examen de selectividad de ingles

SPYPHONES
A device first used by German tank drivers in 1942 can prove to be helpful in everyday life: people will
no longer have to run out of pubs when their mobile rings showing the number of their boss or their partner. They
will talk freely knowing that the person on the other end cannot hear a thing going around them: the roar of the
crowd, loud music, or a friend’s laughter.
5 The device, which is worn around the neck, does not transmit outside noise as it does not use a
microphone; instead, a microchip translates voice vibrations in the skin into electrical impulses that are then
turned into words. It can be worn under the collar of a shirt, and you can only see an earpiece, although a
wireless version is also being developed.
The apparatus has been brought to Britain by Andrew Darby, who saw it in a spy shop in Hong Kong. He
10 thinks that it can be especially beneficial to emergency services, construction industry and sports people, who
could communicate with each other in very noisy situations. However, it doesn’t work if you are unable to hear
someone speaking to you over the phone. So do not try to go to a rock concert and ring your boss telling them
you are at the doctor’s.
(A) COMPREHENSION (4 points)
a) ANSWER QUESTIONS 1-2 ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION GIVEN IN THE TEXT. USE YOUR
OWN WORDS. (1 point per answer)
1) What is the main contribution of the new device to mobile phones?
2) How will mobile users know that the device is operative?
b) ARE THESE STATEMENTS TRUE OR FALSE? JUSTIFY YOUR ANSWERS WITH WORDS OR
PHRASES FROM THE TEXT. (0.5 points per answer)
3) Thanks to the device people will be able to get out of public places when they see the number of
their boss.
4) A microphone prevents outside noise from interrupting the conversation.
5) The device can’t be seen because it is worn under the user’s clothes.
6) The first model of the device has a wire connecting the earpiece.
(B) USE OF ENGLISH (3 points)
7) Give one opposite for HELPFUL (adjective) (line 1) (0.25 points)
8) Find in the text a synonym for BUILDING (noun) (0.25 points)
9) Find in the text the word which has the following definition: (0.25 points)
“person who controls or gives orders to workers”
10) Give a noun with the same root as LOUD (adjective). (0.25 points)
11) Turn the following sentence into the passive voice. (0.5 points)
You can’t hear anything on a helicopter.
12) Turn the following sentence into reported speech: (0.5 points)
Michael wondered: “Why do I do this every day?”
13) Complete the following sentence: (0.5 points)
If I had known the truth about Larry . . .
14) Use the words in the boxes to make a meaningful sentence. Use all and only the words in the
boxes without changing their form. (0.5 points)
(C) PRODUCTION (3 points)
15) Write a composition (80-100 WORDS) Choose ONE of the following options. Specify your option.
a) Good and bad uses of new technologies.
b) Would you like to work or volunteer for an emergency service? Why?