Customs and manners in foreign countries - PAU Andalucía 2013

>Exámenes selectividad inglés resueltos Andalucía

When you travel to foreign countries on holiday, you need to keep in mind that their customs can be quite different and possibly contrary to yours. Before you go on holiday, read as much as you can about the country where you’ll be staying. There are several things you should not do when you travel as they are considered bad taste; for example, taking photographs of people without asking their permission or getting familiar too soon.
As for clothing, wearing shorts in public is generally not acceptable in most parts of the world, including some European countries. If you are used to sunbathing topless on the beach, for example, you had better find out if that’s acceptable where you’re going.
And it’s certainly not always about clothes. There are places like Singapore, where it’s illegal to chew gum or spit, and doing either can get you into serious legal trouble. One thing worth remembering is that you should learn some polite expressions. English is pretty common worldwide, and you can always include body language to get your message across. However, some gestures have totally different meanings in other countries. In Bulgaria shaking your head horizontally means ‘yes’. In general, some topics like money, religion, politics or sex can be touchy or controversial. The Japanese do not want to talk about World War II; the French hate the classic American question ‘What do you do for a living?’
In other words, you need to be very aware of local laws and customs as well as show respect. Remember you are a guest in another country, so behave the way you would want people to behave in your country.

  RESPUESTAS

I. READING COMPREHENSION

ANSWER QUESTIONS 1-3 ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION GIVEN IN THE TEXT. USE YOUR OWN WORDS.

1. What can you do to avoid getting into trouble when you travel abroad? PAR.1

2. What does the text say about clothing? PAR.2

3. Why is English so important when you travel? PAR.3

ARE THESE STATEMENTS TRUE OR FALSE? JUSTIFY YOUR ANSWERS WITH THE PRECISE WORDS OR PHRASES FROM THE TEXT, OR USE YOUR OWN WORDS.

4. According to the text, you should be careful before taking a photograph.

• TRUE: taking photographs of people without asking their permission is considered bad taste.

5. The best way to communicate safely is through body language

• FALSE: You have to be careful as some gestures have totally different meanings in other countries.

 

II. USE OF ENGLISH

6. GIVE ONE SYNONYM FOR “trouble” (noun) AS IT IS USED IN THE TEXT (line 9).

• problem

7. FIND IN THE TEXT THE WORD WHICH HAS THE FOLLOWING DEFINITION: "someone who is offered hospitality”.

• guest

8. FILL IN THE GAP WITH THE CORRECT PREPOSITION: (at / of / with / for)

• I’ve always dreamt of travelling to foreign countries.

9. GIVE ONE OPPOSITE FOR “polite” (adjective) AS IT IS USED IN THE TEXT (line 9).

• impolite

10. TURN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE INTO THE ACTIVE VOICE: 

A solution to the problem has been found.

• They have found a solution to the problem.

11. GIVE A QUESTION FOR THE UNDERLINED WORD: 

There are two new students in my class.

• How many new students are there in your class?

12. JOIN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES USING A RELATIVE. MAKE CHANGES IF NECESSARY. 

My girlfriend comes from Singapore. Her name is Alisha.

• My girlfriend, whose name is Alisha, comes from Singapore.

13. REWRITE THE SENTENCE WITHOUT CHANGING ITS MEANING. BEGIN AS INDICATED.

It is too expensive to travel abroad.

• Travelling abroad isn’t cheap enough.

+EXÁMENES RESUELTOS