semana blanca 27-4 MARZO

TEXT 1(TWO TEXTS AND THE PREVIOUS ONE YOU HAVE TO HAND IT)

Bullfighting in Catalonia

It looks like Catalonia is on their way to curtailing2 bullfighting after parliament voted to ban (1) it. Spanish bullfighting has suffered another major setback after the Catalan Parliament voted to outlaw it completely across the region.

The vote was not without controversy (2); however, this is not surprising since there has always been controversy surrounding bullfighting between those who consider it animal abuse and those who believe it to be a cultural tradition.

After a narrow (3) initial victory for the abolitionists –67 in favour and 59 against– the law could become effective.

It seems that some believe the reason it is being banned is the ongoing (4) rivalry between Catalonians and Spaniards, since bullfighting is considered typically Spanish and the Catalonians pride (5) themselves on being different from the Spaniards, including having a different language. Others seem to think it was just a dying cultural event, and destined to die out. Many bullfighting rings have been closed down over the years in the region. And anti-bullfighting activism dates back to the early 1990s.

As far back as 1909, Barcelona hosted Spain’s first anti-bullfighting protest, and by 2004 more than 80 per cent of Catalans was opposed to the practice.

Even though the vote in parliament was very close, 180,000 people signed a petition sponsored by an animal rights group, which was apparently more than three times the amount of signatures needed; though what will happen to bullfighting in Spain proper is another story. Although over 70% of the Spanish population is against bullfighting, only half of those actually want it to be banned.

PREGUNTAS (NO RESPONDER EN ESTA HOJA)

READ THE TEXT AND ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS. BE CAREFUL TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR EACH QUESTION.

2 Restringir1. Link each of the words or expressions listed below with one word or expression in the column (as numbered in the text) [1 mark]. Please copy the correct pair of words on your answer sheet, e.g. ‘common and ...’

tight arrogance current debate forbid

ban (1) and ... controversy (2) and ... narrow (3) and ... ongoing (4) and ... pride (5) and ...

2. Reading comprehension 2.1. Choose the best option [0.75 marks]. Please copy the complete correct option on your answer

sheet.

The majority of the Catalan Parliament voted against bullfighting. The Catalan Parliament voted to ban bullfighting all over Spain. The majority of the Catalan Parliament voted against abolishing bullfighting. This was the 67th voting of the Catalan Parliament to abolish bullfighting.

2.2. Choose the best option [0.75 marks]. Please copy the complete correct option on your answer sheet.

This voting was the result of a civilian initiative to abolish bullfighting. Less than 70% of the Spanish population is against bullfighting. Around 35% of the Spanish population wants to ban bullfighting. The first anti-bullfighting protest took place in 2004.

3. Complete the sentences using information from the text [2 marks]. It is important that phrases from the text are not reproduced literally, unless this is unavoidable.

a) Catalan Parliament has taken the first step to ... b) Many Catalans consider bullfighting ... c) According to a survey over 70% of the Spaniards are ... d) A petition with 180,000 signatures was ...

4. Complete with one or more adequate words [1.5 marks]. Do not copy the complete text on your sheet, only the letter – (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) – followed by the word or words that you find suitable for the gap. It is important that phrases from the text are not reproduced literally.

Although the interest ... (a) bullfighting is still high with the middle-aged crowd, ... (b) younger generation seems to ... (c) no interest, so it is more than likely ... (d) as the older generation start ... (e) die off, bullfighting might die with them. And according to many people, that is one cultural tradition that will not ... (f) missed.

5. From the information in the text, why are most Catalans against bullfighting? (25-50 words) [2 marks] You are expected to draw information from the text, but please use your own words.

6. What are your feelings about bullfighting? (25-50 words) [2 marks]. Express your own ideas by using your own words.

TEXT 2

About Martenitsa

A martenitsa is made of white and red yarn and worn from March 1 until the end of March, or until the first time you see a stork1. The name of this holiday is Baba Marta. Baba means grandmother in Bulgarian and Mart is the month of March. It is a Bulgarian tradition (1) for welcoming the spring.

This is an old pagan tradition and remains almost unchanged today. The common belief is that by wearing the red and white colours of the martenitsa, people ask Baba Marta for mercy (2). They hope that it will make winter pass faster and bring spring. Many people wear more than one martenitsa. They receive them as presents from relatives (3), close friends and colleagues. Martenitsa is usually worn pinned on the clothes, near the collar, or tied around the wrist.

On the first day of March and the next days, the Bulgarians and also the foreigners living there, exchange and wear white and red tassels, small dolls and flowers.

There are different rituals when to take the martenitsa off: for example when you see the first stork or a tree with blossoms (4). If you don’t see any of these at all by the end of March, you can tie (5) the little martenitsa to a tree, so a stork can pick it up!

It is a very popular Bulgarian tradition. At the end of February there are dozens of stalls in the street selling the newest types of martenitsi and everybody is buying a bag full of them to give away.

PREGUNTAS (NO RESPONDER EN ESTA HOJA)

READ THE TEXT AND ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS. BE CAREFUL TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR EACH QUESTION.

1 Cigüeña1. Link each of the words or expressions listed below with one word or expression in the column (as numbered in the text) [1 mark]. Please copy the correct pair of words on your answer sheet, e.g. ‘common and ...’

compassion family fasten flowers custom

tradition (1) and ... mercy (2) and ... relatives (3) and ... blossoms (4) and ... tie (5) and ...

2. Reading comprehension 2.1. Choose the best option [0.75 marks]. Please copy the complete correct option on your answer

sheet.

Martenitsi are worn from March 1 until the end of spring. Martenitsa is a very popular Ukrainian tradition. The martenitsa symbolises new life, conception, fertility and spring. The colours of the martenitsa are interpreted as symbols of death and evil.

2.2. Choose the best option [0.75 marks]. Please copy the complete correct option on your answer sheet.

The name Baba Marta is related to an old lady. People wearing martenitsi ask Baba Marta for wealth and money. Only Bulgarians exchange and wear martenitsi. People always buy martenitsi for themselves.

3. Complete the sentences using information from the text [2 marks]. It is important that phrases from the text are not reproduced literally, unless this is unavoidable.

a) In Bulgarian folklore the name Baba Marta ... b) People believe that wearing ... c) Martenitsi are always given as ... d) The colours of the martenitsa are interpreted ...

4. Complete with one or more adequate words [1.5 marks]. Do not copy the complete text on your sheet, only the letter – (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) – followed by the word or words that you find suitable for the gap. It is important that phrases from the text are not reproduced literally.

The martenitsa is also ... (a) stylized symbol of Mother Nature. At that early-spring/late-winter time of the year, Nature seems ... (b) of hopes and expectations. The white symbolizes the purity ... (c) the melting white snow and the red symbolizes the setting of the sun which becomes more and ... (d) intense as spring progresses. These two natural resources ... (e) the source of life. They are also associated ... (f) the male and female beginnings.

5. From the information in the text, is martenitsa a religious tradition? (25-50 words) [2 marks] You are expected to draw information from the text, but please use your own words.

6. Do you know any old pagan Spanish tradition? (25-50 words) [2 marks]. Express your own ideas by using your own words.