# Pruebas de acceso a facultades, escuelas técnicas superiores y colegios universitarios

Comunidad: | Comunidad Valenciana
Convocatoria: | Junio de 1998
Modalidad: | LOGSE - Todas
Ejercicio: | 1er Ejercicio B
Asignatura: | Inglés
Obligatoriedad: | Obligatoria
Duración: | 60 minutos
Baremo: | Reading comprehension: Open questions: 2 points (1 point each); True/False: 1 point (0.5 each); Find synonym: 1 point (0.5 each); Multiple choice: 2 points (0.5 each); Composition: 4 points.

## Part A. Reading comprehension

Read the following text:

CHRISTMAS IN BARCELONA

Nestled between mountains in Spain's Catalonia region, just below the French border, Barcelona enjoys an enviable balmy climate. Here all manner of flowers blossom even in the heart of winter, from classic Christmas poinsettias to delicate violets.

"The most beautiful street in the world", said Somerset Maugham of Las Ramblas, the famous promenade in Barcelona's Old Town. Lined with banana trees and palms, it attracts strollers at most any hour, filling the air with a singsong of Spanish and Catalan, Barcelona's co-official languages.

No matter where a holiday visitor turns in Old Town's Gothic Quarter, or Barri Gòtic as it is known, she is likely to see a glorious spectacle- medieval buildings festooned with row upon row of lights, ribbons and wreaths.

During the Santa Lucia Christmas Fair, which begins on December 13th, gift stalls line the streets selling such handcrafts as ceramics, puppets, and espadrilles. So festive is the mood that street musicians roll out pianos and perform music to entertain passersby.

Even after Christmas, the merriment continues. On January 5th, families will gather at the waterfront to see the Three Kings of the Orient sail into the harbor to make their procession through the streets of Old Town- the way lit by children carrying lamps and candles.

Victoria. vol.11, Number 12. December 1997.

I. Answer the following questions using your own words:

1. What can any visitor observe in Old Town?
2. How do the Three Kings of the Orient get to Barcelona?

II. Are the following statements true (T) or false (F)?

1. Catalan is the only official language of Barcelona.
2. During Christmas, Barcelona is a festival of lights.

III. Find a word or phrase in the text which, in context, is similar in meaning to...

1. a public place for walking, as an avenue.
2. a small compartment, booth, table or counter, as at a market or fair, at which goods are sold.

IV. Choose a,b,c or d in each questions below. Only one choice is correct.

1. In Barcelona, you can find poinsettias...
   1. only in Christmas.
   2. only in the heart of winter.
   3. never in winter.
   4. all the year round.
2. The weather is described as being...
   1. hot.
   2. pleasant.
   3. unpleasant.
   4. stormy.
3. According to the text, Las Ramblas are filled with...
   1. people buying bananas.
   2. palm readers.
   3. people walking in a leisurely manner.
   4. people singing Catalan and Spanish songs.
4. At the Santa Lucia Fair, any holiday visitor...
   1. can buy hand-made objects.
   2. can learn how to play the piano.
   3. can watch a puppet show.
   4. can sell ceramics.

## Part B. Composition (100-150 words approximately)

Choose one of the following topics:

1. How do you celebrate Christmas?
2. According to Somerset Maugham, Las Ramblas is the most beautiful street in the world. Describe the city you like the most.

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