to criminals who failed to appear in court or have not paid fines.
The cards contained the verse, “Roses are red, violets are blue, you’ve got a
warrant, and we’d love to see you.” Who says romance is dead?
B. Listening 2
1. Li s ten to the fo llo wi ng m a n ta lki ng a bo ut a tec hno lo g i c a l d evi c e
whi c h wo uld m a ke hi s li fe ea s i er. Dec i d e whi c h c o m p uter
“Ic a r us” o r “Ch u c k” c a n p erfo rm the fo llo wi ng ta s ks . W ri te I (fo r
Ic a r u s) o r C (f o r Ch u c k ) next to the fo llo wi ng s ta tem ents . So m e
s ta tem ents m a y c o rres p o nd to m o re tha n o ne s p ea ker.
Which computer?
Computer
1.
can be asked to do things for you.
A. I C
2.
can check oxygen levels
B. I
3.
can control the water temperature
C. C
4.
can flush the toilet
D. C
5.
is intelligent enough to control solar shields
E. I
6.
would be intelligent enough to recommend outfits
F. C
7.
can generate a damage list
G. I
8.
can communicate with you
H. I C
Universidad Nacional de La Pampa - Facultad de Ciencias Humanas-SEREX
Examen de Acreditación de Niveles de Lengua Inglesa
2014
Candidate’s Name .........………...……………………………….
DNI …………………………………………………………
2. Listen to the same man and answer the following questions as fully as
you can.
A. Wha t othe r c hor e doe s the s pe a ke r ha te doi ng?
“ What I loat he is having t o de al wit h my hair. ”
B. Wha t de vi c e doe s he s ugge s t a s a pos s i bl e s ol uti on? Wha t w oul d
thi s de vi c e do?
“I t hink it would be ne at t o have s ome s ort of au t omat ic body hair de vic e c onne c t e d t o my body, or e ve n implant e d, t hat I
c ould us e t o c ont rol t he le ngt h, s hape , and e ve n s t yle of my
hair and be ard, Kind or, like a human Chia Pe t .”
C. Wha t na me w oul d he gi ve to thi s de vi c e ?
“It c ould be c alle d s ome t hing lik e , ' Chuc k: Supe r- c omput e r,
Pe rs onal As s is t ant and G roome r' .”
( Ada pte d fr om the ma ga zi ne Thi nk N° 141 )
Universidad Nacional de La Pampa - Facultad de Ciencias Humanas-SEREX
Examen de Acreditación de Niveles de Lengua Inglesa
2014
Candidate’s Name .........………...……………………………….
DNI …………………………………………………………
Nivel: POST-INTERMEDIO
Paper: WRITING
( 1h
45m)
A . Wr i te a su i ta ble te xt o f 2 1 0 -2 40 wo r ds o n O NE o f th e f o l lowing
o p ti ons:
O p ti on 1 :
Your English friend, Robert, wants to spend his summer holidays in your country and get
part-time job in an ice-cream parlour. He has written to you for advice. This is part of the
letter you received:
I’m working in a snack bar in my town at the moment,
as you know, to save some money for the trip, but I
think I ought to learn some Spanish before I go. I
bought a “Teach Yourself” book on the Spanish
language, but I was wondering if you had any other
suggestions which would help me. It’s quite a while
since I studied Spanish at school, so I’d also be really
grateful for some general tips on learning a language.
Write a letter to Robert giving advice and any helpful suggestions that you can think of.
O p ti on 2 :
You read the following advertisement and decided to buy the package holiday.
T W O U N FORGET TA BL E W E EKS I N T H E S E Y CH ELL ES
*
*
*
*
*
*
d i r e c t f l i g h t + f r e e t r a n s p or t f r o m a i r p o r t t o h o t e l
l u x u r y h o t e l w i t h s w i mmi n g p o o l , g y m a n d d i s c o
a l l r o o ms h a v e b i g b a l c o n y a n d s e a v i ew
s a t e l l i t e TV a n d w i - f i i n e v ery r o o m
w a t e r s p o r t s a n d a t r i p a r o u n d s o me o f t h e i s l a n d s i n c l u d e d i n p r i c e
j u s t 5 0 me t r e s f r o m a w o n d e rf ul b e a c h
You have just come back and feel very dissatisfied. The holiday was not what you had
expected due to the fact that nobody met you at the airport, the hotel was quite old and
did not satisfy your needs (explain why), you had to pay extra for water sports, and other
things went wrong as well.
Write a letter of complaint to Mr. Williams, the travel agent who sold you the holiday.
Universidad Nacional de La Pampa - Facultad de Ciencias Humanas-SEREX
Examen de Acreditación de Niveles de Lengua Inglesa
2014
Candidate’s Name .........………...……………………………….
DNI …………………………………………………………
B. Ch o ose O NE o f th e f o l lowing o p ti ons a n d wr i te a su i ta ble te xt o f
2 1 0-240 wo r ds. Gi ve y o ur te xts a ti tl e .
O p ti on 1
A s p a r t o f a f a m ily b o ok , y o u h a ve b e en a sk e d to wr i te a sto r y a b out
so m ething th a t h a p p ened to y o u wh e n y o u we r e a c h i ld. In c l ude th e
f o l lowing se n te nc e i n y o ur sto r y.
In the middle of the night, I suddenly woke up because I could feel something on my
pillow. I switched on the light and…
O p ti on 2
Your school magazine is running a series of articles under the title “Effective punishments
for criminals”. Write your ARTICLE to appear in the series.
O p ti on 3
Yo u wo r k f o r th e l o c al to u r ist o f f i c e a n d y o ur m anager h a s a sk e d y o u
to wr i te a R EP O R T de sc r ibing th e c u r r ent si tu a tion o f h e a lth f a c iliti es
i n y o ur to wn . Th e r e p ort wi l l b e u se d to p r o duc e a l e af let f o r to u r ists
c o m ing to y o ur to wn . (R e f er to h o sp itals, e y e c l i nics, do c to r s’
su r geries, e m er gency se r vic es).