Reading comprehension: Text 1 - KKK founded
On December 24th, 1.865, a group of Confederate veterans gathered in Pulaski, Tennessee, to form a secret society which they called the Ku Klux Klan. It rapidly grew from a secret social association to a paramilitary force. They fought against the federal government's progressive activities in the South, especially policies that elevated the rights of the local black population.
The name of the Ku Klux Klan was derived from the Greek word kyklos, meaning "circle," and the Scottish-Gaelic word clan, which was probably chosen for the sake of alliteration. Under a platform of philosophized white racial superiority, the group employed violence as a means of pushing back Reconstruction and the liberation from slavery of African Americans. Former Confederate General Nathan B. Forrest was the KKK's first leader. In 1.869, he unsuccessfully tried to disband it after he grew critical of the Klan's excessive violence.
Most prominent in areas of the US where the races were relatively equal in number, the KKK participated in terrorist raids against African Americans and white Republicans at night, employing intimidation, destruction of property, assault, and murder to achieve its aims and to influence upcoming elections.
In a few Southern states, Republicans organized militia units to break up the Klan. In 1.871, President Ulysses S. Grant was authorized by Congress to use military force to suppress the KKK. As a result, nine South Carolina counties were placed under martial law and thousands of arrests were made. Years later, two revivals of the KKK took place: one in response to immigration in the 1910s and '20s, and another in response to the African American civil rights movement of the 1950s and '60s.
According to some experts, various divisions of the KKK still exist and operate in the 21st century. As a result, white supremacist violence is again increasing in America. Several high-profile events, including the 2.015 Charleston and the 2.019 El Paso shootings, were all promoted by white supremacy and racism.
(Adapted from http://www.history.com)
EXERCISE 1. Answer 3 of the following 4 questions, providing evidence from the text (maximum 1 point each, total 3 points):
a. Does the writer say that the KKK was originally a society with a religious orientation?
b. Does the author say that someone tried to make the KKK disappear few years after it was founded?
c. According to the text, has the American Army ever been used against the KKK?
d. According to the text, is the KKK still active nowadays?
EXERCISE 2. Find in the text words that fit in 4 of the following 5 gaps. Use just one word in each gap (maximum 0,5 points per word, total 2 points):
a. ......................... is a synonym of got together, congregated
b. ......................... is an antonym of satisfactorily, fruitfully
c. ......................... is a synonym of assassination, homicide
d. Someone who has been ......................... to do something has received formal permission to do it
e. ......................... are things that happen or take place, especially those of importance

Reading comprehension: Text 2 - Smartphone addiction
While a smartphone, tablet, or computer can be a really productive tool, compulsive use of these devices can interfere with work, school, and relationships. If you spend more time on social media or playing games than you do interacting with real people, or if you can't stop yourself from repeatedly checking texts, emails, or apps - even if that has a negative impact on your life -, you probably need to re-examine your technology use.
Smartphone addiction, sometimes colloquially known as "nomophobia" (fear of being without a working mobile phone), is often fueled by an Internet overuse problem or Internet addiction disorder. After all, it's rarely the phone itself that creates the compulsion, but rather the games, apps, and online worlds it connects us to.
Smartphone addiction can encompass a variety of impulse control problems, which include the following:
- Virtual relationships: Addiction to social networking and messaging can extend to the point where virtual, online friends become more important than real-life relationships. We've all seen couples sitting together in a restaurant who ignore each other and engage with their smartphones instead. While the Internet can be a great place to meet new people, reconnect with old friends, or even start romantic relationships, online relationships are not a healthy substitute for real-life interactions.
- Information overload: Compulsive web surfing, watching videos, playing games, or checking news feeds can lead to lower productivity at work or school and isolate you for hours at a time. Obsessive use of the Internet and smartphone apps can cause you to neglect other aspects of your life, from real-world relationships to hobbies and social activities.
- Online compulsions: Activities such as gaming, gambling, or online shopping can often lead to financial and job-related problems. While gambling addiction has been a well-documented problem for years, the fact that you can easily find it on the Internet has made gambling dangerously accessible. Besides, compulsive online shopping can be just as financially and socially damaging as gambling.
(Adapted from https://www.helpguide.org/)
EXERCISE 1. Answer 3 of the following 4 questions, providing evidence from the text (maximum 1 point each):
a. Does the author say that addiction is caused directly by smartphones?
b. According to the text, is there a risk that people we know personally may become less relevant to us than those we meet on the Internet?
c. Does the writer say that using our phones too often can have a bad effect on our academic or professional results?
d. According to the text, can we have problems if we buy too many things using the Internet?
EXERCISE 2. Find in the text words that fit in 4 of the following 5 gaps. Use just one word in each gap (maximum 0,5 points per word, total 2 points):
a. ..................... is a synonym of constantly, frequently
b. ..................... is an antonym of formally, ceremoniously
c. To ..................... a person means the same as not to pay any attention to him or her
d. ..................... is a synonym of replacement, alternative
e. ..................... is a synonym of available, reachable

SEGUNDO BLOQUE: REDACCION. Tres opciones, elegir una. Minimo 100 palabras. 3 puntos.
a. Do you think that governments should fight against racist and xenophobic groups? Why or why not?
b. Write a story ending with this sentence: "That day, Martha decided that she would never shop online again". Remember that the 11 words in this sentence cannot be counted in the 100 words you must write.
c. Write a formal essay in which you explain your personal reasons for or against allowing children under 12 years of age to have a tablet or a smartphone.

TERCER BLOQUE: TRANSFORMACION GRAMATICAL. Seis ejercicios; el alumno escoge y contesta exclusivamente cuatro. 0.5 pts cada uno.
a. Rewrite the following sentence in the negative form of the future perfect tense: Gambling addiction has been a well-documented problem for years.
b. Rewrite the following sentence in the active voice: In 1.871, President Ulysses S. Grant was authorized by Congress to use military force.
c. Rewrite in indirect style (reported speech), beginning with the words She said: We've seen couples sitting in a restaurant who ignore each other and engage with their smartphones instead.
d. Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first one. You must not change the initial six words: Smartphone addiction can encompass a variety of impulse control problems. -> A variety of impulse control problems...
e. Rewrite the following sentence as a third-type (impossible) conditional sentence: If you spend more time on social media than with real people, you probably need to re-examine your technology use.
f. Rewrite the following sentence in the negative-interrogative form of the present perfect continuous tense. Write only one sentence: White supremacist violence is increasing in America.