PAU mock exam 1

Silence
Can you imagine a world without sound? It’s difficult, isn’t it? We live in a culture that insists on sharing every idea, every thought,
every feeling as it occurs. There is noise all around us: traffic, noise pollution, the buzzing of machines, people talking, ring tones,
music, TV, needless chatter and some of us even have to put up with loud chatter in our own minds. It seems like we never get a
break from it! Many people dislike silence as it can be disconcerting and can make us feel uncomfortable and alone, but a moment
of peace and quiet is essential for our well-being.
Silence was used in Britain as a sign of respect when King Edward VII died in 1910 and then again, after the Titanic sank in 1912.
But silence officially became a mark of respect on Armistice Day, 11 November 1919, in remembrance of all of those who had died
during the Great War, when a two-minute silence was observed all over the country.
These days, silence is still used as a mark of respect and a way of mourning when significant members of society die or when
tragedy strikes. Silence is used on these occasions not just because of the absence of sound, but also as a way of communicating,
a way of making it known that often we have no words to express what we are feeling during these difficult moments. This
respectful silence is collective, it involves everyone and is done in unison. It is a ritual and therefore helps people to feel safe as they
express their extreme emotions in silence.

1 Are the following statements true (T) or false (F)? Use the
exact words from the text to justify your answers.
1 Silence can be uncomfortable.
2 Silence is used to show respect because it is something that
can be shared.
3 Silence can be appropriate in situations when expressing
one’s feelings can be difficult.
2 Answer the following questions in your own words, relating
to the ideas from the passage.
1 What aspects of everyday life add to noise pollution?
2 When was silence first officially used in Britain as a sign of
respect and how?
3 Use of English
1 Rewrite this sentence in reported speech.
‘Can you imagine a world without sound?’
She asked
2 Turn the following sentence into the passive voice.
Many people dislike silence.
3 Complete the following sentence.
If tragedy strikes
4 Join both sentences by means of a relative pronoun.
Some cities today are very noisy. They have a lot of traffic.
4 Find words or phrases in the text which mean …
1 not necessary (paragraph 1)
2 the state of feeling healthy and happy (paragraph 1)
3 showing great sorrow for someone who has died
(paragraph 3)
4 together; at the same time (paragraph 3)

5 Write a composition of 100–130 words on the following.

We cannot live without noise. Discuss.

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