Treasures of the Earth - PAU 2010

>Exámenes selectividad inglés Galicia resueltos

“Treasures of the Earth” examines the geology which affects our lives. In the exhibition, there is a model house which demonstrates how and where we use substances obtained from the earth. You can locate materials such as copper and titanium, which can be found in a typical kitchen or garage.

We advise you to see the beautiful animated film, which shows the different geological periods. A large model shows you a modern gold mine. Near it is a display of useful minerals, where you can inspect a collection of domestic objects. All of these contain natural substances, and any questions you have about the minerals can be answered.

Our scientists use samples from the collection in order to study the minerals, each one of which has its own characteristics, from the hardness of diamond to the softness of talc. These differences mean that minerals like iron can be used for a variety of purposes, for tools, building materials, or jewellery, for example. Discover our planet’s secrets! In one section of the exhibition you will find a sample of rock from the moon which has been lent by NASA. Part of this rock is older than any we know on earth.

Dramatic changes are produced by movements or fractures of the earth, which cause volcanoes and earthquakes. You can experience for yourself how an earthquake feels in our earthquake room, and in a spectacular video you can watch the entire four-thousand-million-year history of the planet in just a few minutes.

RESPUESTAS

READING COMPREHENSION 

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

In this interesting geological exhibition we can find hard and soft minerals, which can be used for many purposes, collections of objects that contain minerals, a model house and gold mine, and rock from the moon. We can also experience an earthquake and watch the geological history of the planet.

2. Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given here.

• a) A public display, where things are on show: exhibition
• b) Implements used by the hand: tools
• c) Given, but only for a period of time: lent
• d) Breaks or cracks: fractures

3. Complete the second sentence of each pair so that it has the same meaning as the first one.

• a) They use samples from the collection in order to study the minerals.
• Samples from the collection are used (in order) to study the minerals.
• b) We advise you to see the beautiful animated film.
• “You should / ought to see the beautiful animated film,” they said to us.
• c) In the exhibition, there is a model house.
• The exhibition has / contains a model house.
• d) A large model shows you a modern gold mine.
• You can see a large model of a modern gold mine / that shows a modern gold mine.
   

4. Answer the following questions in your own words.

• a) Where do you think this text came from? Who wrote it and why was it written?
• I think the text came from an advertisement or a brochure for an exhibition in a geological museum. It contains a lot of details, so I think it was written by a person who works in the museum, and the reason it was written is that they want people to come to the museum.
• b) How are the minerals mentioned in the text useful in our lives?
• The minerals are used in a lot of objects that we use in our lives every day, such as tools, talc, building materials and jewellery.

WRITING 

5. Describe a visit to a museum, exhibition or art gallery if you have been to one. If not, do you think they should be free, or should people have to pay to enter? Give reasons for your answer (Approximately 120 words)

I went to the Reina Sofía Museum in Madrid at Christmas last year, where there was a special exhibition of pictures by Velázquez. We (I and my mother) travelled to Madrid by plane and underground and reached the museum easily. It was in a large modern building in the centre. We had to wait a long time before we were able to enter because a lot of people. We were all very excited and I think everybody learnt a lot about the artist and his work, and something about Spanish history too. Velázquez used colours in a way nobody had done before, and was an idol for many artists after he died, such as Salvador Dalí.

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