QUESTION 1. READ THE TEXT AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BELOW. (5 POINTS)

TEXT A

The resurgence of vinyl records in recent years has thrilled music enthusiasts, driven by a mixture of nostalgia, a love for the tangible nature of music, and the distinct sound quality offered by vinyl. However, as vinyl's popularity continues to rise, there's a growing apprehension about the potential negative impact of the avarice of major labels on this revival.

For music lovers, the renewed interest in vinyl brings a breath of fresh air, allowing them to savour the ritual of choosing a record, placing it on a turntable, and immersing themselves in a tangible musical experience. Vinyl's analogue warmth and rich sound quality have contributed significantly to its resurgence, with fans arguing that vinyl provides a superior listening experience compared to digital formats.

Despite the positive aspects of the vinyl revival, concerns arise regarding the role of major labels and their potential exploitation of the trend for financial gain. With vinyl sales on the rise, major record labels have re-entered the vinyl market, often reissuing classic albums or releasing new records at higher prices. Criticism has emerged, accusing big labels of capitalising on the revival without actively contributing to the preservation of vinyl culture.

Additionally, the increase in vinyl demand has strained pressing plants, causing production delays and quality control issues. Major labels, benefiting from their financial power, have prioritized their releases over those of independent artists and smaller labels, exacerbating challenges for the independent music community.

In response to these concerns, consumers must be mindful of the potential impact of their purchasing decisions. Supporting independent record stores, seeking releases from smaller labels, and exploring the diverse landscape of underground and specialized music can contribute to a more varied and authentic vinyl market. While the resurgence of vinyl is undoubtedly exciting for music enthusiasts, it is crucial to remain vigilant and support the diverse ecosystem of artists, labels, and independent businesses involved in the vinyl revival.

1.1. Indicate whether the following statements are true or false (T/F) according to the text. Copy that part (and ONLY that part) of the text which justifies your answer. (1.5 points)

a. As the vinyl's revival is growing, the possible greedy interest of record companies is questioned.
b. The rebirth of vinyl is only due to the higher quality of sound.
c. Record companies are blamed for their contribution to the development of the vinyl's revival.
d. The high request for albums led to the review of quality features and to longer production times.
e. Consumers are careless about their choices when buying music.
f. Excitement alone is not sufficient for the sustainability of the vinyl resurgence.

1.2. For each of these words find a word or phrase in Text A with the same meaning. (1 point)

a. fear; b. enjoy; c. republishing; d. worsening; e. stimulating.

1.3. Write a new sentence that has the same meaning as the given one. You must use the word or expression in brackets. (2 points)

a. She advised Mary not to go to that hotel because it gets too crowded. (to avoid)
b. "Don´t rush into a decision." (warned)
c. "What time was the parcel delivered yesterday?", John asked. (John wanted to know…)
d. That hotel is said to be the best in this city. Many celebrities have stayed in it. (where)
e. Sara often speaks in public. (is used)

1.4. Pronunciation. (0.5 points)

a. In which word are the underlined vowels pronounced differently? double, fun, money, countable, mother.
b. In which word are the underlined letters pronounced as the "s" in "past"? casual, prize, season, mass, watches.
c. In which word do(es) the vowel(s) sound like the vowel in "tall"? pool, chalk, calm, cold, bowl.
d. In which two words is the past ending "-ed" pronounced as in "loved"? missed, walked, preferred, laughed, admitted, played, stopped, needed.

QUESTION 2. READ THE TEXT AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BELOW. (5 POINTS)

TEXT B

In December 2.016, Edgar M. Welch drove six hours from his home to Washington DC, where he opened fire in a pizzeria with an assault rifle. He had previously read an online news story about the restaurant being the headquarters of a group of child abusers run by Hillary Clinton. He decided to investigate for himself; fortunately, no one was hurt.

The Hillary Clinton pizzeria conspiracy is a noticeable case of the 'fake news' trend. It surfaced on websites and social media in late October prior to the US election. Despite denials from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Washington Post, scepticism persisted. Tweets by the fictitious 'Representative Steven Smith of the 15th District of Georgia' alleged mainstream media falsehoods, gaining numerous retweets. Fake news stories can be hard to control for several reasons. Many people mistrust established news sources and others just don't read them, so the refutation of a fake story by a serious newspaper or TV channel has limited effects. In addition, the Internet is very hard to police. When users are caught misusing one media platform, they simply go to another one or start up a website themselves. The creation of false information stems from diverse motives. Some use it for political agendas. Profit-driven individuals exploit entertaining fake news for advertising income; others seem to mix financial motives with boredom, crafting fabricated stories about figures like Donald Trump.

So, what can we do to stop fake news spreading? First, make sure that the websites you read are legitimate. Check the sources of any quotes or figures given in the story. Remember that amazing stories about famous people will be covered by the mainstream media if they are true. Only share stories you know are true. Together we can turn around the post-truth world!

2.1. Indicate whether the following statements are true or false (T/F) according to the text. Copy that part (and ONLY that part) of the text which justifies your answer. (1.5 points)

a. Edgar M. Welch's journey to Washington DC was precipitated by his firm belief in an online narrative.
b. Media efforts to expose misinformation don't consistently bring about successful outcomes.
c. Individuals spreading fake news do not usually move to a different website and platform if they face exposure.
d. Some people use misinformation to solve their economic difficulties.
e. Conventional media will report on remarkable stories involving well-known individuals if they are indeed true.
f. Nothing can be done to change the world we live in.

2.2. For each of these words find a word or phrase in Text B with the same meaning. (1 point)

a. significant; b. made-up; c. comes from; d. earnings; e. stunning.

2.3. Write a composition answering this question: Can music transcend cultural boundaries and truly serve as the universal language? (Approximately 120 words) (2.5 points)

QUESTION 3. ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BELOW. (5 POINTS)

3.1. Write a new sentence that has the same meaning as the given one. You must use the word or expression in brackets. (2 points)

a. She hasn´t called me. She probably didn´t remember my number. (must)
b. They want their family to leave them alone. (wish)
c. He was so pushy that he didn´t get the job. (if)
d. She couldn´t finish her work last week. They hadn´t fixed her computer. (broken)
e. I haven´t had a holiday for ages. (it´s)

3.2. Pronunciation. (0.5 points)

a. In which word are the underlined vowels pronounced differently? breathe, threat, ready, meant.
b. In which word is the ending "-s" pronounced as in "handkerchiefs"? encourages, beds, kiss, keys.
c. In which two words does the stress fall on the second syllable? manager, demand, mentally, garment, marvellous, correct, specially, reasonable.
d. In which word is the letter "s" pronounced? island, debris, absence, aisle.

3.3. Write a composition answering this question: What role does a journalist play in providing accurate and impartial information? (Approximately 120 words) (2.5 points)