SELECTIVIDAD MADRID. JUNIO 2007 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.

Mobile phones in social life Ten years ago, everybody was getting home after work to a fixed answerphone and nobody ever left a message. Now, everywhere you look  on trains, on buses, in shopping centres, in restaurants, at wedding receptions  what a mirac1e! What a transformation! So many happy people talking away into their mobile phones. Connected at last! However, on some social occasions, from just a meeting of two friends to a funeral, mobile phones can be the enemy. They mean that people are not joining in, they're imposing, they're disrupting. It would have been better if they'd brought a book with them, which they could get on with quietly in a corner. SWITCH THEM OFF. Liberate yourself. The missed call won't be someone saying your house has burnt down. If you can't control yourself, "check" your phone out of sight of the others, in the toilets perhaps. It's perfectly obvious - but how often does it happen?  if you really have to either make or receive an urgent call during a social occasion, you should explain the situation to the others at the outset. When the time comes, remove yourself from the scene to deal with the call. Whatever you do, apologise. And now, here is an appeal to the good, too-silent majority. Don't put up with it. Don't suffer in silence. If you come across some rude mobile phone addicts, don't hesitate to interrupt and ask them to move away, to switch off. If' they are passengers in your car, stop, ask them to get out, especially if it's raining. 1.

Are the following statements TRUE or FALSE? Copy the evidence from the text. No marks are given for only TRUE or FALSE. a. Nowadays a lot of people seem to enjoy using the mobile phone.

Solución.

TRUE. Now, everywhere you look  on trains, on buses, in shopping centres, in restaurants, at wedding receptions  what a mirac1e! What a transformation! So many happy people talking away into their mobile phones. b. The text suggests that it is advisable to inform the other members of the group when you are expecting an important call. (Puntuación maxima: 2 puntos)

Solución.

TRUE. If you really have to either make or receive an urgent call during a social occasion, you should explain the situation to the others at the outset.

Autora: Patricia Herrero Pinilla

2.

In your own words and based on the ideas in the text, answer the following questions. a. Why is the use of mobile phones sometimes seen as antisocial behaviour?

Solución. Because using the mobile phone in a social event such as a wedding, a birthday, or a friends meeting could be understood as a synonym of boredom or event that you don't want to join the rest of the people in the event. b. What does the text recommend doing about inconsiderate mobile phone users? (Puntuación maxima: 2 puntos)

Solución. The text tell us that it could be a good idea to ask them to move away if they are disturbing, even if they are inside our car.

a. b. c. d.

3. Find the words in the text that mean: maybe (paragraph 2) perhaps beginning (paragraph 3) outset say sorry (paragraph 3) apologize encounter (paragraph 4) come across

(Puntuación máxima: 1 punto)

4. Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate form of the word in brackets when given. a. The link between ____1___ (use) a mobile phone when driving and road accidents is well established and this ___2____ (apply) to all kinds of phones, including hands-free. b. More technological advances ____3___ (be) made in the last fifty years ___4___ in all previous centuries c. Charles, ___5___ is a mobile phone addict, can't stand being away ___6___ his phone. Complete the following sentence to report what was said. d. "Is there a mobile phone in your bag?"  I asked the girl ... 7 (Puntuación maxima: 2 puntos)

Solución. 1. using. Siempre se usan las formas –ing detrás de preposición. 2. is applied. En este caso usamos la pasiva porque desconocemos el agente. 3. have been. El present perfect puede ser usado para acciones pasadas cuyo período aún no ha concluído. 4. than. Segunda parte de la comparative de superioridad/inferioridad. 5. who. Pronombre relativo usado para personas. 6. from/without. 7. If there was a mobile phone in her bag. Estilo indirecto

Autora: Patricia Herrero Pinilla

4. Write about 100 to 150 words on one of the following topics. a. Some people believe that children under the age of 13 should not have mobile phones. What do you think? Discuss. b. Describe an unusual personal experience you have had that involved a mobile phone. (Puntuación máxima: 3 puntos)

Para este ejercicio es muy importante la organización del texto. Siempre respetando las tres partes fundamentales de introducción, cuerpo y conclusión final. Es importante buscar estructuras que nos sean conocidas para evitar cometer errores, sin caer en el simplismo. a.

Some people believe that children under the age of 13 should not have mobile phones. What do you think? Discuss.

Solución. First of all, I would like to say that I have had a mobile phone since I was very young, maybe since I was 16 because it was the boom of mobile phones all around the world. I have always thought that last technologies are good for everyone, both young and old people, and it could benefit everybody so far away as it is possible. One of the main disadvantages of having a mobile phone is its cost. A 12 years old kid is not self conscious of the meaning of earning money, and it could be a problem for him, because he could make his parents to spend much money because of his mobile phone. On the other hand, it could be an advantage if children are in trouble because they could notice to whomever with only a phone call. To sum up, what I think, every progress is positive, but we have to take care with children in order to avoid, as far as possible, that they might become an addict in the future. . b.

Describe an unusual personal experience you have had that involved a mobile phone.

Solución. Firstly, I would like to say that this has been an isolated case, and I didn’t know anyone who had had the same problem. One day I took a taxi to go to my girlfriend’s pool, as I was arriving, I decided to call some friends to ask them if they wanted to come to the pool. We were talking over five minutes and when I finished the conversation, I put the mobile inside my bag. Later, when I arrived to my destiny, I paid the taxi and get out with my bag. When I met my girlfriend, I realized that the mobile wasn’t with me, so I started calling my number many times and it was switched on. Because of this, I expected the taxi driver to answer my call but sometime later the mobile phone was switched off… And that was the last time, because I kept trying but it was switched off forever. I couldn’t believe I had been robbed by a taxi driver! In conclusion, I feel I had very bad luck that time, but I sincerely think that most of taxi drivers are very professional and honest people.

Autora: Patricia Herrero Pinilla

Autora: Patricia Herrero Pinilla

Expresiones más frecuentes para realizar el texto: INTRODUCCIÓN -

The purpose 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… Secondly From my point of view In my opinion I think/feel that On the one hand……on the other hand

CONCLUSIÓN -

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

Mobile phone: Teléfono móvil Last technologies: Últimas tecnologías Progress: Progreso Addict: Adicto Call: Llamada Missed call: Llamada perdida SMS (Short Message Service): Servicio de mensajería corta Realize: Dar(se) cuenta Actually: En realidad, realmente Advice: Consejo, aconsejar

Autora: Patricia Herrero Pinilla