Reading comprehension: Text 1 - World's Freshwater Ecosystems Contaminated with Salt Pollution
Saltwater pollution of the world's freshwater ecosystems is on the rise, and the current water quality regulations in North America and Europe aren't strict enough to prevent it. An international study conducted by scientists from Europe and North America found that freshwater lakes are being significantly harmed by salt levels that are just below the levels considered safe by government regulators in Canada, Europe and the U.S. The study examined 16 sites in four countries and found that salinization of freshwater caused a significant loss of zooplankton - tiny aquatic microorganisms typically found near the water's surface - and an increase in algae.
"It's clear that years of salt pollution in freshwater lakes threaten the biodiversity of freshwater ecosystems. This is a global problem that has the potential to impact ecosystems and human health," said Rick Relyea, director of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. For example, young fish feed on the zooplankton found near the surface of healthy freshwater ecosystems. Increases in the salinity of freshwater can interfere with water quality and disrupt the cycles of nutrients, as well as affect population numbers of fish species. Less than a teaspoon of salt can cause the salinity level of twenty litres of water to be unhealthy for numerous aquatic creatures.
At nearly 50 percent of the sites studied, less zooplankton led to more phytoplankton, or algae. More algae can make the water dirty, which is much more than an aesthetic problem. It can prevent sunlight from making it through the surface of the water to the plants below. "More algae in the water could lead to a reduction in water clarity, which could affect organisms living on the bottom of lakes as well," said Shelley Arnott, professor of aquatic ecology at Queen's University. "The loss of zooplankton leading to more algae has the potential to alter lake ecosystems in ways that might change the services lakes provide, such as recreational opportunities, drinking water quality, and fisheries."
(Adapted from www.ecowatch.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 text say that saltwater pollution is increasing?
b. According to the text, is the following statement true or false? Saltwater is beneficial for zooplankton.
c. Does the writer say that a lot of salt is necessary to pollute water?
d. According to the text, can saltwater pollution affect leisure activities and sports on lakes?
EXERCISE 2. Find in the text words to solve 4 of the following 5 questions. Use just one word in each case (maximum 0,5 points per word, total 2 points):
a. A synonym for severe, inflexible.
b. My grandfather died last year. It was a sad __________ for me.
c. A synonym for very small, minuscule.
d. Find a word for this definition: make something vulnerable or at risk.
e. An antonym for surface, top.

Reading comprehension: Text 2 - Spain Has the Highest Proportion of First-Time Mothers Over 40 in the EU
Spain has become the country with the highest proportion of first-time mothers over 40 in the European Union. According to figures from the EU's statistic agency Eurostat, based on 2.017 data, 8.8% of women in the country were over 40 when they gave birth to their first child. In the previous 2.015 study, Italian women had the greatest tendency to come to motherhood late. The phenomenon in Spain has been building over the past decade, with births from mothers aged 40 and over rising 63%, according to the National Statistics Institute (INE).
Spanish youth are among the latest to leave home in the EU (average age is 29), while the average age for first-time mothers is 31. Figures show an average of 1.25 children per woman in 2.018. A number of experts point out that more than half the women who are not mothers would have liked to have had children. However, a prolonged wait due to the lack of secure employment, unaffordable housing, and a lack of state subsidies, has worked against them. Other women simply prefer to be older mothers, a cultural shift based on the desire for greater economic and professional stability. Italy and Spain also lead the EU when it comes to giving birth at 50 and over - which contrasts sharply with the 92% of Europeans who have their first child between 20 and 39.
"If couples leave it later and later to have children and women become mothers when they are more mature, many will end up not being able to have children. And this is what is happening in Spain," says Diego Ramiro, a demographic expert at the Spanish National Research Council. "More than 20% of women born in the 1970s will not have children. We have not yet caught up with Japan where the figure is almost 30%, but there could be long-term consequences. For example, when people get old, they won't have a family network to look after them and other care systems will have to be put in place."
(Adapted from www.english.elpais.com, 2.019)
EXERCISE 1. Answer 3 of the following 4 questions, providing evidence from the text (maximum 1 point each):
a. According to the text, has Spain always had the highest proportion of mothers over 40?
b. Does the author say that young people in Spain live on their own at an early age?
c. According to the text, is the following statement true or false? Economic factors play a big role in Spain's tendency to come to motherhood late.
d. According to the text, is the following statement true or false? Low birth numbers may have consequences for elderly people in the future.
EXERCISE 2. Find in the text words to solve 4 of the following 5 questions. Use just one word in each gap (maximum 0,5 points per word, total 2 points):
a. A synonym for trend, propensity.
b. Give a word for the following definition: a fact or situation that is observed to exist or happen.
c. Find a word for this definition: young people considered as a group.
d. A synonym for extended, continued.
e. An antonym for inexpensive, economical.

SEGUNDO BLOQUE: REDACCION. Tres opciones, elegir una. Minimo 100 palabras. 3 puntos.
a. Write a story beginning with the following sentence: "Sarah did not expect to become a mother in her forties." Remember that the 11 words in this sentence cannot be counted in the 100 words you must write.
b. Imagine that you are a scientist who studies water ecosystems. Write an email to your local/regional government giving suggestions to help protect these ecosystems.
c. Would you like to have children in the future? Why or why not?

TERCER BLOQUE: TRANSFORMACION GRAMATICAL. Seis ejercicios; el alumno escoge y contesta exclusivamente cuatro. 0.5 pts cada uno (max 2 pts).
a. Rewrite the following sentence in the interrogative form of the conditional perfect tense: Saltwater pollution is on the rise.
b. Rewrite the following relative clause as two separate sentences. Do not omit or replace any part of it: More algae in the water leads to a reduction in water clarity, which could affect organisms living in lakes.
c. Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first one. You must not change the initial two words: Freshwater lakes are being significantly harmed by salt levels. -> Salt levels...
d. Rewrite the following sentence as a second-type (hypothetical) conditional: If couples leave it later and later to have children, many will end up not being able to have children.
e. Rewrite the following sentence in indirect style (reported speech), beginning with the words: The Prime Minister warned... "Other care systems will have to be put in place."
f. Rewrite the following sentence in the passive voice. Do not omit any part of it: Salinization of freshwater caused a significant loss of zooplankton.