Part 1: Listening comprehension — ULURU: EXPLORING THE HEART AND SPIRIT OF AUSTRALIA

In this radio programme you are going to hear some new words. Read and listen to them. Make sure you know what they mean. sandstone: pedra arenosa / piedra arenisca; layers: capes / capas; tilted: inclinat / inclinado; hue: tonalitat / tonalidad.

Choose the best answer according to the recording. Only ONE answer is correct. [3 points: 0.375 points for each correct answer. Wrong answers will be penalized by deducting 0.125 points. There is no penalty for unanswered questions.]

1. Why is Uluru considered sacred by the Anangu people?

• It is made of a rare type of sandstone.
• It holds deep connections to their Tjukurpa, or belief system.
• It is the deepest natural formation in Australia.
• It was used as a meeting point for caretakers.

2. Why do the Anangu discourage ascending Uluru?

• It poses significant risks to visitors.
• They encourage exploring other cultural experiences instead.
• They think it violates the sacred meaning of the site.
• There are no established trails to follow.

3. According to Chris Wood, how did Uluru form?

• In the same way as the Himalayas.
• Through the erosion of a mountain range.
• Through the petrification of an ancient sea.
• From the gradual accumulation of desert sand.

4. Why is Uluru red?

• It contains copper minerals.
• The sandstone oxidizes when in contact to the air.
• It is actually grey, not red.
• The soil around it stains the rock.

5. When is the worst time to visit Uluru?

• December to February.
• June to August.
• March to May.
• September to November.

6. What safety precautions are important when visiting Uluru?

• Avoiding interactions with local wildlife.
• Drinking water and using sun protection.
• Hiring a ranger or tour guide.
• Avoiding travel in the winter months.

7. What does the Uluru Cultural Center offer visitors?

• Accommodation for overnight stays.
• Guided tours of the rock base.
• Insights into Anangu culture.
• Spiritual support.

8. What surprises visitors about Uluru’s surroundings?

• The absence of vegetation.
• The many caves, waterholes, and wildlife.
• The availability of tourist shops and restaurants.
• The lack of walking paths around the base.

Part 2: Reading comprehension — TIPPING IS MORE CONFUSING THAN EVER. HERE’S HOW TO HANDLE IT (texto adapted from David Shipley, The Washington Post, September 23, 2.024).

Answer the questions below using complete sentences. You may use fragments from the text unless specified not to do so. [3 points: 0.5 points for each correct answer. Up to 0.3 points might be deducted from the total mark for lack of intelligibility in the answers provided.]

1. When and how did the practice of tipping start in America?

2. Find a sentence in the text that corresponds to the following rewritten/paraphrased sentence: “Since the early days of the United States, people have routinely added a small bonus to their payments.”

3. Explain the tip credit system that was created in the 1960s IN YOUR OWN WORDS. You may use the words pay, minimum and businesses.

4. Why are tips believed to be expected in more places now?

5. Rewrite/paraphrase the sentence: “People’s tips might depend on how they look rather than the quality of their service” (lines 27-28). You may keep grammatical words (i.e. the, might, their, how, etc.) and the following words: tips, service.

6. Explain IN YOUR OWN WORDS the second factor customers should consider when deciding whether to tip or not.

Part 3: Writing — Choose ONE topic. Your answer should be 125-150 words in length. There is no specific penalty for exceeding 150 words in length. [4 points: 1 point for grammar, 1 point for vocabulary and spelling, 1 point for cohesion and 1 point for adequacy and coherence.]

1. In many households, traditional dishes are disappearing, and only the older generations of the family still cook them, whereas the young tend to prefer some form of fast food. Your teacher has organized a class debate in which you will have to defend traditional food. As a conclusion to the debate, the teacher would like you to write an opinion essay with your views on the topic. In your text you should mention why you think this is happening, examples of recipes that are being lost, the advantages that these dishes have and why it is important to keep this heritage.

2. You are attending a creative writing class where you are working on feelings and sensations. For next week, you have been asked to write a description of a single day during your favorite season of the year. Whether it’s a crisp autumn morning, a bright summer afternoon, or a snowy winter evening, bring the season to life with descriptive details. Focus on the atmosphere, the activities, and the sensations that make this day so memorable.