textos selectividad 7 febrero entregar el11 febrero 2011
SPAU-T6
TALKING TO YOUR CAR
Car makers are presently working on technology that will make it possible for drivers to control some of a car’s systems just by speaking. When a driver says, for example, “temperature 75 degrees”, the heating and cooling system will automatically adjust to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The driver’s commands will be interpreted by a computer. Manufacturers claim that the computer will understand any speaker’s voice and recognise both British and American accents.
What are the benefits of voice control, apart from impressing one’s friends? Safety and convenience are the two most frequently mentioned. When drivers are whizzing down the motorway at 90 km an hour, they would prefer not to take their hands off the streering wheel to change the channel on the radio or adjust the temperature in the car. With voice control, there is no need for the driver to take his or her eyes off the road.
However, voice-control systems are far from perfect. During demosntrations, the computers sometimes misinterpreted commands or even failed together. No one is suggesting that all the knobs and buttons on the dashboard be removed just yet. In fact, some car industry executives are sceptical about the whole venture, pointing out that knobs and buttons have served consumers well for many years.
Because of the cost of this new technology, luxury cars will be the first to offer the voice-control option. If it is successful, the option may become available in standard models as well.
Questions 1. Answer the following questions WITHOUT copying from the text.
a. How do voice-controlled cars work? b. What is one advantage of voice control? c. What is one potential problem?
2. Complete with one or more words, using information from the text. Do not reproduce phrases from the text literally.
“Nowadays, you hear a lot (a) ...................new inventions such as cars with voice control. (b) ............. I wouldn’t mind seeing one of these cars, I (c) ...............want to have one. They are probably very expensive, and I imagine they won’t work (d) ................ordinary cars. Personally, I (e) ................have a car you can rely on.
3.
4. Rewrite the following sentences so that the meaning stays the same.
a. With voice control there is no need to take one’s eyes off the road. You ......... b. The computers sometimes misinterpreted commands. Commands .........
5. Choose one option and write one essay of about 100 words.
a. Has technology improved our lives or made them worse? Support your opinion with reasons and examples.
Página núm.:1.
b. Is it important to own a car? Write a for and against composition discussing this question.
Marking Criteria:
2) Text 2
SPAU-T7
If you don’t get enough sleep at night, it’s tempting to reach for a cup of coffee – or two or three – in the morning. However, research has shown that a daily nap is more beneficial than coffee. A small amount of sleep can increase your efficiency and give you the energy to stay clear-headed late into the night. Ideally, the nap should be planned 12 hours after the midpoint of your usual night’s sleep. For instance, if you go to sleep at 12 pm and get up at 6 am the best time to catch a few winks is three in the afternoon.
Having only one short nap a day is important. Sporadic naps will interfere with your night-time sleep rather than decreasing your need for it. Also, the nap must be less than 30 minutes. Otherwise, it will make you groggy instead of waking you up.
How can you find a place to have a nap, especially if you’re working? Some employers in the fields of public relations and advertising actually provide nap rooms for their employees. However, such employers are few and far between. Fedrico Busquets, a businessman in Barcelona, has come up with a creative solution to the problem. Busquets runs a chain of siesta shops. Customers receive a back, shoulder and head massage before taking a siesta. As they sleep, soothing music plays in the background.
Of course everybody can find a suitable spot to have a nap. If you are one of those people, try to get eight hours of sleep each night. A good night’s sleep is even more beneficial than an afternoon nap.
Questions
1. Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down the part of the text that justifies your answer.
a. Drinking coffee is the best way to re-energise yourself when you feel tired. b. Ifyouusuallygotobedat10pmandwakeupat6amtheidealtimefornappingis1
pm. c. Taking several short naps is preferable to taking a long nap. d. You would probably feel sleepy after an hour-long nap. e. Some bosses offer a place for workers to nap in.
2. Write a title which best summarises the story and justify your answer. 3. Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning as the first one.
a. A small amount of sleep can increase your efficiency. Your efficiency ............ b. Having a consistent nap time is important. It is important ............ c. Taking sporadic naps throughout the day will interfere with your night-time sleep. If
you ............... d. “HowcanIfindaplacetohaveanap?”Heaskedme.........
4. Explain the meaning of the following expressions. Use your own words.
a. a few winks (p1) b. few and far between (p3)
5. Choose one of the following options.
a. Write a letter of about 100 words to the headmaster of your school or supervisor at work. Describe the benefits of having a nap room in your school or workplace.
b. Write about 100 words on the topic: “My Ideal Night’s Sleep”.
3) Text 3
SPAU-T8
PHOTO TIPS
Are you going to a celebration soon – a family reunion, party or graduation? Try these tips for taking great photos.
• To get photos that capture the feeling of the day, start taking pictures just as the event begins. For instance, get a shot of the birthday cake before it is cut and of the banquet table before everyone eats.
• To take natural or unposed shots, try to be unobtrusive as possible. This means you should stay in the background. Take plenty of shots. If you take a lot of pictures quickly, one after the other, you’re likely to get at least one or two good ones. Also, your subjets will get used to the clicking of the camera’s shutter and will stop paying attention to you.
• For group portraits, balanced lighting is essential. If you are shooting outdoors on a cloudy day, no special arrangements are needed. On a sunny day, find a shaded area. The group should be assembled so that everyone’s face is equally illuminated and no one is squinting. When using a flash for an indoor shot, make sure that all the faces are about the same distance from the flash.
• Arrange the group in a way that heightens the interest of the composition. Try a circular or triangular configuration. Surfaces on a incline, such as the side of a hill or the steps of an attractive building, are ideal settings.
• Don’t forget to enjoy yourself! Your pictures shouldn’t be your only memory of the event!
Questions
1. Answer the following questions without copying from the text.
a. What is the best way to take natural shots? b. Name some interesting ways to arrange the people in a group portrait.
2. Complete the following sentences:
a. You can be unobtrusive by ............... b. You need to worry about balanced lighting when ............... c. In addition to taking pictures at an event ...............
3. Find a word or expression in the text with a similar meaning to each of the following:
a. helpful hints b. for example c. pictures d. looking at something with almost closed eyes e. increases
4. Write a composition of 100 – 120 words. Choose one option.
a. Describe your favourite photograph and the circumstances when it was taken. b. Write a list of tips for someone who wants to organise a party for 100 people.
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