SEPTIEMBRE 2006 INSTRUCCIONES GENERALES 1. Lea todo el texto cuidadosamente 2. Lea atentamente todas las preguntas de la prueba. 3. Proceda a responder en lengua inglesa a las preguntas en el papel de examen TIEMPO: 1 hora y 30 minutos CALIFICACIÓN: La puntuación máxima de la prueba es de 10 puntos. South American Wild Cats Find Hope in a Test Tube Since time immemorial felines have been venerated in America, North and South. Their shapes appear engraved on ancient artifacts and in the form of modem statues. But in the last century, jaguars, pumas and other American felines have declined alarmingly in number. So much so, that they may become extinct. As a result, researchers in Spain and Argentina have embarked on a project for the preservation of ten feline species in Latin America. For the next three years, they will be working on the creation of two genetic banks one in Madrid and the other in Buenos Aires, to keep away the threat that looms over these animals. This threat comes from human activity. Since 1920, the population of Latin America has tripled to 480 million people. A quarter of the forest area has disappeared, and activities such as hunting, fishing, mining and farming intensify human impact on the environment, so that the natural habitat of these species has been hugely reduced. The reduction of the habitat reduces the population. So far, the problem has been addressed by introducing new animals into each region, with problems of transport and adaptation leading to poor chances of success. Now, the plan is to apply assisted reproduction techniques, fertilizing females with semen from males from other regions, including various zoos in Argentina and Spain. Scientists hope that, a few decades into the future, the words jaguar or puma may be more than mere names and memories. QUESTIONS 1.

Are the following statements TRUE or FALSE? Copy the evidence from the text. No marks are given for only TRUE or FALSE. a. Some types of wild animals were important in Latin American cultures.

True. Since time immemorial felines have been venerated in America, North and South. b. The assisted reproduction project is the first attempt to save felines in Latin America.

False. So far the problem has been addressed by introducing new animals into each region with problems of transport and adaptation leading to poor chances of success. Now, the plan is to apply assisted reproduction. (Puntuación maxima: 2 puntos) 2.

In your own words and based on the ideas in the text, answer the following questions. a. Why has the number of felines in South America fallen recently?

The number of felines has gone down due to human activities. Forests have been reduced so that these animals have little space to live into their habitat. b. How do Spanish and Argentine scientists plan to help endangered felines?

They want to resolve the problem by making assisted reproduction using semen from other felines in order to enhance the number of these kinds of animals in the future. (Puntuación maxima: 2 puntos) * En este ejercicio tenemos que estar muy atentos de las construcciones de las frases. Normalmente contestaremos con una frase afirmativa, con lo cual:

Autora: Eva Gomez Lda. Filología Inglesa por la U.C.M.

Suj + VBO (TIEMPO VERBAL CORRESPONDIENTE + COMPLEMENTO) 3.

Find the words in the text that mean: a. decreased (paragraph 1) declined b. possible danger (paragraph 1) threat c. agriculture (paragraph 2) farming d. until now (paragraph 3) so far (Puntuación máxima: 1 punto)

4.

Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate form of the word in brackets when given. protect their environment. a. If we want wild cats to be reproduced, we have to b. We better stop using the world's natural resources carelessly (careless). c. The populations of many animal species are very small to make them to survive: soon they will become extinct. d. Complete the following sentence to report what a journalist asked researchers about the project: “When did you begin your new wild cat project?" → The journalist asked ... when he

began his new wild cat project. (Puntuación maxima: 2 puntos) 5.

Write about 100 to 150 words on one of the following topics. a. Describe what you can do at home and in your town to protect the environment. b. After this text on South American wild cats was published, many readers wrote to the editor of the paper, defending or disagreeing with spending money on saving animals in that region. Give your opinion on the topic. (Puntuación máxima: 3 puntos)

As an introduction, I would like to say that there is little we can do if Governments do not take into consideration this problem which is getting closer and closer to us. The first solution is that we should approximate ourselves to nature to be aware of where we come from. Nowadays we live far from our origins and I consider that we have forgotten how important nature is in order to survive. Secondly, in order to take care of our environment we must change our behaviour at home. For instance, we can throw away different types of rubbish in separated containers so that it can be recycled once more time. It is important to point out this solution since it is a way of not wasting more raw materials. However, this solution I have just explained above it is not just the only one. We are a society that it is used to having a comfortable life since we have got very bad habits such as taking a car which it could be replaced with the use of public transport. In conclusion, bad habits, bad education about this matter in schools and universities, a government that does not face the problem seriously because of economic affairs and our thoughtlessness about this matter are the main points that are provoking to turn the earth from blue to a disgusting black place to live. En este ejercicio lo más importante es la organización que demos al texto. Comenzaremos con una introducción. Una vez finalizada la introducción, daremos cuerpo al texto, es decir, expresaremos nuestro punto de vista con argumentos y Como ultima parte aportaremos una conclusión.

Autora: Eva Gomez Lda. Filología Inglesa por la U.C.M.

Expresiones más frecuentes para realizar el texto:

INTRODUCCION • • • • • • •

The porpouse of this report The aim of this report This report looks at First of all As an introduction I would like to say Firstly…. To begin With….. CUERPO

• • • • • • •

One of the main advantages/disadvantages of……is that….. Secondly….. In my view….. From my point of view….. In my opinion….. I think/feel that…. On the one hand……on the other hand CONCLUSION

• • • •

In conclusion….. To sum up….. On balance….. Last but not least….. PARA UNIR FRASES

• • • •

Although However In spite of this Some people…..while/whereas others…….

VOCABULARIO RELACIONADO PARA PODER HACER ESTE TEXTO: DESASTRES NATURALES Drought: Sequia Earthquake: Terremoto Flood: Inundaciones TEMAS RELACIONADOS CON EL MEDIOAMBIENTE: Autora: Eva Gomez Lda. Filología Inglesa por la U.C.M.

Animal welfare: Bienestar de los animales Climate: Clima, ambiente Conservation: Conservación Endagered species: Animales en peligro de extinción Energy: Energía Forest fires: Incendios forestales Global warming: Calentamiento de la tierra Greenhouse effect: Efecto invernadero Pollution: Contaminación Protected animals: Animales protegidos Rain forest: Lluvias forestales Wildlife: Vida salvaje POLITICA RELACIONADA CON TEMAS MEDIAMBIENTALES: Enviromental Group: Grupo medioambiental Green issues Temas relacionados con el medioambiente Presure grupe: Grupo que hace fuerza, que presiona al gobierno VERBOS: Hunt: Cazar Eat: Comer Feed: Alimentar Cut down: Talar Destroy: Destrozar Dump: Verter, descargar Protect: Proteger Pollute: Contaminar Recycle: Reciclar Save: Salvar Throw away: Tirar, deshacerse de.... Use up: Agotar

Autora: Eva Gomez Lda. Filología Inglesa por la U.C.M.