OPCIÓN A — TEENS AND PLASTIC SURGERY IN THE AGE OF SOCIAL MEDIA. In the digital era dominated by social media, teenagers find themselves navigating a complex landscape of beauty standards perpetuated by filters that promise flawless skin, perfected features, and an idealised version of beauty. This phenomenon has given rise to a concerning trend: an increasing number of teenagers resorting to plastic surgery in pursuit of the unattainable perfection they encounter daily on their screens.
Social media platforms, such as Instagram and Snapchat, have popularised beauty filters that enable users to digitally enhance their appearance in photos and videos. These filters, equipped with features like smoothing skin, enlarging eyes, and reshaping facial contours, create an unrealistic standard of beauty that teenagers, in particular, internalise as the norm. The pressure to conform to these digitally altered images has led many adolescents to consider drastic measures, including plastic surgery, to mirror the perfect looks promoted online.
One major consequence of the beauty filter trend is the distortion of self-perception among teenagers. Constant exposure to digitally altered images can contribute to a negative body image and erode self-esteem. As a result, teenagers may seek plastic surgery as a means to adjust their physical appearance with the hope of attaining the perfection presented on social media. This growing desire for physical perfection raises questions about the long-term impact on the mental health and self-worth of young individuals. Moreover, the accessibility of cosmetic procedures has increased, making them more enticing to teenagers. To make matters worse, some procedures are marketed as minimally invasive, leading 20 adolescents to underestimate the potential risks and implications associated with surgery.
Parents and educators play a crucial role in addressing this issue. Open conversations 25 about self-esteem, body image, and the influence of social media are essential to equip teenagers with the tools to critically evaluate the content they consume online. Additionally, promoting a healthy and realistic perspective on beauty, emphasising individuality and self-acceptance, can counteract the negative impact of beauty filters.
Answer these questions about the text. Use your own words wherever possible (2 points, 1 each).
a. In which way are social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat contributing to the problem of plastic surgery on teenagers?
b. How can parents and educators address this issue?

Read the following statements, decide whether they are true or false and justify your answer by quoting evidence from the text (1 point, 0,50 each).
a. Teens are constantly being subjected to a realistic opinion of their own beauty.
b. Adolescents see minimally invasive cosmetic procedures as risky than they really are.

Find in the text the word or group of words which match these definitions (1 point, 0,25 each).
a. Impossible to reach (paragraph 1).
b. Allow (paragraph 2).
c. Hurried, without thinking carefully (paragraph 3).
d. Neutralize, prevent (paragraph 4).

Complete the text using the correct words from the box below. There are 2 words that you won't need (2 points, 0,25 each).
Teens seek plastic surgery for many reasons. One reason many cite is that young people can be cruel, (a) ______ intentionally or not. For example, someone (b) ______ blurt out to a friend — "Gee, did you see that kid's nose?" — (c) ______ thinking of the pain it can cause. A constant barrage of cruel remarks often drives teens to take surgical action (d) ______ improve their appearance and self-esteem. Teens often report that their self-image and self-confidence improves (e) ______ their perceived physical shortcomings are corrected. While these reasons are similar to (f) ______ of adults, teens often want to fit in with others (g) ______ than stand out. So it is important for teens considering plastic surgery to be sure that they are doing it (h) ______ themselves and not to meet the expectations of anyone else.
BOX: IN ORDER TO · MOST · RATHER · WHETHER · SO THAT · THOSE · WITHOUT · WHEN · FOR · MAY

Write a composition of around 150-200 words on ONE of the following topics (4 points).
a. Imagine you sent someone face to face after chatting up in a social site. Write a letter to a friend telling him/her about your encounter, how you felt, how the date ended, if you were disappointed and so on.
b. Write an opinion essay on this topic: "Regardless of age, everyone has the right to make decisions about their own bodies".

OPCIÓN B — HOOLIGAN PARENTS, DON'T CHEER YOUR CHILD. Children's football matches are meant to be a platform for young athletes to learn, grow, and enjoy the sport in a supportive environment. Parents are important role models for their children, and their behavior at sporting events significantly influences how young athletes perceive competition and sportsmanship. Unfortunately, the rise of parental hooliganism has cast a dark shadow over these events, jeopardising the very essence of youth sports. When parents engage in hooliganism, they send the message that winning is everything, even at the cost of respect and fair play. This distorted perspective can confuse a child's understanding of the true spirit of sports, where the emphasis should be on teamwork, effort, and personal development. This alarming behavior exhibited by some parents tarnishes the image of the game and has profound and lasting effects on the children involved.
One of the most distressing aspects of parental hooliganism is the aggressive behavior displayed in the heat of the moment. Verbal abuse, confrontations with coaches, and even physical altercations have become disturbingly common at children's football matches. This aggressive behavior, often fueled by a misguided sense of competitiveness, sends the wrong message to the young players who are supposed to be learning about sportsmanship and teamwork. The consequences of parental hooliganism on children can be severe and long-lasting. Instead of enjoying the game and focusing on skill development, young players may find themselves burdened with stress and anxiety. The fear of disappointing their parents or facing aggression from the sidelines can hinder their performance and negatively impact their overall experience with the sport. This toxic environment may even drive some children away from sports altogether, robbing them of the numerous physical, social, and emotional benefits that organized sports can provide.
Educating parents about the impact of their behavior on children and the sporting community is essential. Workshops, seminars, and informational campaigns can help raise awareness of the importance of fostering a positive environment at youth sports events. Emphasising the values of respect, fair play, and encouragement can contribute to a cultural shift, promoting a healthier sporting atmosphere for everyone involved. It is essential that parents, as well as coaches, and sports organizations work together to create an environment where children can learn to love sports, free from the negative impact of hooliganism.
Answer this question about the text. Use your own words wherever possible (2 points).
a. What are the consequences of parental hooliganism on children?

Read the following statements, decide whether they are true or false and justify your answer by quoting evidence from the text (1 point, 0,50 each).
a. Children of hooligan parents may believe that beating the opponent outweighs respect and fair play.
b. Making a positive sports environment is primarily the responsibility of the parents.

Find in the text the word or group of words which match these definitions (1 point, 0,25 each).
a. Putting at risk (paragraph 1).
b. Upsetting, worrying, that causes sharp and strong anxiety, pain and sorrow (paragraph 2).
c. Loaded with (paragraph 2).
d. Promoting, encouraging (paragraph 3).

Complete the text using the correct words from the box below. There are 2 words that you won't need (2 points, 0,25 each).
Police had to intervene after a brawl broke (a) ______ on March 19 at a match involving (b) ______ playing a football match in Mallorca. A video captured by a mobile phone shows adults shouting, kicking and taking swings at each other. "There are children!"— a woman can be (c) ______ saying in the background. Another video that emerged (d) ______ this year showed two fathers squaring off at a stadium (e) ______ the island of Gran Canaria. One of the men was admitted (f) ______ hospital and had to have eye surgery. The videos have outraged Spaniards and have (g) ______ a spotlight on the responsibility of clubs (h) ______ the behavior of their young players' parents.
BOX: 13-YEAR-OLDS · 13-YEARS-OLD · EARLIER · OUT · THREW · ON · TO · FOR · THROWN · HEARD

Write a composition of around 150-200 words on ONE of the following topics (4 points).
a. Imagine you are going to start coaching a youth sports team. Write a letter to the team and the parents about your expectations for this year.
b. You saw a horrible fight between a few parents at a kids' football game last weekend. Complain about the embarrassing event in a formal letter to the town mayor. Describe what happened and ask for some urgent measures.