Examen de reserva de inglés

OPTION B: “Customs and manners in foreign countries”
When you travel to foreign countries on holiday, you need to keep in mind 1 that their customs can be quite different and possibly contrary to yours. Before you go on holiday, read as much as you can about the country where you’ll be staying. There are several things you should not do when you travel as they are considered bad taste; for example, taking photographs of people without asking their permission or getting familiar too soon. As for clothing, wearing shorts in public is generally not acceptable in most parts of the world, including some European countries. If you are used to sunbathing topless on the beach, for example, you had better find out if that’s acceptable where you’re going. And it’s certainly not always about clothes. There are places like Singapore, where it’s illegal to chew gum or spit, and doing either can get you into serious legal trouble. One thing worth remembering is that you should learn some polite expressions. English is pretty common worldwide, and you can always include body language to get your message across. However, some gestures have totally different meanings in other countries. In Bulgaria shaking your head horizontally means ‘yes’. In general, some topics like money, religion, politics or sex can be touchy or controversial. The Japanese do not want to talk about World War II; the French hate the classic American question ‘What do you do for a living?’ In other words, you need to be very aware of local laws and customs as well as show respect. Remember you are a guest in another country, so behave the way you would want people to behave in your country.

I * COMPREHENSION (4 points: questions 1-3, 1 point each; 4-5, 0.5 points each)
ANSWER QUESTIONS 1-3 ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION GIVEN IN THE TEXT. USE YOUR OWN WORDS.
1. What can you do to avoid getting into trouble when you travel abroad?
2. What does the text say about clothing?
3. Why is English so important when you travel?
ARE THESE STATEMENTS TRUE OR FALSE? JUSTIFY YOUR ANSWERS WITH THE PRECISE WORDS OR PHRASES FROM
THE TEXT, OR USE YOUR OWN WORDS.
4. According to the text, you should be careful before taking a photograph.
5. The best way to communicate safely is through body language

II* USE OF ENGLISH (3 points; questions 6-9, 0.25 points each; 10-13, 0.5 points each)
6. GIVE ONE SYNONYM FOR “trouble” (noun) AS IT IS USED IN THE TEXT (line 9).
7. FIND IN THE TEXT THE WORD WHICH HAS THE FOLLOWING DEFINITION: "someone who is offered hospitality”.
8. FILL IN THE GAP WITH THE CORRECT PREPOSITION: I’ve always dreamt ………. travelling to foreign countries. (at / of /
with / for)
9. GIVE ONE OPPOSITE FOR “polite” (adjective) AS IT IS USED IN THE TEXT (line 9).
10. TURN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE INTO THE ACTIVE VOICE: A solution to the problem has been found.
11. GIVE A QUESTION FOR THE UNDERLINED WORD: There are two new students in my class.
12. JOIN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES USING A RELATIVE. MAKE CHANGES IF NECESSARY. My girlfriend comes from
Singapore. Her name is Alisha.
13. REWRITE THE SENTENCE WITHOUT CHANGING ITS MEANING. BEGIN AS INDICATED.
It is too expensive to travel abroad. Travelling abroad isn’t ……

III * PRODUCTION (3 points)
14. WRITE A COMPOSITION OF APPROXIMATELY 120 WORDS ABOUT THE TOPIC PROPOSED AND FOCUS STRICTLY ON IT:
Where would you like to travel? Give reasons.