PART I. READING — CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TEXTS. You must answer all the questions about the same text. NO POINTS will be given to mixed answers. Clearly identify on your paper which text you have chosen.

TEXT 1: Choosing a degree

Choosing what to study at university is one of the biggest decisions you'll make as a young person. So how do you decide what's right for you? Should you follow your heart and study something you're really passionate about, regardless of where it might lead you, or should you instead opt for a degree with more job opportunities?

Aimee Wragg, a student, thinks that you have to choose a degree that you really like. She says that the advice she received on which degree to study from parents and teachers was concentrated on obtaining a job in the future. But is it really worth taking an unappealing route on the basis that it could possibly increase your chance of getting a job? So, Aimee says that if it is difficult to enter employment from any angle, why don't you try with a subject you enjoy? In her opinion, studying what you like is generally more beneficial in the long term because happiness will only appear when you work in something you love although the wages are not so high.

Kerry Provenzano, another student, thinks differently. She thinks that choosing to study something you are passionate about might not be as beneficial as you think. You have to focus on a degree that can get you a job quickly, not on what you like, because when you study at university essentially you are making an investment: an English family spends £30,000 on a university student a year, and that's a lot of money that you have to pay back as soon as possible. In her opinion, you mustn't confuse a hobby with a job and you have to bear in mind that with the right job there will always be time for the things you like, regardless of whether you studied them at university or not.

Adapted from www.theguardian.com

TEXT 1. QUESTIONS — 1. READING COMPREHENSION. (2 POINTS) (0.5 points for each correct answer). Add TRUE or FALSE and copy the evidence from the text to support your answer. No marks are given for only TRUE or FALSE. No marks are given for T or F.

1. Aimee says that the recommendations that adults gave her were to study what she liked.
2. Aimee thinks that money isn't so important if you enjoy your job.
3. In Kerry's opinion is essential to start working as soon as possible.
4. Kerry thinks that if you have a good job, you'll be able to enjoy your hobbies.

2. LEXICON / PHONETICS (2 POINTS):

A. LEXICON. (1 POINT) (0.25 points for each correct answer). Find words or phrases in the text that mean the same as these given.

1. Guide:
2. Not attractive:
3. Money earned for work:
4. Concentrate:

B. PHONETICS. (1 POINT) (0.25 points for each correct answer).

1. How is the "i" pronounced in "decide"? /i:/, /ɪ/ or /aɪ/?
2. How do you pronounce the "th" in "worth"? /ð/ or /θ/?
3. How is the "s" pronounced in "thinks"? /s/, /z/, or /ɪz/?
4. How is the "u" pronounced in "study"? /ʊ/, /u:/ or /ʌ/?

TEXT 2: Young people prefer flats.

Choosing whether to live in the centre of the city or in a house in the suburbs is a major decision that many of us face in life. You may feel tempted to move closer to work to save time on commuting, or to look for the peace of the suburbs to start a family. This is very important for young people seeking independence.

Millennials (those born between 1.990 and 2.000) believe that it is in the centre of cities where there is always the main range of activities and services to achieve their goals, to meet people, and to enjoy life, which is what they really hope to do. They believe that it is at the centre of these larger cities where they have more job opportunities to keep growing. This type of client hasn't got a very high salary, so the more central their new apartment is, the easier it will be to move from one place to another. This is intimately linked to the character of millennials, who value time above all things, so locations like these facilitate transport.

As far as the comforts and qualities of the house itself are concerned, they require houses that serve to work and live. So, they need flats which can offer them full connectivity, and services such as Wi-Fi have already become essential in modern flats. Flats that fit their lifestyle and can be adapted to different hobbies and where they can share experiences with friends, family or colleagues. Also, the culture of independence has evolved in recent years and globalization has a lot to do with it. It is not so important to live alone as to meet new people and open their minds to new cultures and lifestyles. So, sharing a flat in the centre is presented as the perfect opportunity to grow as a person.

Adapted from www.news.sky.com

TEXT 2. QUESTIONS — 1. READING COMPREHENSION. (2 POINTS) (0.5 points for each correct answer). Add TRUE or FALSE and copy the evidence from the text to support your answer. No marks are given for only TRUE or FALSE. No marks are given for T or F.

1. It is harder to find employment in the centre of the cities.
2. If you live near the centre, it will be more difficult for you to move around the city.
3. Time is essential for millennials.
4. Millennials look for places that function as housing and workplace at the same time.

2. LEXICON / PHONETICS (2 POINTS):

A. LEXICON. (1 POINT) (0.25 points for each correct answer). Find words or phrases in the text that mean the same as these given.

1. Travelling to work every day:
2. Searching:
3. Objectives:
4. Associated, related:

B. PHONETICS. (1 POINT) (0.25 points for each correct answer).

1. How is the "ed" pronounced in "concerned"? /t/, /d/, or /ɪd/?
2. How is the "i" pronounced in "life"? /aɪ/, /i:/ or /ɪ/?
3. How is the final "s" pronounced in "flats"? /s/, /z/ or /ɪz/?
4. Look for a word in the text with the diphthong /eɪ/.

PART II. USE OF ENGLISH. — 3. USE OF ENGLISH. (3 POINTS) (0.5 points for each correct answer). Choose SIX of these sentences and rewrite them starting with the words given. Only the first six will be corrected. No points will be given for the extra ones. Clearly identify the sentences you choose using the numbers here.

1. "Let's cook some pasta", John said. → John suggested ___
2. The mechanic is repairing my car now. → I'm ___
3. I love the book. I bought it yesterday. → I love ___
4. Paul knows how to speak French fluently. → Paul ___
5. They won't understand your problem unless you explain it. → If ___
6. They are going to discuss the issue in the meeting. → The issue ___
7. It's a pity you didn't come with us to London. → I wish ___
8. "Where did you put my books?", Mary asked me. → Mary asked me ___
9. Susan started playing the piano when she was 6. → Susan has ___
10. It's a good idea for you to study this subject. → You ___
11. My sister lives in Rome. She's studying a degree in art there. → My sister lives ___
12. Write the correct question for the underlined words: Mike sold his house because he moved to New York.

PART III. WRITING. Write ONE of these two compositions (3 POINTS). If you write two, no points will be given to the second one. Your composition must have at least 125 words.

OPTION 1: You have to choose your studies depending on what you like. Give your opinion.

OPTION 2: The advantages and disadvantages of living in a flat in the centre instead of in a house in the suburbs.