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 GBP30,000 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.
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:/, /I/ or /aI/?
2. How do you pronounce the "th" in "worth"? /D/ or /T/?
3. How is the "s" pronounced in "thinks"? /s/, /z/, or /Iz/?
4. How is the "u" pronounced in "study"? /U/, /u:/ or /V/?

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.
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.