Preguntas del examen de inglés de selectividad 2014 de septiembre opción A de Murcia

Opción A

The gap year

A ‘gap year’ is usually taken the year before the start of university life, between secondary school and higher education or employment, or between higher education and a job. You’ve probably been in full-time education for about 15 years, so you many welcome (1) a break. But that doesn’t mean you should spend the time sitting on your backside doing nothing. You need to find out what’s on offer, how long it may last and how you are going to pay for it.

Many will desire the traditional option of going abroad, and there are various possibilities. Some schemes allow (2) you to go another continent and work in a school or on an environment project. These will vary in length from a month or so to the best part of a year, so check carefully. While your accommodation may be paid for, transport and other costs may not, so the big issue will be the amount of money you need to make it achievable (3).

Others will see a year out as a change to work and save money for university. However, since finding full-time work may prove difficult at the moment, you should consider looking for a part-time job.

Now, is a gap year a good idea? The advantages are that you’ll gain (4) independence –personal, financial, maybe both- and will be better prepared for university life. It doesn’t matter that you’ll be a year older than many of the undergraduates –you’ll probably handle (5) the transition to university better.

1. Link each of the words/expressions below with a word/expression in the columns (is numbered in the text). Copy the correct pair of words on your answer.

- welcome and…

- allow and…

- achievable and…

- gain and

- handle and…

2. Reading comprehension

2.1. Choose the best option. Copy the complete correct option on your answer sheet.

a. Students take a gap year because they are tired and do not wish to continue their education.

b. A gap year can be a good opportunity for personal development as well as for making some money.

c. Most students use their gap year to work on environmental or educational projects in another continent.

d. You need to be, at least, 15 years of age to be allowed to take a gap year from full-time education.

2.2. Choose the best option. Copy the correct pair of words on your answer.

a. The only problem with doing a gap year in another continent is that you do not get paid.

b. A gap year may not be a good idea as it means you will start university one year later than your classmates.

c. Other undergraduates will handle the transition to university better because they have not stopped studying.

d. Being a year older than your classmates at university is not necessarily a disadvantage.

3. Complete the sentences using information from the text. DO NOT COPY phrases from the text literally, unless this is unavoidable.

a. A gap year is not…

b. Going abroad…

c. Not all cost…

d. Working and saving…

4. Complete each gap with one or more adequate words. DO NOT COPY the complete text on your sheet, only letters (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f) followed by the word(s) that you find suitable for the gap.

My gap year: Volunteering in Cambodia

Julie worked in the orphanage and community projects whilst living in a rural Cambodian town (a) ____ breathtaking scenery and mysterious temples. “I really enjoyed mi time at the project, getting (b)____ know the children at the orphanage; they were all (c) ____ lovely and wanted to spend time with the volunteers. It was great that you were able to choose to be involved in many different aspects of the project. I thought that the project was very (d)____ run, and the fact that it is a community project, not (e)____ the orphanage, means that it helps support so many local children. They have also recently introduced lessons to teach English (f)____ the local police, so the project continues grow.

5. What kind of things do young people do during their “gap year”, according to the text? You are expected to draw information from the text, but please use you own words (25-50 words).

6. If you had the opportunity to take a year out before university, what would you like to do? Please, use your own ideas and your own words (25-50).