TEXTOS NAVIDADES (2TEXTS)
The International Year of the Potato
The potato was domesticated by pre-Colombian farmers eight thousand years ago from species that grew in the wild near Lake Titicaca. For the residents of the Andes, the potato represents an irreplaceable product in their daily diet and, during many centuries, they selected potatoes based on their flavour and resistance against the adverse climate of the Andes. However, it’s not just that: the vegetable is a part of their culture and way of life, being integral to certain legends and traditions.
The International Year of the Potato is raising awareness of the key role played by the "humble tuber" in agriculture, the economy and world food security. The potato should be a major component in strategies aimed at providing nutritious food for the poor and hungry. This “food of the future” is ideally suited to places where land is limited and labour is abundant, conditions that characterize much of the developing world. The potato produces more nutritious food more quickly, on less land, and in harsher climates than any other major crop. Over the next two decades, the world's population is expected to grow on average by more than 100 million people a year. Over 95 percent of that increase will occur in developing countries. The potato will surely be an important part of efforts to meet those challenges.
1.- Are the following statements TRUE or FALSE? Copy the evidence from the text. No marks are given for only TRUE or FALSE.
a) The potato is grown all over the world.
b) The number of inhabitants on our planet will remain stable. (Puntuación máxima: 2 puntos)
2.- In your own words and based on the ideas in the text, answer the following questions. Do not copy from the text
a) What is the objective of the “International Year of the Potato”? b) What does the potato mean to the population of the Andes?
(Puntuación máxima: 2 puntos)
3.- Find the words in the text that mean:
e) objective (paragraph 1)
f) taste (paragraph 2)
g) plentiful (paragraph 3)
h) without doubt (paragraph 3)
(Puntuación máxima: 1 punto)
4.- Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate form of the word in brackets when given.
a) The potato, _____ was an important part of the diet of ancient tribes_____
South America, is now seen as the food of the future. b) Being better adapted to harsh climates, the potato plant is_____ (strong) and
_____ (productive) than other crops. c) The potato _____ (introduce) into third world countries in an attempt _____
(solve) the world food crisis. d) Indirect speech. Rewrite the question beginning with the words given. “Will
the new food policy be successful?” politicians asked. Politicians asked ___________________________________ (Puntuación máxima: 2 puntos)
5.- Write about 100 to 150 words on the following topic.
How could the problem of hunger in the world be solved? Give your ideas. (Puntuación máxima: 3 puntos)
Abortion on demand a step too far for Spanish right
Currently, it is a crime to have an abortion unless a woman can prove that she was raped, that the foetus is malformed or that the pregnancy endangers her physical or mental health. In practice, however, the law is interpreted liberally across a network of private clinics, which perform more than 100,000 abortions a year.
The new abortion law, which would also allow the procedure up to 22 weeks with a doctor’s certificate, is expected to be approved before the summer, with a provision that would allow girls over 16 to have an abortion without parental consent. “They can’t smoke, they can’t drink alcohol but nevertheless they can abort without their parents’ permission”, said a spokeswoman for the Right to Life movement.
Thousands of activists are expected to join demonstrations throughout Spain this weekend. Hundreds of doctors, scientists and other Spanish professionals also signed a manifesto earlier this month rejecting the government’s plans.
However, apparently only 15% of Spaniards oppose abortion under any condition, and 45% support abortion on demand. A survey found 65% of Spaniards support abortion in the first three months. Women’s groups also welcome the proposed reforms but also call for other measures, such as sex education in schools. A feminist coalition launched a counter-offensive to the church on Friday, with posters that say “For motherhood with liberty and abortion with security”.
I. Answer the following questions using your own words but taking into account the information in the text (2 points: 1 point each)
a. In which cases is abortion allowed in Spain?
b. What’s new in the socialist government’s abortion law?
II. Are the following statements true (T) or false (F)? Identify the part of the text that supports your answer by copying the exact words on the answer sheet. (1.5 point: 0.5 each)
a. With the new law, girls over 16 can have an abortion even if their parents disagree.
b. All Spanish professionals support abortion on demand.
c. A minority of Spaniards are entirely against abortion.
III. Find a synonym for each of the four words below from these six options: (1 point: 0.25 each)
Clash endangers demonstrations oppose support measures
b. confrontation
c. protests
d.puts at risk
IV. Choose a, b, or c, in each question below. Only one choice is correct (1.5 points: 0.5 each)
1. Private clinics...
a) never follow the law.
b) follow the law loosely.
c) only perform legal abortions.
2. The new law...
a) allows abortions under 22 weeks of pregnancy.
b) allows abortions beyond 22 weeks of pregnancy.
c) allows abortions only at the 22nd week of pregnancy.
3. Women’s groups...
a) are not in favour of the new law unless other measures are added.
b) are not in favour of the new law even if sex education is taught in schools.
c) are in favour of the new law but they would like to see additional measures too.
Part B. Composition (130-150 words approximately). Choose one of the following topics. (4 points)
1. What do you think about the government’s new law?
2. What role can schools and parents play in preventing teenage pregnancies?
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