Since rising to prominence in the 1950s, television has become a universal experience for people of all ages. And until recently, due to lack of variety, everyone watched the same programmes most of the time. The top-rated non-sporting event in American history was the M*A*S*H finale, viewed by 105.9 million Americans. That was nearly half the U.S. population in 1983. But the days of the family gathered around the TV set and watching their favourite show together are now long gone.
Many young people no longer have cable and it’s become more and more common to hear people say they “don’t even have a TV.” Both of these statements may be true, but it doesn’t mean young people are consuming less visual entertainment. It just means they’re watching less live television on traditional television screens. People aged 25-34 watch less than half as much live TV as those aged 50-64, but they’ve just turned their attention to other screens and different times.
Streaming services like Netflix are largely responsible. Thanks to its cheap monthly subscription that can be shared between multiple users, I know exactly zero people my age who do not have access to Netflix. Its success can be attributed to a number of factors, most notably its ease of use – you can connect to Netflix via your phone, computer, Smart TV, a gaming console, or nearly anything with an internet connection. Many traditional networks now even post their shows online, for free – accessible for anyone who wants to watch.
Access to whichever show you want, whenever you want, has made television a more solitary experience. We can now watch a sporting event or our favourite show on a tablet or a phone. The top rated shows on television remain on networks like CBS and NBC, but the median age of viewers is creeping towards 60.
What lies ahead is even more confusing. Today’s kids are even more adverse to traditional TV; entire careers are now made off producing daily or weekly YouTube videos. One particular YouTube personality, Logan Paul, has 17 million subscribers and posts a new video daily. But all in all consumers both young and old benefit. An increasingly competitive marketplace provides us with hundreds of shows to choose from and watch however we like. It’s a golden age for television, even if we don’t call it television anymore.
(M*A*S*H – a popular American TV series from the 1970 and 80s.) May 30, 2018. Edmonton Prime Times (Adapted)
Question 1: [2 POINTS] Indicate whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.
a) At least three quarters of the people in the US watched the end of M*A*S*H in 1983.
b) The author has many friends his age who do not use Netflix.
c) The fact that Netflix is not difficult for people to use makes it attractive.
d) Logan Paul uploads a video to YouTube 3 times a week.
Question 2: [2 POINTS] Answer the following questions in your own words according to the text.
a) According to the text, how has the way people watch TV changed over the last 50 years?
b) How does the author say a person’s age affects the way they probably watch tv programmes nowadays?
Question 3: [1,5 POINTS] Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the words and definitions given.
a) usual, typical (paragraph 2)
b) through (paragraph 3)
c) average (paragraph 4)
d) specific (paragraph 5)
e) everything considered, on the whole (paragraph 5)
Question 4: [1,5 POINTS] Choose the correct option, a, b, c or d for each question and COPY the sentence onto your answer sheet.
1. The text says that young people...
a) used to watch more live television.
b) are getting used to watching more live television now.
c) don`t watch any live television at all.
d) didn’t use to watch as much live television.
2. The text suggests that if services like Netflix were more expensive,...
a) more people could afford them.
b) nobody would use them.
c) fewer people would probably watch them.
d) nobody would ever use them.
3. The text explains that the shows people watch the most...
a) are no longer produced by the traditional networks.
b) are still produced by the traditional networks.
c) can no longer be seen on portable devices.
d) can now only be seen on portable devices.
Question 5: [3 POINTS] Write a short essay (about 120-150 words) on the following topic:
– In your opinion, is it better to watch movies at home via the internet or at the cinema? Give reasons for your opinion.
OPCIÓN DE EXAMEN Nº 2
Is Owning a Dog Good for Your Health?
Dogs really are our best friends, according to a Swedish study that says canine ownership could reduce heart disease. A study of 3.4 million people between the ages of 40 and 80 found that having a dog was associated with a 23 % reduction in death from heart disease and a 20 % lower risk of dying from any cause over the 12 years of the study. Previous studies have suggested dogs relieve social isolation and depression – both linked to an increased risk of heart disease and early death.
Dog owners show better responses to stress (their blood pressure and pulse rates don’t soar), have higher levels of physical activity and slightly lower cholesterol levels. The American Heart Association released a statement in 2013 saying that owning a dog “was probably” associated with a reduced risk of heart disease. Their reluctance to more strongly endorse dog ownership is because most previous studies are what is called observational – researchers note an association, but can’t prove causation. This means that other factors might explain why dog owners are healthier than, say, goldfish owners – for example, perhaps only people who are fit in the first place purchase pets that need daily walkies.
This latest study found the biggest positive impact of having a dog was on people living alone. “It seems that a dog can be a substitute for living with other people in terms of reducing the risk of dying,” says Tove Fall, an epidemiologist and the lead author of the study. “Dogs encourage you to walk, they provide social support and they make life more meaningful. If you have a dog, you interact more with other people. If you do get ill and go into hospital and you have a dog, there’s a huge motivation to try to get back home.”
Of course, getting a dog and watching it from your sofa while you eat fatty food is not going to reduce your risk of heart disease. And a toy dog may look cute, but won’t have any effect either. Fall’s study showed the most health benefits came from having retrievers or pointers. Until her German shorthaired pointer died last year, she ran 10km with her most days. “In Sweden, we have one of the lowest rates of dog ownership in Europe,” says Fall, who has recently got a new puppy. “Maybe this will increase the acceptance that dogs are important to people.”
Question 1: [2 POINTS] Indicate whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.
a) People who have a pet dog will suffer more from cholesterol-related health problems.
b) Dog owners tend to do more physical exercise.
c) The study suggests some breeds of dog are more beneficial than others.
d) Tove Fall doesn’t have a dog of her own anymore.
Question 2: [2 POINTS] Answer the following questions in your own words according to the text.
a) What does the study described in the text prove?
b) According to the text what are the two major changes in lifestyle that having a dog brings about?
Question 3: [1,5 POINTS] Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the words and definitions given.
a) to decrease (paragraph 1)
b) earlier (paragraph 1)
c) possibility (paragraph 2)
d) the most recent (paragraph 3)
e) adorable, pretty (paragraph 4)
Question 4: [1,5 POINTS] Choose the correct option, a, b, c or d for each question and COPY the sentence onto your answer sheet.
1. The main study described in the text...
a) followed more than three million people for 12 months.
b) followed more than three million people for less than a year.
c) followed more than three million people for over a decade.
d) followed less than three million people for over a year.
2. Having a dog is said...
a) to significantly increase the owner's risk of heart disease.
b) to significantly increase the time the owner spends in hospital.
c) to significantly increase the owner’s need of companionship.
d) to significantly increase the owner’s overall health.
3. The study suggests that being a dog owner...
a) is the only cause of a decrease in health risks.
b) is only one possible cause of a decrease in health risks.
c) is not likely to be the cause of a decrease in health risks.
d) is not related to a decrease in health risks.
Question 5: [3 POINTS] Write a short essay (about 120-150 words) on the following topic:
– What are the pros and cons of owning a pet? Which animals make the best pets? Give reasons for your opinion.
KEY
OPCIÓN 1
Question1:[2 POINTS] Indicate whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.
Se otorgará 0,5 pts a cada respuesta.
1. At least three quarters of the people in the US watched the end of M*A*S*H in 1983. FALSE. That was nearly half the U.S. population in 1983.
2. The author has many friends his age who do not use Netflix.
FALSE I know exactly zero people my age who do not have access to Netflix.
3. The fact that Netflix is not difficult for people to use makes it attractive.
TRUE Its success can be attributed to a number of factors, most notably its ease of use.
4. Logan Paul uploads a video to YouTube 3 times a week.
FALSE Logan Paul, has 17 million subscribers and posts a new video daily.
Question 2:[2 POINTS] Answer the following questions in your own words according to the text.
Cada apartado se valorará con 1 pt. 0´5 para la comprensión del texto y 0´5 para la expresión escrita respectivamente.
1. According to the text, how has the way people watch TV changed over the last 50 years?
The text says that people watch less live TV although they still watch TV shows on computers and other portable devices. This is particularly true for younger people, and as a result people don’t watch TV as a family much nowadays and so it has become a less sociable activity.
2. How does the author say a person’s age affects the way they probably watch tv programmes nowadays?
Younger people watch shows on their own on their phones, computers or tablets. They often use online services to view the shows they want to watch, whenever they want to watch them. Older people still tend to watch TV in the more traditional way.
Question 3:[1,5 POINTS]Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the words given: Se otorgará 0,3 pts. a cada respuesta
1. usual, typical (paragraph 2) common
2. through (paragraph 3) via
3. average (paragraph 4) median
4. specific (paragraph 5) particular
5. everything considered, on the whole (paragraph 5) all in all
Question 4:[1,5 POINTS]Choose the correct option, a, b, c or d for each question and COPY the sentence onto your answer sheet.
Se otorgará 0,5 pts. a cada respuesta
1. The text says that young people...
d. didn’t use to watch as much live television.
2. The text suggests that if services like Netflix were more expensive,...
c. fewer people would probably watch them.
3. The text explains that the shows people watch the most...
b. are still produced by the traditional networks.
OPCIÓN 2
Question1:[2 POINTS] Indicate whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.
Se otorgará 0,5 pts a cada respuesta.
1. People who have a pet dog will suffer more from cholesterol-related health problems.
FALSE have higher levels of physical activity and slightly lower cholesterol levels.
2. Dog owners tend to do more physical exercise. TRUE Dogs encourage you to walk.
have higher levels of physical activity
3. The study suggests some breeds of dog are more beneficial than others.
TRUE Fall’s study showed the most health benefits came from having retrievers or pointers.
4. Tove Fall doesn’t have a dog of her own anymore.
FALSE says Fall, who has recently got a new puppy.
Question 2:[2 POINTS] Answer the following questions in your own words according to the text
Cada apartado se valorará con 1 pt. 0´5 para la comprensión del texto y 0´5 para la expresión escrita respectivamente.
1. What does the study described in the text prove?
The study proves that having a dog as a pet is good for your health, and in particular is useful to reduce the chance of you suffering from the specific health issues associated with heart disease.
2. According to the text what are the two major changes in lifestyle that having a dog brings about?
Firstly, owing a dog can bring about social benefits as the pet will be company for people who live on their own or feel loneliness. The second change in lifestyle is more related to physical health since having a dog normally means that you do more exercise.
Question 3:[1,5 POINTS]Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the words given.
Se otorgará 0,3 pts. a cada respuesta
1. To decrease (paragraph 1) reduce
2. earlier (paragraph 1) previous
3. possibility (paragraph 2) risk
4. the most recent (paragraph 3) the latest
5. adorable, pretty (paragraph 4) cute
Question 4:[1,5 POINTS]Choose the correct option, a, b, c or d for each question and COPY the sentence onto your answer sheet.
Se otorgará 0,5 pts. a cada respuesta
1. The main study described in the text...
c. followed more than three million people for over a decade.
2. Having a dog is said...
d. to significantly increase the owner’s overall health.
3. The study suggests that being a dog owner...
b. is only one possible cause of a decrease in health risks.
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario