Examen de Ingls Intermedio B2 (Vantage)

Name & surnames: ___________________________

DNI: ___________________________ Signature: ____________________

ACLES exam
Read the instructions carefully. Write ALL your answers on the separate answer sheets.

Part 1: Reading (25%)

Instructions:
This part of the exam consists of two texts (60-70 minutes). Please read the two texts carefully.

Transfer all your answers to the answer sheet. Anything written on a different piece of paper
will not be graded.

Task 1 (15 marks)

Text 1: News report: Read the following article from the Guardian and answer the questions
below.

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Comic books embrace gay characters as readers hope it's just the beginning: Marvel and
DC featured high-profile plot lines this year, but many gay readers are wondering where the
industry will go next
Amanda Holpuch, The Guardian

The comic-book industry has earned billions over the years with variations on one very
simple story: do-gooders helping the oppressed defend themselves. It's a tale that resonates
strongly with the medium's fans especially gay readers, who have often faced oppression in
the real world and sought solace in superheroes.

This year, finally, the industry embraced those readers as mainstream publishers offered
prominent gay plot lines. Archie Comics' first gay character, Kevin Keller, was married in
January; Marvel's X-man Northstar was married in May; and DC Comics reintroduced the
Green Lantern as gay in June."I think any large industry responds more slowly than the
culture it feeds, so I think that the prevailing attitude in society are leading popular culture in

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that direction, towards acceptance, towards embracing all members of their community," said
Jono Jarrett, the co-founder of Geeks Out, a group that celebrates the overlap between geek
and LGBTQ culture.

The perceived geekiness of comic book culture can mark readers out as somehow odd - and
for young gay people coming to terms with a sexual preference that goes against the
mainstream, that can be yet another thing that identifies them as different.

"We're trying to address the sense that if you are a gay geek, you are not doubly doomed, you
are doubly awesome," Jarrett said.

For older gay comic-book readers, the gay-centric comic-book plot lines of 2012 were an
important step towards mainstream acceptance.

"For 2012 in comics, it was really incredible, but it was also a beginning," Jarret said. "It
wasn't: 'Oh thank you, now we're satisfied.' It was: 'Thank you, and 'at last' and 'now what?'
And it's great, but this is still the beginning."

Gay comic-book characters have been around for decades, but Archie Comics was the first
mainstream book to put gay marriage in its pages a surprising move for a series that evokes
the bobby-socks-and-milkshake imagery of the 1950s.

Jon Goldwater, the co-chief executive of Archie Comics, said that when he first came to the
company, he held a meeting to ask the writers to come up with contemporary, out-of-the-box
pitches that may not have been acceptable to the previous administration.

Archie Comics writer Dan Parent then approached Goldwater with this pitch: a new character
shows up in the all-American Riverdale, USA. Veronica, the comic's resident hottie, falls for
but can't nab the new Riverdale resident because he's not interested in women.

"It was forward-thinking and it was funny and it was natural, and when Dan pitched it to me I
said: 'You know what? We have to do it. We absolutely have to do it,'" said Goldwater.

It was also important to Goldwater that Keller wasn't seen as a token character, but a natural
part of Archie Comics' Riverdale, USA.

"He's defined by being himself, by being smart, by being a good athlete," Goldwater said of
Keller. "Just a kid who enjoys the high-school experience and just happens to be gay."

Seven people unsubscribed from Archie after Keller was introduced, but thousands more
signed up, Goldwater said.

Months later, Archie Comics hosted the first gay marriage in mainstream comic books when
Keller married his partner, Clay Walker, in the Life with Archie magazine that skews towards
slightly older readers and follows the character's lives as adults.
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Archie's happy ending: the gay wedding issue sold out.

Marvel, inspired by the legalization of gay marriage in New York, followed shortly after with
the marriage of Northstar to his partner, Kyle. Northstar was the first male hero to come out
in the Marvel universe; he began his relationship with Kyle in 2009.

Marvel editor Daniel Ketchum, who is gay, was involved with Northstar story since the two
characters appeared together in 2009; he said the It Gets Better campaign had also influenced
the writers to include a gay marriage storyline.

"I think it was kind of a critical mass of gay discussion in mainstream media, so of course that
seized into creators' heads and finds a way into their stories," Ketchum said.

Marvel PR prepared the team behind Northstar's issue for waves of backlash, but Ketchum
said he was overwhelmed by positive responses.

The marriage was first announced on The View, and Ketchum said when he returned to his
office a half-hour after the episode aired, the first of several emails filling his inbox was from
a gay man who said he had wept at his desk when he heard the news.

The man told Ketchum that comic books had helped him get through darker periods in his life
and that it meant a lot to see a marriage in the Marvel universe because he and his partner
were considering getting married.

"For me, that one email made so much of the experience worth it, where anything anyone else
does good or bad pales in comparison of knowing that this is what it's meant to do," Ketchum
said. "It's meant to touch hearts and minds and resonate with real-life experience. At their
best, I think that's what comic books do."
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Text 1

Questions (15 points)

Section A: Word matching (10 points). Match the following words 1-10 from the text with
their correct definitions on the right. The definition you choose must fit the usage in the text.
The words have been underlined in the text. Put the letter (A, B, C, etc.) corresponding to the
correct definition on the space provided on your answer sheet. None of the definitions should
be used more than once and some are not used at all.

Example: 0. signed up:

Z. having enrolled for or subscribed to something.

Answer: 0.Z

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Words from the text.
1. mainstream
2. plot-lines
3. embracing
4. geekiness
5. out-of-the box
6. pitch
7. skews
8. come out
9. backlash
10. partner

Definitions
A. an idea that is eliminated because it is too radical
B. a classmate
C. original or creative
D. a strong and adverse reaction by a large number of people, esp. to a social or political
development
E. the minimum size or amount of something required to start or maintain a venture
F. make something biased toward one particular group or subject
G. holding someone physically in a friendly or romantic way
H. a form of words used when trying to persuade someone to buy or accept something
I. different from what is usual or expected; strange
J. emerge from a state of secrecy (especially about ones homosexuality)
K. characteristic of an unfashionable or socially inept person
L. the course or main features of a narrative or story
M. the main argument of a play, film or novel
N. characteristic of the ideas, attitudes, or activities that are regarded as normal or
conventional
O. accepting or supporting something willingly or enthusiastically
P. either member of a married couple or of an established unmarried couple

Section B: Multiple choice (5 points). Choose the best answer for each question and write
the corresponding letter (A, B or C) on your answer sheet.

Example: 0. What is this article about?

A. The fact that comic books have recently included gay characters being saved by
superheroes.
B. The fact that gays are reading more comic books now than ever before.
C. The reaction of gay people to the increasing number of gay characters in comic books.

Answer: 0. C

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1. Popular culture such as comic books can, according to Jono Jarrett,
A. help people accept an idea or attitude that they hadnt before.
B. often follow behind the changing attitudes of people.
C. help people see the relationship between being gay and being an outsider.

2. Jon Goldwater suggests that the change at Archie comics is due largely to
A. the rise of a new generation of younger, more tolerant writers.
B. the fact that the conservative, 1950s image of the magazine was causing sales to go
down.
C. a change in leadership at the magazine.

3. The article says that the introduction of a gay character to Archie comics had a __________
effect on sales.
A. mostly positive
B. mostly negative
C. mostly neutral

4. The decision for Marvel Comics to address the topic of gay marriage is due primarily to
A. the fact that the editor is also gay.
B. pressure from readers to accept gay marriage.
C. the legalization of gay marriage in New York and its presence in the media.

5. What does the article say about the response to Northstars marriage by the general public?
A. It has led a lot of gay couples to consider getting married.
B. It wasnt as negative as the publishers thought it would be.
C. The publishers have received several negative emails.

Task 2 (10 marks)

Text 2: Travel Blog.

Read the travel blog Five Cities that Deserve a Second Chance and do task 3 afterwards by
matching paragraphs A-E with the questions that follow.

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Five Cities That Deserve a Second Chance

Blog: Landlopers - 9 October 2012 By: Matt Long

Travel isnt always rainbows and baby camels. Sometimes bad things happen and sometimes
we visit places that we dont like. I know, I know, theres something good to be found
everywhere; except when you dont want to find it. Usually when I dont like a new city or
destination its because I was in a bad mood or something rubbed me the wrong way. Im a
fairly temperamental person and when I decide I dont like something, I tend to never deviate
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from that idea. So in a spirit of reconciliation, I began to think of some destinations that I
didnt love but that I think deserve a second chance.

A. Athens I cant believe that I actually listed Athens since not only did I not like it, I kind
of hated it as I expounded upon in this post. A look at the facts though will explain my dislike.
We were on a cruise (stop laughing) and had already visited a few of the idyllic Greek islands.
Santorini is small, serene and shockingly beautiful, as are most of the other islands. Thats
why pulling into Athens can be a bit of a culture shock. My impression of Athens was a huge
city covered in soot and grime, encircled by a halo of smog and populated by thousands of
pickpockets who wanted nothing more than my credit cards and cash. Standing high above the
city on the Acropolis I wasnt filled with awe and wonder, I was filled with disgust. It was
swelteringly hot that day as we tried in all earnestness to explore the city and discover its
hidden, very hidden, good side. We never found it and instead walked away very
disappointed. Friends from that ship experienced similar emotions and a few even had their
valuables stolen. As the ship pulled away from port I bade the ancient metropolis farewell,
vowing never to return. Since then Ive talked with a lot of people most of who share my
opinion, but not all. There are some fervent Athens supporters out there and that makes me
believe there must be something, no matter how miniscule, that can redeem this seemingly
lost city. So while I may not be excited to do so, I am willing to return, briefly, to try to find
this well disguised beauty in the city of smog.

B. Sydney Now before you start writing hate letters to me, hear me out. I do not hate
Sydney, far from it. I even enjoyed my time there quite a bit. This post isnt about cities I
hate; its about cities that I need to try again. When we visited Australia the schedule was
tight and only allowed for two-days in the glorious city on the bay, Sydney. We did a lot,
explored the Rocks, walked the bridge and of course took a thousand photos of the famed
Opera House. When our plane left its terrestrial embrace though I wasnt filled with a desire
to return anytime soon. I felt mildly frustrated that I couldnt get past the tourist veneer and
while I enjoyed what I saw, the city and I never clicked. Later during that trip I spent five
days in Melbourne and fell in love almost instantly, which again made me think back to
Sydney. Why hadnt I enjoyed that city more, why hadnt we clicked? I dont want to be
disappointed in Sydney forever, so thats primarily why I want to try it again. This time
though I want to get out into the neighborhoods, I want to find hole in the wall restaurants and
I do not want to climb the bridge. Sometimes a city is so famous and so well known that it can
actually suffer from preconceived expectations. I think thats what happened to Sydney and I
and rather than write off this great antipodean city, I want to give it another go and
reintroduce myself to her.

C. London I have to say from the beginning that this may be a lost cause and its probably
all my fault. When I first visited London it was at the beginning of a summer of travel around
the UK. I spent a few days there, suffering the entire time from jet lag and exhaustion. That
first day I pushed myself to see and do as much as possible, from Bloomsbury to watching
Parliament in action. When I left for experiences further north though I was happy to leave.
Since then Ive returned to London a few times and although Ive never had a bad time per se,
I never once was sad to leave and not once have I had a strong desire to return. Im chastised

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all the time by other travelers for my general ambivalence towards London, and I admit its
strange. Ive enjoyed everything Ive ever done in the city, Im a diehard Anglophile and a
student of English history and yet, London does not do it for me. One problem may be that
Ive never seen the city except in a state of befuddled jet-laggyness. As a result, Ive always
been short-tempered and impossibly cranky while sightseeing. In order to determine once and
for all whether or not London and I are meant to like each other, I need to spend a week or
more only in the English capital and hand myself over to it lock, stock and barrel and see what
comes of it. Only then will I be able to pass final judgment on the city that Wren so lovingly
rebuilt.

D. Toronto Ive explored a lot of Canada lately and Ive enjoyed almost every minute of it.
When people ask about Montreal or Vancouver, my eyes light up and I cant wait to share my
experiences with them. When asked about Toronto though, I usually give a weak smile and
say, Oh, its fine. The root of my wishy-washiness regarding Toronto is the fact that the one
and only time I visited was on a work trip. Now, this wasnt my current job, but my old, soul
sucking occupation so of course I didnt really get to see the city. My initial impressions were
of a very business-minded town, with lots of skyscrapers and not a ton of personality. Since
then Ive met a lot of people from Toronto and they have assured me that this is indeed not the
case. They have tried to convince me that while Toronto may be large, there are plenty of
neighborhoods with personality and lots to do for any style of traveler. I readily admit that I
didnt see the city in the way it should be seen and its not that I dont like it, but I dont know
it. Toronto is the perfect candidate for a second chance city and given how much I love other
areas of Canada, I cant imagine I wont soon fall in love with Toronto as well.

E. Ghent Ghent is often called Bruges ugly sister, whether thats fair or not is not for me to
say. Located in Flemish Belgium just a short train ride from Brussels, Ghent often gets a bad
rap. One morning while staying in Brussels we took the train out to Bruges early in the
morning for some sightseeing. Bruges is one of those classically European cities oozing with
old buildings, delicious food and more charm that one place should be allowed to have. If
Disney could recreate Europe, it would all look like Bruges. Thats probably why I was
disappointed when I stepped out of the train station in Ghent and was met with grey skies and
grey buildings. We walked into what we thought was the middle of town, saw a nice market
and some pretty churches but nothing that really took my breath away. The problem here was
my lack of planning of any kind. I did no research and instead relied upon locally provided
tourist information to guide the way. Sometimes that works and other times, such as in Ghent,
it fails. I left disappointed and a little sad that I didnt enjoy the city. Since then Ive seen
amazing photos of the city, a city I never saw. It proved that I missed something and
overlooked key areas of the city that deserve exploration, especially for a casual tourist. I
failed in my duties as a good tourist and I want to redeem myself by visiting again and this
time seeing everything that makes Ghent great and not just grey.

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Text 2 Questions: Matching paragraphs (10 points-1point per question)

Match paragraphs A-E with the questions that follow. Write the letter of the paragraph on the
answer sheet.

Example: 0. Which of cities did the author think was polluted?

Answer: 0. A

Questions:

1. Which of the cities did the writer visit when he was not feeling well?

2. Which of the cities did the writer visit while he was working?

3. Which of the cities does the writer feel that he should have done research on before going?

4. The writer later saw interesting photos of one of these cities that made him want to return.
Which city is it?

5. Which of these cities has the writer been criticized by other travelers for not caring about?

6. Which of these cities did the writer think was dirty?

7. According to the writer, in which of the cities are travelers more likely to find thieves?

8 and 9. In which two cities does the writer feel that he should explore out-of-the-way
neighborhoods?

10. Which of these cities does the writer feel is difficult to really know because its attractions
are so famous?

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 Part 2: Listening (25%)

Instructions:
This part of the exam consists of two recordings. Please read the questions first.

Transfer all your answers to the answer sheet. Anything written on a different piece of paper
will not be graded.

Listening comprehension task 1 (14 marks)

Animal DiseasesMultiple choice (14 points)

Listen to Paul (a British speaker) having a conversation with Steve (an American
speaker) about animals and choose the best answer to that question. Write the
corresponding letter (a, b, c or d) on the answer sheet. There is only ONE correct answer
for each question. You will hear the recording twice.

Example: 0. What kind of animals do people prefer?

a) The kind that are cute and can do tricks

b) Animals that are repulsive

c) Insects

d) Pets

Answer: 0. a

Questions

1. Why do some animals have to be slaughtered? (2 points)

a) Because they need too much attention.

b) Because there are too many

c) Because they will spread disease.

d) Because they are violent.

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2. Are people in some countries frightened about eating sick animals? (2 points)

a) Yes, they are frightened of food poisoning

b) No, they eat them without bothering

c) Yes, because of diseases which are contagious to humans

d) Yes, because of the high mercury content in fish

3. Have Steve and Paul changed their eating habits because of the diseases? (2 points)

a) Paul has but Steve hasn't.

b) Steve has but Paul hasn't.

c) Neither of them have changed.

d) Neither of them eat chicken now.

4. What does Paul say about domestic animals? (3 points)

a) They are all ugly.

b) Cute animals are tastier.

c) We care about all animals even if they're ugly.

d) We don't keep a true representation of the animal kingdom in captivity.

5. What point does Steve make about insects? (3 points)

a) People don't think they are cute.

b) They are ugly.
c) Nobody campaigns to protect them.
d) They are dirty

6. What does Paul say about insects? (2 points)

a) They are important for the environment

b) We are fascinated by them

c) Some insects can perform tricks

d) Cockroaches spread disease

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Listening comprehension task 2 (11 marks)
The DoleFill in the gap (11 points)

Listen to a conversation between Rachel and a friend talking about unemployment

benefit in Scotland and write your answers (1 - 6 words) in the space provided. You will
hear the recording twice.

Example: 0. If you live in Scotland the government __________________________.

Answer: 0. gives you money

Questions

1. You can only get the Dole if ___________________________________. (2 points)

2. Rachel says she was on the Dole for _____________________________. (2 points)

3. The big problem for the government is people who claim ____________. (2 points)

4. How would Rachels father feel if he were on the Dole? _____________. (2 points)

5. When Rachel was on the Dole she thought it was ___________________. (1 point)

6. When you are on the Dole, you have to go to the unemployment office __
________________________________. (2 points)

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 Part 3: Writing (25%)

Instructions:
This part of the exam consists of one question dealing with the use of English and two pieces
of writing. Please read the instructions carefully.

Transfer all your answers to the answer sheet. Anything written on a different piece of paper
will not be graded. You must answer all of the questions.

Instructions for your writing the letter and the composition:

Use language structures and vocabulary appropriate to the B2 level.

Use language which is appropriate in terms of reader, style and formality.
Use punctuation which will facilitate ease of comprehension.

Writing task 1: Use of English (5 marks)

A. Complete the following sentences with ONE word. (0.5 marks each)

Example: 0. Sharon and James get ____ well.

Answer: 0. on

Questions

1. We fell out __________ money.

2. If you come to Vigo, should we _________ up with each other?

3. When we do exercise I cant __________ up with him. Hes much faster.

4. Its time I __________ up a story to get away with it.

5. As soon as I _________ my exam done, Ill look for a job.

6. He resigned ___________________ his job in Madrid.

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B. Rewrite the sentences by using the word in between brackets and keeping the same
meaning. Do not change the word given. You may add between 1 and 4 words to the
word given in order to make the sentence complete (0.5 marks each)

Example: 0. Its unusual for Sarah to be late. (hardly)

Sarah ____________________ late.

Answer: 0. is hardly ever

Questions

1. We were friends in high school and we are still friends (since)

We ____________________were at school together.

2. I regret that I didnt go when I was younger. (regret)

I __________________ going when I was younger.

3. I wish Id done it before (only)

If __________________it before.

4. These days fewer vegetables are eaten than in the past. (many)

People these days dont _______________they used to.

Writing task 2 (10 marks)

ESSAY: The Office of International Relations of your citys university has asked students,
faculty and members of the community to contribute opinion essays on the benefits of
international exchange programs such as the Erasmus program. In this piece, you should
explain why you think international exchange programs are beneficial to your university
and/or community. Your essay should be between 150 200 words long.

Writing task 3 (10 marks)

FORMAL COMPLAINT LETTER: You have recently bought a new Smart TV from an
online electronics website and have discovered that the Internet feature doesnt work. Write a
formal email to the online shop where you bought your new Smart TV to complain about it
(130 180 words). In your letter you should mention:

- The problem
- When you need the TV for
- What you expect them to do: refund or replacement
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 1. Key
1.1. Reading (25%)
Task 1:

Section A: Word matching (10 points):

1. N 2. L 3. O 4. K 5. C or I 6. H 7. F 8. J 9. D 10. P

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Section B: Multiple choice (5 points):

1. B 2. C 3. A 4. C 5. B

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Task 2-Matching paragraphs (10 points)

1. C 2. D 3. E 4. E 5. C 6. A 7. A 8. B or D 9. B or D 10. B

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1.2. Listening (25%)

Listening comprehension 1 - Multiple choice (14 points):

1. C 2. C 3. C 4. D 5. C 6. A

(2 pts) (2 pts) (2 pts) (3 pts) (3 pts) (2 pts)

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Listening Comprehension 2 Fill in the gap (11 points): (sample answers)

1. Youve (actually) been paying taxes 2. A couple of weeks

3. Disability benefits/disability 4. Ashamed/Embarrassed

5. Great. 6. On a regular basis/regularly

1.3. Writing (25%)

Task 1--Use of English(5 points)

Section A:

1. over 2. meet/catch 3. Keep 4. made/thought 5. Get 6. from

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Section B: (sample answers)

1. have been friends since we 2. regret not

3. If only Id done 4. eat as many vegetables as

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