PAU CÓDIGO 11

2025
INGLÉS

This exam comprises four questions: 1. and 2. contain two subsections which you must answer in full; 3. contains
only one section which you must answer; in 4., answer only one of the two subsections.

Read the following text:

In common with many gender-based languages, Spanish resorts to a generic masculine when it isn’t specified
whether the subject is male or female. For example, a girl is a “niña” and a boy is a “niño”, but collectively,
children are “niños”. One solution hit upon by supporters of inclusive language is to “double up” on genders so
that “the neighbourhood children” becomes “the neighbourhood boys and girls”, but such innovations can
infuriate traditionalists. The conservative-minded RAE has so far managed to evade the question but has
previously defended the gender neutrality of masculine nouns. “Doubling up is artificial and unnecessary from a
linguistic perspective,” it said in an official statement. “The explicit use of the feminine is only justified when the
opposition of the sexes is relevant.”
The battle over language is only the latest fought by Spanish feminists, whose movement flowered in the 1930s
during the Second Republic when women such as Clara Campoamor campaigned for women’s suffrage and
Dolores Ibárruri, better known as La Pasionaria, was a leader of the Communist party and the anti-fascist
movement. When the fascist victory in 1939 installed a Catholic dictatorship, feminism was delayed but has since
been making up for lost time. In fact, the first feminist congress was held just 17 days after General Franco’s
death in 1975. Today, the spokeswomen for the #MeToo movement in the European parliament, Amelia
Martínez Lobo and Arantxa Calvera, are both Spanish. Now, in what is considered its fourth wave, the movement
has become more militant. Over the past two years this growing militancy has seen millions of women take to
the streets on International Women’s Day, which takes place on 8th March. The movement’s main focus is on
sexual consent, equal pay, parental leave and violence against women.

1. Answer both subsections in this question. (2.5 points)

1.1. Indicate whether the following statements are True, False or the information is Not Given in the text
(T/F/NG). In true and false cases, copy the part of the text which justifies your answer. (1.5 points)
1. Spanish is a language with a grammatical gender system.
T: “In common with many gender-based languages, Spanish…”
2. The President of the European Parliament agrees that languages must be inclusive.
NG
3. The Spanish Language Academy is in favour of using masculine AND feminine nouns whenever possible.
F: “The conservative-minded RAE […] has previously defended the gender neutrality of masculine
nouns. ‘Doubling up is artificial and unnecessary from a linguistic perspective,’ it said in an official
statement. The explicit use of the feminine is only justified when the opposition of the sexes is
relevant.’”
4. Many feminist writers and thinkers were sent to prison during the Francoist regime because of their ideas.
NG
5. The Feminist movement blossomed during the Second Spanish Republic.
T: “The battle over language is only the latest fought by Spanish feminists, whose movement flowered
in the 1930s during the Second Republic.”
6. Using non-inclusive forms of the language will contribute to social inequality in the future.
NG

1.2. Find a synonym for each of the following words. (1 point)

1.employs 2. discovered 3. postponed 4. salary 5. concern
1. resorts to 2. hit upon 3. delayed 4. pay 5. focus

2. Answer both subsections in this question. (2.5 points)

2.1. Write a new sentence that has the same meaning as the given one. Use the word or expression in brackets.
(1.5 points)
1. Some people like the old language rules. Inclusive language users are implementing new strategies. (although)
Although some people like the old language rules, inclusive language users are implementing new strategies.
OR
Inclusive language users are implementing new strategies, although some people like the old language rules.
2. The Second Spanish Republic happened in the 1930s. Clara Campoamor campaigned for women’s suffrage.
(when)
Clara Campoamor campaigned for women’s suffrage when the Second Spanish Republic happened in the
1930s.
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OR
Clara Campoamor campaigned for women’s suffrage in the 1930s, when the Second Spanish Republic
happened.
OR
In the 1930s, when the Second Spanish Republic happened, Clara Campoamor campaigned for women’s
suffrage.
OR
When the Second Spanish Republic happened, in the 1930s, Clara Campoamor campaigned for women’s
suffrage.
3. The fascist regime started in 1939. Franco died in 1975. (from… until)
The fascist regime lasted from 1939 until Franco’s death, in 1975.
OR
The fascist regime lasted from 1939 until 1975, when Franco died.
4. The Feminist movement has become more militant. The #MeToo movement in the European parliament has two
spokeswomen. (ever since)
Ever since the Feminist movement became more militant, the #MeToo movement in the European
parliament has had two spokeswomen.
OR
The #MeToo movement in the European parliament has had two spokeswomen ever since the Feminist
movement became more militant.
5. The spokeswomen for the #MeToo movement in the European parliament are both Spanish. (who)
The two women who work as spokeswomen for the #MeToo movement in the European parliament are
both Spanish.
OR
The two spokeswomen who represent the #MeToo movement in the European parliament are both
Spanish.
6. There are still many issues to be dealt regarding gender equality. International Women’s Day takes place on
8th March every year. (given that)
Given that there are still many issues to be dealt regarding gender equality, International Women’s Day
keeps taking place on 8th March every year.

2.2. Answer the following questions about pronunciation. (1 point)

1. In which two words is the final "-ed" pronounced as in “worked”? feared, tasted, stopped, climbed, ranked,
humbled, played, evolved.
stopped, ranked
2. In which word is the underlined vowel pronounced like the "e" in “equal”? enter, even, elbow, exit.
even
3. In which word do(es) the underlined letter(s) have the same sound as the "o" in “focus”? along, reboot,
moment, joyful.
moment
4. In which word is the letter "g" pronounced the same as in “gender”? ghost, guidance, manage, finger.
manage
5. Which word contains the same vowel sound as the underlined vowel in “Republic”? focus, ambiguous,
multiple, ensure.
multiple

3. In this text, fill in the gaps with the most suitable option from the four options given for each gap.
(2.5 points)
Interviewer: Hello, Maria. Thanks for coming in for the interview.
María: It's my pleasure. Thanks for inviting me.
1: invite / hearing to / inviting / listen to
Interviewer: Well, as you know, the company has been expanding and we have an opening in our HR
department. We're creating a new role for someone to lead our training and development within the company.
2: expanded / will expand / has been expanding / was expanded
María: Yes, I very much think that my skills and experience are a good fit for what you're looking for.
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Interviewer: That sounds great. So, your CV looks strong, though it would be good if you could give us an
overview, in your own words, of what you've been doing over the past four years or so.
3: since / on / over / between
María: Well, in my first job, four years ago, I was working for a small HR services provider which offered HR
services, including L&D, to corporate clients.
Interviewer: OK, so it was only B2B?
María: Yes, we only offered services to other companies, not B2C.
Interviewer: Right, and it says here you then left that company about three years ago.
4: stayed / left / paid for / bought
María: Yes, that's right. I was looking for a little more stability and also to be part of a larger organisation. So I
joined a company with around one hundred staff and a small HR team. As there are only a few of us, we each
deal with a range of HR topics. In addition to payroll, one of the areas I was responsible for was learning and
development.
5: a few of / less of / fewer than / many more
Interviewer: I see. And, so why do you want to change jobs now?
María: Well, I very much like the L&D side of my role and I've always had particularly good feedback for my work
in this area. I excel in that field. So, I'm looking to specialise, and as your company has around 2,000 people,
right?
6: trust / intentions / feedback / complaints
Interviewer: Yes, that's right.
María: Well, an organisation of this size would give me the scope to specialise in L&D. I'm also a big follower of
your brand and feel fully aligned with your image and values.
7: follower / boss / critic / bang
Interviewer: Well, that all sounds good. And I can see you have an L&D qualification.
María: Yes, I got a diploma two years ago. I am also currently working on a further diploma in psychology, with
a specific focus on learning and performance management.
Interviewer: Very good. Well, it looks like you have the qualifications and experience we're looking for. What do
you think will be the main challenges of coming to a much larger company?
8: ideas / mistakes / challenges / cons
María: I can see that it might be perceived as a weakness to not have experience in an organisation of this size,
though I see that it could also be a benefit. I won't be bringing too many preconceived and inflexible ideas with
me to the role.
Interviewer: Yes, that would be a good thing.
María: Who would I mostly work with on a daily basis?
Interviewer: Well, there's the HR manager who you would report to. And then the HR team, which currently has
six people in it. There's usually an intern or two who you can get some support from also.
9: be friends / trust / invite / report to
María: OK. Thanks.
Interviewer: Great. So, thanks again for coming in today. We'll be discussing all candidates next week and then
I'll get back to you by the end of next week to let you know the outcome.
10: on / in / after /by
María: Thank you for your time. I'd welcome the opportunity to continue discussing this role with you.

4. Answer one of the following subsections (2.5 points)

4.1. Write a formal e-mail to a member of the European Parliament complaining about a specific issue that
people your age in Spain are concerned about. (120 words)
Notes: Pay attention to the rules of formal writing in terms of register and style (i.e., formal greetings
at the beginning and at the end, paragraph organisation, formulae used to open and close the e-mail,
use of formal connectors and discourse markers, no contractions, etc.)
4.2. Write a brief composition answering this question: What is your view on gender equality? (120 words)
Notes: Pay attention to the fact that this is academic writing, so pay attention to register and style (i.e.,
no contractions, use of well-suited connectors and discourse markers, sound structure: opening +
formulation of thesis statement + development of supporting ideas + conclusion, etc.)