VERB TENSES:



VERB TENSES:

PRESENT SIMPLE

[ + ] SUBJECT + VERB (-s/ -es) + (COMPLEMENTS)

( I live in Bilbao.

( She works in London.

( He goes to work by bus.

[ – ] SUBJECT + [ do/ does + not ] + VERB + (COMPLEMENTS)

( I don’t live in Bilbao.

( She doesn’t work in London.

( He doesn’t go to work by bus.

[ ? ] (WH-) + [ Do/ Does] + SUBJECT + VERB + (COMPLEMENTS) ?

( Do you live in Bilbao?

( Does she work in London?

( Does he go to work by bus?

( What car do they have?

( Where do you live?

SHORT ANSWERS

YES, + PRONOUN + do/ does NO, + PRONOUN + [do/ does + not]

Yes, I do. Yes, you do. No, I don’t. No, you don’t.

Yes, she does. Yes, he does. No, she doesn’t. No, he doesn’t.

Yes, we do. Yes, they do. No, we don’t. No, they don’t.

( EXCEPTION! ( TO BE (am, is, are)

[ + ] SUBJECT + am/ is/ are + (COMPLEMENTS)

( I am a teacher.

( You are twenty-five years old.

( She is at home.

[ – ] SUBJECT + [ am/ is/ are + not ] + VERB + (COMPLEMENTS)

( I’m not an engineer.

( He isn’t old.

( They aren’t at school.

[ ? ] (WH-) + [Am/ is/ are] + SUBJECT + VERB + (COMPLEMENTS) ?

( Where am I?

( How are you?

( Is she at home?

VERBS FINISHED IN –O, –S , –SH, –CH, –X, –Z, CONSONANT + -Y TAKE –ES:

GO : I go. She goes.

I do. He does.

HISS: I hiss. She hisses.

FLASH: The lights flash. The light flashes.

Watch: I watch. She watches.

FIX: I fix. He fixes.

BUZZ: I buzz. It buzzes.

STUDY: I study. She studies.

Uses of the Present Simple tense:

( Repeated Actions: To express the idea that an action is repeated or usual. The action can be a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens. It can also be something a person often forgets or usually does not do.

( Facts or Generalizations: To indicate the speaker believes that a fact was true before, is true now, and will be true in the future. It is not important if the speaker is correct about the fact. It is also used to make generalizations about people or things.

( Scheduled Events in the Near Future: to talk about scheduled events in the near future. This is most commonly done when talking about public transportation, but it can be used with other scheduled events as well.

( Now (Non-Continuous Verbs): to express the idea that an action is happening or is not happening now. This can only be done with Non-Continuous Verbs and certain Mixed Verbs. (know, need, love, have, think...).

( Adverb placement: (always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc) before the main verb and after the verb to be:

You only speak English.

Do you only speak English?

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

(This verb tense is mainly used about actions that are happening at the moment of speaking.

[ + ] SUBJECT + [am/ is/ are] + VERB-ING + (COMPLEMENTS)

( I’m speaking in English

( She’s watching TV.

( They’re reading a novel.

[ – ] SUBJECT + [ am/ is/ are + not ] + VERB-ING + (COMPLEMENTS)

( I’m not speaking in German.

( She isn’t playing cards.

( They aren’t studying.

[ ? ] (WH-) + [ Am/ Is/ Are] + SUBJECT + VERB-ING + (COMPLEMENTS) ?

( Are you singing?

( Is she walking in the park?

( Are they coming now?

( What are they having for lunch?

( Where is he staying?

SHORT ANSWERS

YES, + PRONOUN + am/ is/ are NO, + PRONOUN + [am/ is/ are + not]

Yes, I am. Yes, you are. No, I’m not. No, you aren’t.

Yes, she is. Yes, he is. No, she isn’t. No, he isn’t.

Yes, we are. Yes, they are. No, we aren’t. No, they aren’t.

( Another use for this tense is to express a future fact as certain, as in the case of business meetings, medical appointments or other social events that require a thorough planning.

(They’re giving a party at seven on Saturday.

(He’s flying to Rome on July 2nd.

PAST SIMPLE

( This verb tense is mainly used to express actions that started and finished at some point in the past. To use it correctly we should take into account some complements that require it.

[ + ] SUBJECT + PAST (-ed) + (COMPLEMENTS)

( I walked on the beach on Sunday.

( She worked for the NBC in 1999.

( He went to work by bus last week.

[ – ] SUBJECT + [ did + not ] + VERB + (COMPLEMENTS)

( I didn’t walk on the beach on Friday.

( She didn’t work for the BBC in 1999.

( He didn’t go to work by car last week.

[ ? ] (WH-) + [ Did] + SUBJECT + VERB + (COMPLEMENTS) ?

( Did you find your keys yesterday?

( Did she have a goood time on holiday?

( Did he buy a big car at last?

( What car did they have ten years ago?

( Where did you live as a child?

SHORT ANSWERS

YES, + PRONOUN + did NO, + PRONOUN + [did + not]

Yes, I did. Yes, you did. No, I didn’t. No, you didn’t.

Yes, she did. Yes, he did. No, she didn’t. No, he didn’t.

Yes, we did. Yes, they did. No, we didn’t. No, they didn’t.

( EXCEPTION! ( TO BE (was, were)

[ + ] SUBJECT + was/ were + (COMPLEMENTS)

( I was in France last month.

( You were right yesterday.

( She was at home.

[ – ] SUBJECT + [ was/ were + not ] + VERB + (COMPLEMENTS)

( I wasn’t in Greece last month.

( You weren’t hungry yesterday.

( She wasn’t at school.

[ ? ] (WH-) + [Was/ Were] + SUBJECT + VERB + (COMPLEMENTS) ?

( Where was I on September 11th?

( When were you at school?

( Was she at home when you called?

SHORT ANSWERS.

[ + ] Yes, + subject pronoun + [was/ were].

Yes, I was. Yes, you were.

Yes, she was. Yes, he was.

Yes, we were. Yes, they were.

[—] No, + subject pronoun + [wasn’t/ weren’t].

No, I wasn’t. No, you weren’t..

No, she wasn’t. No, he wasn’t.

No, we weren’t. No, they weren’t..

PAST CONTINUOUS

( This verb tense is used to express actions in process along some time in the past, usually interrupted by another action expressed in Past Simple:

(What were you doing when I phoned?

(He wasn’t studying when his mother came in.

(Dick prepared dinner while I was having a rest.

[ + ] SUBJECT + [was/ were] + VERB-ING + (COMPLEMENTS)

( I was speaking in English

( She was watching TV.

( They were reading a novel.

[ – ] SUBJECT + [ wasn’t/ weren’t ] + VERB-ING + (COMPLEMENTS)

( I wasn’t speaking in German.

( She wasn’t playing cards.

( They weren’t studying.

[ ? ] (WH-) + [ Was/ Were] + SUBJECT + VERB-ING + (COMPLEMENTS) ?

( Were you singing?

( Was she walking in the park?

( What were they having for lunch?

( Where was he staying?

SHORT ANSWERS

YES, + PRONOUN + was/ were NO, + PRONOUN + [wasn’t/ weren’t]

Yes, I was. Yes, you were. No, I wasn’t. No, you weren’t.

Yes, she was. Yes, he was. No, she wasn’t. No, he wasn’t.

Yes, we were. Yes, they were. No, we weren’t. No, they weren’t.

PRESENT PERFECT

[ + ] SUBJECT + [has/have] + [PAST PARTICIPLE] + (COMPLEMENTS)

( She has seen that film many times.

( I have finished my homework.

[ – ] SUBJECT + [ hasn’t/ haven’t ] +[PAST PARTICIPLE] + (COMPLEMENTS)

( I haven’t written my essay.

( He hasn’t come back yet.

[ ? ] (WH-) + [ Has/ Have] + SUBJECT + [PAST PARTICIPLE]+ (COMPLEMENTS) ?

( Have you met my boss?

( Has she been in Ireland?

( What have they bought for dinner?

( Where have you been?

SHORT ANSWERS

YES, + PRONOUN + has/ have NO, + PRONOUN + [hasn’t/ haven’t]

Yes, I have. Yes, you have. No, I haven’t. No, you haven’t.

Yes, she has. Yes, he has. No, she hasn’t. No, he hasn’t.

Yes, we have. Yes, they have. No, we haven’t. No, they haven’t.

( Adverb placement: (always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc) between the auxiliary and the main verb, except yet.

( She has just come back from work.

( Have you ever tried Thai food?

But ( She hasn’t finished yet.

Uses of the Present Perfect tense:

( We use this tense to express an action that happened in an unspecified point of the past, being that exact moment irrelevant. We must NOT use the Present Perfect with time expressions that specify such moments, like yesterday, one year ago, last week, when I was a child, when I lived in Japan, at that moment, that day or one day. We can use the Present Perfect with expressions like ever, never, once, many times, several times, before, so far, already and yet.

( I have seen that film twenty times.

( There have been many earthquakes in California

( Has there ever been a war in the United States?

( People have travelled to the moon.

( The concept of “unspecified time” may result confusing for English students. It may be better to associate the Present Perfec to the following points:

( Experience.

This tense can be used to describe one’s experience. It would be the same as saying: “I’ve had the experience of...”. In the same way, one can say the contrary: “I haven’t had the experience of...”. We do NOT use this tense to describe a particular event.

Examples:

( I have been to France. This means that I’ve had the experience of being in France, one or more times, it is not specified.

( I have been to France three times. At the end of the sentence we can specify how many times we’ve had the experience, but we don’t say when exactly.

( I have never been to France. This means that I haven’t had the experience of being in France.

( Change along time.

The Present Perfect tense is commonly used to express a change that has happened within a time period.

Examples:

( You have grown since the last time I saw you.

( My English has really improved since I moved to Australia.

( Achievements

This tense is often used to show one person’s or people’s achievements. No specific time should be mentioned

Examples:

( Man has walked on the moon.

( Our son has learned how to read.

( Doctors have cured many deadly diseases.

( Waiting for an action that has not been completed yet.

In many cases, the Present Perfect is used to talk about an expected action that hasn’t happened yet. We suggest that we are waiting for that to happen.

Examples:

( James hasn’t finished his homework yet.

( The rain hasn’t stopped.

( Sue hasn’t mastered Japanese, but she can communicate.

( Several actions in different moments.

Another way of using the Present Perfect is to talk about several different actions that happened in different moments of the past. This use suggests that the process isn’t finished and that more actions may happen again.

Examples:

( The army has attacked that city five times.

( I have had six tests so far this semester.

( We have had many problems while working on this project.

( Limits about the unspecified time.

When we use this tense, it means that something happened at some point of the past before the present moment. Be careful, the exact point when the action happened is NOT important. However, sometimes we want to limit somewhat the length of time for an experience. In that case we may use expressions such as

in the last week, in the last year, this week, this month, so far and up to now.

Examples:

( Have you been to Mexico in the last year?

( My car has broken down three times this week.

( They have had three tests in this month.

CAREFUL: Last year and in the last year have very different meanings. Last year means the year before the present one. In the last year means from 365 days back up to the present moment.

Examples:

( I went to Mexico last year.

( I have been to Mexico in the last year.

( Duration from the past up to the present time with non-continuous verbs.

With some non-continuous verbs (the ones that cannot take –ing: love, like, hate, etc.) and some non-continuous uses of mixed verbs (the ones that cannot take –ing sometimes: have, think...), we use the Present Perfect tense to show that something happened in the past and has continued up to the present time. In these cases we may use expressions such as for five minutes, for two weeks or since Tuesday.

Examples:

( I have had a cold for two weeks.

( She has been in England for six months.

( Mary has loved chocolate since she was a child.

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

( This tense has the same use as the Present Perfect, with and added sense of action in progress.

[ + ] SUBJECT + [has/have] + [BEEN] + VERB-ING + (COMPLEMENTS)

( She has been studying for hours.

( I have been painting my flat.

[ – ] SUBJECT + [ hasn’t/ haven’t ] +[BEEN] + VERB-ING + (COMPLEMENTS)

( I haven’t been running in the park.

( He hasn’t been watching television.

[ ? ] (WH-) + [ Has/ Have] + SUBJECT + [BEEN]+ VERB-ING + (COMPLEMENTS) ?

( Have you been sleeping?

( Has she been working hard?

( What have they been doing?

( Where have you been running?

SHORT ANSWERS

YES, + PRONOUN + has/ have NO, + PRONOUN + [hasn’t/ haven’t]

Yes, I have. Yes, you have. No, I haven’t. No, you haven’t.

Yes, she has. Yes, he has. No, she hasn’t. No, he hasn’t.

Yes, we have. Yes, they have. No, we haven’t. No, they haven’t.

PAST PERFECT

[ + ] SUBJECT + HAD + [PAST PARTICIPLE] + (COMPLEMENTS)

( She had seen that film many times.

( I had finished my homework.

[ – ] SUBJECT + HADN’T +[PAST PARTICIPLE] + (COMPLEMENTS)

( I HADN’T written my essay.

( He HADN’T come back yet.

[ ? ] (WH-) + [ Has/ Have] + SUBJECT + [PAST PARTICIPLE]+ (COMPLEMENTS) ?

( Had you met my boss?

( Had she been in Ireland?

( What had they bought for dinner?

( Where had you been?

SHORT ANSWERS

YES, + PRONOUN + HAD NO, + PRONOUN + HADN’T

Yes, I had. Yes, you had. No, I hadn’t. No, you hadn’t.

Yes, she had. Yes, he had. No, she hadn’t. No, he hadn’t.

Yes, we had. Yes, they had. No, we hadn’t. No, they hadn’t.

DEFECTIVE OR MODAL VERBS

( These verbs are so called because they don’t have certain forms that the others verbs do. Besides, they are used to express specific modes.

All the Defective or Modal verbs share these characteristics:

( They have just one form for all the grammatical persons.

( They are not used on their own, they always appear as an auxiliary verb to another main verb.

( The main verb they appear with is always in infinitive form without to. This means that the main verb will NEVER take a third person singular mark (–s/ –es) or a past mark (–ed/ irregular past form)

( CAN

( It is used to express posibility, ability or knwoledge to do something.

( I can run very fast.

( She can come tomorrow.

( He can swim.

( It is also used to make polite requests or ask for permission, with an interrogative form:

( Can I have a coke, please?

( Can I open the window, please?

( Can you help me with the bags, please?

( COULD

( It’s the past simple of CAN. Thus, it expresses posibility, ability or knwoledge to do something in the past:

( I could run very fast.

( She could come the next day.

( He could swim.

( It is also used to make polite requests in a more formal way than with CAN:

( Could you open that window, please?

( Could I speak to Mr Jennings, please?

( It is also used to express a consequence of a hypothetical conditional sentence:

( We could go to the theatre if you liked it.

( WILL

( It is used to express the future simple tense, to express thorough predictions or actions that are expected to happen in the future:

( The President will arrive at 7:30 p.m.

( When I get old I’ll buy a small apartment.

( I’m sure you’ll like this film.

( We use this modal verb to express a decision taken suddenly, in the moment of speaking:

( (In a restaurant) I’ll have a salad and some fish, please.

( (The phone is ringing) I’ll answer.

( WOULD

( This is the past of WILL, that is, the “future of the past”. It’s commonly used to report something that another person has said, the reported speech:

( The President would arrive at 7:30 p.m.

(When she got old she’d buy a small apartment.

( I was sure you’d like that film.

( WOULD is the specific form to express the consequence of a hypothetical conditional sentence:

( I would walk home if I lived near my work place.

( SHALL

(This modal verb was used in the past with the first grammatical persons (I, we) to express the future exactly in the same way as WILL. Nowadays this use is rare:

( I shall be very happy when I see you again.

( The regular use of this modal verb, with the first persons as well (I, we), is to express offers or suggestions:

( Shall I help you with the cooking?

( Shall we invite some friends for dinner?

( SHOULD

( We use it to express the convenience of doing something or to give advice:

( She should go to the doctor’s.

( We should study hard for the exam.

( MAY

( This modal verb expresses certain probability, so we use it when we are not sure of something:

( The baby may cry if you disturb it.

( They may finish this evening.

( You may need that book.

( We use it to ask for permission in a very formal way:

( May I say something?

( Another use is to give permission:

( You may use this room this evening.

( MIGHT

( This is the past form of MAY, so we use it to express certain probability in the past:

( The baby might cry if you disturbed it.

( They might finish that evening.

( It is also used to express less probability and certainty than MAY:

( You might need that book.

( MUST

( This modal verb is used to express necessity, moral obligation, that is, not external but from one’s initiative:

( I must work hard.

( Must you make so much noise?

|THE PASSIVE VOICE |

|( We say that a sentence is in ACTIVE VOICE when the subject produces the action showed by the verb: |

|( Don Diego López de Haro founded Bilbao. |

|( We say that a sentence is in PASSIVE VOICE when the subject receives the action showed by the verb: |

|( Bilbao was founded by Don Diego López de Haro. |

|( We form the PASSIVE with the verb TO BE (in any tense) and the PAST PARTICIPLE of a main verb. |

|( We can transform into PASSIVE any sentence with a direct complement. The complement in ACTIVE will be the PASSIVE subject, and we |

|can keep the ACTIVE as an AGENT. |

|When a verb has two complements we can obtain two passive sentences: |

|( (Active) Mr Smith sent a book to Tom. |

|( (Passive) A book was sent to Tom by Mr Smith. |

|( (Passive) Tom was sent a book by Mr Smith. |

|AN EXAMPLE OF A VERB IN PASSIVE VOICE |

|TO BE SEEN |

|PRESENT SIMPLE |PAST SIMPLE |

|I am seen |I was seen |

|you are seen |you were seen |

|he is seen |she was seen |

| | |

| |FUTURE |

|PRESENT PERFECT |I will be seen |

|I have been seen |you will be seen |

|you have been seen |she will be seen |

|he has been seen | |

|PAST PERFECT:  I had been seen |

|CONDITIONAL:  I would be seen |

|FUTURE PERFECT:  I will have been seen |

|CONDITIONAL PERFECT:  I would have been seen |

REPORTED SPEECH

We use the reported speech to tell something that has been previously said. This implies several changes that have to be remembered

( Change of grammatical person ( if we tell what another person has said.

( Change of the verb tense ( if we tell something that happened in the past.

( Change of time/ place adverbials ( if necessary.

SPECIFIC CHANGES IN ENGLISH

( Change of the verb tense

PRESENT SIMPLE ( PAST SIMPLE

Am ( was

Go ( went

PAST SIMPLE ( PAST PERFECT

Was ( had been

Has gone ( had gone

PAST PERFECT( PAST PERFECT (NO CAMBIA

FUTURE SIMPLE (CONDITIONAL SIMPLE

Will be ( would be

Will go ( would go

CONDITIONAL ( PERFECT CONDITIONAL

Would be ( would have been

Would go ( would have gone

( Change of time/ place adverbials

Now ( then

Yesterday ( the day before

Last week (…) ( the week (…) before

Tomorrow ( the day after

Next week (…) ( the week (…) after

( Changes in the interrogative and imperative sentences.

( The indirect questions change their syntactic order to adjust to this form:

(Wh-) + subject + verb + complements

( He knew where we had lived in 1996.

( The indirect imperative sentences are made using the infinitive form of the verbs, affirmative or negative (to do – not to do):

( He told me to go out.

( She told us not to forget the books.

CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

( There are three types of conditional sentences:

( REAL CONDITIONAL.

The condition will fulfill or is fulfilled. It has the following structure:

[IF + PRESENT SIMPLE ( WILL + VERB]

( PRESENT SIMPLE] (in this case IF = WHEN)

( IMPERATIVE] (advice or suggestions)

Examples:

( If you study hard, you will pass your exams.

( If it rains, we always stay at home.

( If you don’t know the word, look it up.

( HYPOTHETICAL CONDITIONAL.

The condition may be fulfilled some time or other.

[IF + PAST SIMPLE ( WOULD + VERB]

Example:

( If she came today, I would invite her to the party.

( UNREAL CONDITIONAL.

The condition cannot be fulfilled because it belongs to the past already.

[IF + PAST PERFECT ( WOULD HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE ]

Example:

( If she had listened to the radio, she would have known about the accident on the motorway.

( CAREFUL!

( WILL or WOULD can NEVER appear after IF.

( In the conditional sentences the order is not essential, either condition or consequence can open the sentence without change in the meaning. However, when the condition goes first (IF + ...), we must write a comma before the consequence phrase, but not the other way round:

( If you saw James Cameron, would you ask him for an autograph?

( Would you ask James Cameron for an autograph if you saw him?

COMPARATIVES IN ENGLISH

There are certain rules to make comparisons in English.

( Equality comparisons.

( To make a comparison of the quality of two terms in the same level we need an adjective or an adverb and the particles AS...AS:

( GOOD --> AS GOOD AS

( FAST --> AS FAST AS

( To make a comparison of the quantity of two terms in the same level we need a noun, MUCH or MANY and the particles AS...AS:

( {MUCH MONEY} --> AS {MUCH MONEY } AS

( {MANY FRIENDS} --> AS {MANY FRIENDS} AS

( Superiority comparisons:

To express superiority we need the comparative form of adjectives and adverbs and the particle THAN. To obtain those comparative forms, we have to follow certain rules

( “Irregular” comparative forms:

Some adjectives and adverbs have special forms for the comparative and superlative forms:

( {GOOD} --> BETTER --> BEST

{WELL}

( {BAD} --> WORSE --> WORST

{WRONG}

( {MUCH} --> MORE --> MOST

{MANY}

({LITTLE} --> LESS --> LEAST

{FEW}

( FAR --> FURTHER --> FURTHEST

( “Regular” comparative forms:

They are so called because they are the majority and they follow the next rules:

( The one syllable adjectives that have the CVC form, the last consonant is doubled and the particle –ER is added:

( FAT --> FATTER

( BIG --> BIGGER

( THIN --> THINNER

( The one syllable adjectives that don’t have the CVC form just take the particle –ER.

( BLACK --> BLACKER

( TALL --> TALLER

( YOUNG --> YOUNGER

( The adjectives finished with an –E just take an –R:

( NICE --> NICER

( FINE --> FINER

( TRUE --> TRUER

( The adjectives finished with a consonant plus –Y transform it into –I and add –ER:

( SILLY --> SILLIER

( PRETTY--> PRETTIER

( UGLY --> UGLIER

( The one or two syllable adjectives finished in –ER take the particle –ER:

( CLEVER --> CLEVERER

( Most two syllable adjetives and all the other adjectives use the comparative form MORE:

( STUPID --> MORE STUPID

( BEAUTIFUL --> MORE BEAUTIFUL

( Inferiority comparisons:

To express inferiority we use the structure LESS + ADJETIVE/ ADVERB + THAN

(SHORT --> LESS SHORT THAN

(IMPORTANT --> LESS IMPORTANT THAN

( Superlative forms.

To make the superlative forms we follow the same rules as with the comparatives, but instead of –ER or MORE, we use the particle –EST or the superlative form MOST:

( FAT --> FATTEST

( YOUNG --> YOUNGEST

( PRETTY --> PRETTIEST

( CLEVER --> CLEVEREST

( STUPID --> MOST STUPID

CONNECTORS – CONECTORES

Los conectores son palabras o grupos de palabras que unen ideas y muestran cómo se relacionan entre sí.

También nos ayudan a organizar nuestros textos y a que sea más fácil seguirlos para quien lee.

Existe una variedad de conectores para diferentes propósitos.

( Para añadir puntos sobre el mismo tema:

and – y

in addition – además, por añadidura

furthermore – lo que es más

moreover – aún más

what’s more – lo que aún es más

besides – además

also – también (antes del verbo, nunca al principio de frase o al final)

too – también (siempre tras coma y al final antes del punto)

as well as – así como

( Para expresar un contraste:

but – pero however – sin embargo

nevertheless – aun con todo yet – aun así, todavía

still – todavía although – aunque

even if – incluso si even though – incluso aunque

in spite of (+ noun/ -ing) – a pesar de despite (+ sentence) – a pesar de

( Para describir una causa o una razón:

because – porque because of (+ noun/ -ing) – por

since – desde que, puesto que due to – debido a

as – como one/ another reason for ... is –

una/ otra razón para ... es

( Para describir un resultado:

so – así que therefore – de manera que

consequently – en consecuencia, consecuentemente thus – así

as a result – como resultado as a consequence – como consequencia

for this reason – por esta razón that es why – eso es por lo que

( Para mostrar un propósito:

in order to – para so as to – de forma que

so that – así que to – para

( Para describir similaritud:

similarly – igualmente likewise – del mismo modo

in the same way – de la misma manera

( Para expresar opiniones personales:

in my opinion – en mi opinión I (stongly) believe (that) – creo (firmemente) que

I think/ feel (that) – pienso/ siento que in my view – desde mi punto de vista

it seems to me (that) – a mí me parece que personally – personalmente

as I see it – como yo lo veo

( Para describir la realidad:

in fact – de hecho as a matter of fact – de hecho

actually – en realidad the truth is (that) – la verdad es que

( Para hacer afirmaciones genéricas:

in general – en general generally – generalmente

as a rule – como norma on the whole – en conjunto

( Para hacer un listado de puntos:

to begin/ start with – para empezar in the first place – en primer lugar

first of all – primero de todo firstly – primeramente

secondly – en segundo lugar thirdly – en tercer lugar

finally – finalmente lastly – en último lugar

( Para dar ejemplos:

for example – por ejemplo for instance – por ejemplo

such as – tal como like – como

particularly – particularmente in particular – en particular

especially – especialmente (more) specifically – (más) específicamente

( Para introducir puntos opuestos:

on the one hand – por una parte on the other hand – por (la) otra parte

in contrast – en contraste contrary to – contrariamente a

it can be also argued that – también puede argumentarse que

but there are people who say/ think (that) – pero hay personas que dicen/ piensan que

( Para mostrar secuencia:

first – primero at first – a lo primero

in the beginning – al comienzo before – antes de

next – a continuación then – entonces

soon – pronto meanwhile – mientras tanto

later – más tarde after that – después de eso

afterwards – después at last – al final

eventually – al final, finalmente finally – finalmente

in the end – al final

( Para mostrar tiempo:

when – cuando while – mientras

before – antes de after – después de

until – hasta as soon as – tan pronto como

by the time – para cuando

( Para concluir:

in conclusion – en conclusión to sum up – para resumir

in short – brevemente

AGREEMENT AND DISAGREEMENT

To agree with another person about something, there is a certain structure that we must follow:

PARTICLE + AUXILIARY VERB + SUBJECT

The particle will vary according to what the other person has previously said:

A: POSITIVE STATEMENT

B: SO + AUX + I

A: NEGATIVE STATEMENT

B: NOR/ NEITHER + AUX + I

The auxiliary verb will be the same as the one in the statement given in first place:

A: I LIKE SWIMMING

B: SO DO I

A: I WON'T COME TOMORROW

B: NOR WILL I

To disagree with another person we do not need any special structure, we use the opposite to what the other person has just said:

A: POSITIVE STATEMENT {A: I LIKE SWIMMING

B: SUBJECT + AUX VERB + NOT {B: I DON'T

A: NEGATIVE STATEMENT {A: I WON'T COME TOMORROW

B: SUBJECT + AUXILIARY VERB {B: I WILL

AGREE WITH THESE STATEMENTS

-I usually go to school on foot. -I'm not doing anything wrong.

-I have done all my homework. -I shouldn't smoke so much.

-I will fail no exams next term.

DISAGREE WITH THESE STATEMENTS

-I never go to school on foot. -I'm doing some exercises.

-I have done all my homework. -I can't speak French.

-I will be here in the summer.

HEZIKETA ZIKLOETARA SARTZEKO FROGA

JUNIO 2008 / 2008KO EKAINA

GOI MAILAKO ZIKLOAK / CICLOS DE GRADO SUPERIOR

ARLO ESPEZIFIKOA / PARTE ESPECÍFICA

IDIOMA EXTRANJERO

ATZERRIKO HIZKUNTZA

(INGLÉS)

Abizenak

Apellidos

Izena Ordena Zkia.

Nombre ______________________________________ Nº orden __________

Lurraldea N.A.N. Adina

Territorio D.N.I. Edad

Ikastetxea

Centro

READING

CAN’T WRITE? DON’T WRITE by David Sexton.

First there was IDS, now Michael Howard’s wife is revealed as a would-be novelist. The world is too full of amateur authors.

NO other book is quite so completely and utterly worthless as a mediocre novel. A mediocre guide to trees or to cheese can have its uses for those who don't have anything better on the subject to hand. A history book or biography, however dull, contains some facts that may prove handy to somebody one day. Atlases, dictionaries, anthologies and instruction manuals, however uninspired, all have some little utility. But a lifeless novel has no value whatsoever. Worse than worthless, it's positively a menace - for any time spent in reading dim, failed novels is so much time lost, time subtracted from life. In fact, a blank book is more desirable than a book defaced with such redundant type. At least blank pages can be used for shopping lists or doodles.

Yet duff novels continue to pour from the presses. Iain Duncan Smith's novel has been much ridiculed. We have just learned that Sandra Howard, the wife of his successor, is another novelist in the bud, having composed a thriller called Love in High Profile. Much of this unwanted fiction barely makes it into the bookshops. But for every novel worth reading that appears, there are dozens, hundreds even, of others published that really are not worth anybody's time at all.

“Evening Standard” (10/XI/03)

1. COMPLETE THE SENTENCES USING INFORMATION FROM THE TEXT ( 5 points)

a) A mediocre guide to trees or to cheese…...............

b) A history book or biography…..................

c) Atlases….......................

d) Dictionaries…................

e) A blank book…................

2. VOCABULARY: (3 points)

A. Find in the text a SYNONYM for the following words:

- Absolutely..................................

- Poor, second-rate.......................

- Boring, tedious.........................

B. Find in the text an ANTONYM for the following words:

- Valuable ........................................

- Negatively.....................................

- Husband........................................

3. WRITE A PARAGRAPH ABOUT THIS TOPIC. (No more than 60 words)

(6 points)

“Nobody tries to give a piano recital without having learned first to play the piano. Yet some people think that they can write a novel by some natural gift”.

................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

GRAMMAR

A) PRESENT SIMPLE AND PRESENT CONTINUOUS.

1) READ THESE SENTENCES FROM THE TEXT. WHICH VERBS ARE IN THE PRESENT SIMPLE AND WHICH IN THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS? (2 points)

|- Panasonic claims it is the world’s smallest digital camera............................... |

|- It also acts as an MP3 music player. ................................................................ |

|- The firm is expecting huge sales in the run-up to Christmas. .......................... |

|- Other companies are developing cameras which also use memory cards ................................. |

2) COMPLETE THE TABLES: (3 points)

|THETHE PRESENT SIMPLE |

|Affirmative |Negative |Interrogative |Short answer |

|We work with computers | | |Yes,… |

| | | |No,… |

|THE PRESENT SIMPLE thethe SIMPLE (3rd person singular) |

|Affirmative |Negative |Interrogative |Short answer |

|She designs appliances | | |Yes,… |

| | | |No,… |

|PRESENT CONTINUOUS |

|Affirmative |Negative |Interrogative |Short answer |

|He is running a PC program. | | |Yes,… |

| | | |No,… |

3) COMPLETE THE RULES WITH “PRESENT SIMPLE / PRESENT CONTINUOUS” (1 point)

|We use the __________________ to talk about habits or regular activities |

|We use the __________________ to talk about things that are always true |

|We use the __________________ to talk about things that are in progress now. |

|We use the __________________ to talk about temporary situations. |

|We use the __________________ to talk about future arrangements. |

4) COMPLETE THE SENTENCES WITH THE VERBS IN BRACKETS IN THE PRESENT SIMPLE OR THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS. (4 points)

I usually work with a laptop, but today I’m working with a desktop PC

- Steve ___________ (play) football every weekend, but at the moment he ______________ (watch) TV.

- The designers _________________ (work) on a new digital camera model now. They often ________________ (produce) a new design every month.

- It ______________ (not rain) very much in Egypt, but we __________ (look for) shelter now because it ___________________ (pour down).

- Don’t disturb Blanche, she _______________ (study). She __________ (not like) noises when she studies.

- Our neighbours ____________ (go) to New York next summer.

5) WRITE FULL SENTENCES (INTERROGATIVE AND AFFIRMATIVE).

(5 points)

1- What/she /do? She /work/ hospital. [pic]

2- What / she / do / now? She / play / golf. [pic]

3- They / work / at the moment? No / they / not. [pic]

4- Where / she / live? She / live / in a country house. [pic]

5- You / want / to eat? Yes / want / toast. [pic]

VOCABULARY

A) NEW TECHNOLOGIES

1) MATCH THE ACRONYMS IN COLUMN A WITH THEIR MEANING IN COLUMN B AND THEN WITH THEIR NAME IN FULL IN COLUMN C.

( 9 points)

|A |B |C |

|- P.D.A. |- System used to send messages between mobile phones. |- Central Processing Unit |

| |- Memory used by a PC to perform certain operations. | |

|- U.S.B. |- Compact Disc for playing images and sounds (films) |-Random Access Memory. |

| |- Small gadget which performs some of the operations a PC can | |

|- C.P.U. |perform. |- Liquid Crystal Display |

| |- Special type of small screen | |

|- T.F.T. | |- Universal Serial Bus. |

| |- New type of screen, much slimmer than traditional ones. | |

|- R.A.M. |- Special format for images in PCs. |- Short Message System |

| | | |

|- L.C.D. |- Main body of a desktop PC where most of the hardware is installed.|- Digital Video Disc |

| |- Special port for plugging hardware to a PC. | |

|- D.V.D. | |- Personal Digital Assistant |

| | | |

|- V.C.D. | |- Video Compact Disc. |

| | | |

|- S.M.S. | |- Thin Film Transistor |

................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

2) COMPLETE THE SENTENCES. USE THE ACRONYMS FROM EXERCISE 1. (4 points)

- The hard disc of a PC is inside the _______

- I sent my girlfriend a ________ [pic]

- You can connect your digital camera to the PC through the _____.[pic]

- My older screen was very big, and I had little room on my desk, so I’ve bought a _______ screen [pic]

- I need an agenda, and I like music, so I think I’ll buy a _______. [pic]

- I’ve seen that film. I hired the _________ last weekend.

- This calculator doesn’t have a TFT screen, it is an ________.

- My PC has 256 Mb of ___________ . [pic]

WRITING

|Clock Barn Lane |

|Godalming |

|Surrey |

|11 March, 2008 |

| |

|The Headmaster |

|English Language Institute |

|28 Carson Street |

|Glasgow |

| |

|Dear Mr. Rowland, |

| |

|I am writing to complain about the behaviour of some of your students at your school, which is opposite my house. |

| |

|Firstly, on the evening of 16 January, I was disturbed by some music, which was being played at a very high volume. Furthermore,|

|when I rang up to complain, my request was ignored. To make matters worse, at about 2 a.m. I was woken by a group of students |

|shouting and fighting in the street. |

| |

|I suggest that you look into this matter at once. Please ensure that this sort of incident does not happen again. |

| |

|Yours sincerely |

| |

|Stephen Bradley |

|Clock Barn Lane |

|Godalming |

|Surrey |

| |

|11 March 2008 |

|Dear John, |

| |

|Thank you for your last letter. I’m sorry I haven’t written for so long, but you can imagine I have been very busy with the new |

|job. |

|Anyway, the reason I’m writing is that I saw Stuart the other day and he asked after you. He’s just got back from New Zealand |

|and he wants to get in touch with everyone. It seems he had a really good time there, but I’m sure he will tell you all about it|

|personally. |

|By the way, I’m having a party here next weekend. I’m not sure yet who’s coming, but there’ll be some people from the office |

|plus a few others. Let me know if you can make it. |

|I’m looking forward to seeing you again. |

| |

|Love |

| |

|James |

1-READ THE LETTERS AGAIN AND ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS. (2 points)

1- Which letter uses contractions?

2- Which letter uses colloquial language?

3- Which letter uses polite expressions?

4- Which letter is a “formal letter” and which an “informal letter”?

2-RE-READ THE LETTERS AND COMPLETE THE CHART BELOW WITH THE INFORMATION IN THE BOX. (3 points)

| “Yours sincerely” “Dear ____” contractions and colloquial language |

|“Dear Sir/Madam” “Best wishes” On the left |

|Writing tips |

|Formal letter |Informal letter |

|- Write your name and address on the top-right corner. |- Write your name and address on the top-right corner. |

|- Write the addressee’s address __________, just after the |- Begin with __________ and write a comma after the name. |

|date. |- You can use___________________. |

|- Begin with _________ or “Dear Mr./Mrs./Miss/Ms. Smith” |- Finish with “(Lots of) Love” or ______________. |

|- Do not use contractions | |

|- Use polite expressions | |

|- If you begin with “Dear Sir/Madam”, finish with “Yours | |

|faithfully”. If you begin with “Dear Mr./Mrs./Miss/Ms. Smith”, | |

|finish with _____________ | |

4-WRITE A FORMAL LETTER COMPLAINING ABOUT AN ALARM CLOCK YOU BOUGHT AND WHICH ISN’T WORKING PROPERLY, AND ASKING FOR A REFUND. USE THE MODEL LETTER IN EXERCISE 1 AND THE WRITING TIPS ABOVE. (10 points)

................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

PRUEBA DE ACCESO A CICLOS FORMATIVOS

HEZIKETA ZIKLOETARA SARTZEKO FROGA

JUNIO 2009 / 2009KO EKAINA

GOI MAILAKO ZIKLOAK / CICLOS DE GRADO SUPERIOR

ARLO ESPEZIFIKOA / PARTE ESPECÍFICA

IDIOMA EXTRANJERO

ATZERRIKO HIZKUNTZA

(INGLÉS)

Abizenak

Apellidos

Izena Ordena Zkia.

Nombre ______________________________________ Nº orden __________

Lurraldea N.A.N. Adina

Territorio D.N.I. Edad

Ikastetxea

Centro

1. READ THE TEXT .

LA bans plastic bags

THE city of Los Angeles will ban plastic bags from retail stores from July 1, 2010, following similar regulations already enforced in San Francisco.

Los Angeles, the second-largest US city behind New York, would ban plastic bagging in all supermarkets, grocery and retail stores, the Los Angeles City Council said.

After July 1, 2010, customers must provide their own bags or buy bags made of paper or other biodegradable material from the store for 25 cents.

The goal is to rid the city of some 2.3 billion non-biodegradable plastic bags that are distributed each year and end up polluting waste dumps for a long time.

San Francisco, 600km north of LA, in 2007 became the first US city to ban plastic bags from its stores.

Both city regulations are intended to pressure state politicians who are considering a Bill to eliminate plastic bags across the state by 2012.

Several countries have already adopted laws banning plastic bags, which often end up killing animals that swallow or get caught up in them.

In Australia, Victoria is holding a four-week plastic bag levy trial at selected supermarkets next month, and South Australia will ban plastic bags from January 2009.

However, federal and state environment ministers failed to agree on imposing a national ban or levy on plastic bags during a meeting in April.

A spokesman from federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett's office this month said the ministers had agreed to consider a range of options, including the results of the Victorian trial, at their next meeting in November.

The governments would consider a national voluntary retailer charge for the bags once the results of the trial were known.

  ( .au. July 23rd 2008)

2. COMPLETE THE CHART. (4 points)

| | |

|WHEN will plastic bags be forbidden in LA? | |

|NAME another city in the USA where plastic bags are not | |

|allowed. | |

|WHAT is the objective with this measure? | |

|WRITE the year when American politicians want to get rid of | |

|plastic bags | |

3. ANSWER THE QUESTIONS. (6 points)(Write complete answers)

1. Which is the first city in the USA that bans plastic bags in supermarkets?

………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. After 2010 what will buyers have to do when they go to the shops?

………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. What happens to animals that eat plastic bags?

………………………………………………………………………………………………

4. PRESENT SIMPLE AND PRESENT CONTINUOUS.

MATCH THE HALVES TO COMPLETE SENTENCES. (4 points)

Write from a to h after the first half

1. We´re staying in and watching.........

2. Sorry she can´t come to the phone, ..............

3. I´meeting..........

4. I have a doctor´s......

5. We´re going to Greece......

6. The students in my class speak........

7. More people are studying........

8. Are you coming to..........

a. English all the time

b. our party next week?

c. at university these days

d. a DVD tonight

e. she´s having a shower at the moment

f. appointment at four o´clock

g. my friends in an hour

h. this summer

5. AN ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN. (20 points)

You work for an advertising company called Ad Makers in New York. Your company has been given the advertising account for a very large multinational company and you have been asked to come up with a Proposal for their new advertising campaign. (150 words more or less)

Follow these steps:

A. Decide who your client is.

It could be a clothing giant, a food or drinks company, a cosmetics company or a car manufacture.

B. Make notes on the following:

Decide on your target group and describe them: Age /sex /spending power / education / professionals...

Type of advertising campaign: TV /magazine and newspapers /radio /billboard adverts...

Where the adverts will appear and how often.

How long the campaign will last.

C. Focus on:

The content of the advert : what will they show? What will the message be?

Explain why you think the adverts will be effective.

D. Organise your proposal into three paragraphs:

1. Introduction: information about the company and their product. Perhaps some information about past advertising campaigns.

2. Include all the information from your notes in Step B.

3. Include your ideas from Step C.

E. Write your proposal .

Give it the title: Advertising campaign for ( the company /product name)

................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

PRUEBA DE ACCESO A CICLOS FORMATIVOS

HEZIKETA ZIKLOETARA SARTZEKO FROGA

JUNIO 2010 / 2010EKO EKAINA

GOI MAILAKO ZIKLOAK / CICLOS DE GRADO SUPERIOR

ARLO ESPEZIFIKOA / PARTE ESPECÍFICA

IDIOMA EXTRANJERO

ATZERRIKO HIZKUNTZA

(INGLÉS)

Abizenak

Apellidos

Izena Ordena Zkia.

Nombre ______________________________________ Nº orden __________

Lurraldea N.A.N. Adina

Territorio D.N.I. Edad

Ikastetxea

Centro

Apple tablet unveiled as the iPad

Steve Jobs has finally put an end to months of speculation and announced the Apple iPad, the company's move to bridge the gap between the mobile phone and laptop at its media event in San Fransisco.

The new tablet device, will come with an aluminium back and a large touchscreen allowing you to see web pages as you would on a regular laptop.

The iPad, which will come with an almost full-size touchscreen keyboard, will also be prepared to enjoy all types of digital media and is expected to be used by holding it with one hand and controlling it with another. 

The iPad was shown to be viewing images, video - including high def YouTube clips - web browsing, flipping through a calendar.

The iPad will sport a 9.7-inch display (the same as the Amazon Kindle DX), will be half an inch thick and weighs in at 1.5lbs. It will offer a custom 1GHz "Apple A4" processor and come in 16, 32, or 64GB storage sizes. Wireless 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, speaker, mic, dock connector, accelerometer and compass are also included. It will launch with the claim of 10 hours of active battery life and a month of standby.

Apple is aiming the device firmly at the consumer market with pricing for the 16GB version lower than expected at $499, while the 32GB version will be $599 and the 64GB $799. 3G models cost an extra $130 so $629, $729, and $829. Non-3G models are due in 60 days - 3G versions in 90.

Apple has confirmed to Pocket-lint that it has yet to set international pricing.

Apple has announced it is to rival Amazon's Kindle platform by launching the new "iBooks" store that will offer ebook downloads from major publishers.

International deals are due to be in place by June or July, but Apple has revealed it will be offering the iPad unlocked, so if consumers opt for the 3G model option, they will have choice of mobile broadband providers and contracts.

In what will surely convince even those that don't like the idea of the touchscreen device, the iPad will come with a keyboard docking station allowing you to quickly put text into the device. Other accessories from Apple will include a standard docking station so you can make it a "great photo frame" and a more protective case to protect it when you are out and about.

 Adapted from pocket- (27/01/2010)

[pic]

READING COMPREHENSION

1. COMPLETE THE CHART (8 marks)

|PHYSICAL APPEARANCE OF iPAD | |

|MEASURE AND WEIGHT OF iPAD | |

|PRICES OF iPAD | |

| | |

|SERVICES iPAD OFFERS | |

| | |

2. ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS ( 6 marks)

1. Why should Amazon consider Apple its rival?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. When will iPads be available outside the USA?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. USE THE WORDS IN THE LIST BELOW TO FILL THE GAPS IN THESE SENTENCES. (5 marks)

THE NET VIRTUAL ONLINE SURF DOWNLOAD E-MAIL MODEM

1. You find some incredible things when you are ……….……….ing

2. I have trouble with the Net because my …………………….is not fast enough

3. I spent two hours ………..…………searching for that information

4. If you ………………………..games, you can get a virus in your computer

5. They had a ……………………..love affair. They never actually met

WRITING

4. WRITING: (15 marks)

PEOPLE WHO CANNOT SPEAK CAN NOW TYPE MESSAGES ON A COMPUTER, AND A DEVICE CALLED A “VOICE SYNTHESIZER” SPEAKS THEIR WORDS. PEOPLE WITH MANY OTHER DISABILITIES – BLINDNESS, DEAFNESS, LACK OF MOBILITY- ARE HELPED BY COMPUTERS. WRITE ABOUT HOW COMPUTERS CAN HELP THESE PEOPLE.

(100-130 words)

PRUEBA DE ACCESO A CICLOS FORMATIVOS

HEZIKETA ZIKLOETARA SARTZEKO PROBA

JUNIO 2011 / 2011KO EKAINA

GOI MAILAKO ZIKLOAK / CICLOS DE GRADO SUPERIOR

ARLO ESPEZIFIKOA / PARTE ESPECÍFICA

IDIOMA EXTRANJERO

ATZERRIKO HIZKUNTZA

(INGLÉS)

Abizenak

Apellidos

Izena

Nombre ________________________________________________________

N.A.N.

D.N.I._________________________

Why is Denmark the cancer capital of the world?

Denmark has been named as the world's cancer capital, with some 326 people in every 100,000 developing the disease each year.

Denmark has a high proportion of female smokers Photo: PA

One reason why Danish people seem to be particularly susceptible to cancer is that its record of diagnosing the disease is so good, meaning that more cases are picked up by the country's doctors than in most other parts of the world.

But there are also lifestyle factors which could be having an influence on the figures reported by the World Cancer Research Fund from the World Health Organisation.

A larger than average proportion of Danish women are smokers, while the country also has high levels of alcohol consumption, both of which have been shown to increase the risk of developing cancer.

The figures show that high-income countries tend to have higher rates of cancer than less developed parts of the world, with 13 European countries, the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand among the top 20 states for overall cancer rates.

This is likely to be due in part to better diagnostics in developed countries, but the tendency of wealthier populations to be more obese, consume more alcohol and get less exercise are also a significant factor.

Professor Martin Wiseman, Medical and Scientific Adviser for WCRF, said: “We know that people in high-income countries are more likely to be overweight, to drink a lot of alcohol and to be inactive.

“There is strong scientific evidence that these factors increase risk of several common cancers and these figures show the effect of this. When you look at the list, it is clear that the countries that do worse for these factors tend to be nearer the top.

“The high incidence rates in the UK, Denmark and other high-income countries are not inevitable and lifestyle changes can make a real difference to people’s risk. In fact, scientists estimate that about a third of the most common cancers in the UK and other high-income countries could be prevented by maintaining a healthy weight, being more physically active and eating more healthily."

(The Telegraph 24.01.2011)

1. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS. ( 4 m./ each= 8 marks)

1. According to the text, why are Danish people particularly susceptioble to cancer? (Give two reasons or factors)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. How could most common cancers be prevented in developed countries?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

2. SAY WHETHER THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES ARE TRUE (T) OR FALSE (F). WHEN FALSE CORRECT THEM. ( 2m. /each=6 marks)

1. A few women smoke in Denmark ………………………………………………………………………………

2. Less developed countries have low rates of cancer ……………………………………………………………

3. According to Professor Martin Wiseman high incidence rates of cancer cannot be avoided in rich countries ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

3. GRAMMAR: complete with the correct form of the verbs in brackets . Use the active or passive. (1 m/each= 8 marks)

Urban legends- those scary stories that (1)………………….(say) to be true but aren´t- have been around for a long time. In the 1800s in England, for instance, rumors (2)……………………(spread) of the existence of a man who (3)................................. (refer) to as Spring- Heeled Jack. He had a terrifying appearance and could jump very high. Since the mid 1930s, tales (4) .................................... (tell) of alligators living in the sewers under New York city. Nowadays, urban legends (5)....................... (make) their way around the world with a click of a mouse. In recent years, millions of people (6)........................(read) that certain tight jeans can kill the wearer and that poisonous spiders often (7)............................... (live) in passenger jet bathrooms. Both stories are false. But even if we (8)...................................know that urban legends are untrue, many of us still enjoy reading them.

4. WRITING: AN OPINION ESSAY. Write a composition of about 100-150 words about the following topic: Would you like to live in a town that is smoking –free? (16 marks)

..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

[pic] Acceso a la Universidad: mayores de 25 años

[pic]

LENGUA EXTRANJERA – INGLÉS

( Mayo 2007)

OXFAM: A BRITISH INSTITUTION

What is Oxfam? There are hundreds of charitable organizations in the U.K, Oxfam is one of them. Oxfam shops sell second-hand clothes, china, shoes, jewellery, toys and so on. These shops are run by volunteers, people of all ages, and the items sold there come from donations from people that want to collaborate and get rid of things they don’t need, at the same time.

The word “Oxfam” stands for Oxford Committee for Famine Relief. It started in 1942 , when an Anglican cleric, a retired Indian Colonial Service officer and a Jewish refugee from Germany met. Their concern was the misery and the starvation in Europe caused by the war.

Sometimes Oxfam helps by sending money to community groups and organizations; it organizes training to help people learn new skills or sets up workshops so that people can get together to talk about their problems and find solutions. It also gives advice, encourages use of local radio and puts groups in different countries in touch so that they can learn from each other. Oxfam also helps people to survive in emergencies, by supplying materials to make shelters, blankets, clean water and sanitation.

One of the most interesting things about this NGO is the way they “help people to help themselves” as they say. This means that not only do they provide people from underdeveloped countries with money but they also train them to be self- sufficient. I think this could give these poor communities the dignity to fight for their own welfare which is better than giving them hands-outs which may make them dependent on aid.

So now you know what Oxfam is, they have a dream…but a very well organized one!

1.- Reading Comprehension (4 points)

I Are the following statements true or false? Say why. Take evidence from the text to support your answers. No marks are given for only true or false. (2 points)

1.- You can buy new products In Oxfam shops.

2.- Oxfam gives people the opportunity to get in contact with other countries.

II. Answer the following questions in full sentences using information from the text. (2 points)

1.- How does Oxfam help people from the Third World Countries?

2.- Why was Oxfam created?

2.- Vocabulary (2 points)

III.- Vocabulary : find synonyms in the text for the words below.

1- Free food, clothing or money =

2.- Hunger =

3.- Abilities, talent =

4.- Providing, giving =

3.- Writing (4 points)

IV.-Write a composition of about 100 words on the following topic:

There are a lot of people that need help in your city (people without home, emigrants that cannot speak our language, old people that live alone etc…). Would you like to be a volunteer in a charitable organization? Give at least three reasons to justify your point of view.

[pic] Acceso a la Universidad: mayores de 25 años

LENGUA EXTRANJERA – INGLÉS

( Mayo 2008)

GIFT AID. Presents for the people who have everything. (And for those who have almost nothing)

Have you ever been given a present that was useless or inappropriate that you just threw it away? Or maybe you have given someone else an unoriginal present, or one that was unlikely to please them. Fortunately, nowadays there are other options at present-giving times which not only help us avoid giving unwanted gifts, but can also help others at the same time. The innovation of Gift Aid provides original ideas for many of those occasions where we may feel we have to give someone a present, but have no idea what to choose.

At the time of writing Christmas is approaching, the shops are beginning to stock over-wrapped trivialities and I am reminded of the countless boxes of novelty chocolate, fancy soaps and horrendous ties that I have either given or received at this time of the year. Most of us in the developed world at some time received presents, which, if not useless, are totally superfluous for our needs.

Some environmental organisations or anti-corporate groups recommend simply cutting consumption- at Christmas time especially, as it is a time of such excessive consumption, but there is another option for those who want to avoid waste but still maintain present-giving tradition At the same time as we are giving and receiving unwanted and wasteful gifts, there are of course millions of people in the world living, and sometimes dying, in extreme need-suffering from poverty, disasters or illnesses. To address this imbalance, a number of charitable organizations now offer Gift Aid opportunities.

I first became aware of this concept when I heard a friend say that one of her Christmas presents had been a donkey –but that she would never see the animal. Donkeys are just one of a huge number of Gift Aid options. A number of charitable organizations now have catalogues (many of them on line) where you can pay for a useful gift – like a donkey – to be given to a poor community, in the name of another person. The kind of gift can vary both in type and in price range. Of course not everybody will necessarily appreciate being given a donkey that will live in a faraway country (75€), or a hygiene kit (30 €) for people they will never meet, but judging by the comments from people who have been “given” this kind of present, most recipients feel happy and proud of their aid gifts.

1.- Reading Comprehension (4 points)

I Are the following statements true or false? Say why. Take evidence from the text to support your answers. No marks are given for only true or false. (2 points)

1. Gift Aid provides you with good ideas when you know what to buy.

2.You can buy an aid gift on the Internet

II. Answer the following questions in full sentences using information from the text. (2 points)

1. What is the main objective of Gift Aid?

2 Why did the writer’s friend never see the donkey?

2.- Vocabulary (2 points)

III. Vocabulary : find synonyms in the text for the words below.

1. Disease

2. Domestic ass, animal useful for farm work activities.

3. Become conscious

4. Someone who receives something

3.- Writing (4 points)

IV.-Write a composition of about 100 words on the following topic:

Is Gift Aid a good idea for your Christmas presents? Give at least three reasons to support your point of view

[pic] Acceso a la Universidad: mayores de 25 años

LENGUA EXTRANJERA – INGLÉS

( Mayo 2009)

WIKIPEDIA: A WORLD OF KNOWLEDGE

Wikipedia has become an essential reference book for Internet users.

Wikipedia is a blend of ‘wiki’ and ‘encyclopedia’. A ’wiki’ is a piece of server software that allows users to freely create and edit webpage content using any web browser. Wikipedia’s most unique characteristic is that it is written by its readers rather than a publishing company.

Any one can correct information in the resource. The idea is that people familiar with a particular topic will add their knowledge to an entry. Having the whole world contribute means building an extensive information source from the ground up. As a result, Wikipedia has more entries than hard copy encyclopaedias. More importantly, it receives real time entries so Wikipedia’s information is more current than traditional resources.

Any problems with Wikipedia tend to be minor. The company can manage attacks on stories by locking down controversial topics for a couple of weeks, or by banning particular users or user groups. What’s more, any incorrect information is quickly corrected by someone around the world who has in-depth knowledge of the topic, so the encyclopedia is self-regulating.

In July 2006, Wikipedia sites had more than 28 million visitors, ranking 18th among all websites according to comScore Media Metrix. Wikipedia, which is offered in many languages, was created in 2001 by a non-profit organization.

1.- Reading Comprehension (4 points)

A. Are the following statements true or false? Say why. Take evidence from the text to support your answers. No marks are given for only true or false. (2 points)

1- Wikipedia’s information is less up –to-date than traditional resources.

2- Only people who have a deep knowledge of the topic can correct information in the reference book.

B. Answer the following questions in full sentences using information from the text. (2 points)

1- What does the company do to prevent attacks on stories?

2- Why has Wikipedia more entries than hard copie encyclopedias?

2.- Vocabulary (2 points)

Vocabulary: find synonyms in the text for the words below.

a) Fusion =

b) Subject, theme =

c) Prohibiting =

d) Deep, profound =

3.- Writing (4 points)

Write a composition of about 100 words on the following topic:

Do you think Wikipedia is an effective resource to get information? Do you use Wikipedia?

[pic] Acceso a la Universidad: mayores de 25 años

LENGUA EXTRANJERA – INGLÉS

( Mayo 2010)

GLOBALISATION

Forum internet

You can find forums on the internet about all sorts of topics.

The messages below have been taken from a forum dealing with globalisation.

a) Is the message blogger for or against globalisation?

b) Justify your answer with a sentence.

Message from: SIRROCO

Americans benefit from imposing their rules on the rest of the world: maximum liberalisation, reductions in public expenditure, decreases in labour costs, work flexibility flexibility etc.

Message from: CAMEROUN

In the world of sports, everyone plays in their own category. We can’t imagine the world leading football teams playing against small amateur clubs. Then how is it possible that companies from all countries and categories compete in the same field? Game rules are made by and for the powerful teams.

Message from: GAVROCHE

Many people strongly believe that American culture is heavily influencing the rest of the world as a result of globalisation. However, this is not always strictly true. Not everybody eats the same food as American people do. Neither does the rest of the world listen to the same music. We don’t follow the same religion. Neither do we speak the same language. Or follow the same clothing trends.

Message from: NELLY

High competition within the free market has led to products becoming less expensive and of a better quality.

Message from: ALEX

Free movement of capital enables us to transfer millions of Euros to the other side of the world in one second. States are not able to control anything any longer. Also an ordinary person like me can elect a politician that hasn’t got any control at all... This is globalisation…

Message from: ANNABELLE

The problem is that competition leads to a mad race in productivity (Even though this is damaging people’s health and the environment). It doesn’t matter how money is made as long as it is being made. moyens sont bons pour gagner de l’argent.

Message from: INES

Globalisation has given me the chance to work… globalisation has brought international companies such as Carrefour to my country, which are providing us with more job opportunities. Globalisation is superb!

Message from : LILI

Globalisation brings a greater risk of diseases being transported unintentionally between nations. We’ll all probably get the swine flu this winter.

1. Reading Comprehension. (4 points)

Read the messages above and complete the table below

|Message from |for |against |justification |

|Sirocco | | | |

|Cameroun | | | |

|Gavroche | | | |

|Nelly | | | |

|Alex | | | |

|Annabelle | | | |

|Inès | | | |

|Lili | | | |

2. - Vocabulary: find synonyms in the text for the words below. (2 points)

2.1 Work:

2.2 Has resulted in:

2.3 Supplying:

2.4 Illnesses:

3. - Composition. (4 points)

What are the advantages, disadvantages and consequences of globalisation? Do you agree with the opinions of the bloggers? Explain and give reasons for your answers. (100 words)

[pic] Acceso a la Universidad: mayores de 25 años

LENGUA EXTRANJERA – INGLÉS

( Mayo 2011)

MY SPACE AND FACEBOOK HORROR STORIES.

Social networking sites like Facebook and Myspace have become hugely popular throughout the world, and are now being used by people of all ages and professions. These sites help us to stay in touch with our friends. However, a few people have made posts that have got them into hot water.

Take party-boy Kevin Calvin, for example. This intern at the Anglo-Irish Bank in Boston e-mailed his manager saying he needed time off work to go to New York because of a “family emergency”. The next day his boss discovered photos of Calvin drunk, dressed in a colourful fairy costume and holding a beer in one hand with a sparkling wand in the other. The photo had been posted on Facebook. His “family emergency” was, in fact, a drunken Halloween Party. Calvin’s boss, Paul Davies, replied to his e-mail attaching the “fairy” photo. He copied in everyone in the office writing “Thanks for letting us know – hope everything is OK in New York. (Cool wand)”. Calvin was fired.

A store owner near Radford University, Virginia, struck it lucky when she used Facebook to identify two students from the University who had stolen articles from her shop. She looked through the Facebook site’s profile photos of students from Radford University until she recognised the culprits. One of the girls was so careless that she posted a Facebook picture of herself wearing some of the stolen clothes.

Social networking sites are great instruments for keeping in touch. However anything put into the public domain, even though only for personal use, can be seen by anyone in the world. Even when we set our profile to “private” – enabling only our friends to see what we have been up to – can get a person into hot water if there are revealing photos. These days people have more than 200 “friends”, many of whom are almost strangers. It often is these “friends” who release the embarrassing information to others.

VOCABULARY:

To make posts: put something on one’s site for everyone to see.

Wand: magic stick used by fairies, witches and wizards

Culprit: guilty, someone who has done something illegal.

To release: disseminate

Write your answers in the space provided in your exam.

1. -Are the following statements true or false? Say why. Take evidence from the text to support your answer. No marks are given for only true or false (2 points)

1.1 After the party Calvin returned to work.

1.2 Social networking sites like Facebook are not private even when we set our profile to “private”

2. -Answer the following questions in full sentences using information from the text. (2 points)

2.1 How did the shop owner find out who had stolen goods from her shop?

2.2 Why can Facebook get us into trouble easily?

3. -Vocabulary: find synonyms in the text from the words below. (2 points)

3.1 enormously.

3.2 have caused them problems.

3.3 excellent, fantastic.

3.4 was fortunate.

4. -Write a composition of about 100 words on the following topic: (4points)

In your opinion what does Facebook offer that makes it so popular? Give at least three reasons to support your point of view.

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ACCESO

SARBIDEA

ENGLISH

2011-2012

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