PRUEBAS DE ACCESO A LA UNIVERSIDAD PARA

MAYORES DE 25 AOS. 2010

INGLS. CDIGO 102

Opcin A
The Beatles
The Beatles were one of the most influential music groups of the rock era, and many
consider them the best musical group on Earth. Initially they affected the post-war baby
boom generation of Britain and the U.S. during the 1960s, and later the rest of the world.
Certainly they were the most successful group, with global sales exceeding 1.1 billion
records.
While they were originally famous for light-weight pop music (and the extreme
hysterical reaction they received from young women), their later works achieved a
combination of popular and critical acclaim perhaps unequaled in the 20th century.
Eventually, they became more than recording artists, branching out into film and
particularly in the case of John Lennon political activism. They achieved an iconic status
beyond mere celebrity, with far reaching effects difficult to exaggerate.
The members of the group were John Lennon, (James) Paul McCartney, George
Harrison and Ringo Starr (Richard Starkey), all from Liverpool, Merseyside, England.
Original drummer Pete Best was asked to leave the group just before it started recording.
Stuart Sutcliffe was with them in Hamburg but also left.
Beatlemania began in the UK and exploded following the appearance of the Beatles
on The Ed Sullivan Show in the United States, on February 9, 1964. The pop-music band
became a worldwide phenomenon with worshipful fans, hysterical adulation, and
denunciations by culture commentators and others such as Frank Sinatra.
I. Reading comprehension. Choose the correct answer. Only one answer is correct
[25%]
1. From the information in the text
A. The Beatles sold 1.1 billion records.
B. The Beatles sold less than 1.1 billion records.
C. The Beatles sold more than 1.1 billion records.
2. According to the text
A. The Beatles only recorded music.
B. The Beatles recorded music and also featured some films.
C. The Beatles were not involved in political activism.
3. Choose the correct answer.
A. John Lennon joined the group on February 9, 1964
B. Pete Best became the drummer on February 9, 1964.
C. Stuart Sutcliffe left the band.

4. The Beatles ...

A. had little influence on pop music.
B. had a great impact on the hearts and minds of many of their fans.
C. did not influence other artists.
5. Frank Sinatra ...
A. adored the Beatles.
B. was rather critical about the Beatles.
C. never knew about the Beatles.
II. Grammar and use of English. Answer the following questions. Be careful to follow
the instructions for each question [35%]
1. Put the verbs in brackets in the correct tense. Write the correct form of the verb on your
answer sheet [0.75]
1.1. The Beatles were an English rock band, __________ (form) in Liverpool in 1960.
1.2. The Beatles __________ (build) their reputation in Liverpool and Hamburg clubs
over a three-year period from 1960.
1.3. Nearly four decades after their breakup, The Beatles music __________ (continue)
to be popular.
2. Complete the sentences with the adequate word. Write the correct word on your answer
sheet [0.75]
2.1. Towards the end __________ 1962, the Beatles broke through to the UK charts
with Love Me Do.
2.2. __________ Christmas 1965 the Beatles released Rubber Soul.
2.3. In the course of history the Rolling Stones and countless other major groups are
loved, but the Beatles are universally __________ unconditionally adored.
3. Rewrite the following sentences. Write the complete new sentence on your answer sheet
[1]
3.1. The Beatles asked Ringo Starr to join the group.
Ringo Starr _________________________________________________________.
3.2. Books and TV documentaries on the Beatles must by now run into thousands.
There must be _______________________________________________________.
4. Vocabulary. Pick the odd word out and write it on your answer sheet [1]
4.1. rock
4.2. guitar

pop
drums

blues
instrument

music
piano

III. Writing. Answer the following questions. Express your ideas by using your own words
[40%]
1. What made the Beatles so special? [40-50 words]
2. Which is your favourite band? Explain why [40-50 words]

Opcin B
Big Ben
Big Ben is the nickname of the Great Bell of Westminster, the hour bell of the Great Clock,
hanging in the Clock Tower of the Palace of Westminster, the home of the Houses of
Parliament in the United Kingdom.
One theory holds that the bell was named "Big Ben" after Sir Benjamin Hall. Another
theory suggests that at the time anything which was heaviest of its kind was called "Big
Ben" after the then-famous prizefighter Benjamin Caunt, making it a natural name for the
bell.
Big Ben is commonly taken to be the name of the clock tower itself, but this is
incorrect the tower is simply known as The Clock Tower. Sometimes, the tower is referred
to as St. Stephen's Tower, but this title is not used by staff of the Palace of Westminster.
The clock is famous for its reliability. This is due to its designer, Edmund Beckett
Denison, later Lord Grimthorpe. As the clock mechanism, created to Denison's specification
by clockmaker Edward John Dent, was completed before the tower itself was finished,
Denison had time to experiment with the clock.
Big Ben is a focus of New Year celebrations in the UK, with radio and TV stations
tuning to its chimes1 to welcome the 'official' start of the year. Similarly, on Remembrance
Day2, the chimes of Big Ben are broadcast to mark the 11th hour of the 11th day of the
11th month and the start of two minutes silence.
I. Reading comprehension. Choose the correct answer. Only one answer is correct
[25%]
1. From the information in the text
D. Westminster is also known as Big Ben.
E. Big Ben is the name given to the Clock Tower of the Palace of Westminster.
F. Big Ben is the name given to the Great Bell of Westminster.
2. According
D. Some
E. Some
F. Some

to the text
people think that the bell was named "Big Ben" after Edward John Dent.
people think that the bell was named "Big Ben" after Lord Grimthorpe.
people think that the bell was named "Big Ben" after Sir Benjamin Hall.

3. Choose the correct answer.

D. Many people, erroneously, take Big Ben as the name of the clock tower itself.
E. The tower is also known as The Bell Tower.
F. Staff of the Palace of Westminster usually refer to The Clock Tower as St. Stephen's
Tower.
1
2

Campanadas.

It is a day to commemorate the sacrifices of members of the armed forces and of civilians in times of war.

4. The clock ...

D. is not very precise.
E. was completed just before the tower itself was finished.
F. is well-known for its accuracy.
5. Big Ben ...
D. welcomes the 'official' start of the year with a two minutes silence.
E. only marks the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
F. is a centre for a number of celebrations.
II. Grammar and use of English. Answer the following questions. Be careful to follow
the instructions for each question [35%]
1. Put the verbs in brackets in the correct tense. Write the correct form of the verb on your
answer sheet [0.75]
1.1. The clock __________ (have) its first and only major breakdown in 1975.
1.2. The famous quarter bells __________ (break) in late April 2004.
1.3. A 20-foot metal replica of the clock tower known as Little Ben __________ (stand)
on a traffic island close to Victoria Station.
2. Complete the sentences with the adequate word. Write the correct word on your answer
sheet [0.75]
2.1. The bell weighs 13.8 tonnes, with _________ striking hammer weighing 203.2 kg.
2.2. It is a common misconception __________ Big Ben is the heaviest bell in Britain.
2.3. __________ many years ITN's "News at Ten" began with an opening sequence
which featured Big Ben with the chimes punctuating the announcement of the news
headlines.
3. Rewrite the following sentences. Write the complete new sentence on your answer sheet
[1]
3.1. Big Ben can also be heard striking the hour before some news bulletins on BBC.
You can hear _______________________________________________________.
3.2. The Great Clock's pendulum is well isolated from external factors.
The Great Clock's pendulum has _______________________________________.
4. Vocabulary. Pick the odd word out and write it on your answer sheet [1]
4.1. time
watch
4.2. monument cathedral

clock
statue

alarm clock
museum

III. Writing. Answer the following questions. Express your ideas by using your own words
[40%]
3. What makes Big Ben so special? [40-50 words]
4. Which other monuments do you know? Which is your favourite one? [40-50 words]