Reading comprehension: Text 1 - One of Europe's longest walls hidden in Spanish city. Walled cities are not uncommon in Spain, however, one of its most impressive and arguably the longest in mainland Europe is hidden near the border with Portugal... (Euro Weekly News. January 2.024. Adapted)
EXERCISE 1. Answer 3 of the following 4 questions, providing evidence from the text (maximum 1 point each, total 3 points):
a. Does the author say that few cities in Spain have walls?
b. According to the text, has Badajoz been a place of conflict historically?
c. According to the text, were there money problems when the wall was renewed in the 17th century?
d. Is the following statement true or false? Badajoz's wall is the longest in Spain.
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. Find a synonym for concealed, kept out of sight.
b. Find a word for this definition: a person who designs, builds, and maintains complicated equipment.
c. The chess champion made a clever ____________ move that led him to victory.
d. Thanks to the panoramic camera system, you can look at the building from different _____________.
e. Find a word for this definition: (adj.) having to do with the design and construction of buildings.

Reading comprehension: Text 2 - Students find Erasmus replacement scheme inadequate, analysis finds. The British government's post-Brexit replacement for the EU's Erasmus+ student exchange programme (Turing scheme) is not going as planned... (The Guardian. January 2.024. Adapted)
EXERCISE 1. Answer 3 of the following 4 questions, providing evidence from the text:
a. According to the text, did the majority of British universities have problems with the Turing programme?
b. When the Turing scheme started, was the number of students in it as high as the government expected?
c. Is the following statement true or false? The Government believed that the Turing scheme would benefit poor students.
d. Does Geoff Barton believe that studying in a foreign country is a good thing?
EXERCISE 2. Find in the text words to solve 4 of the following 5 questions:
a. If you want a job, first you send an ______________ and then they may call you for an interview.
b. Find a synonym for goal, aim.
c. Find a synonym for obstacles, obstructions.
d. Find a word for this definition: with an international or worldwide scope.
e. Find a synonym for abilities, aptitudes.

SEGUNDO BLOQUE: REDACCION. El segundo bloque consiste en una pregunta de redaccion con tres opciones, de las cuales el alumno debera escoger y realizar tan solo una. La redaccion tendra que contener cien palabras como minimo. La puntuacion maxima es de tres puntos.
a. Imagine that you are studying at a foreign university. Write a letter to your family describing your experience.
b. Write a story that begins with the words: 'The archaeologist found a secret door in the ancient wall, and it was open.' Remember that the 14 words in this sentence cannot be counted in the 100 words you must write.
c. Do you think that governments should protect our architectural heritage? Why or why not? What can you do to help?

TERCER BLOQUE: TRANSFORMACION GRAMATICAL. El tercer bloque contiene seis ejercicios de transformacion gramatical, de los cuales el alumno debera escoger y contestar exclusivamente cuatro. Cada ejercicio contestado vale medio punto como maximo. La puntuacion maxima del bloque en su conjunto es de dos puntos.
a. Rewrite the following sentence in the active voice. Do not omit any part of it. 'This structure has been designed by a French engineer to withstand attacks.'
b. Rewrite the following sentence in the interrogative form of the conditional perfect. 'Inadequate funding had a disproportionate impact on students.'
c. Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first one. 'Despite economic challenges, the wall created a formidable barrier.' Although ……………………
d. Rewrite the following sentence as a third-type (impossible) conditional: 'If you study abroad, you'll have a chance to experience other cultures.'
e. Rewrite the following sentences into a main clause and a non-defining relative clause. 'Badajoz's wall was built in the 17th century. The wall was influenced by a French engineer.'
f. Rewrite the following sentence in the reported speech form, beginning 'The Minister said…' 'The Turing scheme has been a real change for disadvantaged students this year.'