PAAU Practice Examination (Galiza)

Read the text and the instructions to the questions very carefully. Answer all the questions
in English.

Most mountaineers will probably tell you that they climb mountains because of the challenge.
But Rob the Rubbish climbs mountains to collect the rubbish.
Robin Kevan, aged 63, was horrified by the litter in the streets of his hometown, Llanwrtyd
Wells in Wales. However, instead of complaining, he started to pick up the rubbish and most
days filled a large plastic sack, or bin bag, by breakfast. One day, his wife wrote “Rob the
Rubbish” on his jacket, and the name stuck.
In November 2005, Rob heard about the litter on Ben Nevis, the United Kingdom’s highest
mountain. In a two-day visit, he filled six bin bags with rubbish. Wearing his yellow jacket and
two pairs of gloves (because, he explains, you never know what you may encounter in other
people’s rubbish), he has since climbed other mountains in the UK. He finds paper wrappers,
plastic bags, soft drinks cans and bottles. These are the worst, because glass takes a million years
to degrade.
Rob believes that tackling the problem of rubbish involves the re-education of a whole
generation. Until then, he wants to do what he can to help restore the purity of natural beauty
spots. In addition, his self-imposed task brings him other advantages: a healthy outdoor hobby, a
sense of purpose and a feeling of satisfaction.
As a result of the publicity he had received, in autumn 2006 Rob climbed Mt Everest to collect
rubbish from the base camp. Now he wants to visit Mt Kilimanjaro in east Africa. Rob hopes that
he is raising awareness of the litter problem with his work. So, the next time you go hiking, make
sure you don’t leave your rubbish behind.

Questions
1. Write a summary of the text in English, including the most important points, using your own
words whenever possible. (maximum 50 words, 1 point)

2. Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions
given here. (1 point: 0.25 each)
a) big (paragraph 2)
b) disintegrate (paragraph 3)
c) to bring something back to its original state (paragraph 4)
d) job (paragraph 4)

3. Complete the second sentence of each pair so that it has the same meaning as the first one.
(2 points: 0.5 points each)
a) Many mountaineers climb mountains because the mountains present a challenge.
The mountains present a challenge, ……………………
b) Robin Kevan was horrified by the litter in the streets.
The litter ……………………
c) Although it was hard work, he started to pick up the rubbish.
In spite of ……………………
d) Rob hopes that he is raising awareness of the litter problem with his work.
Rob hopes to ……………………

PAAU Galiza – Rob the Rubbish 1/2

4. Answer the following questions in your own words. (2 points: 1 point each)
a) In what ways does Rob benefit personally by collecting rubbish?
b) Why was Rob finally able to go to Mt Everest in 2006?

5. In your opinion, what can be done to reduce litter in your region? (approximately 120 words;
3 points)

PAAU Galiza – Rob the Rubbish 2/2

 PAAU Practice Examination (Galiza) – Answer Key
1. Answers will vary.

2. a) large
b) degrade
c) restore
d) task

3. a) so / therefore many mountaineers climb them.

b) in the streets horrified Robin Kevan.
c) the hard work / it being hard work, he started to pick up the rubbish.
d) raise awareness of the litter problem with his work.

4. a) It is a healthy hobby, it gives him something useful to do and it makes him feel satisfied.
b) Because he had received a lot of publicity.

5. Answers will vary.

PAAU Galiza – Rob the Rubbish